Needs-based workforce planning in primacy care

The formation, structure, and financing of multidisciplinary teams (MDT) in primary care in Australia from a patient perspective is not well understood, particularly when providers are not co-located. This is despite MDT care being a stated aim of the Australian Government as a means of improving the quality of care and to better utilise the available health workforce. Important considerations include patient preferences for team membership, the coordination of care, the sharing of patient information between relevant providers and the role of allied health providers within the team. To explore the MDT in primary care, this project will use the participatory systems thinking (ST) approach of Group Model Building (GMB) - a form of theory, action research, implementation strategy, decision support and strategic planning. The aim of GMB is to engage transdisciplinary expertise to:

i. develop a systems understanding around a problem/intervention;

ii. better understand a focused problem within a complex system;

iii. to share knowledge and explore cause and effect over time; and

iv. to build qualitative systems maps based upon shared vision. 

Engaging with a ST approach enables a focus on the whole system (not parts) and its internal structure (what can be controlled not what cannot). Bringing together informed stakeholders, experts, and diverse perspectives to develop a systems understanding of an intervention provides a rich evidence base.

This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.

The scholarship includes:

• living stipend of $36,400 per annum tax free (2025 rate), indexed annually
• your tuition fees covered

Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship.

You must contact the principal supervisor for this project to discuss your interest. You should only complete the online application after you have reached agreement on supervision.

Always make sure you are approaching your potential supervisor in a professional way. We have provided some guidelines for you on how to contact a supervisor.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history.

A working knowledge of and experience working with large data sets, systems dynamics and system thinking and planning/modelling techniques and building modellings in computational data tools would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of systems thinking/modelling and dynamics and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of stakeholder engagement is highly desirable.

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 3, 2025. To allow time for your application to be processed, we recommend applying no later than 31 March, 2025 31 December, 2024.

You can start in an earlier research quarter. See application dates.

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. Contact Professor Lisa Nissen (l.nissen@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a PhD. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

• My higher degree is not collaborative
• I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship
• UQ Earmarked Scholarship type.

Apply now