Improving Detection and Management of Primary Aldosteronism in Australian Primary Care

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common—and potentially curable—cause of hypertension. It affects up to one in seven patients with high blood pressure, yet remains significantly underdiagnosed in primary care settings, with screening rates below 1%. Patients with undetected PA face a threefold increased risk of cardiovascular complications, making earlier identification critical to improving long term outcomes. The CONSEP Trial, an MRFF funded, multidisciplinary, GP led randomised controlled trial at Monash University, is working to transform how PA is detected and managed in Australian primary care. The study is evaluating whether advanced clinical decision support software can help general practitioners and practice teams identify PA earlier and more accurately. We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our team and contribute to impactful research that has the potential to shift national practice. Project opportunities include: • Evaluating the effectiveness and real world implementation of software based screening prompts • Exploring patient experiences of early PA and the diagnostic journey • Examining barriers and facilitators to screening and diagnosis in primary care • Investigating the system level burden and health outcomes associated with PA detection pathways The successful candidate will join the Department of General Practice, a supportive and research active environment with a long history of mentoring Honours, Masters, and PhD students. Candidates will also benefit from our Graduate Research Group, offering targeted training, peer support, and structured professional development. Principal supervision will be performed by Professor Grant Russell with co-supervisors drawn from the chief investigator group – members of whom are among Australia’s leading clinician academics in cardiovascular prevention and management. Candidates will need to be eligible for and obtain a postgraduate PhD Scholarship through Monash University. We welcome expressions of interest from applicants with backgrounds in medicine, primary care, epidemiology, public health, health services research, behavioural science, or related fields.