Hello everyone,
September has flown by with plenty of AAAPC activity. Make sure you don’t miss any updates including:
…And much more
Happy reading!
SAPC online workshop
The first of many new SAPC and AAAPC webinar was held early September.
Professor Chris Dowrick, led an online workshop about the how literary reading could ameliorate our personal and vicarious experiences of suicide. The workshop held reflective discussions on personal thoughts and feelings related to specific texts representing suicide. For anyone who missed this fascinating presentation, you can find the recording on the SAPC website!
AAAPC Travelling Fellowship
AAAPC Travelling Fellowships open soon!
AAAPC's travelling fellowship aims to foster collaboration and support primary care research, especially among ECRs. Applications are for up to $2000. Up to three applicants will be selected by an unconflicted panel. Successful applicants can use the funds to contribute to travel costs, accommodation, professional development, direct research costs and conference registration. Find out more and on the AAAPC webpage.
2021/22 Travelling fellowship reports
AAAPC’s 2021/22 Travelling fellowship winners share how they used their fellowship funds and how their work benefited from the support of AAAPC.
Dr Nor Akma Yunus was funded for research that focuses on patients’ experience of living with obesity and their experience of accessing care for obesity in Malaysia. The research involves collaboration between Monash University and Universiti Sains Malaysia, and so data were collected in the Malaysian official language. AAAPC’s travelling fellowship helped to cover some of the costs of transcription and translation of the interview transcripts. Nor Akma has published one study from the travelling fellowship and is preparing the draft of a second study. Nor Akma also shared her experiences on translation in qualitative health research by writing a methodology paper currently under review.
Dr Sharon James was funded for research into GP Registrar experiences of IUD insertions. Sharon used her travelling fellowship to support in person meetings with Professor Parker Magin (Director, NSW & ACT Research and Evaluation Unit) and Anna Ralston (Senior Research Assistant) at GP Synergy in Newcastle and to support data analysis. Sharon’s in person visit enabled review and discussion of data to explore longitudinal patterns in IUD and implant clinical encounters. Even with travel delays from COVID-19, Sharon considers the AAAPC travelling fellowship a valuable tool to promote networking, particularly for rural and regional researchers.
AAAPC Conference Updates
Australian Journal of Primary Health Best Oral Paper Award
Our 2022 Annual Research Conference sponsor, the Australian Journal of Primary Health, was able to present their award in September. Congratulations to Dr Nor Akma Yunus for her fantastic presentation titled “What is it like to live with obesity in Asian Countries? Findings from a scoping review of qualitative studies”. You can read Nor Akma’s abstract here on page 71.
Onwards and upwards…
Thank you to all conference delegates who took the time to complete the conference evaluation. Your feedback is helpful for us to shape future conferences! Our 2022 Annual Research Conference evaluation showed that many of our members loved the plenary sessions and speaker content. We received mixed feedback on the online format, and we hear you that an in person conference is perferred for next year.
AAAPC’s 2023 Annual Research Conference is pencilled in for mid-August, is planned to be in person held in one of Australia’s major east coast cities. Keep your eyes on our twitter, webpage, and newsletters to keep on top of the latest details!
Introducing AAAPC Executive
I’m Dr Phyllis Lau, the AAAPC President for 2022/23. I am a Pharmacist with a passion for research and education across all aspects of primary care particularly interprofessional collaboration and cultural sensitivity in health care. I am Associate Professor at the Melbourne Dental School, and Senior Research Fellow with the Departments of General Practice at University of Western Sydney and University of Melbourne and also hold international positions with University of Malaysia, and Hong Kong Tuen Mun Hospital Family Medicine Department. My research expertise is in health service research, interprofessional collaborative research and Indigenous health research. As President of AAAPC, my role is to advocate on behalf of members for a multidisciplinary primary healthcare oriented health care system founded in patient-centred and primary care principles, developed through evidence and education. I look forward to another year of working with friends and colleagues of AAAPC to advance academic primary care in Australasia.
I’m Professor Tim Stokes, the AAAPC Vice President for 2022/23. I’m a GP and the Elaine Gurr Professor of General Practice and Head of Department of the Department of General Practice and Rural Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). My research expertise is in health care delivery and Implementation research both in primary care and across the health system. I’m also the Co-Editor-in-Chief of NZ’s Journal of Primary Health Care. I’m looking forward to an active role on the AAAPCexecutive to ensure a strong NZ voice and will be promoting the visibility and value of AAAPC to my NZ colleagues in academic primary care.
I’m Professor Dimity Pond, AAAPC Secretary for 2022/23. I am a GP by trade and have worked part time in general practice in Berowra for a few decades. I am also a GP academic, heading up the Discipline of General Practice at the University of Newcastle from 1999 until last year. My research is around aged care and dementia, with a focus on how to better manage these in primary care and work with Dementia Training Australia as part of their GP education group. I am an adjunct senior researcher at the Wicking Dementia Centre at University of Tasmania; and Honorary Professor in Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University where we explore how nurses and GPs can work together to improve care for older patients. It’s great to be part of the Executive of AAAPC and work with all the primary care disciplines in this vibrant organisation. I strongly believe collaborative practice is the way forward for primary care and for our patients.
I’m Dr Sibel Saya the AAAPC treasurer for 2021-2023. My background is as a genetic counsellor but my research interests are in translating new genetic and genomic tests for use by all. I finished my PhD in early 2021, which explored the acceptability and feasibility of a colorectal cancer polygenic risk score to target screening in primary care. I’ve continued with the Cancer in Primary Care research group at the University of Melbourne, expanding my PhD research to explore predicting risk of other cancers. I love how AAAPC is such a collaborative and warm association, that aims to promote and flourish so many areas of primary care research. I volunteered to be treasurer because I love Excel!
AAAPC Subcommittee Updates
AAAPC has 5 subcommittees dedicated to advancing the AAAPC strategic goals and building excellence in academic primary care. New subcommittee chairs were elected for 2022/23 at the AAAPC AGM on 17th of August.
