More research needed into health systems to guide health reform in Australia

Dr Mary Haines, Health Services Research Director at the Sax Institute, Sydney, and co-authors conducted a bibliographic analysis of research focusing on the organisation and delivery of Australian hospital services for the period 1996 to 2007.

They found that only a small amount of local research was relevant to the reform of the Australian health system. Of the 679 relevant articles published in peer-reviewed journals, 57 per cent (385) were empirical research reports – an average of just 32 publications a year.

Of these articles, 70 per cent were descriptive, 23 per cent tested an intervention, and seven per cent were methodological (that is, related to taking measurements or validating data sources).

“Although research is only one input to the development and implementation of sensible reforms of our hospitals, it has the potential to significantly improve quality, safety and the efficiency of use of hospital resources,” Dr Haines said.

“We have some of the early building blocks in place, including new national research funding schemes, and burgeoning resources of routinely collected data, but more investment, and a strategic approach to developing partnerships and tackling current barriers to research, are needed if we wish to successfully put “science to work for health care reform”.”

Dr Haines said that, although information about the funding source was missing from many articles, the study found that only about 10 per cent of Australian research into hospital systems was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council. The main funding bodies for this research were universities and government departments.

“Australia does not have a specific funding agency or specific research funding programs responsible for commissioning research to support the operational needs of the health system, internationally, there has been significant targeted investment in health services research,” Dr Haines said.

“Optimal funding schemes for the kind of research that will make a significant contribution to informing hospital reform will support partnership approaches, build capacity and provide for prompt review to meet policy timeframes.”

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

The statements or opinions that are expressed in the MJA  reflect the views of the authors and do not represent the official policy of the AMA unless that is so stated.

CONTACT:     Dr Mary Haines     0421 611 431