UQGP Research

UQGP Research links practice based staff who understand the context specific problems that need solving with academic staff who have the research skills and experience to help find solutions.

General Practitioners and their staff are essential to the healthcare system and in a unique position to influence patient care and outcomes through research. Practice based staff understand the general practice context, the context-specific problems faced in primary care, and have ideas for ways to improve care.

Researchers have the capacity to secure research funding, develop and manage research projects, obtain ethical approval, manage and analyse data, write reports, and disseminate findings.

Together, we form a strong team with the united aim of improving primary health care and outcomes for our patients.

Become part of a team identifying and answering important questions to develop the evidence base for general practice. Contributing to improving primary health care for patients will not only improve outcomes for patients, but also make your working day more rewarding.

Identify important questions and develop research skills by taking part in research projects.

As a member of our network, you may:

• Receive a UQ certificate recognising your practice as a UQ-affiliated research practice
• Receive access to the University of Queensland’s extensive library
• Participate on the UQGP Research steering committee
• Meet the practice incentives program quality improvement (PIP QI) requirements
• Receive RACGP points for continuing professional development
• Attend UQGP Research networking events
• Receive the UQGP Research newsletter

Contact us to find out more about our network. 

The 3-Domains toolkit for assessing older drivers: pilot study in general practices and validation study in driving assessment clinic

Assessing fitness to drive in older drivers is an increasingly important but challenging role for general practice. General practitioners (GPs) are often the first port of call for concerned family or friends, and some Australian states and territories require older drivers to have an annual assessment of their health and fitness to drive. Some GPs are not comfortable in this role, citing concern to maintain relationships with older patients, concern about the impact driving cessation can have on an older person and poor access to on-road driving assessments.

The 3-Domains toolkit is a screening toolkit for use in general practice to inform clinical judgment when assessing fitness to drive in older drivers (>75 years). The toolkit comprises visual acuity using a Snellen chart; the functional reach test; and the road signs recognition test. The toolkit generates a score predicting the likelihood an older driver would pass an on-road driving test.

This project is to determine whether the 3-Domains toolkit is acceptable and useful to GPs and older drivers in Australia; to evaluate the effectiveness of the toolkit in predicting on-road driving test outcome in older drivers in Australia. If the toolkit is found to be effective, useful, acceptable to both GPs and older drivers, it could be used regularly in practices to inform clinical judgment, and as a communication tool to facilitate discussions about the need to plan for eventual driving cessation or for on-road testing.

Funded by: Motor Accident Insurance Commission and the RACGP Foundation grant.

Research team: A/Prof Katharine Wallis, Dr Geoff Spurling, Dr James Matthews, Dr Theresa Scott, Dr Rory Melville.

Access the 3-Domains toolkit.

Assessing fitness to drive in older people: the need for an evidence-based toolkit in general practice.

A crisis is also an opportunity: GP teachers' views on continuing clinical placements in general practice during an evolving pandemic

Associate Professor Katharine Wallis, Associate Professor Jane Smith, Dr. Rory Melville, Associate Professor Deborah Askew, Associate Professor Nancy Sturman, Dr. Margaret Henderson, Dr. Kim Jackson

Background: Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, some universities suspended student placements in general practice.

Objective: To explore the views of GP clinical teachers.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 15 GP teachers in southeast Queensland from June to August 2020.

Results: Challenges included lack of masks and space, and concerns around infection control, medicolegal liability and student learning. Telehealth created more time for reflection and accessing information, increased student access to sensitive consultations, and opportunities to think-through rather than rote-do physical examinations. Students could be an extra pair of hands, also accessing and implementing the latest public health advice. GP teachers wanted clear communication and guidance from universities and for students to be trained in infection control and telehealth skills.

Discussion: Findings suggest that many GP teachers can be supported to continue clinical placements during an evolving crisis. The pandemic presented many challenges for general practice, but also new opportunities for students to learn and contribute in practice.

RELEASE: REdressing Long-tErm Antidepressant uSE in general practice

Our aim is to improve Australian health outcomes by decreasing unnecessary and potentially harmful long-term (>12 months) prescribing of antidepressants in general practice. Unpleasant withdrawal symptoms make stopping antidepressants difficult for many people. The outcomes of our research will include a validated antidepressant discontinuation model and proven implementation strategies, including practical resources where currently there are none, to foster sustainable improvement in primary mental health care, including for urban and rural general practice.

Projects are updated as approved and funded.
Please contact us to share your ideas for research projects and problems that need solving.

UQGP Research Steering Committee

The UQGP Research Steering Committee hosts annual meetings to prioritise research questions and to provide progress updates on current projects.

• UQGP Research Director = A/Prof Katharine Wallis
• UQGP Research GP liaison = Dr Rory Melville
• 3 elected members from general practice
• 2 community representatives
• Representative from GPTQ

UQGP Research Operations Committee

The UQGP Research Operations Committee meet fortnightly to manage UQGP Research projects.

Professor Katharine Wallis

Katharine is the Director of UQGP Research. She is a GP on the Gold Coast and a researcher in the General Practice Clinical Unit at UQ.
 

Dr Rory Melville

Rory is a GP in Brisbane and a senior lecturer in the General Practice Clinical Unit. He works in a GP liaison role for UQGP Research.
 

Academic Advisory Committee

• Prof Katharine Wallis
• A/Prof Deb Askew