If you would like to get involved in one or more of the subcommittees, email your interest to secretariat@aaapc.org.au.
Early Career Researcher subcommittee is starting to coordinate a webinar for November on reviewing journals and steps to become an editor! Keep your eyes on our webpage and twitter for information soon. If you would like to get involved with AAAPCs ECR support, career building and mentoring, come and get involved! Check out FACEs on our webpage to find out what the ECR subcommittee do, and email secretariat@aaapc.org.au to get express your interest in either FACEs or the ECR subcommittee.
Education subcommittee is currently finessing the requirements for the Education travelling scholarship - keep your eyes on the website for application instructions as they will open soon! This subcommittee is also working with SAPC to put together a series of presentations on primary care education and practice. If you have ideas on how to strengthen primary care education research and practice, please join this subcommittee! Email: secretariat@aaapc.org.au.
Membership Engagement subcommittee working on a webinar covering online research profiles: what you need and how to get it. Keep your eyes on our webpage and on twitter to get the details on when to join! Our ME co-chairs are tweeting up a storm – make sure you keep an eye on our twitter page. This subcommittee would love more support, to get involved in making AAAPC high value for it’s members, please get email your interest to secretariat@aaapc.org.au.
Conference subcommittee has started the ball rolling on the 2023 conference! No rest for this group as they are diving into finding a venue for an in person conference. This subcommittee needs more help – get involved in coordinating the BEST primary care conference for Australia and New Zealand. Email: secretariat@aaapc.org.au
Research, Policy & Advocacy subcommittee will be meeting soon to discuss strategy for 2022/23. The subcommittee continues to respond to academic primary care policy related issues as they arise.
Upcoming Primary Care Opportunities
International research funding opportunities
The NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme in the UK has a long-standing collaboration with the Australian NHMRC and advertise joint commissioned calls inviting collaborative international research proposals to address shared research priorities. These collaborative commissioned calls are announced on the NIHR and funding NHMRC websites. There is also opportunity to suggest research topics that could go through the NIHR prioritisation process for future funding consideration. Joint funding applications between the UK and Australia may be one way to provide opportunity and solidify international relationships in primary health care research.
Please contact the Secretariat if you have a research idea and we can put you in touch with the Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC) in the UK who will assist with facilitating collaboration with NIHR.
MRFF Consumer Reference Panel Update
Please note that the MRFF consumer reference panel has been updated. You can find more details about the panel, including who is on the panel on the MRFF website, or through their news release.
Australian primary care specific funding opportunities
A few primary care relevant grant opportunities that may be of interest for you or your team members:
Remember to subscribe to GrantConnect. GrantConnect provides a centralised publication of all forecast and current Australian Government grant opportunities via an online portal. To receive personalised research grant updates, make sure to input your research key words (separated by commas) when you register!
Members Noticeboard
The AAAPC members noticeboard is a space to post national and international primary care opportunities: jobs, research projects, guidelines and resources – really whatever you like!
In case you missed any posts in September we have seen: A job opportunity at Monash University, a call for rural and regional GPs and Nurses to join the ORIENT trial to help expand comprehensive women’s health care in Australia, and a post for an upcoming 2 day workshop on qualitative interviewing.
To get regular updates on noticeboard posts in your emails, navigate to the AAAPC members noticeboard (requires login) and click the subscribe button.
Using the noticeboard is as easy as 1 - 2 - 3!
1. Sign into the AAAPC website and go to the Members Only Section >> Noticeboard
2. Underneath the big blue rectangle there is a ‘Subscribe’ button you can click to to receive regular messages to your inbox.
3. If you would like to leave a message for other members, click the 'Create topic' button underneath the big blue rectangle.
Celebrating AAAPC Members
Congratulations to some of our members on successful publications
This list does not comprehensively include the achievements of all of our members (sorry). Please send me an email at katelyn.barnes@anu.edu.au when you or another member you know has an achievement that we can all celebrate! Some previous examples include a new PhD completion, publication, or an award. Remember to also tag @AAAPC_ANZ in tweets about achievements in primary care -- we would love to share the joy!
Welcome to New AAAPC Members
We would love to introduce new members in the newsletter - it is a great way to build networks within our community, highlight your areas of research interest and projects you might be working on. If you would like your bio to be published in the monthly newsletter, please email secretariat@aaapc.org.au or katelyn.barnes@anu.edu.au. We are excited to meet you!
Welcome to Spring! August was a busy, meaning lots of news for you. Make sure you don’t miss anything including:
…And much much more. Happy reading!
SAPC online workshop TODAY
The first of many new SAPC and AAAPC joint events, is on TONIGHT from 6pm AEST!
Professor Chris Dowrick, will lead an online workshop to explore how literary reading may ameliorate personal and vicarious experiences of suicide. The workshop aims to expand participants’ understanding of the recursive relationship between literature and mental health, and in particular to see the potential value of literary reading as a means of broadening our approach to suicide prevention.
2022 Annual General Meeting Summary
AAAPC’s 2022 Annual General Meeting was held August 16th from 6pm. Despite the pandemic, AAAPC continues to champion our vision for a multidisciplinary primary healthcare (PHC) oriented health care system founded in patient-centred and primary care principles and developed through evidence and education. You can find the 2022 executive reports on our webpage.
The Inaugural AAAPC Neil Carson medal for outstanding contributions to primary care education was awarded at the AGM to Professor Kirsty Douglas. This award recognises Kirsty’s sustained commitment to leadership in primary care and medical education in Australia, and substantive international contribution. The judges noted Kirsty’s increased and outstanding contribution to academic practice including education and teaching over recent years with her shift to full-time academic/clinical practice. Congratulations Kirsty!
The 2022/23 executive committee was voted in at the AGM. Read introductions to our AAAPC 2022/23 subcommittee chairs below! Introductions for AAAPC President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer will appear in next month’s newsletter.
