University of Tasmania, Australia

Implementation Research and Rural/Remote Health

Although biomedical research constantly produces new findings, uptake and application by clinicians can be inconsistent – especially in rural and remote health. 

Implementation Research is the scientific study of methods to promote the systematic uptake of clinical research findings and other evidence-based practices into routine practice, improving the quality and effectiveness of health care. It includes the study of influences on healthcare professional and organisational behaviour.  The context of rural and remote health poses a unique set of challenges to the uptake of new evidence and methods. 

The Rural Clinical School is seeking to establish research on how the uptake of advances in biomedical science can be enhanced, in a rural or remote setting, utilising an Implementation Research approach.  It is anticipated that enquiry may include new communication systems such as social media, e-health, m-health as well as more traditional approaches.