Research is essential to advancing healthcare, \u2013 driving innovation, improving outcomes, and ensuring care is evidence-based and responsive to community needs. The Alliance brings together world-leading researchers, clinicians, and educators to create knowledge and embed clinical research that transforms patient outcomes and clinical care. Our aim is that every patient in STARS is offered the opportunity to take part in research and every staff member is aware and able to undertake research at different levels.<\/span><\/p>\n As a research-active healthcare facility, we\u2019ve led or collaborated on more than 130 research projects, with over 70 projects currently active (that is, in data collection, analysis, or dissemination) and many projects in development.\u202fThe SERA team has developed a range of initiatives, processes, and resources to provide governance, strategy direction and support for research-related activities in STARS. If you\u2019re interested in collaborating with STARS on a research project, please visit the\u202fconduct research<\/a> page.<\/p>\n Since 2021, the Alliance has been awarded over $70 million in research funding. Our staff and students have received more than 70 national and institutional awards and together, we\u2019ve published more than 350 peer-reviewed articles. We encourage any individual (whether employed by UQ or Metro North) to include the Alliance affiliation on their outputs, especially where it involves research collaboration with STARS, or it involves STARS patients or STARS facilities. This will help us to promotes the important partnership between the University of Queensland and Metro North and STARS as a research-active hospital. For more information on author affiliations on outputs, please\u202frefer to this guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n SERA staff coordinate multiple events each year that bring together clinicians, researchers, consumers, and policy makers to explore future research projects, consider applications for funding and foster dialogue across teams within and external to STARS. For example, during the planning of the Falls in Stroke randomised controlled trial, a dedicated Think Tank meeting engaged experts in hospital care, community health, telehealth, health economics, and research to design recruitment and follow-up strategies for stroke patients in STARS and other hospitals.<\/p>\n Our Critical Appraisal Topic (CAT) groups offer a collaborative space for clinicians, researchers, consumers, and health librarians to explore and answer important clinical questions, ensuring clinical practice is informed by the best available evidence. Learn more about the\u202fCAT process<\/a> and watch a short introductory video created by UQ librarians on developing clinical questions for CATs\u00a0(YouTube)<\/a>.<\/p>\n Between 2021 and 2024, the SERA team supported 18 CAT groups engaging 176 participants across diverse professional backgrounds, including nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, health librarians, researchers, and consumers. Interprofessional collaboration is a core feature of our approach: 88% of CAT groups involved two or more specific disciplines and one-third included representation from nursing, allied health, and medical professions.<\/p>\n We are evaluating the impact of CAT groups and how they have informed clinical care. For example, one CAT group explored the evidence on reducing surgical site infections, which led to clinician training and changes to patient care. Finalised reports from these groups are available in our \u201cCAT Bank\u201d in the reports and resources website<\/a>. We are currently working with consumers to develop processes and resources that support meaningful consumer involvement in future CAT groups.<\/p>\n To propose a future CAT group topic, please email STARS_Research@health.qld.gov.au<\/a><\/p>\n In 2021, we embedded consumer and community involvement (CCI) as a core part of the Alliance\u2019s Strategic Plan. Building on this commitment, we established the STARS Research Consumer Network in early 2022 to bring the vision of \u2018no research about us, without us\u2019 to life. This initiative provides meaningful opportunities for consumers and community members to contribute to research, across all stages of the research cycle, and to shape the education of tomorrow\u2019s healthcare professionals. For more information see the CCI in research webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n STARS has an active program to support clinician researchers through its partnership between The University of Queensland and Metro North. SERA is actively building clinician research capacity by providing tailored support and mentoring, strategic initiatives, resources and opportunities for research experience and collaboration. Through activities such as think-tanks, CAT groups, STARS support grants and our newly established internship program, clinicians are supported to develop research skills, engage in evidence-based practice, and lead or contribute to impactful studies.\u00a0 Learn more about how our nursing conjoint is supporting research capacity development for STARS nurses<\/a>.<\/p>\nThink Tanks<\/h2>\n
CAT groups<\/h2>\n
Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI)<\/h2>\n
Building clinician research capacity<\/h2>\n
Research support and contacts<\/h2>\n
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