Research Priorities

Rural health research priorities for the Monash University School of Rural Health fall within the following major areas:

Rural health workforce issues

• rural medical and allied health workforce recruitment and retention
• advanced nursing practice
• gender issues in rural health workforce
• International Medical Graduates
• rural and remote classifications

Models of health services in rural and remote areas :

• sustainable service delivery models
• service accessibility
• the role of information technology
• delivery of mental health services

Rural medical health education and support :

• the medical schools outcomes database project
• rural exposure and medical placements programs

Rural community development and capacity building :

• change and restructuring within rural communities
• rural and regional development

Indigenous health

Determinants of rural health and population health issues :

• rural and environmental epidemiology
• health behaviour of rural youth
• ageing in rural areas
• rural injuries
• rural consumer preferences for health services and involvement in quality improvement

Clinical topics:

• management of chronic diseases, such as osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer
• mental health
• disabilities
• rural surgery
• rural pharmacy

Rural health research methodologies :

• research capacity building

Rural health policy and program evaluation