People who have had joint replacement surgery while taking blood thinners (anticoagulants), or cared for someone who has, are invited to help shape future care at Ipswich Hospital.
West Moreton Health, University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researchers are leading a project to improve how blood thinners are managed before and after major orthopaedic procedures like hip, knee, and shoulder replacements, or hip fracture surgery.
Clinical Pharmacist and PhD student Courtney Rose, who is leading the research, said involving people with lived experience would help ensure any new approach is practical and focused on the patient.
“We’re developing a new way of providing care to guide the safe use of blood thinners around the time of surgery,” Ms Rose said.
“To get it right, we need input from people who’ve had this experience, either as a patient or a carer.”
Join the research project
West Moreton Health is seeking three consumer representatives to join the dedicated research group.
To be eligible, you must have:
- had a joint replacement or hip fracture surgery at Ipswich Hospital in the past five years while being treated with a blood thinner
- or been the primary carer for someone who has.
Participants will be asked to take part in six group sessions:
- The first session (3 hours) will take place in mid-2025
- Five additional sessions (2 hours each) will be held monthly from late 2025 to early 2026.
Payment
Consumers will be remunerated for their time, in line with West Moreton Health’s consumer engagement rates at $50/hour during meetings.
How to get involved
Complete the expression of interest form by 22 June 2025.