Mapping pathways through care for individuals with bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a complex disorder, and as such, there can be diagnostic delays of 10 or more years, individuals have difficulties accessing appropriate treatment, and there can be poor long-term outcomes. We do not have a good understanding of the pathways through care and opportunities to improve service access and care. Early detection and earlier effective treatment can improve outcomes. This research program is part of a NHMRC Partnership Grant focusing on health and service utilisation behaviours in young people, as well as part of the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Bipolar Disorder (CORE-BD); both led by Prof Sue Cotton. In this research program, students will use advance statistical and modelling techniques to understand care pathways for individuals with bipolar disorder in Victoria using linked data. Students are expected to have some experience with R and modelling techniques. Other supervisors will be Dr Caroline Gao (Senior Research Fellow, Statistician) and Dr Mel Hasty Senior Research Fellow, Clinical Psychologist and Executive Officer of CORE-BD.