RACGP GP Research Project Noticeboard


Participate in a research project

The RACGP supports GPs undertaking research that contributes to the knowledge base of the profession.If you are interested in participating in a research project or survey conducted by a member, please view the list of projects below.  Queries should be directed to the named contact person.

Submit a project

Please note: Projects advertised on this Noticeboard are not endorsed by the RACGP. Potential participants are encouraged to seek independent advice regarding the suitability of their participation in any research project.  Unless otherwise stated, the research projects listed here are not conducted by the RACGP, and the RACGP does not support or endorse the results of the research.  The project has been approved for inclusion on the website, however unless otherwise stated, this does not constitute ethics approval, endorsement or assessment of the quality of the project, survey or any publication arising from the project.

Research Projects


Short description of the project and method: The research project will investigate how Australian general practitioners (GPs) feel about climate change and health. It is a survey that asks GPs about their beliefs and actions they have taken relating to climate change and health.

Name of investigators: Assoc Prof Meaghan Brennan (RACGP member), Prof Lynne Madden, and Dr Kate Wylie (RACGP member) – a collaboration between The University of Notre Dame Australia and RACGP Specific Interests Climate and Environmental Medicine

Time involvement: You are asked to complete an online survey that will ask you questions about your beliefs and actions related to climate change and health. It should take you about 10 minutes and is completely anonymous.

Geographic location: Australia-wide

Survey URL: https://notredame.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0lhERR3ddEXmRIa

Risks: We don’t anticipate any risk to you in participating in this research project. However, if you find that the questions asked in this survey brings up difficult feelings/ you are becoming distressed, we recommend that you stop the survey and seek support from a counsellor or your own GP.

Benefits: This research will gather important information about how GPs feel about climate change. This will help to guide support and education resources for GPs and patients.

Please note:

Participation in this study is completely voluntary. Even if you begin the survey, you are free to withdraw by simply not completing it.
Once we have analysed the information from surveys, we will distribute the results through the RACGP. You can expect to receive this feedback towards the end of 2023.
 
Building public confidence in the secondary use of general practice data for research: Semi-structured interviews and a modified Delphi survey with Australia General Practitioners

Short description of the project and method: The aim of this project is to explore GPs’ attitudes and perspectives on the secondary use of general practice data for research purposes. We will undertake a two-step process: 1. Online semi-structured interviews. 2. A Modified Delphi Survey.

Geographic location the project wishes to recruit from: National

Name of investigators/Contact person: Prof Annette Braunack-Mayer abmayer@uow.edu.au Chief Investigator Professor Justin Beilby jbelby@torrens.edu.au Co-investigator Professor Alberto Nettel Aguirre alberto_nettel-aguirre@uow.edu.au Co-investigator Dr Felicity Flack Felicity.flack@uwa.edu.au Co-investigator Dr Carolyn Adams carolyn.adams@mq.edu.au Co-investigator Dr Heidi Green hgreen@uow.edu.au Co-investigator Dr Anthony Brown abrown@hcnsw.org.au Co-investigator

Contact details:
Take this opportunity to be heard! Contact the UOW research team and join us in shaping the future of general practice research. Please email Dr Heidi Green Co-investigator at hgreen@uow.edu.au.

Brief Description of participants/practices sought: Semi-Structured Interviews Inclusion criteria: - Practicing General Practitioner within Australia - Fluent in English - Self-reported limited expertise in data sharing Modified Delphi Survey Inclusion criteria: - Practicing General Practitioner within Australia including GP academics - Fluent in English - Self-reported expertise in data sharing

Closing date for recruitment: 3/06/2024

Time involvement of participants:
Semi-structured interviews - 30-60mins
Modified Delphi study - 3 rounds of a 20 min survey

Compensation offered: up to $250 per hour via a VISA gift card

GP Investigator: Professor Justin Beilby
 
Age-related hearing loss affects health and quality of life but discussing hearing health with patients can help to reduce the impact, ensuring more older adults receive appropriate hearing rehabilitation. We want to understand the barriers and enablers practicing Victorian GPs experience when referring for hearing care. Register your interest in attending an evening focus group here: https://melbourneuni.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dguNOD9hBW3JZxs


