RURAL HEALTH RESEARCH UNIT
JAMES COOKK UNIVERSITY
Robyn Preston
PHCRED Coordinator
Ph: 07 4796 3383
E: robyn.preston@jcu.edu.au
Working in partnership with key stakeholders has been fundamental in developing our Graduate Certificate in Primary Health Care Research.
Far-reaching consultation was undertaken with academics, PHC Sector interest groups, past and current Qld PHCRED Fellows and relevant university departments.
Our Working Group included a medical curriculum developer, a GP academic, a nurse researcher, the Faculty Executive Officer as well as PHCRED Staff and staff from JCU's Teaching and Learning Development program.
We collaborated to develop this web-based PHC research qualification that will give students the option to engage in basic research and evaluation in their workplace or move to undertake higher level qualifications such as a PhD.
The course aims to provide graduates with the knowledge, skills and competencies necessary to undertake research and evaluation in PHC settings.
These include qualitative and quantitative methodology, ethical and practical issues, critical appraisal and evidence based practice.
Students will also gain skills in effective proposal and grant writing for research funding as well as dissemination strategies through publications, conferences, the media and policy makers.
In 2008 and 2009 JCU will offer scholarships for North Queensland students to undertake this course.
PHCRED - DISCIPLINE OF GENERAL PRACTICE
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
Dr Jenny Doust
Research Facilitator
Ph: 0407 789 078
E: j.doust@sph.uq.edu.au
International recognition for UQ's PHCRED Director
A senior researcher in the University of Queensland's (UQ) Discipline of General Practice has achieved international recognition by publishing one of the Top 10 research papers published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in 2005.
The ranking is based on aggregate citations (for 2005 and 2006) and total accesses on bmj.com in the first 12 months after publication.
Associate Professor Jenny Doust was the lead author on the paper How well does B-type natriuretic peptide predict death and cardiac events in patients with heart failure: a systematic review which appeared in the journal in March 2005.
The work was part of her doctorate thesis on how BNP (a new blood test) might contribute to the diagnosis and management of heart failure in general practice.
Dr Doust said the accolade came as an unexpected surprise. “Providing patients with a diagnosis and prognosis is such an essential part of general practice and yet there is so little evidence to support what we currently do,” she said.
“I had been looking at how BNP might help GPs to diagnose heart failure as part of my PhD and realised that it might have value as a prognostic test as well.”
“It is important for patient care that these types of questions are being answered, so it is encouraging when this is recognised by the research community.”
Dr Doust was appointed as the Research Director for UQ's PHCRED unit earlier this year.
DISCIPLINE OF GENERAL PRACTICE AND UDRH NORTHERN NSW
UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE
Terry Joyce, Susan Goode & Rod Cooper
PHCRED Program Staff
Ph: 02 4968 6737 or 02 6767 8465
E: susan.goode@newcastle.edu.au or rondey.cooper@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
On 22 March, PHCRED staff from the University Department of Rural Health (Tamworth) and the Discipline of General Practice, as members of the University of Newcastle PHCRED Program, met in Maitland.
The aims of this meeting were to:
- discuss activities to enhance and expand research capacity and networking among primary health care practitioners from both regions
- identify actions that would enable research collaboration between the two regions
- previously, staff from both PHCRED programs had been working collaboratively on administrative tasks. However, it was thought that it would be mutually beneficial if the programs collaborated on more activities, events and research projects.
Some of the issues discussed at the meeting included the Researcher Development Program (RDP); Network of Research General Practices (NRGP) and supporting writing for publication.
An important issue for the RDP is working out, with the RDP participant, a workplan. That is, an expectation of participant research activities, deadlines and outcomes.
PHCRED staff shared ideas regarding how to implement and monitor workplans.
The members recognised the value of holding peer support meetings for RDPs in Newcastle with Tamworth participants contributing via teleconference.
It was decided to hold a combined Tamworth/Newcastle two-day Research Forum at Newcastle in October.
This forum will provide RDP participants and NRGP members an opportunity to present their work and network with others interested in PHC research.
A Writing Retreat for PHC workers from Newcastle and Tamworth will be held in Newcastle in July.
The purpose of this event is to provide attendees with protected time for writing. There will also be a guest speaker to discuss issues related to writing for publication.
