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: 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)
Research opportunity: Measuring Clinic Performance in Primary Care: Digital Technologies and Human Capabilities
The purpose of this research is to investigate ways to make primary healthcare services more efficient and person-centred using digital technologies. The study is interested in understanding a clinic’s performance with regards to digital technologies, employee wellbeing, and patient experience. The intent is to discover how different clinics operate and measure performance from a business perspective, and the role that digital technologies have. This research is being conducted by researchers at the UQ Business School with funding from the Australian Research Council.
Audience:
Practice managers and key personnel from primary care clinics, involved with decision-making about the adoption of digital technologies within practice.
Contact:
For any questions about the study, please contact Professor Janet McColl-Kennedy j.mccoll-kennedy@business.uq.edu.au or Dr Emma Baillie e.baillie@uq.edu.au
Ethics approvals
This project has Ethics approval status University of Queensland, 2024/HE001356
Survey End Date – 30 April 2025.
Research opportunity: Barriers to the management of obesity in primary care
The Facility of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney in conjunction with University of Notre Dame Australia, University of New South Wales and general practitioners from rural and metropolitan regions in Australia are conducting a research study regarding the barriers to the management of obesity in primary care for GPs and their patients.
Audience:
Fellows and trainees with the RACGP & ACRRM
Participation involvement:
A short (10-15 minute) online survey.
Contact:
For any questions about the study, please contact Hazer Khalifa, hazer.khalifa@sydney.edu.au
Ethics approvals
This study has been approved by the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), 2022/ETH01346
Survey End Date – 1 August 2025.
Research opportunity: REducing hospital readmissions for high-risk CARDiology patients (RECARD)
Researchers from The University of Queensland, School of Pharmacy are undertaking a study to explore the perspectives and experiences of providing transition of care services to patients who have had an AMI or undergone cardiac surgery.
This will help inform the design of an intervention aimed at improving the transition of patients from hospital back to primary care. The university hope to establish a line of communication so that they can provide updates about the research in this program of work.
Audience:
General Practitioners from Brisbane South PHN
Participation involvement:
Participate in a focus group (approximately 30 minutes) for a research study.
Contact:
Please contact Dr Chariclia Paradissis at c.paradissis@uq.edu.au for any questions about this study or the focus groups.
Ethics approvals
Participation in this study is voluntary and has been approved by the UQ Ethics Committee (HREC/2023/MNHB/104151).
End Date – August 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
