At Brisbane South PHN, we are dedicated to supporting translational research that improves health outcomes in our region. We collaborate with top research institutions and universities to implement evidence-based practices with significant local impact.
Types of research support
We offer support for various research activities, including:
promotion of research studies, including trials or surveys
partnership on research applications through endorsement letters.
Current research opportunities
Research opportunity: Vaping and e-cigarettes - a physician's perspective
Prince Wales Hospital Sydney are conducting a national, anonymous survey of Australian doctors on their experiences with vaping and e-cigarettes, including patient encounters, usage patterns, and clinical perceptions.
The survey has been developed by clinical toxicology and emergency medicine specialists. Responses will help describe the incidence of vaping, physicians’ beliefs, and current clinical practices in this emerging health issue.
Audience: General Practitioners
Participation involvement: 5-10 minute survey with up to 35 questions.
Contact: For further information regarding this research project please contact a/Prof Andgela Chiew angela.chiew@health.nsw.gov.au
Ethics Approval: 2025/ETH00653 - the South East Sydney HD HREC.
End Date 31 October 2025
Research opportunity: Healthcare Practitioners' Responses to Patient Feedback
This project aims to investigate what factors are associated with increased use of patient feedback by healthcare practitioners for quality improvement. Both individual factors (e.g., self-efficacy) and organisational factors (e.g., learning orientation) are considered.
Audience: Healthcare practitioner who currently provides healthcare services directly to patients.
Participation involvement: Completing a survey approximately 15-20 minutes. In the survey, participants will be asked to read a short, mock patient feedback report. They will then complete a 65-item questionnaire with Likert scale answers.
Reimbursement: enter a prize draw to win a $50 Coles/Myer Gift Card
Contact: For further Information regarding this project please contact Kathleen Pahor, Honours student, QUT kathleen.pahor@connect.qut.edu.au or Dr Yvette Miller, Associate Professor, QUT yvette.miller@qut.edu.au
Ethics Approval: QUT number 9903
End Date 30 September 2025
Research opportunity: Cluster Randomised Trial of the Ageing Well Tool to Reduce Risks for Poor Wellbeing and Dementia in Older Adults in Primary Care Settings
This project aims to develop a novel primary care screening tool, the Ageing Well Tool, to detect common mental disorders and risk factors for dementia, such as depression, social isolation, and cardiovascular risk in older adults. Following screening, GPs may plan evidence-based risk reductions strategies with patients as needed.
Audience: General practitioners and nominated patients
Participation involvement:
GP: 30 minutes of training and three patient consults (60-70 years).
Patients: filling out a 30-minute survey, three times over a one-year period, and two 30-minute cognitive testing sessions over a one-year period.
Participant Benefits: GP: A one-off $100 payment for GPs per patient to assist with the gap between the Medicare rebate and the fee if the consult was privately billed.
Patient: A one-off $50 payment at the completion of the study.
Contact: Sarah Halem, Macquarie University, sarah.hatem@mq.edu.au or ageing.well@mq.edu.au
Ethics Approval: HREC reference number 520231607553698
End Date 31 December 2025
Research opportunity: NHMRC-funded trial delivering free, evidence-based lifestyle support to breast cancer survivors
Bridging the gap in physical activity and diet support for breast cancer survivors: a randomised controlled trial in primary care - EMPOWER SMS-GP RCT
GPs are invited to take part in a groundbreaking NHMRC-funded trial delivering free, evidence-based lifestyle support to breast cancer survivors.
The lifestyle support program has been developed in collaboration with the McGrath Foundation, Breast Cancer Network Australia, Cancer Council NSW, the University of Sydney, Western Sydney University, Flinders University, the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and the Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials group
Audience:
General Practitioners
Participation involvement:
Time Commitment: Approximately 1 hour.
Steps: Identify and Extract Eligible Patients
Generate a patient list based on eligibility criteria (recent breast cancer treatment within 3 years and visited the practice within the past 2 years).
Send Invitation Text Message,Modify and send an SMS (draft provided by the research team) with a secure link to REDCap for consent and study details.
Afterwards: No further involvement required. The study team manages coordination and monitoring.
Contact:
For any questions about the study, and further information, please contact Dr Nashid Hafiz, University of Sydney Email: nashid.hafiz@sydney.edu.au or Dr Anna Singleton, Ph: 0479 071 675, Email: anna.singleton@sydney.edu.au
Ethics approvals
This study have been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of The University of Sydney HREC Approval No.: 2023/081 according to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007)
Start Date: April 2025 (till end of 2025)
Research opportunity: Genetic testing and screening in primary care practice
General Practitioners are invited to participate in a research project about genetic testing and screening in primary care practice. Macquarie University is conducting interviews with Australian GPs and Australian genomics testing laboratories to understand how point-of-care tools and informational resources might support GPs in using genetic testing and screening for their patients.
Audience:
General Practitioners
Participation involvement:
complete a 30-minute interview over Teams or Zoom.
Please review the participant information sheet and submit the consent form to participate in the study.
Contact Samran Sheriff, samran.sheriff@mq.edu.au for a copy of the participant information sheet and consent form.
Contact:
For any questions about the study, please contact Dr Janet Long, Senior Research Fellow, janet.long@mq.edu.au or Dr Klay Lamprell, Research Fellow, klay.lamprell@ mq.edu.au.
Ethics approvals
Australian Institute of Health Innovation (AIHI), Reference No: 520241849560183
Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).
Start Date: 1 April 2025 (till late 2025)
Our previous partnerships
Research trial: ACTmed pilot program
Submission guidelines
To submit a request for support on a research initiative, please follow the guidance and steps outlined below.
Step 1: Align your project to our local priorities
Brisbane South PHN will review opportunities to collaborate on research projects that align with current organisational priorities identified in our regional Health Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan.
Select a local priority that matches your research project from the list below. Click on a priority below to send your request to our team:
Primary Health (including chronic disease, primary health workforce, digital health, health reform and integration)
Please note: Brisbane South PHN will not generally consider requests which are only for patient recruitment and do not have a health professional audience.
Step 2: Download and complete the form
Attach a completed Research Opportunities Request Form to your email enquiry.
Select the relevant topic link from the priorities list in step 1 to email your research request to our team. Ensure all relevant documentation, including the completed Research Request Form, is attached. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Response times
We aim to respond to your request within 4 weeks. For urgent inquiries, please specify your deadline in the email and mark it as 'high importance'. We will try to accommodate your needs.
Special notes
Survey or study promotionsrequire at least 7 days' notice.
Letters of support require a longer notice period and are prioritised when a Brisbane South PHN contact is identified. Unsolicited requests will not be processed.
Contact and support
For further assistance or questions about the application process, please contact research@bsphn.org.au
