RACGP symposiums highlight GP-led research

In Australia, general practice receives less than 2% of national medical research funding.
 
With nine in 10 Australians visiting a GP each year, general practice plays a critical role in prevention, early intervention, chronic disease management and continuity of care.
 
Yet the research that shapes policy, guidelines and clinical practice is still largely focused elsewhere.
 
Globally, the United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality stands out, allocating around 20% of its research funding to primary care in 2021–22.
 
However, this figure includes specialties such as internal medicine and paediatrics, making direct comparison with Australia difficult, and may also change given the current political climate.
 
In contrast, Canada allocated 3% and Sweden around 5% to primary care research during the same period.
 
In a bid to change this funding allocation locally, RACGP members have come together in both Western Australia and Tasmania to spotlight this issue, and to demonstrate the potential of GP-led research when it is supported.
 
Dr Ramya Raman, RACGP Vice President and Western Australia Chair, said increasing investment in general practice research is essential to strengthen the evidence base where it matters most.
 
‘General practice is where most Australians receive care. Increasing investment in general practice research is essential to ensure that care is backed by evidence that reflects the real-world context,’ she said.
 
Spotlight on Western Australia
This month, RACGP WA partnered with the WA General Practice Based Research Network and the Australian General Practice Research Foundation to co-host the WA General Practice Research Seminar.
 
The event brought together GPs, researchers, academic registrars, representatives from the WA Department of Health and for Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson to explore locally driven research into women’s health, cardiovascular care, rural health and clinical trials.
 
Attendees heard from a long list of speakers, including Dr Raman and Associate Professor Andrew Kirke from the Rural Clinical School of WA.

Dr Sarah Smith, Associate Professor Jacquie Frayne, Dr Sue Rogers, Associate Professor Diane Arnold-Reed, Dr Chieh Cheng, and Dr Ramya Raman at the WA Research Symposium.

 They were also inspired by several emerging GP researchers, including past recipients of Foundation grants and awards Dr Kayla Mizzi, Dr Sarah Smith, Dr Joanne Wong, Dr Rikki Priest, Dr Denise Findlay and Dr Emilie Pitter.
 
‘These projects demonstrate that general practice is an ideal setting for meaningful research, grounded in everyday patient care and directly translatable to improved outcomes,’ said Dr Raman.
 
Leadership from Tasmania
Meanwhile, RACGP Tasmania hosted a Research Symposium which brought together GPs to share their research, build new collaborations and highlight the value of general practice-led innovation.
 
The event featured some of Australia’s most respected GP researchers, including Professor Mark Nelson and Professor Tania Winzenberg, both recipients of previous grants from the Australian General Practice Research Foundation in partnership with organisations such as HCF Research Foundation and Diabetes Australia.
 
These events underscored the depth of research expertise within general practice, and the importance of continuing to build capacity at the frontline of care.
 
However, with Australia currently investing so little of its medical research funding in general practice, there is significant potential to expand investment in general practice research to strengthen healthcare from the ground up.
 
Increased collaboration between philanthropy and government could help address this gap and improve health outcomes nationwide.
 
The Australian General Practice Research Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the RACGP, is helping to bridge the funding gap through donations and sponsorships.
 
Each year, it invests close to $1 million in research led by general practice. This research addresses real-world challenges in primary care, with outcomes that shape clinical guidelines, inform health policy, and enhance the delivery of care in general practice settings.
 
Professor Michael Kidd, Patron of the Australian General Practice Research Foundation, says ‘there is scope for much more exciting research to support improvements in primary care, now and into the future, for all people, both in Australia and around the world’.
 
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