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General Practice Queensland

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Collaborative Research Hub

 

Background

Bridging the Gap between Research and Practice

The cost of chronic disease in our society remains significant and current management methods do not appear to be having sufficient impact. Healthcare systems across the world are increasingly seeking more complex ways of improving service quality, efficiency and effectiveness, and are relying on partnerships between researchers and practice.

To successfully bridge the gap between knowledge and policy/practice, research must be holistic and relevant. It must provide workable solutions that can be integrated into health systems and/or professional practice models, eventually becoming embedded into everyday processes.

A Solution Based Approach: Collaborative Research Hub (CRH)

Healthcare solutions are usually reached slowly, with individual researchers and community organisations working in relative isolation, often in competition, each focused on their specific area of expertise. With little or no collaboration, discoveries are transferred by publication (if at all) resulting in duplication of effort and extending the length of time necessary for translation of knowledge.

A new way of organising research is necessary if translation is to occur effectively and in a timely way in the future, focused on engagement and consensus to create an ever-expanding learning community.

The Queensland Divisions Network supports and links general practice with the wider health system and brings together the Australian, State and Territory Governments and non-government sectors for integrated program and service delivery at a regional level.  Locally this includes building and maintaining relationships and partnerships with local government, health and community service providers, and universities.

Effective use of the Network and collaborative process for the CRH will address many of the problems in the current health system as well as establishing frameworks to better deal with the challenges of the future. A partnership was formed between General Practice Queensland and Griffith University to support the development of a research-practice health agenda. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 11 November 2007 and commits the partners to the development of a working model, and the identification of how this partnership can operate and work with the Division Network and other relevant stakeholders.

The Collaborative Research Hub has a key focus on increasing the relevance and use of health service research to inform decision-making by facilitating knowledge transfer and exchange - bridging the gap between research and practice. The Collaborative Research Hub provides an important nexus between the university and division concerns, maintaining a focus on collaborative projects that engage relevant sectors of the community in the pursuit of solutions. Knowledge transfer and exchange occurs through "linkage and exchange" - the interaction, collaboration, and exchange of ideas.

The aim is to support effective links, remove duplication of effort and to work together with Divisions of General Practice, government and non-government agencies, primary health care organizations, consumers and research networks to identify and prioritize key research initiatives to inform policy development. This also includes working closely with other Universities and the PCHRED program, which already operates using a collaborative network model. This paper focuses on the development of the model and research platform, which focuses on a new way of operating by linking networks, exchanging knowledge and ideas and creating an interface to support innovation.


Key Messages

  • Create ‘an engine room’ and coordination centre to consolidate the vast amount of knowledge to provide focus and direction for the Queensland primary health care sector

  • Nexus between the university and division concerns, maintaining a focus on collaborative projects that engage relevant sectors of the community in the pursuit of solutions

  • Knowledge transfer and exchange occurs through "linkage and exchange" - the interaction, collaboration, and exchange of ideas

  • Focused on engagement and consensus to inform the research agenda

  • Bridge the gap between knowledge and policy/practice

 

Governance

The CRH will adopt the structure of an unincorporated joint venture.  Under this structure, the CRH is established as a joint venture between the participants to provide a framework for the governance, for speed and transparency of decision-making and ease of interface with government, industry, investors and funding bodies.

This joint venture will be managed, governed and operated by the Steering Committee whose membership will be drawn from the partners, the Divisions Network and key stakeholders.

Currently each partner has agreed to operate a virtual decentralised model. This is similar to that of the Australian Primary Health Care Institute with equal representation of all partners. Multiple “spokes” will be engaged across the state to address research priorities.

A consultation process with the Queensland Divisions of General Practice will be conducted to ensure the research agenda is meeting the practice based needs and is relevant to Divisions.

It is anticipated that other partners who have the interest and capacity to value add will be invited to join the collaboration. Application for membership to the CRH will be managed through the Steering Group. All partners will be subject to the umbrella MoU agreement and negotiate an agreement that specifies the mutual contributions, resources, and performance indicators. 