PHC Education Subcommittee: Chaired by Associate Professor Kylie Vuong, this subcommittee works to advocate for and support delivery of high quality primary care education. To join, please email secretariat@aaapc.org.au
I’m Kylie Vuong, the AAAPC Primary Care Education Chair for 2022/23. I am a GP academic based at Griffith University, Gold Coast where I work closely with my colleagues to deliver the general practice curriculum to medical students. It was a highlight to see so many primary care education presentations at the AAAPC 2022 Annual Research Conference , and to award the inaugural Neil Carson medal for outstanding contributions to primary care education.
I look forward to working with the AAAPC and the Primary Care Education Subcommittee to celebrate primary care education and to link in with SAPC to provide ongoing primary care education professional development opportunities for our members.
ECR Subcommittee: Chaired by Dr Jessica Botfield, this subcommittee works to ensure AAAPC provides support and development opportunities for ECRs in primary care research. This subcommittee runs the Friends Advancing Careers through E-based Support (FACES) group. If you are interested in joining this subcommittee or becoming a member of FACES, email jessica.botfield@monash.edu – I’d love to hear from you!
I’m Jessica Botfield, the AAAPC ECR subcommittee chair for 2022/23. I'm a clinician-researcher (registered nurse) with an interest in sexual and reproductive health. I have worked as a research fellow with the SPHERE CRE at Monash University since 2021, and prior to that worked in research at Family Planning NSW for many years. I completed my PhD in 2019 exploring the engagement of young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds with sexual and reproductive health care. I use qualitative and mixed-methods research to promote equitable access to contraception, pregnancy options and abortion care; explore task-sharing and nurse- and midwifery-led models of care; and other health services research. I'm excited to be Chair of the AAAPC ECR subcommittee and look forward to working with and supporting our ECRs.
Membership & Engagement Subcommittee: Chaired by Dr Flora Hui and Ms Shakira Milton, this subcommittee works to expand AAAPC membership and reach and to ensure AAAPC provides high value membership. Come and join us to help make AAAPC the best experience it can be – email secretariat@aaapc.org.au
I’m Flora Hui, the new co-chair of the AAAPC Member Engagement Subcommittee for 2022/23. I’m an optometrist and a researcher, completing my PhD in 2016 looking at whether examining the eye could provide information on the health of the brain. Now, I work as a research fellow at the University of Melbourne and the Centre for Eye Research Australia, exploring new treatments and diagnostics that could be used in the clinic and how we can make primary eyecare data more accessible for research. I am excited to join the AAAPC Executive Committee and engage with our members to share AAAPC events and activities. I have a mission to increase our engagement and membership in different disciplines across primary care.
I’m Shakira Milton, the AAAPC Membership and Engagement co-chair for 2022/23. I am an Implementation Scientist and am currently undertaking my PhD and recently started my post-doc, both at the University of Melbourne. My PhD has a particular focus on implementing the Australian aspirin guidelines to prevent bowel cancer in general practice through conducting an RCT of a decision aid. My post-doc will focus on identifying implementation strategies for a national lung cancer screening program. I previously served as AAAPC secretary in 2021/22, where I learned a lot about the organisation, communications, and management. I am looking forward to stepping into the role with the membership engagement subcommittee to help guide AAAPC to reach new members and ensure value for existing members.
Conference & Professional Development Subcommittee: Chaired by Dr Renee Fiolet, this subcommittee works to plan, run and manage the AAAPC Annual Research Conference and associated events.
I’m Renee Fiolet, the AAAPC Conference and Professional Development Chair. My background is in community, primary health care and paediatric nursing however I completed my PhD in 2020 at the University of Melbourne exploring the use of technology to address the barriers Indigenous peoples experience when help-seeking for family violence. I am now a research fellow in the Indigenous Equity Unit at the School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne.
I am passionate about ensuring more equity in health care for Australia’s Indigenous peoples and I am eager to see a world where health is accessible for all. I enjoy using co-design methods and have a strong interest in knowledge translation. In my role as Conference Chair in 2021 I learned a lot and I hope to see the next AAAPC conference is even more informative and allows us to grow our network. Please join us and get involved in this subcommittee – email secretariat@aaapc.org.au.
Research, Policy & Advocacy Subcommittee: Chaired by Professor Jon Emery, this subcommittee works to write advocacy statements, policy responses, and AAAPC position statements relevant to primary care in Australia and New Zealand. To join, email secretariat@aaapc.org.au
I’m Jon Emery, chair of the AAAPC Policy and Advocacy Sub-Committee. I am an academic GP having completed my DPhil in Oxford many years ago on computerised cancer risk assessment. From 2013 I have been at the University of Melbourne as Professor of Primary Care Cancer Research. I lead a research group with specific focus on cancer and genomics in primary care. I am also Director of PC4, the national primary care cancer trials group and am leading the development of PARTNER, a rural primary care trials network funded by the MRFF. I’m interested in how the AAAPC can influence national policy on primary care research at a time when there appear to be significant potential opportunities to advance our field. Specifically, I will continue to advocate for research infrastructure support particularly how we can develop a national trials and data infrastructure and build capacity to conduct large-scale research in primary care of national and international significance.
AAAPC 2022 Conference Summary
The 2022 AAAPC Annual Research Conference was a resounding success! BIG thank you also to AAAPC’s conference subcommittee, chaired by Dr Renee Fiolet. Thank you also to all the conference delegates for your participation and support – you all helped to create a positive, supportive and engaged conference that was a pleasure to be a part of.
The excellent plenary speakers supported the key conference themes of Primary Care Reform and Indigenous Health.
First and second plenary speakers, Professor Michael Kidd and Professor Claire Jackson, spoke about the journey of their teams to inform decision making for primary care reform. Both Michael and Claire highlighted that authentic engagement and collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and policy makers is needed to support meaningful change; however, as academics we may need to work in new ways to appropriately feed research into decision making. Both speakers emphasised the role of documentation, reflection, and evaluation to inform meaningful change and support understanding and applications for future decision making.
