PHC RIS Research activities
Below are some of the research activities undertaken by PHC RIS to generate, manage and share information and knowledge that will inform, influence and enhance Australian primary health care practice, policy and research.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Knowledge brokering: Professor John Lavis visit
PHC RIS organised a visit by Canadian Professor John Lavis to Canberra and Adelaide in May 2010, to advise on knowledge brokering and other activities relevant to supporting use of research in policy. The visit included a Masterclass in Canberra with DoHA policy advisors, a seminar in Adelaide, and meetings with PHC RIS and APHCRI.
View a range of other knowledge brokering/exchange activities undertaken by PHC RIS.
Stocktake of Primary Health Care Research in Australia *Completed*
Laurann Yen, Libby Kalucy, Nathaniel Ward, Rachel Katterl, Ellen McIntyre and Simon Patterson
In May 2010 PHC RIS collaborated with the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute (APHCRI) to achieve three goals:
- provide a stocktake of the current state of primary health care research in Australia
- identify the current strengths and weaknesses of Australian primary health care research in light of current health priorities
- identify ways in which current research gaps might be addressed.
Primary Health Care Research Contribution Project
Libby Kalucy and Eleanor Jackson Bowers
Research findings make an important contribution to the evidence that informs decisions made about policy and practice, but trying to pin down how much of a contribution can be a challenging task. Previous studies of the impact of research on policy have either surveyed policy makers or followed research projects. To our knowledge the methodology used in this research project makes a unique contribution to the knowledge base on the subject of research impact assessment.
This project used publicly available information on the websites of the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission, The National Primary Health Care Strategy, and the Preventative Health Taskforce to establish what contribution Primary Health Care (PHC) research and researchers have made to health reform processes in Australia in 2008-2009 and to gain insight into the role of research in the deliberations of the three reform groups.
We identified the number of submissions by PHC researchers or research organisations and the numbers of citations to PHC research in commissioned papers, submissions and in the final reports. We obtained supplementary information from a facilitated plenary panel discussion on the use of research held with representatives of the three initiatives during the General Practice and Primary Health Care Research Conference in July 2009.
The project demonstrates that PHC research contributed to the three reform initiatives in multiple ways, and that the working groups valued the contributions of research organisations.
The capacity of Australian PHC research to contribute to such policy initiatives could be enhanced by researchers understanding the relevance of their research to policy and reform questions, having the skills to write a good submission, and using opportunities to contribute to submissions by credible organisations within their networks.
Primary Health Care Research Impact Project
 PHC RIS are interested in the pathways by which a research project impacts on its environment and how they can be enhanced. The Primary Health Care Research Impact Project (PHC RIP) was a large study, undertaken in two stages, to assess the impact of primary health care research projects and how this occurred.
PHC RIP Stage 1, conducted during 2006, studied four randomly selected, large research projects and trialed a methodology for gathering information to assess the impact of primary health care research.
PHC RIP Stage 2 was undertaken during 2007. This study used a web-based questionnaire to gather information on the impact of a larger sample (n=17) of Australian primary health care research projects. The study examined, from the perspective of the chief investigators, the impact of these research projects and how this impact had come about.
Annual Survey of Divisions (ASD)
The ASD is a comprehensive survey completed by all Divisions of General Practice in Australia since 1993-94. Through the ASD, Divisions report publicly on their membership, activities and infrastructure. This longitudinal data collection reflects the development and maturation of Divisions and their responses to emerging national policies.
Connecting People: The magic of networking at conferences *Completed*
Given that networking has been reported as an important feature at conferences, this project was undertaken during 2007 to find out whether and how networking happens at the GP & PHC Research Conference, so as to determine how to enhance networking at future conferences.
What supports effective links between Divisions of General Practice and universities? *Completed*
Leading on from JournalWatch: Collaborative Partnerships in Research the Effective Links Project was pl ann ed and successfully conducted during 2005 as a collaborative research project between PHC RIS and the Australian Divisions of General Practice (now known as the Australian General Practice Network) and the university sector by exploring the experiences and perceptions of a sample of participants from Divisions and universities who were involved in or had an interest in research and evaluation activity.
Sharing the Know-How *Completed*
There are more than 120 Divisions of General Practice across Australia conducting a wide range of projects and programs in primary health care. Divisions have gained expertise and 'know-how' about the reasons that projects and activities were successful or unsuccessful. In order to understand how to enhance the spread of successful programs between Divisions, we wanted to find out how and if Divisions share their knowledge and expertise, how they find out about other programs, and how this could be enhanced.
Australian General Practice Research: Investigators' experiences of diffusion, dissemination and implementation of research results *Completed*
Between 2001-2002 PHC RIS conducted a study to explore the dissemination of the General Practice Evaluation Program (GPEP) research. The results have implications for policy, practice and research in general practice and primary health care settings.
RESEARCH TRANSLATION ACTIVITIES
Research Impact Assessment Tools and Resources
In 2009 PHC RIS are drawing on the insights gained during the Primary Health Care Research Impact Project Stages 1 and 2, to develop a tool with which to assess the impact of primary health care research projects and an associated educational resource designed to assist researchers to implement effective strategies to maximise the impact of their research projects.
RESEARCH ROUNDup
Keep up to date with new Australian primary health care research. Research Roundup gives an overview of current Australian primary health care research in areas relevant to Australian Government health policy directions. It sets the context, informs the reader about what research is happening in Australia, and opens the door into the area, providing references to key articles and major projects, all in a succinct and easy to absorb, two pages.
PHC Research Conference (formerly GP & PHC Research Conference)
PHC RIS organises the annual Primary Health Care Research Conference - a major event in Australian general practice and primary health care research, to present research findings, discuss research methodology and policy issues, and build and maintain essential networks between researchers, practitioners, policy makers and representatives of consumer organisations.
Snapshot of Australian primary health care research
This collaborative venture, involving representatives from PHC RIS and a number of other organisations, highlights policy relevant primary health care research projects and findings and demonstrates the potential for PHC research to improve the health of Australians. When launched in 2008, Snapshot received significant attention from the national media and policy advisors from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. A new edition for 2009 is in progress.
ROAR - Roadmap Of Australian primary health care Research
PHC RIS collates and 'maps' information about past and current primary health care research projects and provides a directory of researchers active in primary health care. ROAR helps funders, policy makers, researchers, and practitioners locate research projects in order to raise awareness of current and recently completed research, reduce duplication of effort, identify gaps, and to facilitate the development of collaborative research partnerships.
Other Activities
PHC RIS also conducts a range of other activities not classified as research. These include: a range of publications, resources and email alerts. Browse the PHC RIS website to discover more.
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