Name of investigators: Ella Davine, PhD Student/Audiologist

Contact details: Phone: 03 8344 4213 Email: e.davine@unimelb.edu.au
https://melbourneuni.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dguNOD9hBW3JZxs

Brief Description of participants/practices sought: Practicing Victorian GPs

Commencement date of the project: 7/02/2024

Compensation offered: All participants will receive a $225 pre-paid MasterCard as a thank you for participating in this focus group

Availability of CPD points: 1.5 hours (1.0 RP + 0.5 MO), Activity 718260
Time involvement of participants: 1.5 hours

Closing date for recruitment: 1/03/2024 12:00:00 AM

GP Investigator: Professor Lena Sanci
 

At times doctors have to work at the limits of their scope of practice in order to meet the needs of their patients. This takes courage. This project builds on our work to understand the experience of clinical courage as perceived by doctors.

If you are currently working clinically as a doctor we invite you to participate in our 10 minute study.

Names of investigators:  
Lucie Walters (CI), Robert Brooks, Jill Konkin, Ian Couper, David Campbell (GP investigator), Ruth Stewart, and Susan Williams
 
Time involvement of participants:
The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete
 

Further information about this study is provided in the participant information sheet. You can access the information sheet and survey by clicking on this URL link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/clincourage2

Contact details:
Please contact Prof Lucie Walters if you have any questions about this study.
Mobile 0409692359
Lucie.walters@adelaide.edu.au
 
As part of this study, we will be conducting 30-45 minute interviews either face-to-face or online (Teams) which will be transcribed and recorded with your consent.
Geographic location the project wishes to recruit from (State/Area): Australia wide

Name of investigators/Contact person: Rakiza Hussein (Student Researcher) Griffith Business School / Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources

Contact details: E-mail: rakiza.hussein@griffithuni.edu.au
 https://my-dissertation.my.canva.site/exploring-identity-and-purpose-of-doctors-unretiring

Brief Description of participants/practices sought: Unretired Doctors (who have experienced retirement) from a range of specialities across Australia Doctors who have retired from full-time practice & returned to healthcare settings on either a full- or part-time basis. Any gender & Unretired doctors in any stage of unretirement

Closing date for recruitment: 15/03/2024

GP Investigator: Dr Abbas Hussein

GU Ethics Reference number: GU Reference no: #2024/049
Short description of the project and method: Researchers at Monash University are seeking the input of GPs through this 15-minute survey on preconception care for women living with overweight body weight or obesity. This survey aims to identify any potential barriers within this setting for preconception women accessing care in order to guide future improvements. As a token of our appreciation, upon completion of the survey you can enter the draw to win one of four $100 gift vouchers.

Geographic location the project wishes to recruit from: All states in Australia

Name of investigators: Dr Briony Hill, Dr Stephanie Pirrotta, Professor Helen Skouteris, and Dr Jessica Van den Hueval

Contact details: Chloe Tran chloe.tran@monash.edu

Brief Description of participants/practices sought: GPs who are either currently working or have worked as a GP within the past 5 years and care for preconception women.

Closing date for recruitment: 31/07/2024

Time involvement of participants: 15-minute online survey

Compensation offered: Participants can go into the draw to win one of four $100 vouchers

GP Investigator: Dr Jessica Van den Hueval

 

The study is a phase II, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind multi-centre clinical trial held in Perth (Curtin University, lead site), Hobart (Wicking Dementia Centre, University of Tasmania; launching late January-February 2024) and Adelaide (CALHN Memory Clinic; The Queen Elizabeth Hospital; anticipated to launch in April-May 2024). The target cohort is participants with mild cognitive impairment and mild-to-moderate dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Participants will be recruited and randomised (1:1) to a 104-week intervention consisting of placebo induction for 2 weeks followed by 102 weeks of probucol (Lorelco) or placebo. The primary outcome is change in cognitive performance determined via the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scales-Cognitive Subscale test between baseline and 104 weeks. Secondary outcomes measures will be the change in brain structure and function, cerebral amyloid load, quality of life, and the safety and tolerability of Lorelco, after a 104-week intervention.

