Program aim

To produce epidemiological research and surveillance, and other types of research relevant to population health and the delivery of health services in remote settings and to Aboriginal people. The program is focused on conducting, and building capacity for, research that relates to remote-specific issues or remote only populations, involves a remote component of a wider research and development issue, or addresses the specific concerns of Aboriginal people.

A strong basis for the research program

The team led by Professor David Lyle is also working on several other projects, including point of care testing trial, study of the antecedents of renal disease in Aboriginal Children, and a study of the mental health and well being of rural and remote Australians.

The Remote and Indigenous Health Research program has made good progress since 2002 recruiting senior staff, establishing a research agenda, and initiating projects including participation in several collaborative research projects. Considerable attention has also been paid to building research capacity through the delivery of research methods workshops, an intersectoral evaluation discussion group which is building capacity in evaluation and PhD and researcher development programs. A growing number of competitive and non-competitive grants have been awarded that is further establishing the program on a sound base.

The core research topics being addressed by the remote and Indigenous health team are:

• The application of physical activity and nutritional interventions to promote health and reduce the impact of specific chronic diseases
• The development and evaluation of effective models of primary health care delivery in remote and Indigenous communities, with a focus on the interplay between concepts of primary health care and systems and complexity theory.
• (With the environmental health program) the evaluation of the Broken Hill Environmental Lead Management Program.

The team is also working on several other projects, including point of care testing trial, study of the antecedents of renal disease in Aboriginal Children, and a study of the mental health and well being of rural and remote Australians.

Key stakeholders are engaged in setting and implementing the research agenda

A robust and productive partnership has operated for 10 years between the Broken Hill Department of Rural Health/Centre for Remote Health Research (responsible for managing the program) and, Greater Western Area Health Service, Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation, Royal Flying Doctor Service and Barrier Division of General Practice. These organisations, along with the communities of far western NSW are the principal stakeholders for the remote program.

With regard to Aboriginal health research specific governance arrangements have been established in each region between the local research team and Aboriginal organisations and communities, and at the state level with the Sax Institute and the Coalition for Research to Improve Aboriginal Health. Both formal and informal processes, such as membership of service planning groups and strategic planning workshops, are used to engage with stakeholders to set the research agenda and monitor progress of the program. The Broken Hill Centre has also established strong links with several research organisations (outside ARHRC), which has further enhanced the program’s research capacity and expanded its research program.

In the next 3-5 years

Over the next 3-5 years the program will continue to review and refine its research agenda with an increasing emphasis on the development, and evaluation of, remote health services, and research in Indigenous health. Special effort will be made to identify opportunities for the team to lead or participate in additional collaborative research projects on relevant issues. Priority will also be given to recruit more early career researchers to compete a PhD or enrol in the researcher development program.

Team:
Associate Professor Gaynor Heading – BHUDRH
Margaret Lasjack – BHUDRH
Suzanne Selden – BHUDRH
Frances Boreland – BHUDRH
Helen Cameron – BHUDRH
Jackie Pogson – BHUDRH
Paul Bennett – BHUDRH
Professor Brian Kelly
Associate Professor Jeffrey Fuller