Valerie Quah

2023 Dr Leon Carp Award Winner

Dr Valerie Quah

Dr Quah’s research sits within the Diabetes and Cardio-Metabolic Conditions research theme, focussing on diabetes among First Nations people. Valerie conducted her research from within Indigenous communities in Alice Springs, NT and was supervised by A/Professor Jo-Anne Manski-Nankervis and Dr Rita McMorrow.

“I have seen so many patients with complex co-morbidities and complications of diabetes, it has ignited my interest to do my part in improving health outcomes and help in primary and secondary prevention of diabetes in the community," said Dr Valerie Quah.

"Many chronic illnesses today can be controlled and prevented with health education. This is where I can contribute as a GP; undertaking research in the Northern Territory where the rate of diabetic nephropathy leading to renal failure is among the highest in the communities,” she said.

Dr Quah's research project is a case study on a sample of pregnant women with Type 2 diabetes, who are attending a new pilot program at the AMS clinic she is working in - called Shared Medical Appointments. The participants have been fitted with CGM devices that are funded by the clinic. These are small, wearable devices that continuously measure glucose levels and record trends and patterns over the 24 hour period.

This is an exciting new space in the AMA clinic that only began last year. Valerie has been interviewing and following up with the women for a period of three months during their pregnancy. The results of the interview and data collected will be presented in April 2024.