Our Experience

Our experience & networks

Since 2005, we have led over 25 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of which 56% of these trials have been funded in the last five years. Over 370 general practices and more than 24,000 participants were randomised across the 25 randomised controlled trials.  We have expertise in the design and analysis of pragmatic trial in the primary care setting, particularly multi-site trials, cluster randomised trials, and stepped wedge designs. In addition to the conduct of randomised controlled trials, the Department has expertise in process and outcome evaluations, which determine whether the intervention has been implemented as intended. Qualitative methods are often used for this, as they offer information specific to the context of trial.

Some Department of General Practice and Primary Care staff are also part of the Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4) which specialises in trials related to all aspects of the cancer continuum from prevention to palliative care.

Our extensive research network comprises members of the Victorian Research and Education Network (VicREN) and general practices participating in our Data for Decisions program. Established in 2007, VicREN is a primary care, practice-based research and education network with over 200 individual members. Additionally, there are over 100 general practices and community health centres involved in the Data for Decisions program.  We pride ourselves on facilitating collaborative research in primary care settings without compromising or interrupting clinical care.