Deakin University, Barwon Health new PhD pathway to create better health outcomes for Geelong

A new study pathway for medicine, nursing and allied health students has been created by Deakin and Barwon Health. Heres’s how the new positions will improve health outcomes in Geelong.

A new PhD pathway from Barwon Health and Deakin University will aim to improve the health outcomes for Geelong residents. Barwon Health chief executive Frances Diver and Deakin University vice chancellor Iain Martin pictured. Picture: Alison Wynd

The health and wellbeing of Geelong residents will be improved thanks to a new pathway created by Deakin University and Barwon Health.

The research and clinical partnership between the university and health service, marking more than two decades of achievement, has yielded another program in the Clinician Scientist Pathway, aimed at bolstering Geelong’s health outcomes.

Under the CSP, 10 new PhD candidate positions will be funded, creating fresh opportunities in medicine, nursing and allied health.

The CSP differs from existing PhD pathways because it combines 50 per cent clinical work with 50 per cent protected PhD time, blending patient care with research.

According to the university, by incentivising research that’s closely aligned with clinical departments, the pathway will build workforce capability and drive the delivery of innovative, evidence-informed patient care.

Barwon Health chief executive Frances Diver, pictured with Deakin University vice chancellor Iain Martin, said the CSP would play a vital role in the health industry. Picture: Alison Wynd

Barwon Health chief executive Frances Diver said candidates would generate original research and drive the uptake of evidence-based practice, new technologies and improved models of care.

“Clinician PhDs play a vital role in bridging the translation gap, which in turn improves health service efficiency and patient outcomes,” Ms Diver said.

“They are also integral to a culture of innovation and excellence which will ensure we are building the healthcare workforce of the future.”

Deakin and Barwon Health have co-invested $1.34m over four years to fund the 10 new PhD positions.

Deakin vice chancellor Iain Martin said the longstanding partnership between Barwon Health and Deakin was committed to a vibrant culture of education, training and research that leveraged Barwon Health’s clinical and healthcare expertise and Deakin’s research excellence and innovative education.

The partnership to date has delivered globally significant research outcomes across health disciplines, including the internationally recognised Barwon Infant Study and the Geelong Osteoporosis Study.

It has also contributed to growing the healthcare workforce for the southwest region and beyond.

Since the establishment of the Geelong Clinical School in 2010, more than 800 Deakin students have undertaken their medical training at Barwon Health before successfully graduating as doctors.

The partnership has also resulted in more than 11,000 clinical placements for Deakin’s nursing and midwifery students over the past decade and nearly 1500 student placements for occupational therapy students since 2014.

Additionally, 150 social work placements have been provided to Deakin Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work students since 2013.

The Clinician Scientist Pathway will be open to medical, nursing, midwifery and allied health clinicians.

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Originally published as Deakin University, Barwon Health new PhD pathway to create better health outcomes for Geelong