Probucol is a historic and safe cholesterol lowering drug, clinically used in Japan since 1985, with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Probucol was also shown to profoundly attenuate dietary induced synthesis and secretion of lipoprotein-Aβ concomitant with cerebral capillary integrity sparing. In a dietary-induced diabetic murine model, probucol was also found to support hippocampal-dependent memory recall. The pleiotropic properties of probucol and significant clinical use experience justifies considering repurposing probucol to test efficacy in supporting cognitive function in patients with AD.

Geographic location the project wishes to recruit from:
  • Perth, WA (lead site, Curtin University)
  • Hobart, Tasmania (Wicking Dementia Centre, University of Tasmania)
  • Adelaide, South Australia (CALHN Memory Clinic; The Queen Elizabeth Hospital)

Names of investigators:
Principle Investigator: A/Professor Roger Clarnette
CPI: Professor John Mamo (Perth)
CPI: A/Professor Jane Alty (Hobart)
CPI: Professor Cathy Short (Adelaide)
Co-investigators:
Professor Gerald Watts
Professor Roslyn Francis
Professor Leon Flicker
A/Professor Michael Bynevelt
Dr Carolyn Orr
Dr Poh Lok
Professor Chris Reid
Professor Jonathan Foster
Professor Satvinder Dhaliwal
Professor Suzanna Robinson
A/Professor Ryu Takechi
Dr Virginie Lam
Dr Gill Cowen (GP investigator)
Dr Dan Xu (GP investigator)

Contact details:
Professor John Mamo
J.Mamo@Curtin.edu.au
https://www.piastudy.com.au/

Description of participants/practices:
Key Inclusion Criteria
  • Cognitive impairment that may be due to AD (no formal diagnosis required)
  • Between 18-84 years of age
  • If known, a mini mental state exam (MMSE) of at least 20/30
Key Exclusion Criteria
  • Myocardial infarction within 6 months, symptomatic heart failure, unstable angina, unstable atrial fibrillation
  • Diagnosis of cancer and/or chemotherapy within past 3 years
  • No significant head injury within the last 5 years that has significantly affected cognitive function
  • No evidence of stroke that has significantly affected cognitive function

Commencement date of the project: In progress (started December 2021)

Closing date for recruitment: December 2024

Time involvement of GPs practice staff, and patients:
  • Referrals from GPs
  • Acquisition of medical records from practice staff
  • Patients: 14 study visits at study site over 2 years (i.e. medical assessments; 3-monthly blood sampling; cognitive assessments every 26 weeks); brain scans at start and end of study

Clinical trial registration if applicable: ACTRN12621000726853
https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=380685&isReview=true
GooD4Mum provides tools, education and support to enhance identification, recall and management for women with history of gestational diabetes (GDM) toward reducing potential onset of type 2 diabetes. It draws on Quality Improvement Collaborative methodologies. Access to the Future Health Today (FHT) digital platform. Self-nominated staff will develop QI activities appropriate to their practice. GPs, PNs, PMs, DEs and other staff can be involved.

Geographic location the project wishes to recruit from: Victoria

Time involvement of participants: The trial runs for 18 months. Quarterly quality improvement activities include:
- One hour online learning workshops
- Recall of women with history of GDM
- Measuring change and writing up QI activities to claim CPD points Optional 20-30 minute interviews for study evaluation (associated with thank you voucher and CPD points).

Name of investigators:
Prof Dougie Boyle, Dr Rachel Canaway, Dr Rochelle Sleaby, University of Melbourne
Prof Helena Teede, Dr Siew Lim, Monash University
Prof Vin Versace, Deakin Prof Jane Speight, Australian Centre of Behavioural Research in Diabetes Prof Mark Morgan, Bond A/Prof Sharleen O’Reilly, University College Dublin
Prof Emily Callander, University Technology Sydney
Dr Dale Ford, GP In partnership with RACGP, Diabetes Australia, Diabetes Victoria, and the Australian Government Department of Health.

Compensation offered: $1000 practice payment ($500 after onboarding, $500 at end of trial). $200 thank you voucher for Practice Champion. $30 thank you vouchers for clinicians who complete optional interviews. Research interested GPs at participating practices, that are also part of Data for Decisions (www.gp.unimelb.edu.au/datafordecisions), can apply to for Honorary University of Melbourne positions (library access).