This was a productive and valuable collaborative meeting, allowing members to identify regional and common research capacity issues and to develop action plans to address these. Importantly, it paved the way to expand the number of PHC professionals with research skills.
NORTHERN RIVERS UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF RURAL HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY/SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY
Hudson Birden
Senior Lecturer
Public Health and Clinical Leadership
Ph: 02 6620 7603
E: hudsonb@med.usyd.edu.au
Research training in the Northern Rivers
The Northern Rivers University Department of Rural Health (NRUDRH) is in the midst of a nine month workshop series on applied research practice.
The series was developed through the NRUDRH PHCRED program, is presented by the NRUDRH academic team, and is offered to employees of the North Coast Area Health Services interested in developing research skills.
Sessions are offered simultaneously at two sites, Lismore and Coffs Harbour, using videoconferencing technology. NRUDRH hosts a page on its website where lecture notes, readings, and announcements are posted.
The workshops are designed to take participants sequentially through the research process, starting with identifying a research question and undertaking a literature review, then proceeding through developing, carrying out, and formally presenting a research project.
Participants have been encouraged to bring a research idea to the program and develop it over the course of the workshops. Workshops are intensive, and with 23 participants it is possible to maximise individual support for each participant.
Postgraduate credit is offered by the Southern Cross University MPH program on completion of the series and a formal assessment (a fully developed research proposal) to participants interested in pursuing advanced qualifications.
Session topics are:
- Understanding the research process
- Formulating a research question
- Selecting appropriate methodology
- Undertaking a literature search/review
- Critical appraisal of the literature
- Quantitative Research Methods
- Data collection instruments
- Data management
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Managing a research project
- Getting Research into Practice
- Oral presentation skills
- Introductory Biostatistics
- Writing for publication
Researcher development programs interested in sharing teaching methods and materials may contact:
Jeff Fuller, Megan Passey
or Hudson Birden
Ph: 02 6620 7603
DISCIPLINE OF GENERAL PRACTICE
UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
Dr Raechelle Rubinstein
PHCRED Coordinator
Ph: 02 9556 7200
E: raechelle@gp.med.usyd.edu.au
Our 2007 RCB program has got off to a successful start
This year we have three RDP Fellows who are undertaking an exciting range of research projects.
Penny Abbott, a GP with the Aboriginal Medical Service Western Sydney, will research a cooking course for Aboriginal people with diabetes, their carers, and those at risk of diabetes. Sam Stott, a HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis C Health Promotion Officer at Youthblock Health & Resource Service, will examine young people's access to primary health care.
She will conduct a trial of mobile phone text message (SMS) appointment reminders for young people attending a community health service.
The trial will focus on whether receiving an SMS reminder increases young people's attendance at appointments at the service, such as with the doctor or counsellor.
Jerry Bacich, a Program Officer in Mental Health, Drug & Alcohol and Youth at Central Sydney Division of General Practice, will investigate the impact of the new GP Mental Health Care Plan Items in increasing GP self efficacy in preparing a mental health care plan and review for their regular patients identified as having a mental disorder.
Fellowships have been offered to two former RDP Fellows to extend their research.
Dr Meredith Makeham is working on medical errors, and Dr Carol Kefford is working on the benefits of exercise in improving youth health.
We continue to support the Youth Health Research Interest Group, which is going from strength to strength.
The Group hosted a breakfast session at the GP & PHC Research Conference on Thursday 24 May.
PRIMARY CARE RESEARCH UNIT, DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL PRACTICE
UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
Kate Johnston-Ata'ata
Practice-Based Research Network Coordinator
Ph: 03 8344 4478
E: k.johnston-ataata@unimelb.edu.au
VicReN – a new practice-based research network located at the University of Melbourne
Following on from the 2006 launch of the Primary Care Research Unit at the Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne (see PHC RIS infonet, Oct 2006), we are delighted to announce the establishment of VicReN - the Victorian Primary Care Practice-Based Research Network.
Supported by PHCRED RCBI funding and the University's Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, VicReN will bring primary care practitioners and academic researchers together in the development of important and high quality primary care research in Victoria that is relevant to clinical practice and primary care policy-making.
