Australian and New Zealand Medical Radiations Research Network Rebecca Owen Radiation Oncology Mater Centre, Brisbane, AUS
Dec 26, 2015
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!