Third and fourth speakers, Dr Mataroria Lyndon and Ms Andrea McKivett shared their work in achieving real and sustainable improvements for Indigenous health in New Zealand and Australia, respectively. Their presentations highlighted the need to acknowledge and understand differences and similarities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of knowing and of conducting research. Presentations also emphasised the need for authentic engagement and early relationship building to ensure any research is by, with, and for the community, to achieve real and sustainable improvements for Indigenous health.
Concurrent sessions and posters spanned a broad range of academic primary care. BIG thank you to all presenters for sharing their work, ideas and contributing to discussion. Published abstracts are available through the Australian Journal of Primary Health (volume 28, issue 4).
Last but not least, congratulations to all our prize winners on your exemplary work and fantastic presentations!
In case you missed any posts in August we have seen: A job opportunity at the University of Western Sydney, call for survey participation on translation of PCOS guidelines in general practice, and a call for rural and regional GPs and Nurses to join the ORIENT trial to help expand comprehensive women’s health care in Australia.
Congratulations to some of our members on successful publications:
Until next month!
Katelyn Barnes, AAAPC Editor
P.S. I’m Dr Katelyn Barnes and I’m continuing as AAAPC Editor for 2022/23. I am a dietitian by trade, but researcher by nature (and training). I completed my PhD in 2017 exploring what nutrition care in the fitness industry looked like and how it could be safer and more effective. Now, I work as a primary care researcher with Australian National University and ACT Health exploring how primary care services and health systems are working (or not working) for patients and practitioners. I look forward to sharing with you all the exciting happenings within AAAPC and any extra opportunities in primary care as they arise. Connecting with and hearing success stories from AAAPC members is the highlight of my role - so please do get in touch at Katelyn.barnes@anu.edu.au
…And much, much more. Happy reading!
Get Ready...
Dinner Registration
Conference dinners
Conference dinners are being held on Thursday 18th of August from 7pm for the Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Register to enjoy a delicious meal and to spend some face-to-face time with AAAPC members in your region. Registrations close 5pm Monday 8th August - that's next week, so get in quick!
…Get Set…
Information session: How to get the most out of the Conference
Join the Conference subcommittee Wednesday 17th of August from 7pm (after the AGM), to familiarise yourself with the AAAPC conference software. Ask the conference gurus any questions, and feel prepared to ace your presentation! You can join through the conference software. Keep an eye on your email for details on how to join and be sure to carefully read the presenter guidelines on our webpage.
REMINDER for all poster presenters!
Remember to upload your recording through the speaker centre by August 10th (Wednesday next week). To upload your presentation, Login to the Speaker Resource Centre (button below) and click on the 'My Tasks' tab in the top right of the screen, click on the 'Upload your poster and video' link and use the button to upload the files. We look forward to seeing all your posters soon!
Conference program
Remember to look through the AAAPC 2022 Conference program to help plan out your conference attendance! Program highlights include keynote speaker sessions on Thursday and Friday morning, concurrent speaker sessions covering new primary care research, and prize award ceremony on Friday afternoon where you can hear presentations from the best of the best!
AAAPC Conference Special Interest Group Discussions
AAAPC has three Special Interest Group sessions at the 2022 conference! Join a breakfast or lunch session to meet like-minded peers and to get information on how you can continue to benefit from AAAPC membership all year
Conference scholarships
AAAPC is offering scholarships to cover annual membership and conference registration! Scholarships are available for both (i) Students; and (ii) and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and Māori and/or Pacific Peoples. Find out how to apply, and submit an application, via our webpage.
…Go!
Make sure you have registered to attend the AAAPC 2022 conference online Thursday 18th & Friday 19th of August. Block out the time in your diary for the full two days so that you can get the most out of the jam-packed two days including: inspirational keynote speakers, engaging speaker program, awards ceremony, and spectacular social program.
Social media
We would love you to get engaged with AAAPC social media during the 2022 conference! Remember to tag @AAAPC_ANZ and use our hashtags #AAAPC22 and / or #ourprimarycare on twitter.
If sharing screen grabs on social media, please be mindful of conference delegate privacy.
AAAPC 2022 Annual General Meeting
The AAAPC AGM will be held online, on Wednesday 17th of August, from 6-7pm. All current financial members are encouraged to attend. The 2022 AGM agenda can be found here, and was emailed to all members on 3rd of August.
If you are unable to attend the 2022 AGM, please note that you may appoint a proxy, to vote on your behalf.
Ever wondered how to get more involved with primary care research, education, and policy? Join a subcommittee today! Email your interest to secretariat@aaapc.org.au to be linked in to a subcommittee that interests you.
A quick update from the subcommittee chairs about what they have been working on:
Upcoming Opportunities
AAAPC needs you! Get involved while demonstrating or developing your leadership and mentoring skills through AAAPC. Complete an application form and email to secretariat@aaapc.org.au. Applications close August 8th. Find out more about out subcommittees on our webpage.
The following subcommittees are looking for a new chair in 2022/23:
Primary care specific publication opportunities
A few AAAPC members are leading upcoming special issues with a focus on primary care!
Climate Crisis and Primary Health Care, a special issue in Family Practice, is calling for submissions on how primary health care can adapt to changes in disease and illness incidence and prevalence, and preventive and health promotion activity to ameliorate the burden of disease. An outline of accepted formats is available through the link above. Submissions due 1 September 2022. For questions, please email Guest Editor: Dr Liz Sturgiss.
Oral Health in Healthcare, a special issue in Healthcare, is calling for submissions on the role of oral health in the bigger picture of healthcare to bring attention to the relationship between oral and systemic health, and the need for collaboration between oral health and other healthcare practitioners. Full submissions due by 31 October 2022 via the Healthcare portal, with subsequent peer review in the usual manner. For questions, please email Guest Editor: Dr Phyllis Lau.
In case you missed any posts in June we have seen: An opportunity for two day short course in qualitative design, theory and practice; and a call for research participation around PCOS in general practice.