Availability of CPD points: Confirmation of CPD points is pending. Anticipate 3.5 accredited RACGP CPD hours per quarterly activity cycle (30 min Education, 30 min Reviewing Performance and 2.5 hours Measuring Outcomes). 1 CPD hour per interview (30 min Education and 30 min Reviewing Performance) - Certificates issued for additional hours, if relevant. Practice Nurses, Practice Managers and Diabetes Educators can collect certificates of completion for CPD hours.

Contact details (Name, email address, website link): Dr Rachel Canaway and Wendy Shepherdley Email: g4m-project@unimelb.edu.au Phone: (03) 8344 4361
Link to request for call back: https://melbourneuni.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_egkfI3uXMfxvJsi
1 page information flyer for distribution at your practice https://mchri.org.au/good4mum/
Access the plain language information statements on our website: https://mchri.org.au/good4mum/

Brief Description of participants/practices sought (inclusion criteria):
- Practice located in Victoria, Australia
- Use Best Practice or Medical Director medical clinical software
- Employs a Practice Nurse
- Can nominate a GooD4Mum 'Practice Champion' (point of contact for the researchers and able to drive activities in the practice)
- At least one GP and other staff willing to participate in GooD4Mum-related QI activities
- Will install GRHANITE and Future Health Today software, if not already installed

Closing date for recruitment: 31 March 2024
Researchers from Deakin University are seeking practices to participate in a study on how patients understand Medicare rebated in a general practice setting. Practices do not need to recruit individual patients but are asked to place a poster in the practice’s waiting room or share the supplied tile on social media. The Poster and social media tiles contain a QR code patients can scan which takes them to an anonymous survey asking them about how they understand Medicare rebating in general practice.
 

Principal Researcher:
Dr Rizwan Jaipurwala

Student Researcher:
Alice Gaynor

Associate Researchers:
Jessica Beatie & David Corbet

Contact details:
For more information, please see the Organizational Plain language statement and consent form, the Participant Plain Language statement and the Clinic Participation Instructions.

You can also contact Deakin University student researcher Alice Gaynor via email at s222108817@deakin.edu.au for further information.

Geographic location the project wishes to recruit from:
Australia-wide

GP Investigator:
Dr Rizwan Jaipurwala

Closing date for recruitment: 30 April 2024
 

 

AtheroSclerotic Cardiovascular disEase Risk assessmenT and treAtment In AustraliaN primary care (VICTORION-ASCERTAIN: Implementation Study) is a 2-arm multicentre, randomized, open-label study to evaluate the implementation and utility of a new model of care in participants with ASCVD or ASCVD-risk equivalents and elevated LDL-C using a primary care model. GPs are invited to participate if (a) they have an interest in participating in this clinical trial; and (b) if their medical records are being managed by MedicalDirector Software; (c) able to recruit 30 patients.

Geographic location the project wishes to recruit from: Australia-wide

Brief Description of participants/practices sought: The study will include male and female participants ≥18 years of age with a history of ASCVD or ASCVD-risk equivalents who have elevated LDL-C (≥1.8 mmol/L). A total of approximately 600 participants will be included in the study across approximately 20 sites.

Names of investigators:
Chief Investigator: Stephen Nicholls, MBBS, PhD
Contact person: Raeda Mustafa, Project Manager

Contact details:
Raeda Mustafa Primary email address: raeda.mustafa@monash.edu
Secondary email address: ascertain.study@monash.edu

GP Investigator: Dr Anita Munoz

Closing date for recruitment: 30 September 2024
 


This project aims to explore the attitudes and experiences of Healthcare and service providers from across Australia who provide and recommend PrEP to young people through an anonymous online survey.

Survey:
https://uniofqueensland.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0Dl9LRl4ZIaaZ4W

Participants sought:
HCP eligible to prescribe PrEP and Non-prescribing HCP who provide PrEP information and support to young people, practicing in Australia

Geographic location the project wishes to recruit from:
Across Australia

Compensation offered:
Eligible to win one of two $500 vouchers.

