We are passionate about better understanding and responding to the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Our research identifies and seeks to address the disconnect between health services and health promotion programs that are currently available and those that are specifically designed for and working for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Seven million Australians (29% of the population) live in rural or remote communities. Health indicators for these communities are consistently lower than their metropolitan counterparts, and we are conducting research to address this. We are looking at the full range of health challenges facing Australians and investigating the relevance and effectiveness of existing services and programs for remote and rural communities.

Public Health research is diverse. As a result, the Public Health research program in FHMRI includes a number of research groups, centres and projects covering a range of topics and fields. The ultimate goal of public health research is to improve the health of populations by generating knowledge that can be used to inform policies, programs and interventions aimed at preventing disease, promoting health, and reducing health disparities.

Our Public Health research involves a wide range of methods, including observational studies, clinical trials, surveys and qualitative research. It is highly collaborative and applied – we work in partnership with other researchers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and community members.

Our Public Health researchers are world’s best. There are a wide range of MRFF, NHMRC and ARC funded ongoing research projects focusing on solving our greatest health challenges.

Our researchers are analysing a wide range of health data.

We are using state of the art biostatistics and epidemiological methods to better understand health and health services and to estimate the effectiveness of health technologies, services and programs.

We are developing and applying valid and sustainable health economics methods to support the structured evaluation of costs and benefits to inform health service planning.

We are using information and communications technologies to improve the prevention and management of ill health.

Health professions education research is essential for improved and innovative approaches to educating our future doctors, nurses, speech pathologists, paramedics and other health professionals. We undertake theory-based research as well as applied research, bringing researchers and health professionals together to ensure the application of best-available evidence to practice.

Our researchers conduct projects related to:

• Examiner decision
• Programmatic assessment
• Interprofessional learning
• Clinical supervisor training
• Self-regulated learning
• Faculty development in health professions education
• Fairness in judgement and decision making
• Relevance in education