> Resources and Publications > PHC RIS infonet > February 2007 > Increased emphasis on PHC research in Tasmania

Increased emphasis on primary health care research in Tasmania

The Menzies Research Institute, an institute of the University of Tasmania, is an established centre for population health research with a global reputation in epidemiology. Menzies' research has focussed on preventing diseases including neurological diseases of ageing, cancer, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal conditions and epilepsy.

The research direction of Menzies was re-oriented during 2005-2006 with an ambitious growth strategy and the appointment of a new director, Professor Simon Foote. The re-orientation included increasing the emphasis on the translation of research outcomes back to those affected by the conditions studied. Menzies aspires to have a significant impact on human health and wellbeing through leadership that embraces excellence, best practice and world-class standards in the three core areas of:

• Research
• Training and education of future research scientists, clinicians and allied professionals
• Translation of research outcomes into clinical benefits.

Prof Mark Nelson, the chair of the Discipline of General Practice at the University, has been appointed a Senior Member of Menzies and Dr Tania Winzenberg, who holds an NHMRC GP Training Fellowship, is a Research Fellow, General Practice at the Institute.

“The Menzies Research Institute has recognised the importance of Primary Health Care research, by the launch of a Primary Health Care Research theme area. This is particularly important given the increased emphasis on translational research that Menzies is seeking,” said Prof Nelson.

Prof Nelson is currently working on a large multicentred trial known as ASPREE (PHC RIS infonet 2006; 11(1): 9). His other work includes REACH (a multinational registry of CVD at risk patients), IDEA (an international visceral obesity prevalence study), and CRAB (a cluster randomised controlled trial of automated versus manual blood pressure devices). Dr Winzenberg is examining the assessment of physical activity in general practice, and is also extending her work on musculoskeletal conditions into the general practice setting.

For more information contact:
Dr Tania Winzenberg
Menzies Research Institute
Ph: 03 6226 7770
E: tania.winzenberg@utas.edu.au
Web: www.menzies.utas.edu.au