Table 1.

Topic areas and themes under Statement 1: Not enough research is sufficiently aligned with the real challenges facing our health system

Topic: Balance in health research
Theme: curiosity- and priority-driven research • All research is important, but a re-balancing of curiosity- and priority-driven research is needed (Related: Topic 1.2, Theme 1.2.1) • Some types of research (e.g., health services research) were covered insufficiently
Theme: supporting research activity in the health system • Health service staff need support to conduct research, e.g., processes; capacity building; awards; funding opportunities; partnerships with academia (Related: Statement 2 responses) • Challenges to conducting research within the health system include complexity of administrative processes; lack of follow-through after successful completion of projects; lack of access to funding; culture of risk aversion; unclear pathways for intellectual property and commercialisation; inadequate access to health data and IT systems; shortage of research implementation scientists and research translation expertise

Topic: Alignment of research with health care priorities
Theme: identifying health priorities and developing research questions • It is essential to communicate priorities and involve researchers, clinicians and community in developing priorities and research questions. Both researchers and health service leaders may need help (e.g., from academics) in articulating their priorities and research questions
Theme: fit between research and health care • Several research and health care delivery factors have led to a lack of fit or alignment between research and health care priorities
Theme: lack of profile of research in health care • Much research activity in health services is not noticed by those outside research teams, who often also do not understand the research