Time involved:
20-minute online survey

Investigators:
A/Prof Judith Dean (UQ; Registered Nurse),
Prof Amy Mullens (UniSQ; Registers Psychologist),
A Prof Lisa Fitzgerald (UQ),
Dr. Amalie Dyda (UQ),
Luke Coffey (QPP),
Ellen Sargent (QPP),
Robert Muscolino (QC),
Chris Pickard (ODYS),
Sally Morris (ODYS)

Contact details:
Sarah Warzywoda
Email: s.warzywoda@uq.edu.au

Commencement date of the project:
January 2022

Closing date for recruitment:
July 2024
 

The ‘ScreenEQUAL’ study wants to make it easier for people with intellectual disability to have a cervical screening test, and to have a positive experience with the test.

This video explains the ScreenEQUAL Project in an accessible way, please click on the video to watch.
ScreenEQUAL: Finding ways to improve cervical screening for people with intellectual disability - YouTube

We want to talk with:

  • people with intellectual disability
  • their families
  • support people (paid and unpaid)
  • managers and leaders in disability organisations
  • health professionals (GPs, nurses)

We will talk with you:

  • for about an hour
  • online (e.g., Zoom), over the phone, or in-person – you choose!
  • about ways to improve cervical screening for people with intellectual disability
  • we will keep what you tell us private.

Commencement date of the project:

17 August 2023

Contact details:

Lauren Winkler, Study Coordinator

Deborah Bateson, Chief Investigator

The ScreenEQUAL study is based at the Daffodil Centre, a joint venture between the Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney, in partnership with the University of Western Sydney, UNSW Sydney, and Family Planning Australia.
 

The aim of this study is to undertake a formative evaluation to assess the need, feasibility and acceptability of a peer-facilitated, online, perinatal education and support program for first-time fathers referred through their primary health care providers. There is a growing need for new approaches to providing information and support to first-time fathers. According to recent research, first-time fathers report wanting programs that are informative but also allow them to interact with other men about their experiences with fatherhood. There are significant barriers that men face in accessing services during pregnancy and soon after the birth (e.g., men are often unable to attend programs during work hours) and access to an online platform may help address these barriers. In addition, the role that primary care providers such as GPs can play in referring first-time fathers to such programs is not adequately described in the literature.

This second phase of the project comprises a mixed methods approach to gain the views of fathers, mothers and birthing parents about the proposed online perinatal program. GPs are being asked to advertise the recruitment flyers to their patients, as appropriate to their practice. GPs will be able to download the flyers for printing and sharing or can be sent printed copies of the flyers by contacting the research team.

Geographic location the project wishes to recruit from:

National for anonymous online survey

Western Australia and Queensland for confidential interview

Name of investigators/Contact person:

Richard Pascal (contact), Dr Garth Kendall, Dr Lesley Kuliukas, A/Prof Alka Kothari, Dr Rikki Priest (GP investigator)

Contact details: 

Richard Pascal, richard.pascal@postgrad.curtin.edu.au

Flyer

Brief Description of participants/practices sought:

Fathers

Inclusion Criteria: expecting a child or had a child in the last 12 months

Mothers and birthing parents

Inclusion Criteria: expecting a child or had a child in the last 12 months AND their child's father/father figure is a first-time father

Download flyer

Commencement date of the project:

4 Sept 2023

Closing date for recruitment:

30 April 2024

Time involvement of GPs and/or practice staff, and/or patients:

GP/Practice staff – time to print or request printed copies of flyers from researcher and advertise to patients.

Patients nationally completing the online survey – 15-20 minutes.

Patients in WA and Qld completing the online interview – 40-50 minutes.

The preconception period has been identified as an opportunity to promote favourable maternal and infant outcomes, before, during and after pregnancy. Important preconception care include ensuring women are up to date on vaccinations, cessation of alcohol and smoking, folic acid supplementation and management of comorbidities (e.g., asthma, diabetes). Despite the well-established benefits of preconception care, the uptake remains low. The research involves completing a 15-minute survey on attitudes (as a GP) towards preconception women living with overweight or obesity. This includes providing preconception care or other healthcare for women who are planning a pregnancy.

Geographic location the project wishes to recruit from:

All states in Australia metro and rural.