 

Model Development

A draft paper titled ‘Fostering Community - University Partnerships: Development of a Model to Support Integrated Networks and Links in Establishing a Collaborative Research Hub in Queensland is currently under development. The paper highlights the need for strong collaboration between health sectors across all levels of government and non-government and identifies four areas for action including:

  • resourcing and model development

  • communication and sharing information

  • creating a practice relevant research agenda and

  • supporting leadership for change 
     

Research Development

As part of previous discussions between the partners and as outlined in the MoU a number of key objectives have been agreed. They are:
 

  1. to provide an environment that facilitates strong links between research expertise and practitioner relevance by exploring collaborative projects
  2. provide a platform to build research strength, focus and collective knowledge that can be shared across all key stakeholders

  3. to conduct and promote research that addresses gaps in knowledge in priority areas, builds the evidence-base and contributes to the primary health care sector

  4. to build research capacity by supporting training, higher education and skill-development around evidence-based practice and expertise

  5. to develop, apply and support innovative and evidenced-based approaches to health service delivery and the management of health issues in the community

  6. identify and build the strengths of each party in relation to the translation of evidence into practice and policy

  7. to examine and apply processes of knowledge transfer to practice and system reform

  8. to develop resources, educational tools and conduct workshops that promotes the implementation of
    evidence into practice, particularly at the local level

  9. to produce joint publications, apply for joint tenders and research grants and seek philanthropic and corporate funding opportunities.


Emerging Research Priorities

The draft research streams have been informed by a combination of different knowledge sources. This includes the national and state reform agenda, the Queensland Strategy for Chronic Disease 2005-2015, the GPQ Chronic Disease Health Summit, practitioners experience and gaps in the knowledge. The draft Collaborative Research Hub has four broad research streams:

  • health promotion and prevention
  • person-centred care: Capable Consumers
  • system development to support coordinated care across the Care Continuum
  • competent responsive workforce

Joint research projects and opportunities will be identified to progress research activity. It is recommended that a series of workshops are held to further scope research ideas and build on Division capacity to ensure the research is timely, relevant and meets the demands of the general practice and primary health care environment.

A ‘settings-based approach’ will guide the development of the draft model for consideration during the developmental phase. This allows a staged approach and to build on existing partnerships and relationships. This will allow a ‘virtual decentralised model’, which is based on strong collaboration; inclusion and building on the network trust and established relationships.

Key Contact

Dr Kylie Armstrong has commenced a Senior Research Fellowship (Primary Health Care) as a joint appointment between Griffith University and General Practice Queensland. Kylie will work closely with Professor Elizabeth Kendall from Griffith University and the Operational Working Group and Steering Committee for the CRH. Kylie’s role initially will be to progress the key activity for the CRH which includes:

  • development of the governance structures and management systems

  • develop consensus-based approach to priority setting for future research agenda in consultation with key stakeholders

  • design and implement capacity building activities

  • partnership development and stakeholder engagement - through representation, engagement and the development of strong linkages with professional, industry and community groups relevant to the CRH activities

  • plan for sustainability of the hub - grant preparation, sustainability strategies etc.

Dr Kylie Armstrong
Senior Research Fellow (Primary Health Care)
Griffith University & General Practice Queensland
Griffith Institute for Health & Medical Research

karmstrong@gpqld.com.au  
www.griffith.edu.au/health  

Hosted by North & West Queensland Primary Health Care
Townsville Office   07 4725 8868 

 

Resources

Over the last 6 months, under the auspice of the MoU, GPQ in partnership with Griffith University have undertaken some targeted research activity in areas relating to chronic disease. This activity has focused on the areas of Uptake of Clinical Guidelines, Coordinated Care Concept Analysis, Self Management Review Paper and Predictors of Hospital Avoidance - Systematic Review.

The outcomes of this research will aim to improve the translation of evidence into practice, inform policy development and help to address reform in the primary health care sector. The full articles and the briefing papers can be downloaded below:

Research Papers and Briefings

The full research briefing series can now be downloaded by clicking here. Individual briefings can be downloaded below.

When guidelines need guidance: Considerations and strategies for improving the adoption of chronic disease evidence by General Practitioners:


Coordinated care: What does that really mean?

 Supporting Self-Management in General Practice: An Overview

Determinants of avoidable hospitalization in chronic disease: Development of a predictor matrix

A study was conducted at the Gold Coast Division of General Practice to investigate:

A Practice-Based Model of Care Coordination for Chronic Disease Management: The Role of Nurses in General Practice

 


See Gold Coast Division of General Practice website at: http://www.gcdgp.com.au/


Together we can build a better health system

Last updated: 05/11/2008 Print this page