Project: Growth of ADDRI’s Mesothelioma Support Program & Expansion of Silicosis Support
Organisation: Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute
Awarded Funding: $298,252
The Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI) currently offers comprehensive care and support for patients and families navigating the mesothelioma journey, from diagnosis to treatment and, regrettably, to palliative care.
While ADDRI's primary focus has been on individuals affected by mesothelioma, the deadliest of asbestos-related diseases, the scope of their services is set to expand to include those impacted by other dust diseases, specifically silicosis. The patient journeys for these two disease groups differ substantially, primarily due to variations in the ages of the affected individuals, their occupational backgrounds, and the distinct medical and psychological needs of the involved cohorts.
Support from ADDRI is delivered through phone consultations, one-on-one sessions, and group work. Over the past year, ADDRI has also provided specialised in-hospital training for nurses across Sydney and Illawarra, along with the creation of dedicated online resources and training modules to raise awareness and specialised knowledge about mesothelioma.
These modules are aimed at nurses, allied health professionals, as well as patients and carers. A training module focusing on silicosis is near completion and will soon be added to ADDRI's online toolkit.