Research from a clinical evidence-base and from basic medical sciences is required to validate the efficacy, safety, quality and cost effectiveness of medicines to enable health practitioners and consumers to make informed decisions regarding their use. I lead or am involved in collaborative translational research designed to enhance the evidence base to improve the rational use of medicines and patient outcomes. Much of my research is conducted within the Quality Use in Medicines (QUM) framework of Australia’s National Medicines Policy.

My PhD related to consumer/patient health and medicines information help-seeking and decision-making behaviours (mixed method design). Over time, my research themes have evolved, and now focus on the following domains:

• Medicines Information seeking and decision-making behaviours
• Medication safety and pharmacovigilance
• Evidence based practice  (across the age continuum -child, women, men & the aged), antimicrobial stewardship; complementary medicines )
• Pharmacoepidemiology and publich health (including clinical audit)
• Education, in particular interprofessional learning.

Since 2012, I have been a principal or co-investigator on 6 research grants totalling over $3 million dollars. My main collaborators include colleagues from Bond University, Institute of Evidence Based Practice; Mater Research-UQ; Mater Health, Brisbane and the University of Queensland School of Medicine and School of Pharmcy. 

Current grant:

2017 Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences Research Collaboration Seeding Grant. Hollingworth S, Hawley G, Strand H, Ford P, Thomson P, McGuire T, van Driel M. Antimicrobial stewardship: prescribing across the primary care health, January 2017 ($39,263).

Research from a clinical evidence-base and from basic medical sciences is needed to validate the efficacy, safety, quality and cost effectiveness of medicines to enable health practitioners and consumers to make informed decisions regarding their use.

I lead or am involved in collaborative translational research designed to enhance the evidence base to improve the rational use of medicines and patient outcomes.

My research themes are broad, so can offer supervision to future HDR students in the following areas:

• Medicines Information seeking  and decision-making behaviours
• Medication safety and pharmacovigilance
• Evidence based practice  (across the age continuum -child, women, men & the aged), antimicrobial stewardship; complementary medicines )
• Pharmacoepidemiology and publich health
• Education, in particular interprofessional learning.