Resources

In November 2021 to January 2022, the Alliance conducted a survey of STARS staff learning needs. The survey explored staff self-reported levels of individual research skills and experience, barriers and motivators to research participation, and perceived skill levels in Quality Improvement.  A total of 89 staff across STARS participated in the survey. This included respondents from Clinical backgrounds (Allied Health 37%, Medical 17%, and Nursing 28%), with the remaining 16% from Patient Services and Facility Support Services. For a copy of the report, please visit the SERA SharePoint site or contact the Alliance Manager on susan.sullivan@uq.edu.au or STARS_EducationandResearch@health.qld.gov.au.

The STARS Education and Research Alliance has published over 40 peer reviewed papers in the last year.  Selected recent publications (bold indicated Alliance members):

• “Self-management has to be the way of the future”: Exploring the perspectives of speech-language pathologists who work with people with aphasia. Nichol L, Rodriguez AD, Pitt R, Wallace SJ and Hill AJ. (2022). https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17549507.2022.2055144
• Normalising interdisciplinary role-based goal setting in inpatient brain injury rehabilitation: reflections and recommendations of clinicians. Doig E, Prescott S, Pick V, Turner B, Suleman S, Douglas D, and Foster M. (2022). https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09638288.2022.2040612
• Supervising students during a global pandemic: clinical educators’ perceptions of a student-led telerehabilitation service during COVID-19. Ross MH, Whitehead A, Jeffery L, Hartley N, and Russell T. (2022). https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2022.6464
• Primary tumour PSMA intensity is an independent prognostic biomarker for biochemical recurrence-free survival following radical prostatectomy. Roberts MJ, Morton A, Papa N et al. (2022) https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-022-05756-2
• Prognostication in post-stroke aphasia: perspectives of people with aphasia on receiving information about recovery. Cheng BBY, Ryan BJ, Copland DA and Wallace SJ. (2022). https://doi:10.1080/09602011.2022.2051565

Critically Appraised Topics (CATS) are short summaries of the most up-to-date and relevant evidence typically focused on patient-specific clinical practice issues. The intent of the CAT process is to answer questions based on real clinical scenarios/situations that generally arise directly from specific patient interactions. These standardised summaries draw together the best available evidence to facilitate integration of clinical research with clinical practice.

• Accelerated Rehab in TKA CAT
• Dysphagia in lateral medullary stroke CAT
• Falls Prevention in inpatient subacute rehabilitation CAT
• Nursing Workload + FIM CAT
• EyeCAT
• Skin Integrity CAT
• Allied Health Weekend Service Provision in Inpatient Rehabilitation CAT

The QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute has an agreement with Metro North Health to provide statistics support to staff undertaking research. QIMR’s statisticians can provide support at all components of the research journey, such as formulating a research question, determining the right study design and sample size requirements, and analysis of data. Go to Statistics – QIMR Berghofer for more information, training and resources.

REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) is a secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases, specifically designed to support research studies. REDCap enables confidential information to be stored centrally within one system maintaining data security and integrity. Metro North Health REDCap is available for all Metro North staff requiring a data collection system for research or quality improvement activities. Please note that MN REDCap can only be accessed from within the QLD Health network.

QLD Health REDCap is now being rolled out state-wide, and is available at sites including STARS. QH REDCap is accessible outside of the QH network.

Results from the 2022 STARS Research (and QI) learning needs analysis survey identified the top issues that STARS clinicians say they feel least confident and competent in, in terms of research. The STARS Education and Research Alliance have developed a series of short (~30min) education sessions addressing key topics:

• Research vs Quality Initiatives. Thursday 4th May. Presented by Dr Lyn Woodward – MN HREC Chairperson and Dr Rebekah Steele – Ethics & Governance Manager, MN Research Office.
• How do I find the funding?   Friday 26^th May. Presented by Dr Susan Sullivan and Dr Peter Window.
• Need time for research? How to get a research fellowship. Monday 19^th June. Presented by Prof Nadine Foster, Dr Natasha Roberts and Dr Don MacLeod.
• Navigating research processes and approvals. Thursday 13^th July. Presented by Dr Susan Sullivan.
• Nothing about us without us – involving consumers in your research. Monday 7th August. Presented by Lisa Anemaat.
• Introduction to REDCap for QH. Friday 18^th August. Presented by Dr Roxanne Machen, MN Research Office.
• Analysing data – an introduction. Friday 1^st September. Presented by Dr Emma Ballard – QIMRB and Dr Emmah Doig.
• Writing for publication. Monday 9^th October. Presented by Karina O’Leary and Dr Elizabeth Beadle.

Please contact the Alliance Manager or STARS_EducationandResearch@health.qld.gov.au if you would like access to the presentations.