At present VicReN comprises the following foundation members:
- Dr Hubert van Doorn (East Brunswick Medical Centre)
- Dr Cathy Hutton (Margaret Street Medical Clinic, Moonee Ponds)
- Dr Chris Hogan (Family Medical Centre, Sunbury)
- Dr Debra Wilson (Dianella Community Health Centre, Broadmeadows)
- Dr Amjad Hussain (Your Family Health Clinic, Airport West)
- Professor Jane Gunn (Primary Care Research Unit Director, Department of General Practice)
- Dr Meredith Temple-Smith (Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice)
- Dr Marie Pirotta (Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice)
- TBC (VicReN Coordinator, Department of General Practice).
A recruitment process is underway to expand our membership as well as form a Steering Committee and Advisory Group for VicReN. If you are a Victorian GP, practice nurse or practice manager interested in becoming involved in this exciting new venture, we would love to hear from you.
Please contact:
VicReN Coordinator
Ph: 03 8344 7276
More information about VicReN and what membership involves can be found at www.gp.unimelb.edu.au/vicren
VICTORIAN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE RESEARCH, EVALUATION & DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
Dr Phyllis Lau
Lecturer / VicPHCRED Statewide Coordinator
The University of Melbourne
Department of General Practice
Ph: 03 8344 9042
E: plau@unimelb.edu.au
VicPHCRED Partnering and Working Together…
VicPHCRED's three university departments (Department of General Practice, Monash University; Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne; and School of Rural Health, University of Melbourne) PHCRED Coordinators, in conjunction with the Statewide Coordinator, are working closely to conduct a 13-week Introduction to Primary Health Care Research course for our 2007 RDP Fellows. Regular interactive lecture series complement the CD-Rom based course which consists of six modules and approximately 60 study hours.
RDP Fellows are guided to develop basic practical research skills and to write a research proposal that includes a sound research question, an appropriate research strategy and an applicable research design that includes methodology, data collection and analysis, ethical considerations and reporting.
VicPHCRED welcomes and congratulates the following 2007 RDP Fellows, eight of whom have enrolled to undertake Master by research degree within their university departments.
- Kerry Hampton - registered nurse and midwife
- Michael Janssen - patient advocate and GP consultant
- Hanson Jeong - psychologist
- Wendy Lee - general practitioner
- Kerren Melgaard - pharmacist
- Sarah Moor - research coordinator
- Eamonn O'Toole - nurse
- Louise Sharkey - nurse
- Hubert van Doorn - general practitioner
- Claudio Villella - general practitioner
- Julie Wang - general practitioner
- Susan Webster - Division consultant
For more information about the VicPHCRED Fellows and their proposed research projects, please visit:
Web: www.vicphcred.unimelb.edu.au
GENERAL PRACTICE
UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA
Emily Hansen
RCBI Program Coordinator
Ph: 03 62264769
E: emily.hansen@utas.edu.au
Working Together with the Regional GP Registrar Training Provider
In Tasmania GP registrars have the option of completing a small research project as part of a research and critical thinking module.
Since 2004 PHCRED staff from the Discipline of General Practice and the University Department of Rural Health at the University of Tasmania have found great benefit in working together with General Practice Training Tasmania (GPTT) to support registrars with this task. We have provided curriculum development and hosted a research education day for GP supervisors, taught at an annual registrar research workshop and mentored individual GP registrars as they identify a research problem and conduct their research.
In 2007 we hope to use our PHCRED RCBI State-wide Annual Research Symposium as a venue for registrars to present their completed research.
When a registrar receives mentoring, the mentor will link them with other researchers or projects if appropriate. An outstanding example of the success of this process is provided by former GP registrar Dr Anna Chilcott who received mentoring from Dr Emily Hansen in 2005. Emily linked Anna with two other experienced GP researchers, Dr Kelly Shaw (then based at a Division of General Practice, General Practice South) and Dr Tania Winzenberg. Anna decided to work on a project already designed by Dr Shaw and she was one of the first registrars to successfully complete a project. The results from the study The GP's response to pandemic influenza: a qualitative study have been published in the international general practice journal Family Practice.
Another benefit of working closely with GPTT is that is provides a pathway for GP registrars interested in applying to be an academic registrar.
Academic registrars are funded for up to a year to work in a Department of General Practice while they conduct research and gain teaching experience.
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