Gold Coast Health embraces research to drive the best possible care for our community.

Researcher of the Year reflects on growth at Gold Coast Health

Senior Staff Specialist Emergency Physician and Adjunct Professor of Emergency Medicine, Dr Keijzers, named Gold Coast Health Researcher of the Year

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Research Development

Supporting our staff to undertake research is a key pillar of Gold Coast Health’s Research Strategy 2022 – 2024. With the aim of building research capacity and establishing a sustainable research culture, Gold Coast Health provides research development support to our research community. The Research Development team provides support, training and initiatives to support this strategic objective, in collaboration with our partner organisations. 

Biostatistics Support

Our Biostatisticians can assist Gold Coast Health staff in their research from conception to completion. View the Biostatistics Service page for further information.

Good Clinical Practice Training

Gold Coast Health offers in house tailored Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training for all staff involved in clinical research. The interactive training is offered as an introductory and refresher course and gives participants understanding of GCP, what being GCP qualified means, and investigator responsibilities and aims to promote compliance with guidelines for research governance, including applicable regulatory compliance. Staff can register via Learning On-Line. 

Writing a research protocol (online short course)

The Writing a Research Protocol microcredential is an online course that will guide you through crafting a high-quality health research protocol. You will learn how to formulate impactful research questions, choose appropriate research study designs, and create and write a detailed and ethical research study protocol.

Gold Coast Health staff can arrange access to the course free of charge by e-mailing A/Prof Mark Jones (majones@bond.edu.au).

To supplement the online course, you have the option to join a 4-month learning cohort, where you will be able to join fortnightly Q and A sessions on TEAMS that will begin with a 10-15 minute “mini lecture” on a specific topic. If there is sufficient interest, we will also run a 2-hour face-to-face introduction session that will introduce the course but also describe where research support is available locally, covering research design, finance, library, ethics and SSA. 

Click here for more information or contact majones@bond.edu.au. 

Research Expertise Directory

The Research Expertise Directory (RED) is a research information management system designed to showcase Gold Coast Health's world-class researchers. View our experts, with RED. 

Griffith University Academic Title Holders

Research education and development opportunities at Griffith University can be made available to Gold Coast Health medical and health professionals who hold academic titles. The benefits and requirements for academic title status are available here and here. The available training and resources are detailed here.

Interested in a Research Higher Degree while working?

With a growing interest in industry-based PhDs, the Australian Government has launched a National Industry PhD Program. This program provides options for people to complete PhDs while continuing their employment. Staff interested in completing a Research Higher Degree (Masters by Research or PhD), through the National Industry PhD Program or otherwise, may find our partner universities a good place to start. Links are provided below, but potential candidates are encouraged to contact universities to discuss individual cases.

Griffith University 
A site dedicated to PhD-Industry partnerships is provided here and options for the National Industry PhD Program can be found here. 

Bond University
For further information on enrolling in a Research Higher Degree please see here. Information on scholarships is available here. Specific enquires can be made by contacting the HDR Unit on email: hdr@bond.edu.au. 

Southern Cross University
For further information on enrolling in a Research Higher Degree please see here. Information on scholarships is available here.
 

Evidence-Based Practice Professorial Unit

The Evidence-Based Practice Professorial Unit (EBBPU) is a joint initiative between Bond University and the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Services. The integration of best evidence into routine clinical care is essential to improving patient outcomes and ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of health services. The aim of the EBBPU is to educate, facilitate and inspire healthcare workers to become active users, participators and leaders in research and evidence-based practice. Services EBPPU provide: 

EBBPU Training and education
  • Evidence-based practice (EBP) workshops customised to your clinical area. 
  • Interactive plenary and skill session in evidence-based practice. 
  • Stimulating and engaging workshops:
    • study design and protocol writing;
    • writing for publication;
    • evidence-based practice; and 
    • understanding and conducting systematic reviews. 
  • Please find more information about upcoming EBPPU workshops here.
EBBPU Consulting Services
Building research capacity following EBP training
  • Research mentoring and partnership
  • Enhancing research activity and productivity
  • Assisting the implementation of high-quality research into practice
  • Building a sustainable culture of evidence-based practice

