Research

Our research

At the Graduate School of Medicine, we are committed to addressing the health needs of our local, regional, and rural communities. We aim to build strong, respectful, and reciprocal partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Through this commitment, we strive to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Our focus is on improving health and wellbeing through high-quality medical education and impactful research. We prioritise community and healthcare professional engagement, translational research, and the application of research evidence to enhance clinical care. This approach ensures our work leads to tangible outcomes, with our research influencing key policy and guideline changes both in Australia and internationally. Our contributions have been recognised by organisations including the Australian Productivity Commission, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs, NSW Ministry of Health, the NICE Clinical Guidelines (UK), US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the World Health Organisation.

The Optimal Implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship in General Practice (OPTIMAS-GP) Trial

A 5-year program to identify strategies and implement an Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) intervention to safely reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in treating acute respiratory tract infections in general practice.

More about OPTMAS-GP

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat.

In Australia, antibiotic use is alarmingly high. Two hundred and ninety Australians die every year from resistant infections driven by frequent low-level antibiotic use. As a GP, you're in the best position to lead change. OPTIMAS-GP is here to help; the OPTIMAS-GP trial supports you with proven evidence-based tools to improve antibiotic prescribing, enhance patient care, reduce your workload and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Here's what GPs are saying about their experience in OPTIMAS-GP:

“Having access to the AMS toolbox and resources was so easy… it made a difference in how I approach consultations”.

 “Before the study, I had very little awareness of point-of-care CRP testing. Now it's part   of how I manage patients”.

Spaces are limited, enrol today and be part of the solution with OPTIMAS-GP.

Our Collaborative Network

Primary Care Research Education Network (PCREN)

The Discipline of General Practice at UOW supports a regional and rural Primary Care Research and Education Network – PCREN. PCREN is a research and education network to support medical student education and practice-based research in primary care. PCREN activities include providing up-to-date research and medical education news, access to medical education and research development events and resources, as well as the opportunity for collaboration and support in practice-based research.

PCREN evolved from the Illawarra Southern Practice Research Network (ISPRN), building on the research skills and capacity of members and supporting clinicians supervising UOW students in primary care settings.

To join the network contact gsm-research@uow.edu.au or follow the network on LinkedIn.

More about PCREN

Primary Care Research Education Network (PCREN) logo