What is ISPRN?
ISPRN supports the development of high-quality research skills among primary care clinicians in order to extend their educational and professional development. ISPRN is driven by a practical understanding of what works and what will aid quality improvements. It achieves this by supporting projects that translate research findings into everyday practice, with a specific focus on regional and rural primary care. ISPRN supports equal partnerships between clinicians, research academics, community members and local health providers in order to improve health care outcomes.
The Illawarra and Southern Practice Research Network (ISPRN) was originally established with a Primary Health Care Research Evaluation and Development Strategy Research Capacity Building Initiative grant from the Department of Health and Ageing in 2011 and is now supported by the University of Wollongong’s Graduate School of Medicine (GSM). ISPRN exists to build research capacity in primary care in order to improve the health of our regional, rural and remote populations.
ISPRN supports projects and provides a framework for other academic and clinician-researchers to partner with GP practices in research.
ISPRN researchers have been in receipt of over $2M of research funding and have undertaken over 30 research projects since ISPRN’s inception in 2011.
This has resulted in more than 40 primary care clinicians being actively involved in research, where limited opportunities existed previously.
Our membership is Australia wide, with almost 100 members from the Illawarra and Shoalhaven through to locations such as Bega, Griffith, Leeton, Melbourne and Tasmania. Our members include General Practitioners, Practice Managers, Practice Nurses, Credentialed Diabetes Educators, Dieticians, Exercise Physiologists, Pharmacists, Academics and Epidemiologists.
Goals
ISPRN aims to support research and quality improvement in primary care by:
- Developing a vibrant community of practice in primary care research supported by the School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences at the University of Wollongong.
- Linking primary care clinician-researchers to academic mentors and assisting the researchers by providing high-quality research supervision and support, including promotion of Higher Degree Research.
- Actively pursuing internal and external grant funding opportunities.
- Providing research training and support through mentoring, workshops and online learning.
- Effective dissemination of network research findings. This includes direct feedback to practices and stakeholders, conference presentations, workshops, journal publications and incorporation into undergraduate and post-graduate teaching.
Membership
There is no fee associated with becoming a member of ISPRN and membership is obligation free. Members can be as active or inactive to suit individual needs.
Benefits of membership:
- Learn about opportunities to be involved in new and developing research projects
- Keep updated on practice-based research activities at UOW
- HDR Supervision
- Research training & mentoring
- Linking primary care clinicians to academic mentors
- Receive invitations to research workshops and events
How do I become a member?
Membership is open to all health professionals who have a relationship to primary care. Simply complete a membership form and return it to us via email at isprn-enquiries@uow.edu.au. Alternatively, if you would like to find out more information please feel free to email us at isprn-enquiries@uow.edu.au