EVENTS
2026 Darling Downs Health Research & Quality Improvement Showcase Ready, Set, Research!
Darling Downs Health invites you to join the 2026 Research and Quality Improvement Showcase — a celebration of innovation, collaboration, and impact across our health service.
Date: Tuesday, 21 April 2026
Location: Jeff Prebble Lecture Theatre, Toowoomba Hospital + Online
Why Attend?
- Discover DDH-led research and improvement projects
- Connect with colleagues and collaborators
- Celebrate innovation, driving better health outcomes
Register to Attend
Be part of this exciting event in person or online.
Value based healthcare in rural Australia: Challenges, opportunities and future directions
As countries around the world grapple with rapid growth in healthcare expenditure alongside worsening outcomes, there is greater focus on how healthcare systems can better convert investment into outcomes. In this context, value-based healthcare; a model of healthcare delivery and evaluation which prioritises the optimisation of patient outcomes relative to the cost of care; has become increasingly prominent.
Whilst Australia currently lacks a national strategic framework for the implementation of value-based healthcare, policies and initiatives at both national and state levels signify a concerted effort towards the implementation of value-based principles in the design, delivery and evaluation of healthcare. This transition could represent and important advancement towards improving health outcomes for rural and remote Queenslanders, if and only if these populations are included in the research and policy design which guides it.
This presentation will introduce the concept of value-based healthcare, how it is relevant for improving healthcare in rural communities and the key challenges and opportunities to its successful adoption in these settings. It will also explore the current evidence base on this topic, gaps in our understanding and future directions for both research and implementation.
About the presenter:
Meggan Devery is a health economist at Mater Research and the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health. Her work focuses on disparities in health outcomes experienced by people from marginalised or disadvantaged communities and the intersection between the aims of equity and efficiency within the Australian healthcare system. She is passionate about the role of economic concepts, perspectives and methodologies in driving investment towards improving healthcare accessibility and quality for all Australians.
Online Seminar and Q&A session
Tuesday 26th May 10:00 am
Register online now
QRHIRC Intensive Research Training Program 2026
June – November 2026
QRHIRC will again deliver its Intensive Research Training Program in 2026, designed to support rural and regional health professionals to develop the skills, confidence and networks needed to initiate and lead research within their roles.
This structured program supports participants from early concept development through to Research Ethics submission, building practical capability in applied health research.
Program Inclusions:
-In-person research workshop days
-Dedicated research mentorship
-Guided support through to submission of a Research Ethics application
Whether you are new to research or looking to formalise an idea into a project, this program provides practical,
supported pathways to get started.
Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now open. Applications close May 19th 2026 or when places are full,
whichever occurs first. This program is suitable for individuals and small teams.
Download the participant information and EOI form to apply. Research mentors are also sought.
Experienced researchers interested in participating as a mentor should download the mentor information form or email QRHIRC@health.qld.gov.au
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