Strengthening our research network

Welcome to the VicReN e-bulletin, the first since my appointment. I bring to this role research, practice and project management experience, and I look forward to further expanding and strengthening this fantastic research network that is now in its 13th year!

It is an exciting time to in primary care research with so many large and small opportunities for primary care providers to get involved. The Data for Decisions research initiative, which comes under the VicReN umbrella, is particularly ground-breaking - more on that below. 

2018 will be a year for us to review and reflect on the network so that it can move from strength to strength, our sights ever set on expanding practitioners' research capacity, building knowledge and informing primary healthcare practice and policy. Do contact me if you wish to discuss any aspect of the network. Also, don't hesitate to let other healthcare practitioners and managers working in primary and community health settings know about VicReN, we welcome new members.

As well as research opportunities, this bulletin contains information on forthcoming seminars to stimulate your interest, and details on findings from research that has been made possible through the contribution of VicReN members. Please read on...

Rachel Canaway - VicReN Manager

Congratulations Lena Sanci!

Our VicReN Chair, Associate Professor Lena Sanci, was recently appointed Interim Head of the Department of General Practice. Lena replaces Prof Jane Gunn in this role. Despite her busy schedule, Lena also continues her clinical work at Family Planning Victoria's Action Centre (teen sexual and reproductive health clinic).

Prof Jane Gunn, a VicReN founder, retains a part time appointment in the Department and is now Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.

#1. Data for Decisions - Contribute to a primary care research data repository

Individual patient medical records are important documents for patient care. When de-identified, and combined with thousands of other medical records, they create a powerful tool that has potential to improve health care and services through research, measurement of quality and safety, etc.

Data for Decisions is an exciting new research initiative at the Department of General Practice, under the VicReN umbrella. We are seeking general practices to contribute to the database, thus making possible the learning opportunities made available only by research conducted within large data sets (prescribing patterns, patient outcomes, patient journey, longitudinal research, etc).

We will be contacting general practices for permission to collect de-identified information from patient medical records using GRHANITE software. The collected information is securely stored and curated at the University of Melbourne (in the Patron data repository).

Together we have an opportunity to make better use of existing primary care data to improve knowledge, medical education, healthcare policy and the way medical care is delivered, and so ultimately improve the health of Australians.

Researchers wishing to use the de-identified data go through a rigorous application process that includes satisfying independent Data Governance and ethics committees.

#2. How do you manage chronic
non-cancer pain in general practice?

This project will explore GPs' experiences of chronic (non-cancer) pain management and use of non-opioid and non-pharmacological therapies. 

Better understanding of GPs' perspectives on this topic is particularly relevant in light of the legislative changes now in place regarding consumer access to medicines containing codeine.  

We are calling on GPs to give around 30 minutes of their time to discuss their experiences in this area. Please contact Miriam Oldfield, final year medical student.

#3. What is known about the
working life of GPs?

There is little documented that provides insight into the changing nature of general practice in Australia. This project investigates what makes up the working life of today's GPs and how it has changed over the years.

GPs! Please contribute your insights so that the changing nature and diversity of general practice can be captured. 

GPs with a variety of experience and background are encouraged to contact Veng Hieu. Veng will document your stories via 30-45 minute semi-structured interviews (face-to-face or telephone), at a time and place convenient to you.

All participants remain anonymous in the research findings. 

#4. The role of physiotherapists in providing nutrition care

Nutrition care is nutrition or dietary related advice given by health professionals to improve dietary behaviour of patients.

We would like to know more about practices, barriers and further training or resource needs that could facilitate nutrition care for health promotion among physiotherapy clients.

We are seeking any physiotherapists working in rural and regional Victoria to tell us about their experiences of providing (or not providing) nutrition care to their patients. All participants remain anonymous in the research findings.

If you know of any interested physiotherapists, please alert them to this study.  

#5. GPs' perspectives on exercise and nutrition across the cancer journey

Little is known about issues faced by GPs around giving advice and making recommendations about exercise and nutrition to patients with cancer. This study seeks to better understand these issues so that resources can be developed to assist GPs in this area.

If you are a GP that treats at least one patient with cancer per week, you may be able to contribute to this research.

GPs from metropolitan, regional and rural areas are needed. All participants remain anonymous in the research findings.

Eligible GPs will participate in a phone interview (approx 20 minutes) and will be reimbursed for their time. 

#6. GPs' experiences of
early intervention with men who use violence in relationships

Domestic violence is a major social and health issue primarily perpetrated by men against women. It causes severe negative effects on women’s health. A range of negative health outcomes have been associated with men’s use of violence.

Primary care is a key setting for early intervention. Despite this, little is known about how best to support GPs working with male patients who may be using violence.

We are keen to recruit GPs who can tell us about their experiences responding to male patients who may be using violence in relationships, and their views on what support would be effective.

Through you involvement you will have the opportunity to provide input into the development of future guidelines and support for GPs encountering this issue. 

#7. Management of female urinary incontinence - A pilot study

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a significant public health problem in Australia and an economic burden on the Australian health system.

Little is known about how GPs respond to women seeking their help for UI, nor about GPs referrals to other health care providers for UI treatment and support.

This research aims to increase understanding of GPs’ approaches to the management of UI with a view to improving referral pathways.

We would like to speak with GPs who have encountered female patients experiencing UI. Interviews will take approximately 20-30 minutes, by phone or face-to-face. GPs will remain anonymous in the research findings.

The student researcher, Morgan Kent, is a Continence and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist. Morgan can provide  participating GPs with information on services offered by physiotherapists, to increase their knowledge and encourage appropriate referrals.  

#8. The impact of My Health Records (MyHR) in primary care

The Australian Government will soon make participation in My Health Record (MyHR) opt-out rather than opt in, with the goal that all Australians have such a digital health record by the end of the year.

This novel study, funded by the Australian Digital Health Agency, is helping us to understand the impacts of use of MyHR and how GPs currently use the MyHR in practice.

We are seeking GPs to participate in a 'mock' consultation with a simulated patient (an actor) in a 'simulation lab' at the University of Melbourne. After the consultation you will explain to a researcher the thought processes you had as you conducted the consultation.

Participants must travel to Parkville and will be reimbursed for their time by a $200 gift voucher.

It is anticipated that the research findings may inform future enhancements of the MyHR system. All participants remain anonymous in the research findings.