PHC RIS infonet newsletter

PHC RIS infonet is a bimonthly newsletter designed to inform, influence and enhance primary health care practice, policy and research. PHC RIS infonet aims to maximise communication sharing between the Divisions Network, primary health care researchers and policy advisors.

GPinfonet was initially set up in 1995 as the newsletter of the General Practice Evaluation Program (GPEP). In 2005 PHC RIS infonet changed its name from GPinfonet to better reflect the purpose of the newsletter. PHC RIS infonet has evolved into a newsletter that publishes news items about and for primary health care researchers, the Divisions Network, and primary care policy makers.

In 2005 we prepared six editions of PHC RIS infonet. While electronic versions of PHC RIS infonet are promoted to over 5000 people through our email alerts, eUPDATE and eBulletin, and the printed version is distributed to over 1100 primary health care researchers, policy advisors, Divisions Network staff and organisations in Australia and beyond. It is also made available at all of our conference booths and displays.

Our surveys show that 69% of our stakeholders are aware of the PHC RIS infonet (N=128), and of those 78% (69/88) also read it.

A new feature in 2005 was the Effective Links column. These columns are story focused and conversational and are derived from interviews conducted with people from Divisions or research sectors who have been involved in effective links between these sectors. The column was developed using feedback from stakeholders and allows them to promote and share examples of good or promising practice and showcase examples of effective links. It is intended to encourage and inspire others.

The infonet includes regular updates provided by university departments (funded under the PHCRED strategy) of their activities and up coming events. Also included in every edition is an events diary that lists upcoming primary health care conferences, seminars and events.

Other regular features in PHC RIS infonet include an editorial, resource updates including WebsiteWatch, BookWatch and ReportWatch; NHMRC project updates; and researcher profiles. Reports from various relevant organisations have also been published (APHCRI, NICS, CGPIS, RACGP, ACRRM, etc)

FOCUS on... research bulletin

With the aim of informing primary health care policy in Australia, Focus on. summarises examples of key recent research findings identified by the authors.

In consultation with the Department of Health and Ageing, ideas were developed for two issues of the publication FOCUS on... in 2005. Understanding networks was produced in August and Understanding and measuring research impact was produced in December. They have been published on-line as well as being printed and disseminated as an insert in the August and December issues of PHC RIS infonet . These have been very well received, both around Australia as well as overseas.

"I think every Division CEO has read the publication on understanding networks from cover to cover, it is so relevant to our work." (Division CEO at a meeting with PHC RIS).

Fact sheets

To support PHC RIS users in accessing and getting the most out of products and services PHC RIS developed five new fact sheets and two summary sheets in 2005 including:

• Collaborative partnerships in research
• How to create a great website
• Design and present posters for maximum impact
• PHC RIS website
• ROAR - Roadmap of Australian primary health care Research
• Summary: Building Effective Links between Divisions of General Practice and universities
• Summary: Divisions: the Network evolves. Report of the 2003-2004 Annual Survey of Divisions.

The fact sheet template was redesigned this year making the fact sheets bright, vibrant and eye catching to appeal to stakeholders at conferences and seminars. Fact sheets updated to fit this template include:

• Dissemination matters: Researchers influencing policy development
• Mentoring matters
• PHC RIS publications

PHC RIS has a comprehensive catalogue of fact sheets which are used at conferences and seminars to promote PHC RIS and support users in accessing information. Fact sheets are available on-line and hard copies are available by request. Surveys conducted by PHC RIS indicated a good level of awareness and use of these fact sheets among stakeholders, in most cases use of fact sheets was above 50%.