Ellen McIntyre, PHC RIS
 The 2010 PHC Research Conference Primary health care research and health reform: Improving care provided a forum for the presentation of research relevant to Australian primary health care and health reform. The 385 delegates came from every state and territory with five coming from New Zealand and the UK. Indigenous status was indicated by 15 delegates. Most (64%) came from universities with others coming from health organisations (12%), health services (8%), Divisions of General Practice (5%) and Government (4%).
Our on-line conference evaluation was completed by 220 respondents, a response rate of 57%.
What they said
Delegates expected to network, gain new ideas and skills, be inspired, hear about current research, meet potential collaborators, gain help with their research and share their work. Most (88%) indicated that their expectations were met. Indeed, 90% indicated that the conference increased (to a great or moderate extent) their knowledge and understanding of the scope and nature of current research, evaluation and development activities. In addition 87% agreed (to a great or moderate extent) that the plenary sessions addressed the Conference theme Primary Health care research and health reform: Improving care.
Delegates who presented found the Conference very useful - “[It] helped to formulate some of the ideas in preparation for drafting a manuscript.”
Networking at the Conference was seen as very important to delegates - 88% rated it as important to a great or moderate extent. Networking was particularly used for general socialising (n=129), to discuss content of paper and poster presentations (n=130), general discussion about primary health care issues (n=101) and to obtain valuable input for one’s work (n=87). Some also obtained mentoring (n=28) while others mentored (n=34).
Ideas for improvement
We know we can always improve and PHC RIS appreciates these suggestions:
- less GP focus and a reorientation towards allied health and primary health care
- a stronger policy focus with attendance of more policy advisors
- better theming of concurrent sessions
- better poster display and posters.
Overall
- “I think this is the best event I have ever attended (that’s within my 20 year career as an allied health practitioner)”
- “I love the people who come to this conference - thoughtful, interesting, largely humble people with important things to say about making the world a better place”
- “Linking the GP registrar workshop to the conference is an excellent idea”
- “I really enjoyed it from a new researcher perspective and from a Division worker perspective. It was inspiring to see that some things do make a difference.”
Read the full Evaluation report at <www.phcris.org.au/conference/2010/evaluation/>
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