
Undiagnosed Diseases Program
Client: Genetic Services WA
Office of Population Health Genomics
The Centre for Transformative Work Design is currently partnered with Genetic Services WA and the Office of Population Health Genomics (OPHG) to study the Western Australian Undiagnosed Diseases Program (UDP-WA), an interdisciplinary ‘expert panel’ which reviews the cases of chronically undiagnosed patients.
The aim of the current project is to understand the cognitive, motivational, and social-psychological factors that contribute to – or inhibit – the success and sustainability of the program. Data collection is ongoing and includes interviews with the UDP-WA expert clinicians, short written surveys, and systematic observation of the monthly expert panel meetings.
The ultimate goal of the project is to develop evidence-based recommendations on how to further enhance and sustain the success of the UDP-WA, specifically by improving clinician engagement and communication in the expert panel meetings. These recommendations will be developed in consultation with the OPHG and UDP-WA management team, and will include follow-up evaluations.


Industry outcomes
The proposed immediate outcome of the project is a comprehensive, multi-level framework of the UDP-WA that describes the factors that contribute to the current program’s success.
Dissemination of these findings will provide significant support for the further globalisation and sustainability of UDPs internationally.