Funding boost to support clinicians combine research and work

  • State Government awards $1.4 million for clinician led research projects
  • Four successful applicants share research funding
  • Partnership with Raine Medical Research Foundation for better health outcomes for Western Australians

The Cook Government has awarded four Western Australian clinicians $1.4 million to fund research projects while still fulfilling shifts in clinics or on the wards.

Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson said the Clinician Research Fellowships (CRF) Program encourages clinicians employed by WA Health Service Providers to pursue their research ambitions.

The funding – up to $450,000 over three years – supportsapplicants to continue some clinical duties while also working on research projects to improve healthcare outcomes.

The Cook Government’s Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund has partnered with Raine Medical Research Foundation to deliver the program.

The successful applicants include two doctors from Perth Children’s Hospital – Dr Bradley MacDonald is looking at echocardiographic and clinical determinants of outcomes in rheumatic heart disease, and Dr Daniel Yeoh aims to optimise diagnosis of pulmonary invasive fungal disease in immunocompromised children.

Royal Perth Hospital’s Dr Colin Chin is leading work on clinical applications of place-of-care manufactured CAR T-cell therapy in cancer.

In allied health, Fiona Stanley Hospital’s Dr Lisa van der Lee is leading the “Breathe Up” project for physiotherapists working in the intensive care unit to improve the treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

The full list of recipients can be found on the FHRI Fund – Funding outcomeswebsite.

As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:

“The Cook Government is excited to work with the Raine Medical Research Foundation on this important research initiative to support frontline clinicians combine research and work demands.

“With a 60-year history supporting health and medical research, this is a positive partnership to help improve health outcomes for Western Australians.

“This program helps us support clinicians to both practice in medical or allied health while carrying out important research that could lead to major health discoveries.

“Congratulations to the successful applicants. We look forward to following your research journey.”

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