Research Focus
We lead QIMRB’s research on the epidemiology of chronic liver disease and liver cancer. To achieve our vision, our research has focused on three broad areas, namely:
- Through data linkage studies, our research targets the disparities in healthcare use and patient outcomes. We focus on regional areas, First Nations people, and the use of clinical and health service data to identify individuals at highest risk of progression of liver disease and liver cancer.
- Through mixed-methods studies, including qualitative interviews with patients and health professionals, we are examining patients’ perspectives and preferences about their care, and their practical, psychosocial and information needs.
- Through interventional studies we are exploring new models of care aimed at improving early identification of patients at risk of liver disease progression and liver cancer, reducing barriers associated with their diagnosis and management, and improving patient outcomes.
Gallery
Research Projects
Current Research Projects
Cirrhosis data linkage study.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) data linkage study.
Liver health study: a mixed-methods study with people diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.
Past Research Projects
Patient outcomes and healthcare resource utilisation in cirrhosis: role of unmet supportive care needs and health literacy - 2020 Metro South Health Research Support Scheme (MSH RSS) Project (Women in Health Research) Grant.
Medication (mis)use and health outcomes in people with cirrhosis: a prospective observational study of CirCare participants (CirCare-Med Study) - 2021 Metro South Health Research Support Scheme (MSH RSS) Early Career Researcher Grant.
Improving coordination of care for Indigenous Australians with cirrhosis and liver cancer - 2021 Metro South Health Research Support Scheme (MSH RSS) Indigenous Health Research Project Grant.
Research Team
Karen Simmons
Dilum Ekanayake
Funding
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital and Health Service 2021 SERTF - Wishlist Collaborative Research Grants
- Metro North Collaborative Research Grants (CRG-437-2022)
- 2022 TRI-CSIRO Australian e-Health Research Centre (AEHRC)
- 2022 MRFF Indigenous Health Research (Grant 2024966)
- Commonwealth Department of Health (2018–19/05156)
- Gastroenterological Society of Australia
- MRFF Keeping Australians Out of Hospital funding commencing 2019 (1175567)
- Princes Alexandra Research Foundation Award (2021)
- Metro South Health Research Support Scheme Grant (#RSS_2022_012)
Publications
O'Beirne J, Skoien R, Leggett BA, Hartel GF, Gordon LG, Powell EE, Valery PC. Diabetes mellitus and the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to decompensated cirrhosis: a retrospective cohort study. Med J Aust. Oct 16 2023;219(8):358-365.
Valery PC, Bernardes CM, McKillen B, Amarasena S, Stuart KA, Hartel G, Clark PJ, Skoien R, Rahman T, Horsfall L, Hayward K, Gupta R, Lee A, Pillay L, Powell EE. The Patient's Perspective in Cirrhosis: Unmet Supportive Care Needs Differ by Disease Severity, Etiology, and Age. Hepatol Commun. May 2021;5(5):891-905.
Wigg AJ, Narayana SK, Hartel G, Medlin L, Pratt G, Powell EE, Clark P, Davies J, Campbell K, Toombs M, Larkin M, Valery PC. Hepatocellular carcinoma amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia. EClinicalMedicine. Jun 2021;36:100919.
Further Information
- Centre for Liver Disease Research, The University of Queensland
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- Mater Hospital Brisbane, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital
- The University of Queensland
- Queensland University of Technology, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation
- Queensland Health
- Flinders Medical Centre
- Burnet Institute, Victoria
- University of Western Australia, Western Australia