EVENTS
Value based healthcare in rural Australia: Challenges, opportunities and future directions
As countries around the world grapple with rapid growth in healthcare expenditure alongside worsening outcomes, there is greater focus on how healthcare systems can better convert investment into outcomes. In this context, value-based healthcare; a model of healthcare delivery and evaluation which prioritises the optimisation of patient outcomes relative to the cost of care; has become increasingly prominent.
Whilst Australia currently lacks a national strategic framework for the implementation of value-based healthcare, policies and initiatives at both national and state levels signify a concerted effort towards the implementation of value-based principles in the design, delivery and evaluation of healthcare. This transition could represent and important advancement towards improving health outcomes for rural and remote Queenslanders, if and only if these populations are included in the research and policy design which guides it.
This presentation will introduce the concept of value-based healthcare, how it is relevant for improving healthcare in rural communities and the key challenges and opportunities to its successful adoption in these settings. It will also explore the current evidence base on this topic, gaps in our understanding and future directions for both research and implementation.
About the presenter:
Meggan Devery is a health economist at Mater Research and the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health. Her work focuses on disparities in health outcomes experienced by people from marginalised or disadvantaged communities and the intersection between the aims of equity and efficiency within the Australian healthcare system. She is passionate about the role of economic concepts, perspectives and methodologies in driving investment towards improving healthcare accessibility and quality for all Australians.
Online Seminar and Q&A session
Tuesday 26th May 10:00 am
Register online now
June Research Workshops – Baillie Henderson Hospital, Toowoomba
Join QRHIRC for free, practical, skills-focused research training designed for novice and early career researchers. These in-person workshops build core capabilities in research design, literature searching and critical appraisal. Attend one session or stay for all three. All workshops have limited availability to facilitate interactive learning.
Identifying Your Research Problem & Refining Your Research Question (9:45 am – 11:45 am)
Learn how to turn a broad idea into a clear, answerable research question. This hands-on session covers the characteristics of a well-defined research problem and guides participants through developing a structured research question that supports effective literature searching and study design.
Literature Searching & EndNote Basics (12:15 pm – 1:45 pm)
Build confidence in navigating clinical literature databases and managing references. Participants will learn how to translate a research question into a search strategy, identify relevant scholarly articles, and use EndNote to organise and format references.
Facilitator: Daniel McDonald, Senior Librarian, Darling Downs Health
Trash or Treasure: Identifying Literature That Is Appropriate (2:00 pm – 3:30 pm)
Develop your critical appraisal skills by learning how to distinguish high-quality, relevant literature from sources that are unsuitable for research use. This session introduces practical criteria for assessing credibility, relevance, and methodological rigour.
Facilitator: Dr Praj Gyawali, University of Southern QLD
QRHIRC Intensive Research Training Program 2026
June – November 2026
QRHIRC will again deliver its Intensive Research Training Program in 2026, designed to support rural and regional health professionals to develop the skills, confidence and networks needed to initiate and lead research within their roles.
This structured program supports participants from early concept development through to Research Ethics submission, building practical capability in applied health research.
Program Inclusions:
-In-person research workshop days
-Dedicated research mentorship
-Guided support through to submission of a Research Ethics application
Whether you are new to research or looking to formalise an idea into a project, this program provides practical,
supported pathways to get started.
Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now open. Applications close May 19th 2026 or when places are full,
whichever occurs first. This program is suitable for individuals and small teams.
Download the participant information and EOI form to apply. Research mentors are also sought.
Experienced researchers interested in participating as a mentor should download the mentor information form or email QRHIRC@health.qld.gov.au
2026 Annual QRHIRC Symposium
Disease prevention and service models in rural and regional communities
Hosted by the Queensland Rural Health Innovation and Research Collaborative (QRHIRC), our annual symposium is a dynamic day of learning, collaboration and innovation.
This free in-person event will be held on Thursday, 6 August 2026, at The Annex, Toowoomba.
The symposium brings together health researchers, clinicians, health service staff, students and community members to connect, share ideas, explore current health research, and help shape future projects that will benefit rural and regional Queensland.
Why Attend?
Network with researchers, clinicians and community members
Take part in an interactive co-design workshop
Hear presentations on health research relevant to our region
Contribute to new project ideas and funding opportunities
Learn how research can create real impact in rural and regional communities
Emerging Researcher Presentations
Hear short presentations from emerging local researchers showcasing new and innovative work taking place across our region.
Idea Elevators
Projects developed during the morning workshop will be presented to friendly Idea Elevator panels for feedback to strengthen future grant applications and project plans.
Funding Opportunity
A funding pool of up to $15,000 is available, with up to $7,500 awarded to each successful project developed through the symposium process.
If you have a project idea you would like considered for the workshop, please email QRHIRC@health.qld.gov.au. Applications close Monday, 22nd June 2026.
Registration
Registration is free and includes catering.
You are welcome to register for:
Full Day
Morning Session only (8:30 am – 1:00 pm)
Afternoon Session only (12:30 pm – 4:30 pm)
Please register for one session option only.
Community members are warmly encouraged to attend, learn about local health projects and build confidence in contributing to research through co-design.
Register Online now
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