NHMRC 2016 Award For Centre for Research Excellence

A new Centre for Research Excellence funded by the NHMRC will be established at St Vincent's Hospital precinct within the Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne.

Led by Professor Peter Choong, the $2.5m centre will target the journey of patients undergoing joint replacement surgery, seeking to optimise patient safety and outcomes, in addition to improving efficiencies and equitability of this important surgical procedure.

The aims are to target  appropriate patient selection, alignment of patient-surgeon expectations, alternatives to surgery, and accelerated peri-operative and rehabilitation workflows, all crucial points in the “real world” patient journey. 

"Our unique, multidisciplinary, holistic approach will create an integrated framework that brings together international experts to develop an innovative and evidence-based approach to total joint replacement to ensure equity for all Australians with end-stage osteoarthritis," said Professor Choong. 

Joint replacement surgery is one of the most successful surgeries performed in Australia and globally. With an ageing population, demand for this procedure will increase dramatically, placing burden on a constrained health system.