About
VicREN is a practice-based research and education network (PBRN) managed by the Department of General Practice and Primary Care at the University of Melbourne that enables collaboration between 750 primary care practices around Australia (mostly in Victoria), members of the community, researchers and academic institutions. VicREN aims to encourage the conduct of evidence-based primary care practice by:
- Supporting collaborative practice-based primary care research that aims to improve health outcomes and the care experience
- Providing primary care providers and patients with opportunities to engage in research and other development opportunities
- Contributing to dissemination of research findings
The VicREN team have been successfully implementing research in primary care settings since 2007. We are experts in recruiting both practitioners and patients for primary care research without compromising or interrupting clinical care.
Why is VicREN important?
Primary care is the healthcare setting people use and attend most frequently;,however, most health care research is conducted in the hospital or laboratory setting.
Research generated in hospital and laboratory settings may not be relevant to primary care clinical practice. To be applicable and meaningful, research about primary care should be designed for, and undertaken within, the primary care environment. VicREN helps this to happen.
If you are interested in utilising VicREN's research, primary care trials or recruitment services, please complete the enquiries from below and a member of our team will be in contact to discuss your request further. All VicREN service requests must be submitted at least four weeks prior to your research deadline.
Collaborate with us
Our collaborators benefit from our research expertise, including designing studies for the unique general practice environment, providing methodological advice around recruitment of GPs, practices and patients as well as the creation of appropriate recruitment materials and advertisements. Further information is available here.
VicREN members are provided with opportunities to learn more about research and teaching and contribute to research projects that make a difference to practice, public health, and policy. It links primary care practitioners and community members with researchers. Go to the Membership page to learn more.
Community members are also invited to join our Advisory Pool for potential opportunities to contribute to the development of University of Melbourne's Department of General Practice and Primary Care and education activities.
Our Team
- Prof Lena Sanci: VicREN Chair, Head of Department
- Prof Meredith Temple-Smith: Director of Research Training
- Department Database Manager
- Practice Liaison and Recruitment Officers
- Research Assistants
- Department Business Manager A
- Administrator support