Our areas of research relate to:

  • Minimising low value care, by:
    • Reducing overdiagnosis and overtreatment
    • Identifying and minimising use of low value services
    • Encouraging evidence-based clinical decision making
  • Facilitating clinical decision making, by:
    • Evaluating clinical decision aids
    • Encouraging shared decision-making
    • Implementing decision tools into regular workflow and clinical service
  • Minimising antibiotic resistance, by:
    • Generating knowledge on the benefits and harms of antibiotics
    • Facilitating the adaption of effective interventions for antibiotic prescribing

Pharmacy Research Collaborative

Our Pharmacy Research Collaborative team meets every two months to develop strategies to promote a research culture within the Pharmacy Department. The Collaborative provides advice and develops governance procedures to support and facilitate research within the Pharmacy Department.

Our focus is to build research capacity through:

  • Developing pharmacy staff knowledge regarding how to undertake research, including understanding the difference between research and QA/QI, and ethics requirements.
  • Providing advice on time staff could be allocated to conduct research within the Pharmacy Department.
  • Linking Pharmacy Department supported research with Departmental and HHS priorities.
  • Increasing staff and student participation in research, including collaborative research external to the Pharmacy Department and GCH.
  • Increasing the number of presentations and publications by Pharmacy staff, including posters/presentations from quality use of medicine (QUM) projects.
  • Defining support provided to staff whilst undertaking higher level research.
  • Supporting successful grant applications to facilitate research.
  • Increasing the visibility of research within the Pharmacy Department.
  • Developing Pharmacy research KPI’s.

The Pharmacy Research Collaborative is comprised of:

Pharmacy Department members:

  • Pharmacist – Assistant Director(s) with Research Portfolio
  • Pharmacist – Advanced or Senior/s, including Medication Safety and Clinical Trials
  • Pharmacist Senior – Clinical Facilitator (Griffith)
  • Pharmacist Senior – Clinical Educator
  • Pharmacist Senior – Research (Chair)
  • Pharmacist (Secretariat)

Representatives from:

  • Office for Research Governance and Development, Gold Coast Health
  • Griffith School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences
  • The University of Queensland School of Pharmacy 

View the Pharmacy Research Collaborative Terms of Reference for further information about the collaborative. 

Pharmacy Research Contacts

Kitty Stanley

Kitty Stanley is the Senior Research Pharmacist and Chair of the Pharmacy Research Collaborative. She is an early-career researcher currently completing a PhD with the University of Queensland focusing on medication repurposing and improving evidence translation. ORCID: Kitty Stanley. Email: Isabelle.Stanley@health.qld.gov.au

Dr Brooke Bullock

Brooke

Dr Brooke Bullock is the Acting Assistant Director of Pharmacy. Brooke is a mid-career Researcher having completed her PhD focused on the Pharmacist impact on Post Take Ward Round communication and medication appropriateness. Brooke’s areas of interest are Medication management, models of care, communication and recruitment. Email: Brooke.bullock@health.qld.gov.au

Pharmacy Clinical Trial Services

Pharmacy Clinical Trials Services provide support to all clinical trials that involve medicines. 

Quality Use of Medicines Research Placements

Students from various universities undergo Quality Use of Medicine (QUM) research focussed placements with the Pharmacy Department on an ongoing basis. These placements are designed for the students to examine a QUM issue at the placement workplace. 

