This department works in conjunction with several other departments in the hospital to conduct its research including the departments of surgery, cardiology, imaging and psychiatry. A major focus of the anaesthesia unit is determining those more likely to suffer from significant post-operative pain and this includes a review of pre-assessment analysis.

Currently, most people simply turn up just before surgery and are prepared on the spot. However, this research is looking at what issues need to be addressed so patients, surgeons and anaesthetists are better prepared for surgery.

"Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to heart, stroke and blood vessel diseases - and is the leading cause of death in Australia. The health and economic burden of CVD exceeds that of any other disease in Australia." (Heart Foundation)

The cardiology department at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital has a broad array of focus areas which are as wide-ranging as qualitiative research through to molecular biology based projects. Many aspects of heart attacks, angina and heart disease are being examined by researchers as well as the effects of drug and non-drug treatments.

Organ transplants save the lives of thousands of Australians each year; however a life-long dependance on immunosuppressive drug therapies is required to prevent organ rejection. However, many of the drugs can have serious side effects, and despite their use, more than half of all transplanted organs are eventually rejected.

This unit examines the science of drug action as well as the breakdown of drugs in the body. This allows patient treatments to be individualised leading to better health outcomes with less side effects. One of the focuses of this unit is to identify why patients metabolise drugs differently by looking at factors such as genetic makeup, other drug interactions and any possible effects particular foods may have.

Australia is the sunburnt country - and so are many of its people. Skin cancer is one of the most aggressive tumour types and one of the biggest killers in Australia.

The dermatology unit assesses clinical skin disorders in outpatients and inpatients. Research is focused on different methods of treatment of sun damage and skin cancer.

Our bodies react to internal and external environments either through our nervous system or slower response systems such as hormones and other regulating factors. Collectively, this response to stimuli is known as endocrinology.

Research work in the endocrinology department is conducted as a part of the North West Adelaide Health Study, a large-scale, long-term, state government funded study to assess the health and wellbeing of the adult community. The aim of this study is to identify which areas of the health services department need improvement, as well as collecting vital data about the health of the population. Some of the conditions being investigated include diabetes, osteoporosis, mental health and arthritis.

Every day, thousands of people suffer, often in silence, the debilitating effects of gastro-intestinal disorders, and to date, very little is known about the causes and no known cures are available. (Digestive Health Foundation)

Gastroenterology research at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is focused on gastrointestinal disorders, including susceptibility to Crohn's disease, the development and progression of Coeliac disease, the prevention of small bowel inflammation after chemotherapy and the genetic predisposition to gastrointestinal disorders in children.

"About one in three South Australians experience cancer during their lifetime (and) despite much progress in prevention and treatment over the recent decades, cancer continues to be a growing public health problem." (The Cancer Council of SA)

Research at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is concerned with the investigation of more effective treatments and early detection methods of various cancers including breast, prostate, colon, ovarian and lung cancer and leukaemia.

Members of this department are involved in basic science research, clinical research and epidemiological research across areas such as neurology, ageing, cardiology, chronic diseases and population health.

"Asthma affects 300,000 South Australians (and) is the most common chronic illness in children and adolescents. Asthma causes more admissions of young children to public hospitals throughout SA than anything else." (Asthma Foundation SA)

This department is also involved with the North West Adelaide Health Study which is a large-scale, long-term, state government funded study to assess the health and wellbeing of the adult community. The aim of this study is to identify which areas of the health services department need improvement, as well as collecting vital data about the health of the population.

This department studies the brain, nervous system, muscle and peripheral nerves. Specific research areas include stroke, dementia, epilepsy and Alzhiemer's Disease. Research focuses on the environmental and genetic risks of stroke, with current research investigating the factors that cause small vessel disease in the brain.

Over 48,000 strokes occur each year in Australia, with one occurring every 11 minutes. Stroke is Australia's greatest killer behind heart disease and cancer.

This department has a memory unit which conducts many multi-centre clinical trials allowing patients to be treated with the latest drug therapies available. In some cases, this can prolong the progression of dementia into Alzhiemer's Disease.

Chronic fatigue is a condition with many sufferers Australia-wide. It is very difficult to diagnose and to treat. The nuclear medicine department is working with the Royal Adelaide Hospital to create a series of brain scans for people with chronic fatigue syndrome to analyse their condition and help in the diagnosis of new cases.

This department, led by world-renowned Ear Nose and Throat specialist Professor Peter-John Wormald, places its emphasis on rhinology and sinus surgery. Chronic rhinosinusitis is a debilitating disease that has a significant economic impact. Workdays lost and reduced productivity, over-the-counter medication subsidies and patients seeking surgical intervention are some of the hidden costs associated with this disease.

Research at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital aims to complement existing surgical and medical treatments by researching novel adjuvant therapies such as using the body's own defence mechanism to reduce chronic inflammation and identifying new ways of speeding up wound healing after surgery.

This department has its research focus on the impact of major common psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety, on chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, respiratory disease and diabetes.

This department is also involved in the North West Adelaide Health Study, a large-scale, long-term, state government funded study to assess the health and wellbeing of the adult community. The aim of this study is to identify which areas of the health services department need improvement, as well as collecting vital data about the health of the population

The department focuses on the many aspects of patient care in people with renal disease and work spans clinical, medical and laboratory research. The majority of laboratory work is focused on transplantation immunology. Research aims to more effectively control transplant rejection, enable the success of kidney transplants in highly sensitive patients and improve treatment options for dialysis patients.

"Over 40 people die of kidney failure each day in Australia and the number of patients on lifelong dialysis has increased by 6.5 % each year, with over 14,000 patients on dialysis and transplant programs." (Kidney Health Australia)

This unit also welcomed the new South Australian Northern Territory Islet Transplantation Program this year. This includes taking donated islet cells from a pancreas and transplanting them into a patient with Type 1 Diabetes, which then begin to produce insulin, reducing the need for regular injections.

"One in six Australians has arthritis - the country's leading cause of disability and pain. This costs the economy about $19.3 billion a year (and) there's no cure ... yet." (Arthritis Australia)

Research in this unit concentrates on autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis and is trying to identify cuases and more effective drug treatments for this condition.

Surgery can often have many undesirable traits including being dangerous, painful and invasive. Research interests at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital include understanding the biology of surgical disease and research to create minimally invasive techniques which can decrease the undesirable traits, increase the success of the surgery and improve patient recovery.

Research interests in this department include upper gastrointestinal surgery, colorectal surgery, breast surgery, vascular surgery, orthopaedic surgery and gynaecology surgery. Because of the nature of surgery research, this department works closely with many other departments in the hospital.