The 2010 Primary Health Care (PHC) Research Conference (formerly GP & PHC Research Conference) was held in Darwin from 30 June-2 July 2010 with the theme Primary health care research and health reform: Improving care.

Primary health care and prevention are at the forefront of the Australian Government

The Australian Government's reform agenda urges action to:

• tackle the major access and equity issues that affect people now
• redesign our health system to meet emerging challenges, and
• create an agile, responsive and self-improving health system for future generations (www.yourhealth.gov.au).

Given that primary health care and prevention are at the forefront of the reform agenda, research in these areas is vital to ensure changes will improve care. We need to provide Australians with a primary health care system that is equipped to meet future challenges, from prevention to enabling access to health services, through to managing complex chronic conditions in partnership with other sectors.

Many forces are driving the need for changes in primary heath care - chronic disease, an ageing population, workforce numbers and distribution, inequities in health care and health outcomes, constraints posed by program and funding arrangements, and increases in the complexity and volume of care delivered and required in the community.
 
Primary health care research can do much to improve care. It can:

• set the direction for improvement by identifying what needs to be changed for whom and why
• provide data from experimental projects or development projects on the efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency of possible policy responses to identified needs
• contribute to better implementation of national programs through rigorous evaluation of programs in their early stages
• work with policy makers, practitioners and consumers to determine how improvement can be best achieved.

Delegates (researchers, policy makers, practitioners and consumers) attending this conference presented, listened, debated and learnt how research, evaluation and development can improve primary health care.

Keynote speakers

	Dr Colin Tukuitonga Chief Executive, Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs View bio |  View ROAR Profile
	Dr Jim Primrose Chief Advisor, Primary Health Care within the New Zealand Ministry of Health View bio |  View ROAR Profile
	Assoc Prof Noel Hayman Clinical Director, Inala Indigenous Health Service 2010 National Indigenous Health Award Winner View bio | View ROAR Profile
	Dr Stephen Campbell Senior Research Fellow, Health Sciences Primary Care Research Group, University of Manchester View bio | View ROAR Profile

Related events

INTERNATIONAL FORUM: War and Disaster
hosted by the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre

Surviving the Frontline

When: Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Time: 15:30-18:00
Where: Darwin Convention Centre
Cost: Free, open to the public
Register: 1800 755 270

The forum will feature expert national and international speakers including:

• Northern Territory Coroner, Mr Greg Cavanagh, SM;
• International Red Cross war surgeon Dr Chris Giannou; and
• United Nations Humanitarian Programs Director, Mr Larry Hollingworth.

View the Forum poster here

RESEARCH WEEK
hosted by General Practice Education and Training

When: June 28 - July 2 2010
Cost: Free

Interested in research in general practice or GP education? Want to meet like-minded colleagues, but can’t get away from a busy practice to attend a conventional conference?

Research week is an on-line conference to promote discussion and collaboration among registrars, supervisors and doctors on enhancing evidence-based medical education and clinical practice in Australian GP training. It will include talks from academics, discussions with GPs who did academic training, and information on courses available.

Registrars, supervisors and allied health professionals can register on-line at www.researchweek.com.au

Conference organisers

Convenor - Assoc Prof Ellen McIntyre
Coordinator - Ms Fiona Thomas
Contact details
Email phcris@flinders.edu.au
Phone 1800 025 882

Conference secretariat

For queries concerning the Conference, please contact the Conference Secretariat:
Conference Logistics
Acting as agent for PHC RIS
PO Box 6150
Kingston ACT 2604
Phone: 02 6281 6624
Fax: 02 6285 1336
Email: conference@conlog.com.au