The Pharmacy Department participates in the University of Queensland and Griffith University QUM research placements. This provides opportunity for pharmacists to mentor students doing small research projects such as audits on medicine prescribing and use. QUM placements could also be discreet studies that are part of bigger research projects. Examples of QUM student projects conducted during 2023:

  • Evaluate the accuracy of medication reconciliation in Emergency Departments
  • Don’t Drop Pop – medication management of behavioural disturbances in the elderly in Emergency Departments
  • Time for Emergency Department doctors to reconcile medicines on admission to hospital
  • Impact of outpatient renal clinic pharmacists on the accuracy of medication records on admission
  • Children’s Developmental Services pharmacist-physician collaborative care model
  • Prospective review of smoking cessation interventions in inpatient psychiatry units 
  • Audit of the metabolic management of mental health inpatients
Phoundations in Pharmacy Research

The Phoundations in Pharmacy Research sessions are aimed at fostering a Community of Practice for research within the Pharmacy Department. Sessions take place on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 12-1pm, offered as hybrid (face-to-face and online via MS Teams). 
Practical sessions include:

  • How to write abstracts, use Endnote and do database searching 
  • Journal club discussions and how to review types of articles/studies
  • “How to” related to supervision of QUM students 
  • Exploring different research methodology
  • Sharing of research and QI projects
  • Upcoming research/QI opportunities e.g. grants, conferences

FEISTY II: Blood clot treatments for patients with severe bleeding compared in new phase of clinical trial

The Fibrinogen Early In Severe Trauma Study II, known as FEISTY II has begun at Gold Coast Health.

FEISTY II represents a vital step forward in the quest for improved trauma care and builds on the success of FEISTY I. The study has garnered international attention for its efforts to optimise use of blood products in severely bleeding trauma patients.

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Clinician Researcher Fellowships empower clinicians to pursue research dreams

Professor Keith Grimwood has praised the introduction of Gold Coast Health Clinician Researcher Fellowships, saying they offer the time and support young clinician researchers need to continue research beyond a PhD.

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Allied Health Research Team

Allied Health Research logo

Our Allied Health Research Team provide tailored research support and mentorship to Allied Health Professionals across the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service including Audiologists, Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Speech Pathologists, amongst others.  Each of these professions are undertaking innovative research with most having their own research groups or committees.

The Allied Health Research team aims to help build the research culture and capacity of these allied health professions and their collaboratives to ultimately improve health care services and outcomes. The team leads the development and implementation of the Allied Health Research Plan, as well as research which formally evaluates innovative research capacity building initiatives.

Vision for Allied Health Research

Embedding an inspiring research culture to transform and improve healthcare for our community.

Our Mission Statement

We will nurture an inclusive research culture across Gold Coast Health Allied Health through collaboration and innovation, to lead and implement outstanding consumer-focused research which improves healthcare.

Allied Health Research Plan 2024-2026

An overview of Allied Health Research’s Plan for 2024 to 2026 provides the Allied Health Research vision, mission and key objectives, which align with the strategic pillars of the Gold Coast Health Allied Health Strategic Plan 2024-2026. In consultation with key stakeholders, the Allied Health Research team has developed activities, measures and timeframes to fulfil these key objectives.

Summary of Research Activity

The Allied Health Research Activity report 2021-2023 showcases the diversity of innovative research activity undertaken by Gold Coast Health allied health professionals. This includes 146 ethically approved research projects, 140 journal publications, $2.79 million in grant funding awarded and 122 conference presentations across multiple service areas. Some emerging themes and areas of strength within Allied Health research include:

  • Innovative models of care evaluation including primary contact Allied Health clinics and multidisciplinary clinics, particularly in outpatient and community settings.
  • Rehabilitation in the areas of stroke, traumatic brain injury and other chronic conditions.
  • Digital Solutions including the exploration of artificial intelligence and other digital platforms to support clinical care and create efficiencies.

Several research projects are also being undertaken in the areas of critical care (i.e., paediatric feeding and physiotherapy management), research capacity building, pain management and medication management.

Allied Health Research Newsletter

Read the latest research news, opportunities and achievements from our Gold Coast allied health workforce: Allied Health Research Newsletter February 2025. 