To get regular updates on noticeboard posts in your emails, subscribe, or navigate to the AAAPC members noticeboard (requires login) and click the subscribe button.
Can't wait to see you all at the 2022 conference!
Hello everyone
We have reached the end of June! AAAPC has been a flurry of activity meaning there is plenty of news for you. Make sure not to miss anything including:
The AAAPC AGM will be held online, on Wednesday 17th of August, from 6-7pm. All current financial members are encouraged to attend. Keep an eye on the AAAPC website, and your inboxes, for details on how to join. You can also review the 2021 AGM meeting minutes on our webpage.
AAAPC's 2022 provisional conference program is available on our website today! Check the program to plan out your ideal AAAPC conference timeline of speakers, posters, workshops and plenaries.
In addition to the engaging speaker program, make sure to join us for the social program! Come and meet other primary health care researchers through the conference satellite dinners, ECR networking lunch, and special interest group meetings.
Gather 'round!
Satellite conference dinners
For Australian attendees - AAAPC is holding dinners in some cities on Thursday 18th August. We have dinners for Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Gold Coast and Brisbane. If you are interested in attending, please make sure you tick the box during registration or email secretariat@aaapc.org.au.
Friends Advancing Careers through E-based Support (FACEs) Conference lunch
Join your colleagues for a virtual lunch on Thursday 18th of August, 12noon. The ECR subcommittee has coordinated an online peer-networking session to connect with FACES participants and conference attendees. The session will use breakout rooms to help facilitate small group discussions.
Do you have a special interest and would like to meet others at the AAAPC Conference who share your passion? We are providing delegates with the option to host their own special interest networking session at breakfast or lunch time on either day of the conference. Whether your interest is aged care, LGBTIQA+, lifestyle medicine, sustainability or more, we will help to ensure the opportunity to speak with your peers and make new connections. Please email secretariat@aaapc.org.au to liaise with the conference committee and get your session into the conference program.
Speaker guidelines now available
All speakers have been invited. Remember to check the webpage for the conference speaker guide, containing all the details and specifications for your presentation. Mark in your diary to attend the pre conference session, Wednesday 17th of August from 7pm (after the AGM), to familiarise yourself with the webinar software, ask the conference gurus any questions, and feel prepared to ace your presentation!
Register to attend the AAAPC 2022 conference online Thursday 18th & Friday 19th of August. We have a jam-packed two days planned with inspirational keynote speakers, engaging speaker program, awards ceremony, and spectacular social program.
AAAPC Research and Teaching Awards
The Charles Bridges-Webb Medal is awarded to an AAAPC member who has made, and will continue to make, sustained high level contributions to academic environment of primary care research.
The Neil Carson Medal is a new award, installed in 2020, and is awarded to an AAAPC member who has made, and will continue to make, sustained high level contributions to the leadership in primary care and medical education.
These two awards are one of the ways AAAPC commits to fostering and supporting career development in academic primary care. Application instructions and nomination forms are available on the prizes tab of the AAAPC webpage. Applications close 5pm 8th July 2021. Prizes will be announced during the AAAPC Conference!
Subcommittee chair positions open
AAAPC needs you! Get involved while demonstrating or developing your leadership and mentoring skills through AAAPC. Applications open July 5, all members will receive an email with details. Find out more about out subcommittees on our webpage.
In case you missed any posts in June we have seen: Job opportunities at Griffith University; as well as calls to contribute to a stakeholder meeting for MonREN, the south east melbourne practice based research network.
To get regular updates on noticeboard posts in your emails, click here to subscribe, or navigate to the AAAPC members noticeboard (requires login) and click the subscribe button.
Congratulations to Ms Deb Bowen, who has been awarded one of AAAPC’s conference scholarships! Deb is a Ngemba Wailwan women and Early Career Researcher with University of Melbourne’s Indigenous Health Equity Unit. Well done Deb – looking forward to seeing you online at the conference in August!
May has whizzed past already, and AAAPC has been busy, contributing to a full newsletter! Make sure you don’t miss anything, including:
…And much more, happy reading!
AAAPC calls to Australian Government
AAAPC submitted a letter to the new Australian Prime Minister to highlight AAAPC as a leading body in primary care education and research, and draws attention to important issues that AAAPC feel must be addressed by our leaders. Read AAAPC's letters and submissions on our webpage.
AAAPC is also co-signing a letter from Emeritus Professor Tim Usherwood to the incoming Health minister regarding NPS MedicineWise funding. Read the letter here.
AAAPC Conference updates
Registration Reminder
Remember to register for AAAPC's 2022 Annual Research Conference August 17-19! Early bird rates finish today, and prices will rise from $200 to $250. Register Now!
AAAAPC Conference dinners
For Australian attendees - we are looking at holding dinners in some states on Thursday 18 August. If you are interested in attending, please make sure you tick the box during registration or email secretariat@aaapc.org.au.
Conference Scholarships
AAAPC Conference Theme and Speakers
The theme of the AAAPC 2022 Conference is Transforming primary health care: Creating a vision of health for all. Our three keynote speakers are at the forefront of influence and change in primary care. Professor Michael Kidd, Professor Clare Jackson, and Dr Mataroria Lyndon, will be sharing insights from their work in primary health care reform in both Australia and New Zealand. Find out more about our keynote speakers who we hope will provide unique insights into transforming primary healthcare in both Australia and New Zealand.
AAAPC's Neil Carson Medal
The Neil Carson Medal is an award to recognise AAAPC members who have made and will continue to make contributions of an international standard to leadership in primary care and medical education. The AAAPC is proud to support this award as part of the organisation’s commitment to leadership in primary care and medical education. Applications open in June. Find out more on our webpage.
