The projects worth $620,000 will focus on a range of general practice issues including health inequities and care access barriers.
More than $600,000 in general practice research grants is up for grabs through the RACGP and three of Australia’s largest private health insurers.
The RACGP and private health insurer Medibank have teamed up to provide $250,000 in funding for projects focusing on preventative care in primary care.
The grant, provided through the Medibank Better Health Foundation and the RACGP’s Australian General Practice Research Foundation, will fund up to two projects that addressing health inequity and access barriers to preventive care.
Other areas of focus include the prevention and early detection of chronic diseases, and technology-enabled preventive care and digital health solutions.
RACGP vice president Dr Ramya Raman welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with Medibank and urged researchers, health services and organisations to apply.
“This research grant is a positive step forward,” she said.
“The college has been at the forefront of promoting general practice research for more than 60 years, and despite the vital role that GPs and practice teams play in improving the lives of patients across the nation, general practice receives less than 2% of our national medical research funding.
“Embracing new technologies with the potential to enhance patient care, figuring out how best to prevent and detect chronic diseases, and confronting the stubborn barriers holding back Australians from accessing this care are all worthy causes. There’s no substitute for the care you receive from a GP who knows you, and your history.”
It’s not the first time the college and Medibank have collaborated through their respective foundations – in 2023 they provided a $250,000 grant to fund research into digital health in primary care.
Medibank Group Medical Director Dr Shona Sundaraj also welcomed the opportunity to partner again with the RACGP.
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“Primary care is the foundation of the health system and we are delighted to support the critical role of GPs in supporting the health and wellbeing of every person in Australia,” she said.
“Medibank and the RACGP share a commitment to supporting evidence-based preventative care with real-world applications. This grant champions GP-led research in areas of some of the highest health need in our community.”
As the philanthropic arm of the RACGP, the Australian General Practice Research Foundation supports research that improves patient care, informs healthcare policy and guidelines, empowers our healthcare professionals, and builds healthier communities.
Since 2015 the foundation has awarded almost $5 million in research funding supporting 121 projects.
It currently has another grant program supported by another private health insurer – the nib foundation – also up to two grants worth a total of $250,000.
These grants will centre on systemic issues in the Australian healthcare system, focussing on the financial sustainability of general practice; non-pharmacological interventions in general practice, including social prescribing, health promotion, and/or illness prevention; and collaboration and coordination of care within the broader healthcare ecosystem.
A third collaboration with the HCF Research Foundation is also seeking expressions of interest. This offers one grant of $120,000 in the focus area of health services issues of relevance to general practice, including the impact of different models of care; access to care; effectiveness of care; quality of care; efficiency of care and cost of care.
Expressions of interest in each of these three research grants close on 4 April.
More information about these and other grants on offer through the foundation is available here.