The Power of Care

The importance of health research
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In May, we celebrate three international days to honor healthcare workers. On the 5th, it was the International Day of the Midwife, focusing on Sustainable Midwifery: Caring for Tomorrow's World. Then, on the 12th, it was International Nurses Day with the theme Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care. Lastly, on the 19th, it's World Family Doctor Day, highlighting Family Doctors: The Heart of Healthcare.

Advertisement from 1822 for a midwife who had just arrived from London.
Classified Advertising, Hobart Town Gazette and Van Diemen's Land Advertiser, 21 September 1822, nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1089770

Health and medical research in Australia is crucial for improving healthcare and well-being nationwide. Trove's platform aids researchers in finding valuable resources like journal articles and historical health data. Through ongoing research, Australian scientists and healthcare professionals deepen their understanding of diseases and other health issues, leading to better treatments and patient care.

The National Health and Medical Research Council, the main statutory authority of the Australian Government responsible for medical research, has worked with the National Library of Australia and Trove to ensure most of their funded publications are searchable and accessible through Trove. You can read more about this initiative here or search Trove for their publications. Other health Trove Partners can also be found and search for on our List of Partners page these include Universities, Hospitals, Healthcare groups, State Departments of Health and others.  

Having a active, involved and constantly evolving health research field is essential. Australia's diverse population presents unique health challenges, especially in First Nations, rural, and culturally diverse communities. Medical research addresses these disparities by developing tailored interventions for specific needs, ensuring equitable healthcare access.

Research also drives innovation, resulting in new technologies and therapies. Collaborations between researchers, healthcare providers, and industry partners translate scientific discoveries into practical solutions, benefiting patients and boosting economic growth.

Article from 1993 which mentions Fred Hollows has won the Schweitzer award
Hollows wins Schweitzer award, The Canberra Times, 17 September 1993, nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/127247971

Medical research also informs public health policy, guiding strategies for disease prevention and healthcare delivery. By identifying health threats early, researchers can develop preventive measures, safeguarding public health.

Moreover, research is integrated into medical education, shaping future healthcare professionals. Hands-on research experiences foster critical thinking and innovation, ensuring providers are equipped with the latest knowledge and practices. Which in turn helps Australia's hospital, doctors, nurses, health practitioners, patients and the Nation as a whole. 

A Sydney Morning Herald page highlight female doctors graduating in 1953.
Page 5, The Sydney Morning Herald, 5 February 1953, nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18355983/

That is not to say that medical research, while invaluable, doesn't faces several challenges such as funding, ethical considerations, access to data, reproducibility of data, translation to practice, interdisciplinary collaboration and regulatory hurdles.

Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from researchers, funding agencies, policymakers, and other stakeholders to ensure that medical research continues to advance effectively and contribute to improved healthcare outcomes while also meeting high ethical standards and the needs of many communities.

However, overall, investing in medical research strengthens Australia's healthcare system, leading to improved health outcomes and a healthier future for all Australians.

1925 article about health research funding from the News (Adelaide, SA)
Health Research, News (Adelaide, SA), 9 June 1925, nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129728214

As part of looking at the value in health research and the many Trove Partners that are involved in health research or the health field it is important to health from researchers and people in the field themselves. For example, Professor Fiona Stanley AC FAA FASSA is a Australian epidemiologist noted for her public health work, her research into child and maternal health as well as birth disorders such as cerebral palsy. She is also the patron of the Telethon Kids Institute and a distinguished professorial fellow in the School of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Western Australia, a Principal Partner of Trove.

Speaking on the health and medical research and access she said: 

“Health and medical research should not be a closed shop that is only used by doctors and health professionals. There is a huge amount of research published and much of it is in jargon which the general reader might not understand.  There has been a dramatic increase in involving consumers and community  in health research, which has meant that it is more relevant and the results are more likely to be translated effectively in to better health outcomes.  This is particularly true for Aboriginal health research where Aboriginal researchers using community participation action research have had more impact than research done by non-Indigenous researchers who are unaware of Aboriginal circumstances. The aim of medical research is to prevent diseases, to get the best care to diagnose and treat them using the best research and to ensure that “we do no harm”. I think many who look at Trove would be those interested in medical history as well as judging how well medical research is reported in the media.”