The South West Sydney Rheumatology Research Group are focused on improving the lives of people with musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases. The group has embedded research into clinical practice at Liverpool Hospital, focusing on the delivery of person-centred care in the South Western Sydney Local Health District. 

Our goals

The research group seeks to explore underlying mechanisms operating in musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases and how they are managed, with the aim of developing new or improved treatments.

Research strengths

Key research areas include patient reported outcome measures, medication adherence, and qualitative research studies. There are several sub-specialty clinics which facilitate research, including connective tissue disease, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and osteoporosis. We also participate in numerous multicentre phase 2, phase 3 and phase 4 multicentre clinical trials. 

Our research areas include:

  • Patient reported outcome measures  
  • Qualitative research
  • Medication adherence
  • Consumer involvement in research
  • Clinical trials
  • Research projects in various diseases:
     
    • Rheumatoid arthritis  
    • Osteoporosis
    • Gout
    • Psoriaticarthritis 
    • Connective tissue diseases (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus)
    • Osteoarthritis 

Our results

  • Translating health outcomes. The group embeds research into clinical practice at Liverpool Hospital, with a person-centred approach. We investigate the drivers and associations of clinical and person-centred outcomes to improve the delivery of health services.
  • Clinical trials. Access to new medication opportunities and subsequent long-term advancement of care.
  • Understanding the local consumer perspectives and experience and co-designing health care solutions. The group conducts qualitative research with the diverse population in South Western Sydney, and involves consumers in the co-design of healthcare solutions that meets local needs. 

Our experts

Head of Department, Rheumatology, Liverpool Hospital
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Staff Specialist, Rheumatology
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Carlos El-Haddad

Conjoint Associate Lecturer

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Fiona Briggs

Rheumatology Study Coordinator

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Michael Oliffe

Staff Specialist

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David Martens

Conjoint Associate Lecturer

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David Massasso

Conjoint lecturer

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Victoria Johnson

Staff Specialist Rheumatologist

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Stephanie Frade

Exercise Physiologist

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