STRENGTHENING EVIDENCE THROUGH HEALTH RESEARCH WHERE MOST PEOPLE ACCESS HEALTHCARE, RACGP joins consortium and calls for practice-based research network in primary health
With
Dr Michael Wright GP, President
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) &
Associate Professor,
International Centre for Future Health Systems (ICFHS)
Australian Health Journal segment
Filmed in Sydney | March 2025
In February 2025, the Australian Government committed over $22 million for primary care research, including $5.2m awarded to Professor Michael Kidd, Director of the International Centre for Future Health Systems at UNSW and recently appointed Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, to lead the establishment of one of the largest research collaborations in Australia focused on improving primary care.
The Royal Australian College of GPs says a new national multidisciplinary consortium for primary care research is a positive step forward to improve patient care.
The RACGP is a member of the National Multidisciplinary Primary Care Research, Policy and Advocacy Consortium, which involves 100 primary care researchers from 20 universities from across the country.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said: “Every year more than 22 million Australians see a specialist GP for their essential health care, making general practice is the most accessed part of our health system.
“Yet research in general practice is vastly underrepresented and underfunded. General practice receives less than 2% of our national medical research funding.
“This new consortium is an important and exciting opportunity to design, test and innovate models of care to better meet the needs of patients across Australia, and I’m proud the RACGP is a member.
“The RACGP is calling for all political parties to commit to funding a national practice-based research network, like they have in Canada and the United Kingdom.
“These networks have proven to be immensely valuable overseas.
“We’re also calling for funding to test how multidisciplinary practice teams work at full scope in Australia, in order to improve access to care for patients.
“We know people get the best outcomes when their GP works together with their other specialists, and health professionals, and it’s especially valuable for people with chronic and complex illnesses.
Source: Highlights from RACGP media release
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Continuity of Care under COVID-19
Series 3, Episode 1
Under the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Healthcare system has handled the public health crisis by monitoring and responding to challenges in supply chains, testing & tracing of new infections and stock piling of essential equipment.
The public has largely responded by practising social distancing, understanding how hand hygiene can spread contagion and recently installing the COVIDSafe mobile application. Public health messaging has been largely effective and literacy improve, to combat the dangers of misinformation.
To open up access to medical advice during the pandemic, in March the Australian government issued MBS item codes for telehealth consultations, for advanced practice nurses as well as GPs and other specialists.
According to AMA President Dr Tony Bartone, as of mid-May 2020, around 10 million Medicare-funded telehealth services have been provided, either over the phone or via video, a significant majority of which have been provided by GPs and other specialists since the Medicare telehealth items were introduced in March.
However in recent months, the health system has mounting concerns on:
- a reduction in general practice visits for testing, investigation or immunisation
- lower rates of elective procedures resuming since being halted
- reduction in laboratory testing
- reduction in treatments and diagnosis of chronic and acute conditions
- access to, and continuing to take medications
Those with pre-existing conditions have been urged to keep appointments and routine treatments to maintain their health.
Industry has taken action such as the newly formed Continuity of Care Collaboration (CCC). The 15 health organisations forming CCC are an Australian first national communication collaboration of Peak Bodies, Industry and Healthcare Organisations coming together to stress the importance for people to continue monitoring their health and maintaining their regular care.
This Australian Health Journal episode on the continuity of care was produced with commentary from the following health industry associations and organisations: APNA – Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association, RACGP, Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA), West Cessnock Medical Practice, Consumers Health Forum of Australia, Medicines Australia
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SAHMRI Celebrates 10 Years of Research
SAHMRI represents an exciting and unique statewide concept, bringing together basic and translational research, South Australia’s three universities and the health system. SAHMRI works in collaboration with its partners to provide a clear focal point for health and medical research, including paving the way for new partnerships, innovative research projects and improved health outcomes.
Executive Director, Professor Maria Makrides spoke to Australian Health Journal about 3 achievements in the past 10 years that have had significant impact
International leadership breakthroughs in leukaemia research
Culturally appropriate Indigenous health research and clinical care
Omega 3 fatty acids as a preterm birth prevention -
Family biz succeeds in vaccine approval & distribution
It’s been 10 years since Jenny and Karl Herz started in business. Over the past 10 years they’ve launched Biointelect and Biocelect businesses to help secure approval and distribution for new medicines into Australia.
In this Australian Health Journal interview, Jenny and Karl talk about the journey the husband and wife team took to get the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid) approved and distributed in Australia. The journey didn’t just include talented and diverse skilled staff but also their children working in both organisations.