Name of investigators:

Dr Briony Hill, Dr Stephanie Pirotta, Professor Helen Skouteris and Jessica van den Heuvel

Contact details:

Chloe Tran, email: chloe.tran@monash.edu
Web page: https://monash.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1MO6mCkPqvhznEy

Brief Description of participants/practices sought:

Any Australian GP who is either currently working or has worked as a GP within the past 5 years, cares for preconception women and has access to an electronic device. Preconception women for this study are defined as people being treated clinically as women, of reproductive age (18-45), who are sexually active, not currently pregnant and have made a conscious decision to conceive now or in future.

Commencement date:

1st August 2023

Closing date for recruitment:

30th July 2024

Time involvement:

15-minutes

Compensation offered:

Upon completion of the survey, participants get to enter the draw to win one of 4 $100 vouchers


Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death in Australia and frequently occurs in the context of multiple long-term conditions or multimorbidity. The Activating Primary Care COPD Patients with Multimorbidity (APCOM) Trial is a randomized controlled clinical trial that aims to test a personalised self-management support program, to be delivered by Practice Nurses to patients with COPD and other long-term health conditions.

The trial will evaluate whether this program is effective in improving quality of life, increasing patient knowledge of COPD and can be effectively implemented in primary care.
The APCOM Trial is being conducted by Bond University, UNSW Sydney, University of Queensland, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, University of Wollongong Australia and University of Sydney in collaboration with Lung Foundation Australia, Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

Geographic location:
Australia-wide

Contact Person:
Dr Sameera Ansari, email: sameera.ansari@unsw.edu.au

Lead Investigator:
Professor Nick Zwar, email: nzwar@bond.edu.au

Website:
https://www.goldnetresearch.com.au/apcom-trial

Brief Description of participants/practices sought:
Seeking general practice clinics that have at least one practice nurse, and eight patients with COPD and one other chronic condition.

Closing date for recruitment:
Recruitment closing date for practices: 31st October 2023
Recruitment closing date for patients: 31st December 2023

Compensation offered:

  • All participating practices will be provided a token amount of $1000 each for staff time to undertake a medical record search and invite eligible patients.
  • A $200 gift voucher will be provided to a practice champion, nominated by the practice team, who will be the main focal point for the study.
  • Practices in the intervention group will receive $60/hour for the PN’s time towards training and delivering the self-management program.
  • All participating patients will receive a $100 shopping voucher each towards completing the study questionnaires at 3 timepoints throughout the duration of the trial.
Availability of CPD points:
PNs and GPs from all participating practices can claim CPD hours for their involvement in the trial.

Time involvement:
GPs: GPs in the intervention arm will be required to participate in a joint webinar with PNs to discuss implementation of the self-management program in their practice, to ensure coordination and collaboration in the practice team.
Practice Staff: PNs in the intervention arm will be required to: i) Attend a training workshop about the study and the self-management program, iii) Tailor and deliver the program to patients in the intervention arm in five personalised health coaching sessions, and iii) Make monthly follow-up phone calls to the patients for three months following completion of the program. The Practice Invitation Letter and PN Information Sheet are attached.
Patients: Patients in the intervention arm will be required to participate in five one-to-one health coaching sessions with their PN. The sessions will be of about 45-minute duration each and spaced three weeks apart, and can be conducted virtually or at the practice.


This cluster trial will compare two ways of prescribing analgesia, including opioids, for patients with low back pain. The first offers patients pain relief options such as heat wrap in addition to opioids, and the second is usual care.

Patients with low back pain will be eligible when the study GP considers it appropriate to prescribe an opioid medicine for back pain at the study visit.

Our team hope to recruit 410 patient-participants (205 per arm) from at least 40 participating general practices in urban, and regional/remote/very remote locations across NSW.

The study team will be in regular contact with study GPs throughout the trial to provide support, discuss trial progress, conduct refresher training and any follow-up questionnaires.

Geographic location the project wishes to recruit from:
New South Wales. Noting if targets are not met within NSW, recruitment may be extended nationally.  