Previous newsletters:

Our Allied Health Research Team

The Allied Health Research Team includes temporary and permanent positions that are either solely funded through GCH or jointly funded with a University.
If you are interested in a potential collaboration or to discuss a jointly funded position with your institution, please contact us at AlliedHealthResearchGCH@health.qld.gov.au 
 

Director of Allied Health Research - Dr Rachel Wenke

Rachel Wenke

Dr Rachel Wenke is the Director of Allied Health Research for Gold Coast Health. She has mentored over 40 clinicians undertake research projects using a range of designs including randomised controlled trials, mixed methods and qualitative approaches. Rachel has over 19 years' experience as a speech pathologist and her research interests include research capacity building, knowledge translation, rehabilitation models of care and digital solutions to enhance patient and service outcomes.

Acting Director of Allied Health Research - Dr Laetitia Hattingh

Dr Laetitia Hattingh

Dr Laetitia Hattingh is Acting Director of Allied Health Research. She has expertise in research methodology and the clinical and social aspects related to health care delivery. Laetitia is a pharmacist with specific research interests in medication management and safety in hospital and primary care, mental health and substance misuse, evaluation of new models of care and ethics/law. Read more: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Laetitia-Hattingh

Conjoint Allied Health Senior Research Fellow Griffith University - Dr Shelley Roberts

Dr Shelley Roberts

Dr Shelley Roberts is a conjoint Allied Health Research Fellow with GCH and Griffith University. Her background is in nutrition and dietetics, and she is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian. Dr Roberts' research focuses on improving nutrition among hospitalised patients, with particular interests in patient participation in care and patient centred care; healthcare technologies; pressure injury prevention; and integrated knowledge translation. Read more: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shelley-Roberts

Conjoint Principal Research Fellow (Allied Health) Bond University - Dr Caitlin Brandenburg

Dr Caitlin Brandenburg is the conjoint Principal Research Fellow Allied Health with GCH and Bond University. She has experience in a range of research designs, but specialises in qualitative and knowledge translation methodology. Caitlin has a background in Speech Pathology, but has mentored clinicians in diverse fields to achieve success in research. Her own research interests are in health services research and clinician research capacity building. Read more: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Caitlin-Brandenburg-2

Conjoint Principal Research Fellow Griffith University (under recruitment)
Administrative Support Officer - Ms Lenore Smith

Ms Lenore Smith is a valued member of the Allied Health Research team, providing administrative support across operational activities to the team. 

Service Improvement and Research Officer roles

We have various temporarily funded Service Improvement and Research Officer roles that are attached to specific research projects. These projects may be internally funded through Allied Health Research or via externally obtained grant funding and provide a means for clinicians to further develop research skills. Roles are allocated with regard to identified Allied Health Research priority areas and are advertised by internal EOI. 

Allied Health Research and Innovation Leadership Committee

The core function of the GCHHS Allied Health Research and Innovation Leadership Committee (AHRILC) is to provide strategic advice and recommendations regarding research culture and practice, funding opportunities and allocations, research capacity building, research priorities, knowledge translation evidence-based practice, and innovations that may lead to research opportunities. A secondary function of the AHRILC is to foster communication across AH research groups/committees internally and externally.

The committee is chaired by the Director of Allied Health Research Members include research leaders from each of the Allied Health Professions’ own research collaboratives including Audiology, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Psychology, Speech Pathology, and Social Work as well as external partners. 
 

Proposed Reporting Line

Current Research Projects within Allied Health Research Collaborative

Key projects led by the Allied Health Research Team
  • Exploring allied health professionals’ attitudes and perceptions towards artificial intelligence in the clinical setting: a mixed-methods study
  • Co designing a consumer engagement in research framework for Gold Coast Health
  • Assessment of Discipline Research Officer Intervention in Allied Health (ADROIT): A realist evaluation
  • Spread of structured journal clubs into clinical services using WE-TREAT: A knowledge translation approach   
  • Implementing Good Clinical Practice Standards within Allied Health Research: A mixed-methods exploratory study 
  • Evaluation of the Allied Health Demand and Capacity Tool

Initiatives within Allied Health Research

The following initiatives are currently in place to support allied health professionals to become more active research users, participants, and leaders.

