Workshop for New Zealand Health DeliveryResearch Investment Stream

Project Applicants

 New Zealand Health Delivery Research Investment Stream  Outcome of NZHD Project Applications in 2011-14 Rounds Feedback from Committee Chairs and Recommendations for Applicants

Outline

PurposeScope (what’s in & what’s out)GoalsPriorities (only HW and IOACC)Research characteristics (NZHD)Examples• Research areas in scope• Research better aligned with other RIS• FAQ

Investment Signals

Research Investment Streams

Rangahau Hauora Māori

Building Māori knowledge & capability to address Māori health issues

Improving Outcomes for Acute & Chronic Conditions in NZ

Improving outcomes in illness& injury

Health and Wellbeing in NZUnderstanding health and preventing

illness & injuryNZ Health Delivery

Immediate impact on policy & health

delivery

Goals: To make informed decisions or valuable changes as a direct result of the research within 5 years

Purpose: strengthen the use of evidence to inform decision-making in health practice or to improve the health system

Scope: research that can contribute to an outcome of improved health service delivery over the short-to-medium term

Research characteristics• Change of orientation• End-user engagement • Knowledge transfer

NZHD Applications in 2011-2014 Rounds

2014 2013 2012 2011

Number of Fundable Applications

4 3 3 9

Number of Full Applications 9 10 18 23

% of Fundable Applications 44.4 30.0 16.7 39.1

• Results were disappointing for applicants and HRC

Feedback from Committee Chairs

Key strengths

• Research topics were worthy of research and investment

• Increased numbers of Clinicians involved in proposed studies

Feedback from Committee Chairs

Over half of the applications (more in early years) did not score well across the assessment criteria.

A range of issues but two key areas?

1. Lacking rigor, justification and specification of methodology and study design.

AND

2. Lacking specification of clear impact on practice / policy and the process to deliver that (eg specification of the translational component embedded in proposal)

The right people to deliver impact The right process to achieve impact

Approach used not adequately justified as the best /most appropriate

Poor linking of study outcomes with Research Investment Signal goal

Research team had limited research experience (or lacking the full range of skills needed)

Budgets contained costs that were not well justified. eg too high FTE without a clear exposition

(but watch having too little FTE to do the work!)

Feedback from Committee ChairsOther weaknesses to consider

Key Recommendations for the Applicants

Establish linkages with end-users at EOI stage wherever possible (and have named contributors for full submission).

Check panel feedback on EOI (may improve the quality

of Full applications)

Worth getting peer review of your applications by local experts (methodology and translational components)

If doing an RCT - must select “RCT” as Type of Research in HRC Gateway

Ensure research methods are clear, operationalised and justified as the best for the particular study being done

Clearly link study outcomes with Investment Signal goals

Specify what translation of outcomes will be achieved within five years of the contract commencing - and how

So the key actions for applicants now?

Must be similar to Expression of Interest application

Can edit lay summary (based on EOI feedback) NIs can be substituted, HRC must be informed Guidelines, Investment Signal & Peer Review

Manual Ensure you have assembled a good team with

appropriate FTE, skills and collaborations (e.g. biostatistician, health economist, etc.)

Make your objectives clear, realistic and achievable

Tips for Writing Full Application

Demonstrate appropriate responsiveness to Māori Demonstrate engagement with stakeholders and

end-users Clearly identify the roles of NZ NIs within

multinational studies Write for a more general scientific audience Poor presentation can give a bad first impression

Check spelling, structure and grammar Allow time for internal peer review and rewriting

Tips for Writing Full Application

• Contact your Research Office• Peer Review Manual 2014• Guidelines

www.hrc.govt.nzinfo@hrc.govt.nz Level 3, ProCare Building, 110 Stanley

Street, Auckland

Email: firstinitialsurname@hrc.govt.nz

Any Questions?