Principal investigator:
Dr Christina Abdel Shaheed  

Co- investigators:
Professor Chris Maher
A/Professor Rowena Ivers (GP)
Professor Andrew McLachlan
Professor Fiona Blyth
Professor Louisa Degenhardt
Dr Thomas Lung
Associate Professor Patrick Kelly
A/Professor Fiona Stanaway
Dr Rachel Thompson
 
Associate Investigators:
Dr Sharon Reid (GP)
Dr Michael Wright (GP)
Professor Bradley Martin
Rawa Osman
Carol Bennett
Jarrod McMaugh
Gabrielle Campbell
Professor Kirsten McCaffery
Dr Hazel Jenkins
Professor Simon French
Dr Stephanie Mathieson

Compensation offered:
  • $100 per patient enrolled
  • $30 for patient screening
  • $100 for training visit
  • $100 for interview (if assigned to intervention)
GP inclusion criteria:
  • Consult with patients who have LBP.
  • Has no prescribing restrictions, that is, eligible to prescribe an opioid analgesic (including schedule 8 opioid analgesics).
  • Consent to researchers gaining access to their prescribing data.
GP exclusion criteria:
  • Participating GPs at that practice has received an education visit by any organisation on judicious opioid prescribing in the previous 12 months.
*GP Clinics must have one practising GP registered with APHRA.

Patient inclusion criteria:
  • Adults (≥18 years)
  • Low back pain of any duration at the time of presentation
  • Has been prescribed an opioid analgesic for LBP by the participating GP.
  • Sufficient understanding of English to complete questionnaires, or translation available.
  • Holds an Australian Medicare card number (for data linkage purposes).
  • Willingness to give written informed consent to participate in the trial and grant researchers access to their Medicare/Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and other trial-related data.
Patient exclusion criteria:
  • Children (<18 years)
  • Engaged in an opioid tapering regimen at the time of enrolment into the study i.e., have already begun to reduce their opioid medicine within the past month
  • Be actively treated for cancer or receiving palliative treatment.
Commencement date of the project:
April 2022

Closing date for recruitment:
March 2026

Time involvement:
GPs: Till recruitment target is met (12-15 patient-participants). If participating in an interview GPs will be followed up for up to 16 weeks after target is met.
Patient Participant: One year period.

Availability of CPD points:
Yet to be determined.

Contact details:
If you are interested in participating, please email the Project manager or Clinical Trials Assistant.

Lisa Vizza | Project Manager | lisa.vizza@sydney.edu.au
Sarah Diprose | Clinical Trials Assistant | sarah.diprose@sydney.edu.au
Rowena Ivers| Co-Investigator and General Practictioner| rivers@uow.edu.au


The aim of this study is to undertake a formative evaluation to assess the need, feasibility and acceptability of a peer-facilitated, online, perinatal education and support program for first-time fathers referred through their primary health care providers. There is a growing need for new approaches to providing information and support to first-time fathers. According to recent research, first-time fathers report wanting programs that are informative but also allow them to interact with other men about their experiences with fatherhood. There are significant barriers that men face in accessing services during pregnancy and soon after the birth (e.g., men are often unable to attend programs during work hours) and access to an online platform may help address these barriers. In addition, the role that primary care providers such as GPs can play in referring first-time fathers to such programs is not adequately described in the literature. The first phase of the project comprises a mixed methods approach to assess the attitudes and current practice of health professionals with regard to father inclusive perinatal care and elicit their opinions about the proposed online perinatal program.

An introduction to the research team, the project and further links to participate can be found at: https://curtin.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d1iFwnLlKcXw9wO

State the project wishes to recruit from

  • National for anonymous online survey
  • Western Australia and Queensland for confidential interview

Name of investigators/Contact persons
Richard Pascal (contact), Dr Garth Kendall, Dr Lesley Kuliukas, A/Prof Alka Kothari, Dr Rikki Priest (GP investigator)

Contact details
Richard Pascal, richard.pascal@postgrad.curtin.edu.au

Brief Description of participants sought
All GPs working with fathers or their partners in the perinatal period (antenatal to 12 months postnatal).

Commencement date of the project
7 April 2023

Closing date for recruitment
30 November 2023

Time involvement of GPs and/or practice staff, and/or patients
GPs nationally completing the online survey – 15-20 minutes. GPs in WA and Qld completing the online interview – 30-40 minutes.

