Publishing your work is necessary but not sufficient for wider research impact Libby Kalucy Editor in Chief, Australian Journal of Primary Health 9 August 2011

outline 1Publishing in peer reviewed journals – benefits and costs – fears and obstacles – motivating yourself 2The impact of your research – on you and your career – your institution/organisation – wider society

NHMRC strategic plan NHMRC: The Virtuous Cycle

NHMRC strategic plan NHMRC: The Virtuous Cycle

Research only matters if it is disseminated

NHMRC strategic plan NHMRC: The Virtuous Cycle

1Why publish? Track record – career progression Enduring record of your research Future funding Add to body of knowledge Credibility of research Avoid duplication

Barriers Time Confidence Skills Putting it off Fear of rejection Costs of online publishing

Tips Be organised – perspiration plus inspiration Work together and encourage each other Set deadlines Form writing groups Ask for help Read your work aloud Attend staff development to learn to write well Seek opportunities to review articles

Getting published Agree on the order of authors and their roles Identify the most suitable journal for your work before you start Follow the instructions to authors Seek internal review of your work from your colleagues before you submit it to the journal Very few papers are accepted without changes Persist in seeking publication making use of the reviewers’ comments

Your views?

2Why does impact matter? There is an increasing expectation from the Australian community for health and medical research to deliver improvements in health. NHMRC Strategic plan : research is changing All Australians benefit from the outcomes of health and medical research, particularly when that research is translated into improved primary and hospital care, aged care, or better preventative health strategies. NHMRC Strategic plan : Message from Minister Nicola Roxon

Vital Research for a Vital Australia: Personal Stories, October 2010 Research Australia is proud to present Vital Health: personal stories. This new publication presents a range of research and members together to demonstrate the wonderful impact that can be made on people’s lives. This publication brings together government policy initiatives, clinical guidelines, breakthroughs in practice and patient stories. These cases provide a definitive link between research and its impact in everyday life. We aim to use these cases to demonstrate to policy makers, politicians and funders that research can make a difference in the real world, rather than being a conceptual or theoretical activity, it can really change lives.

NHMRC strategic plan NHMRC: The Virtuous Cycle

Knowledge production Research transfer Research targeting, capacity building Informing policy and product development Health and health sector benefits Broader economic benefits Research impacts are diverse Adapted from Buxton and Hanney Payback Framework

PHC RIS studied 17 primary health care research projects funded by NHMRC, GPEP, PHCRED Asked Chief Investigators about pathways by which research had impact on policy and practice Looked at expected and achieved impacts Research Impact Study by PHC RIS: Exploring the impact of primary health care research Final Report Stage 2 Primary Health Care Research Impact project Kalucy E, Jackson Bowers E, McIntyre E, Hordacre AL, Reed R Research Impact study

Knowledge production Research transfer Research targeting, capacity building Informing policy and product development Health and health sector benefits Broader economic benefits Number of impacts and researcher influence decreases, attribution challenges increase Adapted from Buxton and Hanney Payback Framework Researcher influence Number of impacts

Research had localised impact on those taking part……. Research team ‘Industry’ partners Research participants

“ Many of the participating general practitioners informed us that they will include combined screening in their clinical practice.” (Screening for Chlamydia) “Already some of the GPs that I interviewed have altered their clinical practice to start facilitating disclosure of sexual orientation.” (Attitudes to Lesbians) “GPs in the study have fed back that they have changed practice in how they offer and discuss prenatal testing with their patients and would use the [decision aid] if it were available.” (Prenatal Screening) Research Impact Study by PHC RIS: Exploring the impact of primary health care research Final Report Stage 2 Primary Health Care Research Impact project Kalucy E, Jackson Bowers E, McIntyre E, Hordacre AL, Reed R. 2009

…..but dissemination was needed for wider impact communities practitioners the public policy advisors regulatory bodies researchers health industry Research team useful usable knowledge tailored specific methods decision makers See PHC RIS infobyte on Dissemination

What is useful information? O’Shaughnessy’s equation on usefulness of medical information Usefulness = relevance X validity effort The best source of information provides highly relevant and valid information which can be obtained with minimum effort. (Shaughnessy et al J. Fam Practice 1994; 39: )

What worked…examples Collaborative approach to research Research Advisory Committee Feedback to participants Researcher on policy/practice committees Kalucy et al 2009

Planning for impact: examples The Audit and best practice in chronic disease (ABCD) project “specifically sought to influence educational curricula and training programs as a strategy to strengthen capacity in use of CQI concepts. This was done through engagement of people with responsibility for such programs in the research.”

What worked…examples…cont. Researchers / teachers / practitioners Final report – accessible & active distribution Launch of product/tool/report Conference presentations – to practitioners Presentations to practitioners, policy makers, target population Kalucy et al 2009

strong collaborative links involvement on committees involvement in decision making forums personal relationships involvement of end users in the research processes alignment with Government priorities and dominant ideas Impacts were achieved through

Key points Work together with users Spread research findings beyond those directly involved in the research Communicate in ways to suit different audiences Plan for the impact you want to achieve in the short and long term Add to the enduring knowledge base

Lessons from dissemination in last 20 years Decision-makers need syntheses of knowledge with actionable messages around a specific issue, rather than individual studies. The scholarly journal article is not an appropriate format for research dissemination to decision-makers – Far greater benefit is achieved through more readily accessible electronic, paper and (increasingly) personal presentation of results to influential people in the target audience/s.

Resources on publishing, dissemination and impact Australian Journal of Primary Health ex.php

Questions?