Funding to support Clinical Backfill to Conduct Research

Giving clinicians the time to participate in research.

Allied Health Research Forums
  • These monthly lunchtime forums (mostly held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month 12-1pm) showcase clinically meaningful research projects being undertaken by Allied Health Professionals. 
  • All HHS staff are invited to attend the forums in person over a catered lunch or online and participate in stimulating discussion following the research presentations.
  • For more details email AlliedHealthResearchGCH@health.qld.gov.au
     
TREAT journal clubs

The “TREAT” journal club format stands for “Tailoring Research Evidence And Theory” – and was developed by GCH allied health professionals and researchers in 2015. Further information and resources about implementing a TREAT journal club can be found at www.treatjournalclubs.com. Some unique features of TREAT journal clubs compared to standard journal clubs include:

  • Journal club topics chosen as a group
  • Article is appraised as a group during the session as opposed to only an individual presenting
  • Defined roles which rotate between members.
  • Each component of the format is based on research evidence

The TREAT journal club format has been investigated in a randomised controlled trial with 125 health professionals and an implementation study with 134 health professionals. We have also learnt key information about what helps sustain TREAT journal clubs, as detailed in Factors that influence the sustainability of structured allied health journal clubs: a qualitative study (nih.gov).
 

Allied Health Research Capacity Building Toolkit

This toolkit consolidates evidence-informed strategies to support research capacity building in allied health. It has been developed as part of the PRO-Allied Health project and is based on the results of a systematic review of existing frameworks for research capacity building.

Research capacity building publications by Allied Health Research team

Wenke, R., Wiseman, J., Stehlik, P. Brandenburg, C., Richards, K., Mickan, M. What do clinicians perceive as the effective implementation strategies for TREAT journal clubs? A qualitative study. BMC Med Educ 25, 427 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06929-x

Ryan, L., Wenke, R., Carlini, J. Weir, K., Shapiro, M., Baglot, N., Tobiano, G., Sargeant, S., Hattingh, L et al. Exploring barriers and solutions to consumer involvement in health service research using a nominal group technique. Res Involv Engagem 10, 72 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-024-00604-z

Ryan L, Hattingh L, Carlini J, Weir K., Shapiro M, Baglot N, Cardona M, Tobiano G, Muir R, Roberts S, Sargeant S, Wenke R (2025) Consumer involvement in health service research: a cross-sectional survey of staff in an Australian public hospital and health service. Australian Health Review 49, AH24186.

Wenke R, Stehlik P, Gerrard J, Mickan S, Henry D. Using a journal club to navigate a maze of COVID-19 papers in a front-line hospital service. BMJ Evid Based Med. 2023 Jun;28(3):210-211. doi: 10.1136/bmjebm-2022-112130.

Wenke R, Roberts S, Angus R, Owusu MA, Weir K.(2023) How do I keep this live in my mind?” Allied Health Professionals’ perspectives of barriers and enablers to implementing Good Clinical Practice in research: A qualitative exploration guided by behaviour change theory. BMC Health Services Researc.

Angus, R.L., Hattingh, H.L. & Weir, K.A. (2022) Experiences of hospital allied health professionals in collaborative student research projects: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 22, 729

Wenke, R., Wiseman, J., Brandenburg, C, Stehlik, P, Hughes, I., Richards, K., Mickan, S (2022) Long term tailored implementation of structured "TREAT" journal clubs in allied health: a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study. BMC Medical Education, 2022. April 22(1): p. 307.

Mickan, S., Wenke, R., Weir, K., Bialocerkowski, A., Noble, C. (2022) Using knowledge brokering activities to promote allied health clinicians’ engagement in research: a qualitative exploration, BMJ Open, 12 (4) e058453
Hilder, J., Mickan, S., Noble, C., Weir, K. & Wenke, R. (2020). Outcomes of a funding initiative to promote allied health research activity: A qualitative realist. Health Research Policy and Systems. Health Research Policy and Systems 18(1)

Wenke, R., Noble, C., Weir, K., Mickan, S. (2020). What influences allied health clinician participation in research in the public hospital setting: A qualitative theory-informed approach. BMJ Open. 10:e036183. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036183  
Matus J, Wenke R, Hughes I, Mickan S, (2019) Evaluation of the research capacity and culture of allied health professionals in a large regional public health service. J Multidiscip Healthcare 14;12:83-96.

