Strengthening and facilitating the uptake of evidence into primary health care workforce policy

Abstract

Australia faces a primary health care workforce shortage, exacerbated by the increase of demands from an ageing population, increasing co-morbidities and chronic disease. The Australian health system, too, is increasingly complex and fragmented. Academic research is recognising that no single profession can meet all the needs of the primary health care system. In light of this problem, a greater connection between research, practice and informed policy decision making is required to impact primary health care workforce policy reforms, and in particular to strengthen the existing evidence base of the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute's (APHCRI's) work program. This report describes the outcomes of Professor James Buchan's visit as part of the APHCRI International Visiting Fellowship Program. The report outcomes include key findings and messages from Professor Buchan's presentations and roundtable discussions held during his visit from November 3 - 13, 2008. The report also provides implications for APHCRIs primary health care strategic work program regarding building a stronger knowledge base (Strategic goal 1) and facilitating the uptake of evidence (Strategic goal 2