Our research: Translation and innovation
Our vision is an evidence-based primary care system that places the whole person at its heart and provides high-quality care for all. General practice spans the depth and breadth of human experience, providing relationship-centered care for people throughout their lives in the context of their family, community, and other healthcare providers. The diverse nature of general practice, and the diverse communities we serve, is reflected in the diversity of our research interests.
We hold a research seminar alternate Wednesdays 12-1pm. Please contact us if you would like to be on the invite list for seminars. Attendance via zoom is an option.
The General Practice Clinical Unit Research Strategic Plan 2022 - 2025 can be found here.
Our Researchers
Associate Professor Maria Donald
Professor Claire Jackson
Associate Professor Geoffrey Spurling
Dr Johanna Lynch
Emeritus Professor Mieke Van Driel
RELEASE: REdressing Long-tErm Antidepressant uSE
Research Leads: Professor Katharine Wallis (Clinician Lead), A/Professor Maria Donald (Implementation Lead)
Aim: The RELEASE study will evaluate effectiveness of the RELEASE intervention which has been designed to prompt medication review, support shared decision-making, and guide safe discontinuation of long-term antidepressants where there is no clinical indication for ongoing use.
Contact: release.study@uq.edu.au
Screening toolkit for older driver medical assessment
Research Team: Professor Katharine Wallis, Associate Professor Geoff Spurling and Louise Bassingthwaighte.
Aim: The 3-Domains screening toolkit has been developed for use in general practice during annual driver licence medical assessment in older drivers (>75 years). The toolkit assesses across the three functional domains essential for driving (sensory, motor, and cognitive) and generates a combined predictive score of likelihood the older driver would pass on-road driving assessment (%). This score can be used by GPs in practice to inform clinical judgement and to support conversations with older drivers about health and fitness to drive, the need for further testing, and/or planning for eventual driving cessation.
Centre for Health System Reform and Integration
Director: Professor Claire Jackson
The MRI-UQ Centre for Health System Reform and Integration brings together and develops the work of two Centres for Research Excellence; one on primary and secondary care integration, and the other on primary care quality, capacity building and governance.
PARTNER Network
QLD Clinical Lead: Professor Katharine Wallis
QLD State Coordinator: Natalii Paczkowski
The PARTNER Network is a national network of rural and remote research-ready GP practices developed to support rural participation in research, including teletrials in primary care. The PARTNER Network builds capacity in rural, regional and remote general practice and primary care in clinical trial development and participation creating opportunities for rural Australians, primary health care professionals, researchers and industry.
The PARTNER Network is part of the Australian Teletrial Program led by Queensland Health and funded by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) National Critical Infrastructure Initiative.
UQGP Research network
Director: Professor Katharine Wallis
UQGP Research is a practice-based research network (PBRN) supporting collaboration between general practitioners, GP practices and University of Queensland researchers.
The network aims to conduct research in general practice to develop the evidence-base to improve primary health care and outcomes for patients. We work together, combining complementary skills and resources.
RELEASE for RACF: REdressing Long-tErm Antidepressant uSE in Residential Aged Care Facilities
RELEASE for RACF Research Team:
Professor Katharine Wallis
Project lead investigator/Researcher
Associate Professor Maria Donald
Co-ordinating Principal Investigator/ Researcher
Piumika Sooriyaarachchi
Investigator/Researcher
Chengjun (Olivia) Liu
Investigator/Researcher
Background: The use of antidepressants is higher in older Australians. Around 38% residents in aged care facilities are taking antidepressants. Long-term antidepressant use is associated with adverse effects including increased risk of falls in older age. The RELEASE: REdressing Long-tErm Antidepressant uSE intervention has been developed to support safe cessation of long-term antidepressants.
Aim: To explore stakeholder perspectives on antidepressant use in residential aged care, to inform adaption of the RELEASE multi-strategy intervention to this setting.
Design: This is a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with residents, family members, nurses, facility managers, pharmacists, and GPs in three residential care facilities in south-east Queensland, Australia.
Who is funding this research: This project will be funded by the Mayne Academy of General Practice, University of Queensland
Higher Degrees by Research (HDR)
UQ General Practice is very supportive of postgraduate students and higher degrees by research are offered on a full or part-time basis to accomodate clinical practice.
Here is what Associate Professor Geoff Spurling, one of our current PhD students has to say about his experience in UQ General Practice:
"UQ General Practice has been very generous in providing me with the resources to get my thesis off the ground. After a year in, I felt like a blind man flailing about in a room trying to find the boundaries. My UQ General Practice supervisors have helped me find the edges.
Primary care research may not have the charisma of laboratory-based research but I think this thesis has the potential to benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the community where I work as a clinician and it wouldn't have been possible without UQ General Practice."
For more information regarding research conducted within our research streams, please click on the links below.
View HDR program information:
Find out more about our research areas.
Visit the Graduate School site for further details on the application process and more information on studying a higher degree by research at the University of Queensland.
If you are interested in pursuing a HDR in UQ General Practice, please email UQ General Practice who can help direct you to a potential supervisor within your area of interest.
Potential advisors and their areas of research may also be found on UQ RESEARCHERS or UQ Experts.
 Emma Baillie |
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Dr Alison Green
Sophie Wen
UQ Academic Title Holders
Apply for an Academic Title - In recognition of your contribution to the General Practice placement, we have a number of opportunities available for GP teachers to apply for an Academic Title. Benefits of becoming an Academic Title Holder an be viewed here.