AAAPC Subcommittee updates
Primary Care specific publication opportunities
MonReN Stakeholder Forum
Monash University’s Department of General Practice and Monash Partners, an Advanced Health Research Translation Centre, have united to bring together GPs and practice teams in East and South East Melbourne with common interests in research and/or teaching. Groups like this (called practice based research networks, or PBRNs) have been used in Australia, and overseas, to help improve the professional lives of those working in general practice, support teaching and foster meaningful research. Monash Department of General Practice is inviting you to be part of an online forum to tell researchers and education experts what you want from a practice based research network. Practice staff and clinicians in attendance will receive $75 gift voucher in recognition of their time. GPs will be eligible for 4 RACGP CPD points.
When: 6-7:30pm Thursday 16th of June
RSVP online by Monday 13th of June
The AAAPC members noticeboard is a space to post national and international primary care opportunities: jobs, research projects, guidelines and resources – really whatever you like! In case you missed any posts in May we have seen: Job opportunities at UNSW, University of Adelaide, and Griffith University; as well as calls to contribute to research in electronic prescribing, antidepressant deprescribing, refugee women’s health, and patient perspectives of medication adherence and alcohol. Members also shared a unique opportunity to attend a free webinar on Normalisation theory (Prof Carl May, held on 31st of May).
We hope you have had a relaxing April, taking advantage of all the public holidays! AAAPC has been busy this month - make sure you don’t miss anything in this newsletter, including:
AAAPC's call to Australian Politicians
In advance of Australia’s Federal election, AAAPC submitted a letter to the Australian Prime Minister, Health Minister and Shadow Health Minister, as well as leaders of the major Australian political parties. The letter highlights AAAPC as a leading body in primary care education and research, and draws attention to important issues that AAAPC feel must be addressed by our leaders in terms of primary care and references specific items raised in Australia’s 10 year plan for primary care. Read AAAPC’s submission online.
Abstracts closed, Registration OPEN
AAAPC's 2022 Annual Research Conference Abstract Submissions are now closed. Thank you to all for contributing. We have had a record number of abstracts submitted this year!
Remember to register for AAAPC's 2022 Annual Research Conference August 17-19! Early bird rates apply until June 3rd
Register Now!
Conference Scholarships and Prizes
Keynote speaker announcement: Dr Mataroria Lyndon
Dr Mataroria Lyndon is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Education at the University of Auckland and co-founder and Clinical Director of Tend Health. He was previously Equity Lead at Mahitahi Hauora and a medical lead for Māori health at Counties Manukau DHB. He is Deputy Chair of Te Hiringa Hauora Health Promotion Agency and a Board member of the Māori Health Authority, Northland District Health Board, Aktive, and Pūtahi Manawa Aotearoa Centre of Research Excellence. Dr Lyndon completed his Master of Public Health at Harvard University as a Fulbright Scholar, and his PhD is focused on medical education. He was also awarded the Deloitte IPANZ Public Sector Young Professional of the Year 2016. Dr Lyndon will be providing a New Zealand perspective on our conference theme: Transforming primary healthcare: creating a vision of health for all.
We look forward to hearing more from all our keynote speakers who we hope will provide unique insights into transforming primary healthcare in both Australia and New Zealand.
AAAPC Webinar Summary
19th April, 1pm (AEST)
Thank you Dr Olayide Ogunsiji for an inspiring webinar on navigating the world of academia. Dr Ogunsiji shared her story of immigrating to Australia with her family as an academic in Nigeria, and finding her way back into the world of academics in a new country. Dr Ogunsiji shared her hardships and achievements, and highlighted the importance of determination, dedication, social support, and a positive outlook. Dr Ogunsiji’s top tip is to be authentic in who you are and use that to shape a clear vision for your research and in your interactions with others. Authenticity and passion in what you do will shine through and help inspire action as well as coin a research niche that is reflective of you and your interests. Dr Ogunsiji’s webinar will be available soon on our members only section of the website.
Professor Tim Stokes and Professor Felicity Goodyear-Smith have been appointed as the new Co-Editors-in-Chief of the Journal of Primary Health Care. The Journal of Primary Health Care is the peer-reviewed, open access research journal of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.
Felicity is no stranger to this role, having been the founding Editor-in-Chief in 2019. Tim and Felicity have repositioned the scope of the journal to include the fields of family/general practice, rural hospital medicine, primary health care nursing, community pharmacy, physiotherapy and counselling, as well as areas such as health care delivery, health promotion, epidemiology and public health, of interest to a primary health care provider audience. The JPHC aims to publish research that is conducted in, or highly relevant to, New Zealand, Australia and Pacific nations, with a strong focus on Indigenous Māori and Pacific health issues. The Editors are committed to providing robust and rapid reviews of submitted manuscripts and encourage their Australian primary health care colleagues to submit their work.
Climate Crisis and Primary Health Care, a special issue in Family Practice, is calling for submissions on how primary health care can adapt to changes in disease and illness incidence and prevalence, and preventive and health promotion activity to ameliorate the burden of disease. An outline of accepted formats is available through the link above. Submissions due 1 May 2022. For questions, please email Guest Editor: Dr Liz Sturgiss.
Optimising Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health in Australia: the Role of Primary Health Care, a special issue in Australian Journal of Primary Health, is calling for submissions relating to women’s sexual and reproductive health in Australia. An outline of the scope of topics covered can be found on the AJPH website, linked above. Full submissions due by 30 June 2022 via the AJPH portal, with subsequent peer review in the usual manner, online publication following acceptance, and the issue out in early 2023. For questions, please email Guest Editor: Dr Jessica Botfield.
In case you missed any posts in April we have seen: Job opportunities at Griffith University (gold coast), and University of Adelaide; as well as calls to contribute to research in fertility and women's health, and digital health for chronic disease management. Results on characteristics and strategies employed by different countries to deal with COVID-19, from a primary health care perspective have also been shared.
To get updates on the noticeboard in your emails, navigate to the AAAPC members noticeboard (requires login) and click the subscribe button.
This list does not comprehensively include the achievements of all of our members (sorry). Please send me an email at katelyn.barnes@anu.edu.au when you or another member you know has an achievement that we can all celebrate! Some previous examples include a new PhD completion, publication, or an award. Remember to also tag AAAPC in tweets about achievements in primary care -- we would love to share the joy!
