26 May 2023
Health Translation Queensland (HTQ) has released a comprehensive new report that defines Queensland’s health research needs and prioritises nine areas for further work.
HTQ Executive Director Professor John Prins said the needs assessment was a first for health research translation in Queensland.
“HTQ has developed the needs assessment, in collaboration with HTQ’s partners, to guide decisions about how best to allocate resources, design programs, and deliver support in Queensland,” Professor Prins said.
“We want to ensure that HTQ directs its resources to the areas of greatest need and where, as a collaborative health network, we can have the biggest impact.”
The needs assessment report describes Queensland’s health landscape, identifying existing and emerging health priorities and funding opportunities.
The report identifies significant trends and issues in demographic and health data and compares these factors to research capacity and capability, drawing on credible health data sets and extensive stakeholder and consumer consultation.
Professor Prins explained HTQ had determined gaps and opportunities for health research collaboration at a state-wide level.
“Through the needs assessment, we established a set of potential health research priorities, which a decision-making group consisting of HTQ partner representatives then reviewed.
“Nine health research priority areas were identified, each with potential focus areas and collaborative opportunities.
“For example, mental health is a priority area given it is a major cause of burden of disease and a major cause of hospitalisation.
“Within mental health, the potential focus areas included suicide and self-harm, alcohol and other drugs, children and adolescent mental health and rural and remote communities.
Professor Prins emphasised further work must follow the needs assessment.
“From here, HTQ will establish HTQ Collaborative Groups for the identified health research priority areas for further analysis and intervention,” he said.
“These groups will identify opportunities for research translation projects around a specific clinical problem or priority population group in response to emerging health priorities and to harness available funding.
“HTQ’s Collaborative Groups will be a key element of HTQ’s work program, along with our research governance, workforce, and consumer and community involvement initiatives.”
Download the full report, view a summary (infographic) or read more on the Health Research Needs Assessment page.
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Health Translation Queensland acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which we live, work, and play. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their Descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country. We recognise their valuable contributions to Australian and global society.
