A $35,000 grant is up for grabs for GP-led research into digital systems and how they make clinical working lives better.
Best Practice Software has partnered with the RACGP’s philanthropic arm to offer a $35,000 grant to support GP-led research into how digital systems affect workforce retention and the day-to-day working lives and stress levels of clinicians.
Applications for the 12-month Digital Resilience Grant are now open to GPs and registrars.
The Australian General Practice Research Foundation said projects should be relevant to the factors associated with GP workplace satisfaction and retention, the influence of digital systems on workload, and how digital tools can reduce stress and improve efficiency.
“GPs are under increasing pressure, and technology should be part of the solution, not the problem,” said Best Practice Software CEO Craig Hodges.
“We are excited to support research that looks at how digital systems can better support GP wellbeing, improve day-to-day practice and ultimately lead to better care for patients,” he said.
“This partnership reflects Best Practice Software’s long-standing values of innovation, collaboration and strong connection to the general practice community, ensuring the systems we build continue to evolve alongside the needs of GPs.”
National manager of research and foundation at the AGPRF, Dr Taryn Elliott said the research would improve understanding of how to support sustainable and effective general practice environments.
“We are grateful to partner with Best Practice Software in supporting general practice research,” she said.
“This is an exciting opportunity to focus on GP wellbeing in the digital space, an area that is increasingly important as technology continues to shape how care is delivered.”
GPs and GP registrars with an interest in digital health, systems design and workforce wellbeing can apply here. Applications close on 22 June.
Applicants at all stages of their research career are encouraged to apply, the AGPRF said.
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To be eligible for the grant, the principal investigator must:
- Be a general practitioner or general practice registrar
- Demonstrate an active leadership role in the project, AND
- Demonstrate either sufficient experience in leading and conducting research to ensure successful completion, or that the research team includes appropriate supervision and support to do so.
The AGPRF said projects should be of relevance to the protective factors that support GP wellbeing and long-term workforce participation, such as:
- Factors associated with GP satisfaction, wellbeing and retention in contemporary general practice
- The influence of digital systems on workload, stress and professional satisfaction
- Digital configurations or workflow approaches that may reduce stress or improve efficiency
- The relationship between continuity of care and professional satisfaction
- Differences in digital burden across practice settings, including rural and regional general practice
- The role of embedded learning or decision support within digital systems in improving efficiency without increasing workload
Successful applicants will be required to:
- Formally accept the grant and enter into a Grant Agreement with the administering organisation
- Participate in a short interview with the Foundation
- Meet key project milestones, including reporting requirements, with payments linked to specified milestones
- Acknowledge the support of the Foundation and funding partner in relevant outputs