Matus, J., Wenke., R., Mickan, S (2019). A practical toolkit of strategies for building research capacity in allied health. Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management 14 (2), 5

Mickan, S., Hilder, J., Wenke, R., & Thomas, R. (2019). The impact of a small-group educational intervention for allied health professionals to enhance evidence-based practice: mixed methods evaluation. 19(1), 131. doi:10.1186/s12909-019-1567-1

Wenke, R., O’Shea, K., Hilder, J.,  Thomas, R., Mickan, S (2019) Factors that influence the sustainability of structured allied health journal clubs: A qualitative study. BMC Medical Education, Jan 3;19(1):6.

New hope for Jeffrey with revolutionary cancer treatment trial

Jeffrey Rand says he would not be here today if not for a revolutionary cancer treatment currently undergoing a clinical trial at Gold Coast University Hospital.
"Without this trial, there is absolutely no doubt I wouldn't be sitting here," he said. "For me, it has been very successful: I've had two years of normality with very few side effects. Two years of life that I otherwise wouldn't have had."

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Research Events

Gold Coast Health hosts a range of research events for all staff including researchers and clinicians, as well as partners and consumers. The latest upcoming research events are listed below. 

Research Grand Rounds

Research Grand Rounds - 7 May 2025

Two researchers will deliver a 15-minute presentation on a recently published research paper, followed by 5 minutes of questions.

Researchers, staff and students of all streams are welcome to attend.

Research Topic: Allied Health Research 

Date and Time: 7 May 2025

Location: Large Lecture Theatre, PED Building, E Block, Gold Coast University Hosptial 

Presentations: Allied Health on Patient Perceptions

Consumer involvement in health service research: a cross-sectional survey of staff in an Australian public hospital and health service

Overcoming barriers and enabling artificial intelligence adoption in allied health clinical practice: A qualitative study

 

Light refreshments provided from 12-12:15pm with presentations from 12:15 – 1pm.

Email researchgoldcoast@health.qld.gov.au to register or provide feedback.

Research Grand Rounds - June 2025

Two researchers will deliver a 15-minute presentation on a recently published research paper, followed by 5 minutes of questions.

Researchers, staff and students of all streams are welcome to attend.

Research Topic: 

Date and Time: 

Location: Large Lecture Theatre, PED Building, E Block,Gold Coast University Hosptial 

Presentations: 

Light refreshments provided from 12-12:15pm with presentations from 12:15 – 1pm.

Email researchgoldcoast@health.qld.gov.au to register or provide feedback.

Research Forum

Research Forum - 11 June 2025

All staff are invited to attend Gold Coast Health's bi-monthly Research Forum. The purpose of the Research Forum is to provide attendees with an update on research at Gold Coast Health, including the delivery of the Research Strategy 2022 - 2024 and other research initiatives.

Email researchgoldcoast@health.qld.gov.au to register. 

Gold Coast Health recruits first Australian patient for international autoimmune clinical trial

A Gold Coast Health patient is the first in Australia chosen for a clinical trial into a novel treatment for the chronic condition Myasthenia gravis.

Michael Brooks was diagnosed with the condition, a neuromuscular disease that causes weakness and fatigue in the skeletal muscles, in 2014 and is being treated as an outpatient at Gold Coast University Hospital.

Mr Brooks says he hopes that by participating in the trial he can improve his own quality of life while also benefiting others who suffer from autoimmune diseases.

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Ultrasound screening reduces x-rays for children with broken arms

Gold Coast Health Paediatric Emergency Physician Dr Peter Snelling has proven ultrasound as a tool for screening distal forearm fractures in children, reducing ED wait times and significantly reducing the number of x-rays required.

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