March has been a flurry of activity, making for a full newsletter! Make sure you don’t miss anything, including:
Abstracts OPEN
AAAPC's 2022 Annual Research Conference Abstract Submissions are open! The theme for this years conference is Transforming Primary Health Care: Creating a Vision of Health for All. We will consider abstracts of relevance to primary care practice, research, education, and policy. Abstracts close April 14 – so get in quick! See more on our webpage.
Abstract reviewers needed
Help us review abstracts for the Annual Research Conference! Review a handful of abstracts to help ensure this AAAPC conference is the best yet. Reviewing is made easy with pre-specified criteria, and a mentor-mentee program for anyone looking to develop their skills in reviewing or mentoring. Fill out the expression of interest form to put your name down as an individual reviewer, and to seek support in developing this skill or offer your expertise as an mentor.
Plenary Speaker: Professor Claire Jackson (AM)
Professor Claire Jackson (AM) is Professor in General Practice and Primary Care Research, and Director of the Centre for Health System Reform and Integration, University of Queensland. Professor Jackson has been Clinical Director of two $2.5 million Centres for Research Excellence in Primary Care Reform: one funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), exploring new models of integrating care in hospital and the community; the other by the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute (APHCRI), investigating the impact of researcher and end-user ‘co-creation’ on quality and models of care. Professor Jackson is a Non-Executive Director of the Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Ltd (HCF), Australia’s largest NFP private health insurer, and Chair of the HCF Research Foundation. She is a NED on the Brisbane South Primary Health Network, and a member of the Editorial Advisory Committee of the Medical Journal of Australia. She is a current member of Minister Hunt’s Primary Care Reform Steering Committee, and has been both a past Chair and President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. She is an active clinician in Brisbane south.
Professor Jackson will be speaking on her primary area of research interest: health system reform, with a focus on primary care.
AAAPC and SAPC: A new collaboration
AAAPC and SAPC (UK equivalent organisation) are announcing a new collaboration! Read Dr Phyllis Lau and Dr Rupert Payne's statement online. The organisations will be planning joint activities and collaborative research opportunities for members. Activities will be coordinated via the AAAPC subcommittees -- so keep an eye out for exciting new opportunities!
Upcoming ECR Webinar
Dr Olayide Ogunsiji will be presenting a webinar on navigating academia on the 19th of April, 1pm AEST. Dr Ogunsiji is a Registered Nurse and Senior lecturer at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Australia. She is the Director of Academic Workforce (Liverpool campus).
Originally from Nigeria, Olayide migrated to Australia in1999, with a Master of Science (Sociology) and embarked on the Nursing journey in Australia. She is passionate about women’s health issues and her research interest are on intimate partner violence, female genital mutilation, parenting and women empowerment. She has made a sustained, positive impact on global health disparity of migrant and refugee women. Olayide is the founder of the African Women’s Health and Support Organisation (AWHASO), a not-for-profit organization for women’s health issues. She has presented at local, national and international conferences and publishes in high impact journals. Dr Ogunsiji was the recipient of the prestigious Dorothy Garrigus Adams 2021 Award for Excellence in Service at the Sigma Theta Tau International Honour Awards Ceremony.
Reminder to Renew
AAAPC annual membership lapsed March 1st 2022. Renew your membership on the website to keep up with all AAAPC happenings and inside information!
Lapsed members will no longer have access to the members only sections of the webpage, including webinars and the noticeboard.
Primary Care specific funding opportunities
In case you missed any posts this March we have seen: New Lecturer position at University of Wollongong; call for submissions to a special issues in AJPH, Family Practice, and Healthcare; calls for research participation in smoking cessation, interprofessional collaboration, childhood weight management, and psychotropic medication management; community questions about GrantConnect; and advice on submitting to the upcoming AAAPC conference.
To get updates on the noticeboard in your emails, click here to subscribe, or navigate to the AAAPC members noticeboard (requires login) and click the subscribe button.
AAAPC has been busy in February, making for a full newsletter! Make sure you don’t miss anything, including:
…And more, happy reading!
AAAPC annual memberships due March 2022
It is that time of year, memberships are due from March 1st. Renew your membership on the website! Current members will need to log in, then click on the message in the bottom left hand corner of the webpage, or on your name at the top right corner of the webpage.
Check out benefits of membership to find out more.
What and When
AAAPC's 2022 Annual Research Conference will be online for August 18 and 19. The theme for this year’s conference is Transforming Primary Health Care: Creating a Vision of Health for All. Abstract submissions (and opportunity to review abstracts) will be opening soon -- keep an eye on your inboxes for your invitation!
Plenary Speaker: Professor Michael Kidd
Professor Michael Kidd AM is Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Principal Medical Advisor with the Australian Government Department of Health, where he is leading Australia’s national primary care response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also has appointment as the foundation Professor of Primary Care Reform at The Australian National University. He is a general practitioner, a past president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, a past president of the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA), and a past Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Flinders University. Prior to returning to Australia to support the pandemic response by the Department of Health, he was Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Family Medicine and Primary Care, Senior Innovation Fellow with the Institute for Health System Solutions and Innovative Care, and Professor and Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto in Canada.
Professor Michael Kidd, AAAPC's 2021 Charles-Bridges Webb award winner, will be sharing his insight on the strengths of primary care and the work he has been doing in primary care reform.
Ever wondered how to get more involved with primary care research, education, and policy? Join a subcommittee today! Email your interest to secretariat@aaapc.org.au to be linked into a subcommittee that interests you.
AJPH Special Issue -- Upcoming publication opportunities
A few AAAPC members are leading an upcoming Australian Journal of Primary Health special issue, titled: Equity in Primary Health Care Provision: More than 50 years of the Inverse Care Law. An outline of the scope of topics covered can be found on the AJPH website. Please email an Expression of Interest by 30th March 2022 to Dr Harris-Roxas to confirm the suitability of your submission for the special issue. Full submissions to be submitted in July 2022.
