Page 1408 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 1 May 1990
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Research is an integral part of general clinical practice. Without it, clinical medicine becomes outdated and standards generally slip. The lead time for research discoveries to be introduced into clinical practice is now considerably shorter than it was a decade ago, particularly in the areas of diagnostic methods and high technology.
Mr Wood: Are you going to spend money on this?
MR HUMPHRIES: If you wait and listen, Mr Wood, you might find out. Clinicians not exposed to a research environment find it increasingly difficult to keep up with modern practice and fall behind. Not all clinicians can or need to participate in research, but all should be exposed to it in varying levels and degrees. The importance of communicating to other practising doctors is an important facet of research.
Without a favourable atmosphere for research, the training of residents is sub-optimal. Therefore, if we in Canberra wish to attain levels of patient care comparable to those in other major cities in Australia, it is necessary to pay attention to the well-being of teaching and research.
Research in the ACT started in 1952 with the formation of the John Curtin School of Medical Research located in temporary quarters. The transfer to permanent buildings in 1958 enabled the conduct of medical research of high international standing. Expansion of clinical research occurred in 1966 and again in 1982 when facilities were gained at Woden Valley Hospital. Further expansion recently occurred in 1989 at both Woden Valley Hospital and the Australian National University. A review of the John Curtin School of Medical Research was conducted in early 1988.
The report noted the overall high-quality work of the human genetics and medical and clinical sciences laboratories. The report further commented that the establishment of productive relationships with the clinic through the Woden Valley and Royal Canberra Hospitals was to be applauded and was considered to be advantageous for both the basic and the clinical research programs of the school and to contribute to the application of new technologies to clinical diagnosis and practice. Such laboratory-clinic interactions should be enhanced further in the future.
A valuable amount of research is being done at Woden Valley Hospital and a smaller amount at the Royal Canberra Hospital, and this is significantly enhanced by the contribution of the division of medicine and clinical sciences of the John Curtin School of Medical Research. The full-time medical specialists private practice trust funds have provided a significant amount of money for research.
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