the solution
Research and evaluation procedures are being co-designed and implemented with partners within our state-based translation hubs (which include health service providers and consumer organisations) to bridge this research-implementation gap.
the problem
Studies have indicated it can take up to 17 years for research to be translated to evidence-based care [10]. There are various constraints to implementation, such as insufficient provider knowledge, time, incomplete evidence, inconsistent financing, and a lack of health systems support for ongoing service evaluation and research. This delay means that research investment is often not making meaningful impact in the assessment, support, and treatment of eating disorders. Translation-focused testing of accessible, effective, cost-effective, and scalable models of care into mainstream health service and policy need to be prioritised.
our aims
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Work with service providers to identify and implement appropriate detection strategies in frontline care
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Pilot & evaluate scalable, evidence-based treatment packages tailored to mainstream settings
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Integrate co-design and lived experience into each stage of the translation and implementation process.
Translation hub partner organisations:
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New South Wales – InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders (IOI; Partnership between University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District)
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Victoria – Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV) & Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders (CEED)
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Queensland – Queensland Eating Disorder Service (QuEDS), Child and Youth Mental Health Services Eating Disorder Program (CYMHS-EDP), Eating Disorders Queensland (EDQ), and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
Within our translation hubs we are designing the tools to suit mainstream health settings and test for effectiveness and efficiency. We are providing opportunities to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of these state-based translation hubs as a practical and feasible way to reduce the research-implementation gap into the future.
"Collaboration is at the heart of co-design. Through sharing knowledge, stories and experiences, we are better able to meet our shared goals in forwarding eating disorder research and care. Working with community is integral in our work."
Dr Sumedha Verma, Mainstream Postdoctoral Researcher, Victorian Translation Hub
“If we aim to make data collection part of health services' core business, we must make contributing its value back to the health service part of our core business too. By co-designing a system that makes data accessible and genuinely useful in their day-to-day, we aim to build clinicians' confidence and interest in contributing to research and quality improvement projects."
Dr Morgan Sidari, Mainstream Postdoctoral Researcher, Queensland Translation Hub
10. Morris ZS, Wooding S, Grant J. The answer is 17 years, what is the question: understanding time lags in translational research. J R Soc Med. 2011 Dec;104(12):510-20. https://doi.org/10.1258/jrsm.2011.110180
Establishment of natural research hubs to implement translation-focused testing of accessible, effective, cost-effective, and scalable models of care into mainstream health service and policy.