Project: Implementing a novel genomic mainstreaming care model.
Discipline: Clinical Genetics
Project Level: Honours/Masters
Supervisor: Dr Kathy Wu
Project commencement: Variable
Summary: Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) is the most common genetic form of diabetes. It represents a good disease model for implementation of genomic mainstreaming, as its point-of-care diagnosis will guide tailored management in those newly diagnosed with diabetes. Under this novel care model, patients attending Diabetes Clinic on campus will be screened via a questionnaire, to identify those who fulfil the criteria for MODY genomic testing. Those fulfilling the criteria will be offered, counselled, and consented by their Endocrinologists (supported by the CGU team if necessary), and testing arranged in the Diabetes Clinic. Results will be given by their treating Endocrinologist, with a referral made to the CGU for those tested positive for follow-up of family implications. Psychosocial stress associated with testing will be evaluated through validated questionnaires at 2 weeks after undergoing testing, and 2 weeks after result disclosure.
Contact: Dr Kathy Wu at kathy.wu@svha.org.au
 
Project: Informing resource needs of pharmacogenomics-guided therapy in patients with mental health illnesses and drug/alcohol addictions: for SVHA campus-wide implementations and beyond.
Discipline: Clinical Genetics
Project Level: Honours/Masters/PhD
Supervisor: Dr Kathy Wu
Project commencement: Variable
Summary: There is increasing evidence for pharmacogenomics (PG)-guided psychotropic therapy in patients with mental health illnesses; and increasing evidence for addiction-PG in patients undergoing D&A rehabilitation, in achieving better response/remission compared with conventional therapy. However, the knowledge and acceptability of the Australian clinicians involved in the care of these patients remain unknown. Phase 1: We aim to investigate the knowledge/acceptability and the resource needs of the relevant clinicians to inform wider clinical implementation across both Sydney and Melbourne campuses. Phase 2:  PG testing will be implemented with support needs developed from data generated from Phase 1, in two pilot patient cohorts  – patients with mental health illnesses and patients with D&A addictions. Data from Phase 2 will be prospectively collected, and implementation outcome measured against a set of parameters, including patient response and remission rates, patient and clinician satisfaction. Phase 3 - Cost-saving analysis will be performed, including cost of implementation, number/cost of hospital admissions/adverse drug reactions potentially avoided/aborted had therapy not been guided by PG. Data collected will form part of evidence for future government lobby into Medicare rebate for PG testing.      
Contact: Dr Kathy Wu at kathy.wu@svha.org.au