Showcasing Research at Adelaide PHN

At Adelaide PHN, collaboration is at the core of creating a stronger, more responsive health system.

Our strategic partnership with Flinders University's Caring Futures Institute (CFI) continues to strengthen research capacity, impact and reach. Through co-funded research positions, this partnership is driving innovation and fostering meaningful collaborations.

Since 2025, we have supported 27 research proposals led by institutions across Australia. Each project aligns with our strategic priorities and reflects our commitment to improving health outcomes.

This support has included providing through letters of support, in-kind expertise, and leadership on project steering committees.

The Adelaide PHN-CFI partnership is delivering strong research outputs while building workforce capability. To date, it has delivered:

• Nine peer-reviewed publications (including PHN authors)
• 32 conference presentations nationally and internationally
• 44 PHN authorship contributions and seven PHN-led presentations
• Two staff undertaking Industry PhDs and two hosted PhD candidates, with a third in recruitment

Collaborative Research in Action

Across our region, this work is translating into real improvements in how care is delivered and experienced.

Early Intervention Initiatives

Across its first two phases, this program has reached over 1,100 patients across 26 general practices, supporting earlier identification and management of chronic conditions and frailty.

• Phase 1 enabled 10 general practices to support patients with earlier identification and management of chronic conditions, dementia and frailty
• Phase 2 supported enhanced frailty screening and management across 16 general practices, increasing provider confidence and embedding proactive, preventative care
• Phase 3 (launching June 2026) will focus on improving nurse-led care coordination of health assessments, advance care planning, and social prescribing for older adults in 12 general practices

Social Prescribing: Prescriptions for Connection

This co-designed initiative enables GPs to address loneliness and social isolation by connecting patients with local, non-clinical supports.

Delivered with the Port Adelaide Enfield, Prospect and Walkerville councils, and funded by the Northern Community Health & Research Foundation (NCHRF) and The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF), this model is demonstrating how social prescribing can improve wellbeing through community engagement.

Integrated Models of Care

Improving care coordination is another key focus. Two projects are exploring how to create more patient-centred care through co-design, implementation and evaluation of pilot models:

• A heart failure integration project in Northern Adelaide, funded by Health Translation SA (HTSA), is strengthening connections between hospital, primary care, and community services to patient care journeys
• A project seeking integrated care for people experiencing disability, funded by the Lifetime Support Authority, is mapping the care journeys and lived experiences of people living with disability following motor vehicle accidents to co-design more integrated, responsive, and person-centred care systems

Both projects are due for completion in June 2026, with outcomes expected to inform scalable models of care.

Multidisciplinary Team Care in Primary Care

To support patients with complex chronic conditions, we are evaluating multidisciplinary programs building capacity for multidisciplinary team care. These programs will be focused on general practice and allied health providers - including small and solo practices - within the northern and southern regions of Adelaide.

General Practice Access and Care in Residential Aged Care

Through our support of research training, we are exploring critical gaps in care delivery. This project is conducted by enterprise scholarship PhD recipient Jolyn Johan, who is exploring the access, delivery, barriers, enablers and models of care that shape how primary care is delivered in residential aged care homes.

Looking Ahead

The partnership between Adelaide PHN and the CFI continues to explore opportunities to co-design and evaluate innovative solutions to complex mental health challenges.

This collaboration will remain a cornerstone to our approach, supporting healthier, more connected communities across our region.