Australian and New Zealand Medical Radiations Research Network Rebecca Owen Radiation Oncology Mater Centre, Brisbane, AUS.

Australian and New Zealand Medical Radiations Research Network

Rebecca Owen Radiation Oncology Mater Centre, Brisbane, AUS

Queensland

Australian and New Zealand Medical Radiation Research Network

AIR for generous funding & NZIMRT & TROG for ongoing support Many people have contributed and continue contribute to the

development and evolution of the ANZMRRN. Rebecca Owen, Qld (Chair); Sheila Pickard, NSW (Secretary); Tim Deegan, (Qld); Narelle Wallace, (Qld); Craig Watson, (ACT); Trina Archer, (NZ); Andrew Clarke, (NZ); Gay Dungey, (NZ); Kareen Grimshaw, (NZ); Hayley Wooding, (NZ); Sharon Richardson, (WA); Jennifer Cox, (NSW); Meegan Shepherd, (NSW); Sheree Barlin, (NSW); Stephanie Leader, (NSW); Richard Oates, (Vic); Sarah Everitt, (Vic); Charlotte Sale, (Vic); Kellie Knight, (Vic); Melissa Crain, (TROG); Alisha Moore, (TROG); Caroline Wright, (Monash University); Bronwyn Hilder, (Tas); William Tyler Tran (Canada); Kristie Matthews (Monash); Alice Hall (AIR); Paul Gloster (AIR);

Synopsis

1. Research

2. ANZMRRN Aim Concept development www.anzmrrn.org

3. Research Benchmarking Survey – NZ RTs Purpose Results – NZ RTs

What is research?

…investigation undertaken to gain knowledge and understanding…

National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research

…seeking an answer to a question in an organised and consistent way…

Payton OD (1988) Research: the validation of clinical practice,2nd edn. F A Davis, Philadelphia

Research… Why do it?

“Discovery” Challenging Don’t always find what you expect to! Our practice should be evidence based To improve patient outcomes Advances MR

“C. 1895 Radiation Discoveries”

Sophisticated Imaging and Cancer Treatment Technology

Bladder

Prostate

Rectum

“full state”

Seminal Vesicles

Image Courtesy of Sarah Everitt; & Gandey; Standardising radiation dose in 4D-CT Imaging can reduce Lung imaging

Research

Research is a challenge! RT’s attitudes and perceptions toward research

require support before engaging (Skutter et al, 2003 The Radiographer)

Commonly reported barriers Time, education, knowledge of methodologies, mentorship & funding (Wright et al, J Radiat Prac 2009; Agustin et al,

JMIRO)

Aim of the ANZMRRN

To provide a freely available research network that will bring Australian and New Zealand Medical Radiation Professionals together in all aspects of research

The ANZMRRN Story…

Introduced at TROG TRW 2012 Met with enthusiasm! Steering group developed TOR

Input from lead of CRRN 2 Main objectives:

Develop the concept of the network Survey Australia and New Zealand RTs to find out

what (if) they want and need in a research network

Concept

Steering group met regularly since 07/12 Facilitate networking & collaboration Improve communication b/w MRPs To develop high quality MRP led multi-D

research projects Encourage involvement in TROG Provide resources Share & transfer knowledge through

mentorship Survey: of RT research needs

Next….

Presented this concept to the AIR Essentially we have developed a partnership

Working with key members there to create the web space

Being done in 2 phases… Ph 1 is now “live” www.anzmrrn.com AIR Research Grant for the Survey

PHASE 2 – Coming soon!

Secure online membership Facility for generating email Further develop trials/projects

register (proposed & current) Quarterly online Journal Club

With online forum

Outcomes – (we hope!)

Outcomes Improve communication and collaboration

between MRP researchers Increase MRP participation in research Increase the quality of MRP research

Capture outcomes by re-doing the Survey in Aug 2015

Survey - Aims

1. Identify the research qualifications of RTs working in Australia and New Zealand

2. Identify the research activities and level of support that RTs working in Australia and New Zealand are involved in and receive

3. Understand the types of research RTs are involved in

4. Understand the current needs of RT researchers with respect to mentorship and resources

5. Elicit opinions about the proposed research network

Survey Method

HREC approved on-line questionnaire (27 questions)

Sample targeted all RTs practicing in Aus and NZ.

Distributed electronically by: email from the AIR to members Directors of RT departments in Aus & NZ

Results - Snapshot

Survey was distributed between September and October 2013

478 surveys were completed and returned Aus 420 (87.8%) and New Zealand

respondents 58 (12.2%)

Results: NZ Respondents

Auckland; 16%

Waikato ; 19%

Manawatu-Wanganui ; 12%

Wellington ; 22%

Canterbury ; 28%

Otago ; 3%

Demographics: Respondents

1-4

5-910-14

15-19

20+

Years of Experience

Diploma Degree Masters Degree

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

20.7%

77.6%

3.4%

Primary Entry Level Quals

Setting

Public Sector

Private Sector

University

Public or Private?

Regional

Metro

Regional or Metro?

Research Qualifications

• Overall 339 (71%) no research quals,– 39 (11.5%) of these RTs

enrolled in PhD, Masters or Honours degree

• NZ – 23 (40%) Graduated; 10 enrolled

PhD

Doctorat

e

Mast

ers

Honours

Grad Dip

Grad Cert

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

RTs research quals?

Are you involved in Research?

• What type of research?– 10 respondents– Qualitative =

Quantitative

No Yes As the principal

researcher

As an as-sociate re-searcher

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

Are you involved?

Research Mentorship

56 respondents 6 (out of 10) had research mentors 50 do not

Comprise Academics (majority), RTs, ROs, Physicists & Nursing

14 (40 responded) identified that they would like a research mentor

Advantage of a Mentor?

40 Free text responses 90 % positive

“Support, encouragement, wisdom, networking skills"

“Guidance with research for someone who has little experience in this area would be helpful, make it less daunting”

“I have been a quantitative researcher …. More recently I have become involved in qualitative research... I could do with a qualitative research mentor"

Resource Needs

When asked about resource needs RTs rated:

1. General awareness of research process

2. Study design & methods

3. GCP

4. Statistics and Ethics equally down the list

Access to Time for Research

No Dedicated Re-search Position

CPD PDL Overlap 0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

10.0%

22.5%

52.5%

20.0% 22.5%

Can you access time to participate in research?

How is Research Encouraged?

Research training sessions

Time to at-tend re-search courses

Dedicated research position

Research training

tools, ma-terials

Research forums

Journal clubs Inservice0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

How does your centre encourage research activity?

Concept of ANZMRRN

Positive 85 % of respondents (35/58) were interested

in becoming members 85 % indicated that a support network would

increase their participation in research Mentorship was rated highest...

General awareness of the research GCP Study design

Summary - Survey

Validated need for ANZMRRN RT’s feel they would benefit from:

improved knowledge of the research process access to a mentor

Acknowledgements

Funding:• AIR• AIR Research GrantInvestigators:• Sarah Everitt• Caroline Wright• Kellie Knight• Sheila Pickard

Collaborators• AIR• NZIMRT• TROG• Special Thanks to Alice

Hall & Paul Gloster• Sheila Pickard & all the

Steering Group members

Thank you!