Ellen McIntyre, PHC RIS
Inspirational, friendly and a valuable use of time
 2008 GP & PHC Research Conference
4-6 June, Hobart
This year's conference brought together over 350 delegates consisting of researchers, decision makers, policy makers, practitioners and consumers to listen, share, discuss, network and socialise.
The Hotel Grand Chancellor in Hobart was definitely the place to be if you were interested in primary health care research. The value packed program was specifically designed to cater for the diversity of delegates attending. With more than 220 speakers, workshop facilitators and poster presenters, ideas and information flowed in abundance.
The theme Health for All? was a key focus of all our inspiring keynote speakers. Professor Frances Baum focussed on comprehensive primary care and the challenges it poses for researchers. Dr Mick Adams spoke of the evolution of the Aboriginal community-controlled sector and the importance of increasing the responsiveness of the mainstream primary health care system to the needs of the indigenous people. Dr Ellen Nolte outlined how an effective response to chronic diseases requires a health system environment that allows for the development and implementation of structured approaches to chronic diseases management. Dr Kirsty Douglas provided an Australian perspective on current chronic disease management. Dr Paul Grinzi described how geographic information systems (GIS) can be utilised to inform primary health care research. Professor Trisha Greenhalgh urged us to consider what actions we need to take to ensure that the Alma Ata vision transcends the insidious forces of later modernity. Dr Mark Wenitong, expanded on the diverse factors that influence Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care. Professor Mark Harris outlined his vision for stronger primary health care research.
As has now become traditional, the Welcome Reception once again proved to be the ideal ice breaker to kick off the conference. The PHC RIS Conference Dinner was a spectacular event attended by most delegates who thoroughly enjoyed themselves with great food, wine and fabulous live music. The Reception at Government House and the AAAGP dinner were also most enjoyable social events much appreciated by those who attended.
We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has been involved in this year's conference and for their contributions to its success. Special thanks goes to the conference advisory and scientific committees, invited speakers, paper and poster presenters, session chairs, workshop and breakfast facilitators, sponsors, delegates, the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Conference Logistics, One Vision and the PHC RIS team.
In addition, we would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to the Primary Care Division of DoHA, without whose generous financial contribution the conference would not be possible.
Further information regarding the conference, including paper and poster abstracts, plenary and concurrent paper presentations, posters, photos and the conference evaluation report can be accessed through our website <www.phcris.org.au/conference/2008>.
 Evaluation summary of 2008 GP & PHC Research Conference
The conference evaluation was done entirely on-line in keeping with our carbon footprint reducing policy. The response rate was 54% (192/354).
Most delegates (91%) indicated that the conference increased their knowledge and understanding of the scope and nature of current research, evaluation and development to a great to moderate extent.
The quality and usefulness of the conference is described in the figure below.
AWARDS
AAAGP Distinguished Paper
 Justin Beilby (Faculty of Health Science, University of Adelaide ), Mark Nelson, Chris Holton, Alan Crocket, Richard Wood-Baker, Nancy Briggs, Sue Davoren - Spirometry training for GPs and practice nurses: is it feasible and beneficial to asthma patients?
Parker Magin (Discipline of General Practice, University of Newcastle ), Jon Adams, Gaynor Heading, Dimity Pond - Skin patients and their doctors – an uneasy relationship: results of a qualitative study
AAAGP First Time Presenter prize
Heather Hanks, James Cook University – Managing Colorectal Cancer: A comparison of roles of urban, rural and remote GPs
NICS – Evidence into Action prize
Diane Arnold-Reed (University of Notre Dame Australia), Tom Brett, William Walker, Frances Cadden, Julie Young, Noelene Mora, Wendy Manae-Walley, Dana Hince, Michele Caneppele - Progress in the Fremantle Primary Prevention Study - a pilot study of risk factor modification for cardiovascular disease
PHC RIS Best Poster prize
Sally Hall, Christine Phillips, Chris Pearce, Kathryn Dwan, Julie Porritt, Rachel Yates, Marjan Kljakovic (ANU Medical School, Academic Unit of General Practice and Community Health) - Complexity and cohesion in primary health care services: how general practice nurses build organisational resilience.
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