 

The START trial is a NHMRC-funded community-based clinical trial that will evaluate the comparative effects of the Sodium Glucose Co-Transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor dapagliflozin compared to metformin, on annual decline in eGFR, when used as first-line therapy in people with type 2 diabetes.

The intervention will be evaluated by a pragmatic, multi-centre, double-blind, randomised trial involving at least 60 primary health care practices across NSW, VIC and QLD. The sample size of 994 participants (497 intervention and 497 control groups) will detect a difference in eGRF slope between dapagliflozin and metformin over a 24-month period. Changes in urine albumin creatinine ratio, serum creatinine, HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body weight, quality of life and anxiety and depression will be monitored.

Geographic location the project wishes to recruit from (State/Area):

Sydney and surrounds, Melbourne and surrounds, Brisbane and surrounds, regional NSW, VIC, QLD

Name of investigators/Contact person.

Lead Investigator: Professor Bruce Neal, The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia
Principal Investigator: Associate Professor Clare Arnott, The George Institute for Global Health, Australia
Principal Investigator: Professor Sophia Zoungas, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
GP Principal Investigator: Professor Tim Usherwood, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Contact details:

Dr Lauren Houston, The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia.
Telephone: +61 2 8052 4343
Email: START-trial@georgeinstitute.org.au

Brief Description of participants/practices sought (inclusion and exclusion criteria, or a hyperlink to this):

GP Practices based in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and their surrounds who can assist START trial staff to identify potentially eligible participants from their GP Practice who meet the following eligibility criteria:

Inclusion criteria:
  • Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes;
  • Aged ≥18 years;
  • Body mass index > 18.5 kg/m2;
  • Drug naïve, or managed with metformin monotherapy and willing to be randomised;
  • eGFR ≥30 ml/min/1.73m2; and
  • Signed informed consent.
Exclusion criteria:
  • Immediate need for rapid intensification of glucose lowering therapy due to marked hyperglycaemia;
  • There is a definite indication for, or contraindication to, either metformin or SGLT2 inhibitor;
  • Established coronary artery disease or heart failure; or
  • Pregnant or breast-feeding.
Commencement date of the project: 20 June 2022 Closing date for recruitment: 30 June 2025, depending on the rate of recruitment. Time involvement of GPs and/or practice staff, and/or patients:

The role of your GP practice in the START Trial is minimal. The GP practice/GPs main trial responsibilities include assisting START trial staff to identify potential participants and to confirm their patients are suitable to participate in the START trial. Trial participants will attend follow-up visits every 16-20 weeks: four face-to-face and five telephone or video conference visits over a period of approximately 2 years.

Compensation offered:

$150 per randomised participant to support administrative costs at GP Practice.

Availability of CPD points:

GPs can self-record their participation in START as a GP Co-Investigator under a Professional Leadership Activity and claim CPD hours.


The AusCAPPS network seeks to address long standing and well-defined barriers to primary care provision of long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) and medical abortion in Australia. AusCAPPS has been developed in partnership with the RACGP, RANZCOG, APNA, the PSA, and other key stakeholders in women’s health services. The network will:

  • Connect GPs, pharmacists and nurses around Australia who provide LARC and medical abortion
  • Provide access to training and education opportunities relating to LARC insertion and medical abortion
  • Enable clinicians to ask questions to colleagues and experts
  • Give access to resources, guidelines, referral forms and patient handouts
  • Keep you connected with the latest news and research related to LARC and medical abortion

Join the network

Geographic location the project wishes to recruit from (State/Area)

Australia-wide

Name of investigators

  • Lead investigator- Professor Danielle Mazza
  • GP investigators- Professor Danielle Mazza, A/Professor Wendy Norman, Professor Deborah Bateson and Dr Philip Goldstone
  • Other investigators- Professor Kirsten Black, Professor Angela Taft,
  • A/Professor Kevin McGeechan and Professor Jane Tomnay

Contact details

Sharon James, Sharon.james@monash.edu

Brief Description of participants/practices sought

GPs, practice nurses and community pharmacists working in primary care are invited to the join the AusCAPPS network.

Time involvement of GPs and/or practice staff, and/or patients

Time is self-directed over the course of the 2 years that the Network will be live

Availability of CPD points

Self-reported for time spent within network. RACGP CPD points awarded for the webinar series

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