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Area of Translational Action
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Description and Examples
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| Choice of research topic |
Pursuing research that responds directly to an observed population health or health service problem. Examples:
High rates of diabetes-related amputations among rural, remote and Indigenous populations in the north Queensland region led to research in THHS on implementation of innovative equipment in wound care. THHS did not have a policy in skin injuries for neonates, prompting research on epidemiology of skin injuries from mechanical force in neonates and the development of a specific policy and risk assessment tool.
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| Co-production |
End-users included in all phases of the research from research design. Examples:
Following a quality assurance audit on pain referrals among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients at THHS, a consumer engagement strategy was developed involving active collaboration between THHS staff, the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service and the broader community to identify barriers to pain clinic referrals and hospital access among Indigenous community members.
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| Governance infrastructure |
Establishment of governance infrastructure, including memoranda of understanding, networks and centres, to formalise and coordinate multi-stakeholder relationships and funding. Examples:
The Australasian Teletrial Model, developed by the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, is operationalised through a collaboration between the Townsville Cancer Centre, Queensland Cancer Clinical Network and the Health, Innovation, Investment and Research Office of the Department of Health, building from THHS-led research.
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| Multi-disciplinary collaboration |
Collaboration between clinicians from multiple different disciplines working across departments:
THHS clinicians established monthly multi-disciplinary teleconference meetings in 2018 between hospital surgeons, and diabetes, endocrinology and orthotics specialists from THHS and North West HHS to discuss prevention, treatment and management of limb amputations in the region drawing from current research.
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| Communication |
Ongoing communication of findings through multiple mediums targeting academic, clinical, policy and broader public stakeholders. Examples:
Inclusion of published and presented findings on medical management for aortic aneurysm in the European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Aortic Diseases (2014). Findings from a tele-health service enhancement model implemented within THHS actively communicated to other departments in THHS, published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences, resulting in establishment of the Queensland Remote Chemotherapy Solution Model.
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| Policy and professional linkage |
Ongoing policy and community of practice engagement at local, state, national and international levels. Examples:
Co-authorship of the CDC-sponsored guideline (2013) on Diagnostics for melioidosis and the CDC-sponsored guidelines for treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis of this condition (2010). Active leadership and involvement in key state, national and international groups and organisations such as Health Services Research Association of Australia and New Zealand Executive, and the Australasian Tele-trial Consortium and Queensland Tele-Trial Working Group.
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