Research maturity model

Advancing research capability and value in a Learning Health System

Research and innovation play a critical role in improving health care delivery and outcomes. The National Health and Medical Research Strategy 2026-2036 recognises health and medical research as foundational to a modern, outcomes-focused health system, highlighting the importance of embedding research and innovation to increase equitable access to therapeutic interventions and advance Australia’s health outcomes.

Health Translation Queensland (HTQ) is collaborating with its health service partners to better understand how research capability contributes to improved patient care, workforce capability, service improvement and health system performance across Queensland.

As a NHMRC-accredited Research Translation Centre, HTQ is working with partners to position research as a core driver of a connected and responsive Learning Health System – one where research, clinical practice, data and innovation continuously inform and improve one another to deliver better health outcomes – rather than a standalone activity.

This initiative is a key deliverable of HTQ’s Action Plan 2025–2027 (Priority #3), focused on strengthening research and innovation capability across the partnership in line with health service priorities.

Using the peer-reviewed Research Impact Assessment Framework (RIAF), the project will generate the first partnership-wide baseline understanding of research capability and value across participating partner health services.

This project will:

• establish a partnership-wide understanding of research capability and maturity across HTQ health service partners
• identify areas of research excellence and the enabling conditions that support translation into practice
• generate evidence on how research capability contributes to improved patient outcomes, workforce capability and health system improvement
• support strategic investment, capability uplift and future planning across the partnership
• strengthen HTQ’s role in advancing Queensland’s Learning Health System capability.

Why this work matters

Health services with strong research capability consistently demonstrate stronger workforce engagement, better patient outcomes and greater ability to respond to health system challenges. Despite this, research capability and impact are not consistently measured in ways that support strategic decision-making across health systems.

This initiative will help establish a consistent, evidence-based approach to understanding:

• where research capability sits across the partnership and its variability across different health service contexts
• the conditions that enable successful research translation and innovation
• how research contributes to measurable health system value
• where targeted investment and coordinated action can strengthen impact across Queensland.

Current status

The project is currently in the early implementation phase.

HTQ is working closely with participating partner health services to:

• deploy a research capability survey using the peer-reviewed RIAF methodology
• establish baseline research capability and environment signals across participating partner health services
• identify case studies aligned to health service priorities
• co-design an approach to understanding and evidencing research value across the partnership.

Further reading

A research impact evaluation case study

More information

For more information about this project, please contact Dr Laura Genovesi, Senior Manager, Strategic Projects, at l.genovesi@healthtranslationqld.org.au.