Optimising Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health in Australia: the Role of Primary Health Care a special issue relating to women’s sexual and reproductive health in Australia. An outline of the scope of topics covered can be found on the AJPH website. Full submissions due by 30 June 2022 via the AJPH portal, with subsequent peer review in the usual manner, online publication following acceptance, and the issue out in early 2023. For questions, please email Dr Jessica Botfield.
The Australian Journal of Primary Health has published high quality, peer-reviewed papers since 1995. This is an attractive opportunity to publish alongside your peers in the field plus contributing authors receive free access to all papers published for this project in perpetuity.
Remember to also subscribe to GrantConnect! GrantConnect provides a centralised publication of all forecast and current Australian Government grant opportunities via an online portal. To receive personalised research grant updates, make sure to input your research key words (separated by commas) when you register.
In case you missed any posts, in February we have seen: New research jobs at Melbourne University and University of New South Wales, Call for submissions to a special issue in AJPH, and a nominations call for the MRFF consumer reference panel.
Congratulations to two of our members for their awards!
Abhir Nainani was awarded a NAPCRG Pearl for his research titled, General Practitioner Perspectives and Experiences When Screening for Primary Aldosteronism! NAPCRG Pearls are chosen each year by the Community Clinician Advisory Group as the top research studies having the greatest impact on clinical practice as presented at the NAPCRG Annual Conference. It is wonderful to see Abhir’s work recognised internationally, especially after winning AAAPC’s 2021 Conference award for best paper! We look forward to hopefully seeing more from Abhir at our 2022 conference.
Dr Marguerite Tracy has been awarded her PhD! Marguerite would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of the AAAPC FACES group - and recommends the group to other ECRs. Marguerite’s thesis explored real-world question prompt lists to assist decision making in clinical practice. Her thesis, titled More questions than answers - Investigating questions asked by patients and online, real-world question prompt list tools to realise the benefits for patients, health professionals and healthcare decision making has resulted in three publications.
This list does not comprehensively include the achievements of all of our members (sorry). Please send me an email at katelyn.barnes@anu.edu.au when you or another member you know has an achievement that we can all celebrate! Some previous examples include a new PhD completion, publication, or an award.
Happy New Year (hopefully we can still say that despite the fact January has quickly come to an end). We have a short and sweet newsletter this month, including:
AJPH Special Issue -- Upcoming publication opportunity
A few AAAPC members are leading an upcoming Australian Journal of Primary Health special issue, titled: Equity in Primary Health Care Provision: More than 50 years of the Inverse Care Law. An outline of the scope of topics covered can be found on the AJPH website, linked above. Please email an Expression of Interest by 30th March 2022 to Dr Harris-Roxas to confirm the suitability of your submission for the special issue. Full submissions to be submitted in July 2022.
The Australian Journal of Primary Health has published high quality, peer-reviewed papers since 1995 (see flyer here). This is an attractive opportunity to publish alongside your peers in the field plus contributing authors receive free access to all papers published for this project in perpetuity.
In case you missed any posts December and January we have seen: a call for research participation regarding e-cigarettes, and a call to participate in research on international COVID-19 public health measures. Also highlighted was a documentary “Behind the Mask – on the front line against Coronavirus” which tells the story of front line doctors and nurses fighting the virus.
Congratulations to some of our members in their successful publications:
December is coming to a close, and that means so is 2021! We have a lot to squeeze into this last newsletter of the year, make sure you don't miss anything, including:
and much more. Happy reading!
A Holiday Message from the President
Despite the cyclical outbreaks, lockdowns, isolations and quarantines over the past year, we have continued to show our resilience. I am especially proud of AAAPC’s achievements.
I wish to express my most heartfelt thanks to our members. Your affirmation and support of the work of AAAPC are the best guarantee that AAAPC will continue to champion our vision, YOUR vision, for a multidisciplinary PHC-oriented health care system founded in patient-centred and primary care principles and developed through evidence and education. Especially to members who have contributed to our Subcommittees, I THANK YOU!
I am encouraged by the strength of our Executive Committee members – many of whom were newly elected at the AGM in August. I appreciate that some have been thrown into the deep end, but all have shown incredible agility and loyalty to the role they have committed to. To the Execs, I THANK YOU!
On behalf of AAAPC and the Executive Committee, I THANK YOU for your ongoing support and hope you are able to spend precious time with loved ones over the summer holidays.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Best wishes,
Phyllis Lau, President
Ever wondered how to get more involved with primary care research, education, and policy? Would you like to meet like-minded and passionate primary care researchers? This is your chance – join a subcommittee today! Email secretariat@aaapc.org.au to register your interest and get linked into a subcommittee!
A quick overview from each subcommittee this month:
Upcoming Funding Opportunities
In addition to the 2021 PHC grant opportunity for wearable devices and point-of-care testing, there are a few other MRFF grant opportunities that may be of interest for you or your team members, including;
NAPCRG conference
In our November newsletter, two members were missed on the NAPCRG summaries: Dr Pallavi Prathivadi and Dr Johanna Lynch. Dr Prathivadi presented the Consensus Reporting Items for Studies in Primary Care (CRISP) poster and workshop. Dr Lynch presented a workshop titled Fostering Sense of Safety: Unpacking a Critical Generalist Strategy. Apologies to others who may have been missed!
Please remember to share your primary health care research and education successes! We love celebrating the work our members do in this newsletter.
In case you missed any posts this month we have seen:
To get updates on the noticeboard in your emails navigate to the AAAPC members noticeboard (requires login) and click the subscribe button.
Congratulations to some of our members in their awards and degrees:
This list does not comprehensively include the achievements of all of our members (sorry!). Please send me an email at katelyn.barnes@anu.edu.au when you or another member you know has an achievement that we can all celebrate! Some previous examples include a new PhD completion, publication, or an award.
And that’s a wrap for 2021!
Happy holidays, stay safe, and see you all next year
