A MAJOR study involving universities around Australia is utilising pharmacies to recruit people with flu-like symptoms, with the aim of understanding how common these persistent illnesses are.

Led by the University of Melbourne, the Doherty Institute, the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney and the University of Adelaide, the landmark OUTPOST study will use this information to inform clinical practice and improve health and wellbeing.

The study will track symptoms in people aged 12 years or older from the onset of acute infection with one of the ‘big three’ respiratory viruses: COVID, influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

There will be check-ins at six weeks, three months, six months and one year, providing real-time insights into the impact of the infection and the time taken to recover.

OUTPOST researcher Professor Nigel Stocks, Head of the Discipline of General Practice at the University of Adelaide, is encouraging people experiencing flu-like symptoms to enrol in the study, and pharmacists can help by informing patients about it.

Enrolment is available online for anyone across the country, or through a selection of pharmacies and GP clinics in NSW, South Australia and Victoria.

“Ideally, when someone stays unwell after one of these acute infections, support should be available through primary care teams, including doctors, nurses and allied health practitioners,” Professor Stocks said.

“However, this type of multi-disciplinary care is not always readily accessible.

“Through the OUTPOST study, we will map what care pathways currently exist and where there are gaps to guide improvements in care delivery in the future.”

Participants will receive free rapid antigen tests (for COVID, flu and RSV) and $110 worth of vouchers upon completion of the study.

Patients and pharmacists can find out more about the study HERE. KB

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