Australia’s first rural general practice-based clinical trials network is calling on GPs across Western Australia to integrate high-quality research into their everyday practice.
The PARTNER Network currently supports more than 100 regional, rural and remote general practices across Australia to participate in clinical trials and be involved in impactful rural research relevant to their communities.
PARTNER Network WA State Coordinator Kerry Leggett said its first clinical trials had begun in WA in Bunbury, Busselton and Albany, and it was seeking more general practices across the State to participate.
“We are very excited to get our first clinical trials underway in WA. This is a significant step towards embedding high-quality, relevant research into rural primary care,” Kerry said.
"The initial trials are focusing on insomnia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), conditions commonly managed in general practice. These studies have been carefully reviewed by the PARTNER Network to ensure they are both feasible and appropriate for rural settings, and that workflows are integrated smoothly into day-to-day clinical care.”
The PARTNER Network is working in partnership with the Rural Clinical School of WA (RCSWA) to help facilitate contact between interested practices and national trial teams.
RCSWA Head of Division and PARTNER Network WA Academic Lead Associate Professor Andrew Kirke said once contact with GPs had been made, the Network was committed to understanding what on-the-ground resources and support the doctors needed to confidently participate in research.
“Our aim is not just to deliver trials, but to ensure rural general practices are appropriately resourced, trained and remunerated to host them well into the future,” Associate Professor Kirke said.
“This requires gaining a clear understanding of what resources - such as protected time, IT and administrative systems, governance capacity and research training - are needed for practices to continue delivering research sustainably.”
The Network is prioritising underrepresented areas of WA including the Wheatbelt, Great Southern, Midwest, Goldfields, Pilbara and Kimberley regions, and is engaging with Aboriginal-Controlled Community Health Services and local health services to ensure the membership reflects the full diversity of WA’s rural communities.
“Rural and remote communities across WA have a critical role to play in shaping the future of health research,” Associate Professor Kirke said.
“Our focus is on building long-term, place-based partnerships that make clinical trials more accessible, more relevant and ultimately more impactful for rural patients and the clinicians who care for them.”
For more information about becoming a GP member of the Network, contact [email protected]
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Image: Geraldton GP Dr Emma Jones, PARTNER Network WA State Coordinator Kerry Leggett, Manjimup GP Dr Kayla Mizzi, and PARTNER Network WA Academic Lead Associate Professor Andrew Kirke.
About the PARTNER Network
The PARTNER Network is a national initiative connecting rural general practices with clinical trial opportunities designed specifically for primary care. It focuses on building capacity, supporting equitable access, and ensuring research is feasible and beneficial to rural communities.
Under the stewardship of the University of Melbourne, the Network is driven by a group of internationally recognised academic GPs and primary care experts including:
• Professor Lena Sanci (University of Melbourne)
• Associate Professor Andrew Kirke (University of Western Australia, RCSWA)
• Associate Professor David Gonzalez-Chica (University of Adelaide)
• Professor Nigel Stocks (University of Adelaide)
• Professor Jan Radford (University of Tasmania)
• Professor Katharine Wallis (University of Queensland)
The network is funded by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and delivered as part of the Australian Teletrial Program.