RACGP Expert Committee-Research

Objectives

 

• Provide expert and informed advice on research related issues in general practice and its role in the health system to inform RACGP research strategy, and policy.
• Support the strengthening of a culture of research in general practice and assist in the development of general practice research capacity, including academic career opportunities.
• Provide input into guidelines, position papers and RACGP responses to submissions related to health and medical research, ethics and data to support the development of an evidence base that addresses issues specific to the general practice environment and patient population.
• Foster networks with GP academics nationally and internationally to support RACGP activity.
• Work with key research stakeholders to increase engagement of medical students, registrars, GPs in training, in research and critical thinking.
• Support the work of the RACGP Foundation, the National Research and Evaluation Ethics Committee and other research related initiatives.
• Provide advice on advocacy and support priorities for regional and national general practice research agendas and advocate for and support GP-led research and translation that contributes to improving the health outcomes of all Australians.

Current members of the REC-R

Member Spotlight

Assoc/Prof Joel Rhee

We spoke to A/Prof Joel Rhee, who has been a member of the committee member since April 2022 and now serves as Deputy Chair.

What inspired you to become Deputy Chair of the REC–Research committee? 
I’m a true believer in the importance of general practice research and its potential to improve how general practices care for their patients and communities. As a junior GP and early career researcher, I watched my senior mentors and colleagues fight to ensure that general practice research was properly recognised and resourced. Now, as I enter the mid-stage of my career, I feel a responsibility to continue what they started, to speak up and advocate for the value and impact of general practice research.
 
By doing so, I hope to create an environment where the next generation of GPs and GP researchers can thrive, with better support, stronger networks, and the confidence to pursue research that benefits our patients and communities.

Has your research ever changed the way you practise?
Absolutely. It’s made me more critical and inquisitive. I often ask myself, why are things done a certain way. Instead of simply following what I was taught, I regularly check the latest evidence-based guidelines. When the patient in front of me doesn’t fit the standardised patient described in those guidelines, which happens often, I dig deeper into the literature. This sometimes means I fall behind. It’s a constant balancing act between maintaining a scholarly approach and managing the realities of a busy clinical practice.

What advice has stayed with you throughout your career?
One of the most valuable pieces of advice came from a mentor I deeply respect. I was excited about joining a research project as a co-investigator, it was on a topic I cared about. But my mentor asked whether the project’s underlying assumptions aligned with my own philosophy. That question made me realise how important it is to be clear about the principles I hold and ensure that any research I undertake aligns with them.

Tow principles that resonate with me are:

• No one should be disadvantaged by a new innovation or approach. New approaches should not increase inequity.
• Patient care in the community should be provided by multidisciplinary primary care teams led by specialist GPs.

Do you have a favourite quote that motivates or grounds you??
I could try to quote famous historical figures, but in a Korean Netflix series, the protagonist—a military prosecutor—is asked: Are you a prosecutor first, or a soldier first? I often ask myself a similar question: Am I a researcher first, or a GP first? My answer is always, I am a GP first, researcher second.

Outside of medicine and research, what helps you recharge?
I’m not sure about “recharging,” but gardening certainly consumes a lot of my time and energy. Honestly, it started with a simple goal: keep the plants alive. But now it’s spiralled out of control—automated irrigation systems, lots of power tools, and more. It’s become quite the project!


 

Dr Simon Hay

We spoke with RACGP Expert Committee member and Regional Director of Training Dr Simon Hay, about his interest in research. 

Can you tell us a little about your journey into general practice?  

My interest in general practice began early after having a great GP as a teenager. I completed my medical degree at the University of Manchester, including GP rotations, and was lucky to have a general practice rotation in my first year of work. Although I initially pursued physician training in Adelaide, I realised I was missing the breadth and continuity of general practice, so I returned to Scotland to complete GP training. I have since worked as a GP in Scotland, rural South Australia, and metropolitan and outer metropolitan Adelaide. Since 2013, I have also been involved in GP training in South Australia. 

What value do you see research bringing to everyday general practice?  

Research helps us provide better, more up to date care for our patients. Understanding research allows us to apply evidence appropriately for individual patients within their own context. 

Why do you think exposure to research is important for GP trainees and medical students?  

Even if doctors do not go on to lead research, it is important for them to understand how research is conducted and that it can happen within community based general practice. This also strengthens their ability to critically appraise evidence and apply it in their own clinical practice. 

Have you seen examples where research has improved training quality or clinical teaching?  

There have been a number of occasions. One notable example is a large study on workplace based assessments in GP training, which showed that when concerns about a GP registrar’s performance are identified, they should be flagged early and appropriate supports put in place. The evidence demonstrated that registrars who receive early support are just as likely, if not more likely, to achieve FRACGP as their peers.  

What skills do you think trainees gain from engaging with research—even if they don’t plan to become researchers?

They develop their own critical thinking skills and the ability to apply the evidence base from research. 

If you could change or improve one thing about how research interacts with GP work, what would it be?  

I think we need to foster curiosity amongst GPs and support them to explore research questions they may have. This could be through a system where they work with research teams that have the relevant skills. We need to increase the amount of primary care based research.