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Our Vision

Contribute to an effective and sustainable rural and remote health system

Research Capacity

The Rural Research Capacity Building Program aims to increase the number of rural and remote health workers with knowledge and skills in evaluation and research methods. It also aims to contribute to the literature on both innovation and evidence-based practice around rural and remote health care.

The NSW Institute of Rural Clinical Services and Teaching has invested significant funding to support selected health workers across rural and remote NSW to undertake a formal research project over the next two years.

Program Description

Staff from all rural Area Health Services in NSW were invited to participate and were awarded a place in the program based on their readiness to undertake a research project, the relevance of the research to advancing rural health and support from their health service.

September 2006 heralded the first intake for the program, with 28 candidates participating in a research methods short course conducted in Sydney by the NSW PHC Collaboration. Candidates learned about quantitative and qualitative research methods and had assistance to develop their research ideas further. Candidates have been linked with mentors who have an interest or experience in the topic or methods required for the completion of their research. September 2007 saw an additional 24 candidates complete the research methods short course.

Additional support to candidates includes a paid backfill day weekly and funding for incidentals related to the research over the two year period. A Rural Research Support Officer is also employed to coordinate the overall program, facilitate capacity building and networking strategies and provide technical advice to candidates.

Key Partners

There are many organisations and individuals working together to support the Rural Research Capacity Building Program by providing mentoring, training or advocacy.

These include, but are not limited to:

  • The PHC Collaboration – a Commonwealth funded program that includes the University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, Newcastle University, Australian National University Departments of General Practice, and the Broken Hill, Lismore (USYD) and Tamworth (Newcastle Uni) University Departments of Rural Health
  • Australian Rural Health Research Collaboration
  • The University of Sydney School of Rural Health (Dubbo and Orange)
  • Southern Cross University
  • Charles Sturt University
Evaluation

An evaluation framework to assess the value of the Rural Research Capacity Building Program has been established. The framework captures descriptive information of the type of candidates attracted and the style of research undertaken as a result of their participation in the program. Please see progress report for more details. PDF File 

Tools such as capacity building indicators will supplement semi-structured interviews with candidates and mentors to describe their experiences developing research skills, barriers and challenges faced and assessing the development of their research networks at a local level.

Interested in applying?

Applications for the 2008 intake have now closed. However, if you're interested in applying in 2009, please look through the application guidelines, below, and consider joining the IRCST webgroup (off the Home page), and you'll be notified of the next intake, funding grants, and other initiatives.

Application Guidelines and Information 2008 PDF File

 

To view current research participants and their projects, click below:

2006 intake

2007 intake

 

Click here to view completed projects.

 

Please contact us for additional information.

Contact Details

Anne Field or Emma Webster
Rural Research Support Officers
NSW Institute of Rural Clinical Services and Teaching
C/- Greater Western Area Health Service
PO Box 4061
DUBBO NSW 2830
Phone: (02) 6841 2361, Fax: (02) 6841 2298
Mobile: Anne 0427 843240, Emma 0439 849174
anne.field@gwahs.health.nsw.gov.au
emma.webster@gwahs.health.nsw.gov.au