Health services are uniquely placed to identify gaps and opportunities in health systems and clinical care. Chief Executive Professor Andrew Stripp says Monash Health has a long tradition of research embedded in clinical practice.
“I have the great privilege of working with some of the world’s leading researchers: people who have a lifelong commitment to discovery, clinical treatment and teaching,” he said. “That’s a big part of why we are here; not only are we delivering excellent clinical care today, but we are discovering what needs to be done to deliver excellent clinical care tomorrow.”
The world-class Monash Health Translation Precinct translates laboratory bench-top research through clinical trials and onto the bedside. It also conducts health services research, using data to evaluate treatment strategies and pathways. From 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022, 768 new research projects were submitted for approval to Monash Health. Overall, 1,664 active research projects were underway, including 564 clinical drug trials, 46 device trials, and 1,054 research studies addressing key questions in clinical medicine, public health and the social sciences and services.
The projects provide the opportunity to highlight research into optimal healthcare and translation of all types of research into broad practice. In addition, 161 Quality and Service Improvement activities were registered.
Monash Health is a co-lead on the National Health and Medical Research Council-accredited Research Translation Centre, Monash Partners. The Monash Partners vision is to connect community, researchers and clinicians to innovate for better health. Through this and other vehicles, Monash Health strives to deliver impact at the forefront of healthcare.
As the largest clinical service in Victoria, we treat a wide range of conditions, which fosters a culture of teaching and learning for our doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and support staff. It also attracts research funding for our talented workforce to continue extending healthcare frontiers.
Research awards are typically paid multi-yearly, which translates to total research revenue for FY2021-22 of $73,952,896. These figures testify to the research programs’ scale, scope and importance as well as the calibre of our researchers and partnerships.
PhD students are a critical part of our research success, cementing the future of discovery. There were 306 PhD students enrolled at Monash Health, with 279 at the School of Clinical Sciences (SCS) and 27 at the Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI).
“One of the most exciting aspects of my role is working with young people as they emerge as tomorrow’s researchers under the guidance and advice of some of Australia’s, if not the world’s, leading researchers.” Professor Stripp said. “It fosters their interest in understanding how they can get involved in medical discovery and use their profound sense of curiosity about how the world works, how it is emerging and what it might look like.”
Collaboration and knowledge sharing are crucial in solving the most significant challenges in healthcare. In 2021-22, Monash Health contributed 1,231 publications submitted through the SCS and 174 through the MCHRI. This included 1,196 articles (journal), 191 review articles (journal), nine book chapters and nine other publications. This substantial output is forged from Monash Health’s close relationship with collaborators, partners and universities worldwide, particularly with Monash University and the Hudson Institute of Medical Research.
Professor Stripp said, “Our work with young people as they pursue their dreams is an important aspect of the way we carry ourselves from day to day. To be truly curious, to understand, to problem solve, and to look for new answers helps us find new approaches to providing care – it’s a very exciting place to be.”
The full Monash Health 2021-22 Annual Report can be found here monashhealth.org.
Watch our Research and Academic Excellence video series here.