Cardio-Diabetic AI-guided Multi-disciplinary disease management program (CD-AIM)

About the research project

The Cardio-Diabetic Disease Management Program (CD-AIM) has two parts. First, asymptomatic individuals with T2DM and without established CVD will be screened for subclinical heart failure (“stage B”, SBHF) and then patients with SBHF will undergo a multidisciplinary intervention with cardio-protective strategies, to delay or prevent their progression to overt HF.

Design: The CD-AIM trial is a multicentre prospective RCT of a multidisciplinary strategy to reduce incident HF in patients with T2DM. The PROBE design will enable integration with routine medical care. This program has 3 components; 1) A novel AI-guided ECG and echo-based screening algorithm to select those most likely to develop HF, 2) A clinical review to ensure optimal cardioprotection, 3) A multi-disciplinary community intervention (CardioDiabetic DMP), based on optimal medical care, nursing expertise in motivational interviewing and an exercise/sedentariness intervention (based on input from exercise physiologists). This trial will recruit from the community, GP, and diabetes clinics and then participants will attend one of 5 sites – Hobart (Menzies Institute, Royal Hobart Hospital), Launceston, Huonville, Ulverstone and St Helens (Ochre Health) – for testing and intervention for a minimum of 2 years. This intervention will be delivered by health professionals (following risk factor management, dietary and exercise guidelines) with the assistance of exercise physiologists (EPs; for exercise prescription and supervision).

Endpoints: Primary outcome: The primary outcome of the CD-AIM Trial is incident HF and death over 2 years’ follow-up in intervention versus usual care groups. Secondary outcomes: 6MW; strength (grip strength and 30 seconds sit to stand); sedentary behaviour; deterioration of LV function; initiation of diuretic therapy; change in QoL and CVD- and all-cause hospitalisation (and days of stay) and all-cause mortality. The study will examine differences between the HF phenotypes, and responses to components of the intervention.

Hypothesis: The selection of at-risk asymptomatic SBHF patients with T2DM for a risk-guided pharmacologic and exercise intervention with AI-guided ECG and echo (CD-AIM) can; 1) reduce incident HF (primary hypothesis), and 2) preserve functional capacity (6-minute walk test, 6MW), strength and quality of life (EQ5D-5L), reduce sedentary behaviour, avoid deterioration of left ventricular (LV) function, and be cost-effective (secondary hypotheses).

Aim: This multicentre RCT seeks to determine whether a screening program for SBHF, to select patients for optimizing pharmacotherapy, reducing sedentariness and efficient approaches to ‘exercise as medicine’ is associated with reduction in the development of HF symptoms, and improvement of exercise capacity and cardiac function.

Primary supervisor

Meet Professor Tom Marwick

Funding

The successful applicant will receive a scholarship which provides:

• a living allowance stipend funded by MRFF grant of $34,315 per annum for 3.5 years
• a relocation allowance of up to $2,000

A tuition fee offset may be offered to eligible international applicants following competitive assessment 

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees for undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

• Clinical background - preferably medical

Selection criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

• Clinical background - preferably medical

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

• Experience with cardiac ultrasound
• Experience with clinical research
• Experience with statistical analysis

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Professor Tom Marwick to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
3. In your application:
   • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
   • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
4. Apply prior to 1 October 2026.

Full details of the application process can be found under the ' How to apply ' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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