Last week’s annual Sunshine Coast Health Research Showcase bought together leading researchers, and healthcare professionals from around the Sunshine Coast region to discuss and share the latest advancements in health research. The day promotes research excellence, collaboration and knowledge sharing across Sunshine Coast Health and its partner organisations. This year there were 96 abstracts submitted which is an increase of 21 more abstracts from last year. This reflects the increasing research capability, engagement and culture across the organisation and the increased collaboration with our partners.
To accommodate the growing number and quality of submissions, this year's showcase featured three concurrent rapid-fire presentation streams, creating additional opportunities for researchers, including early-career researchers, clinicians and students, to present their work. The concurrent format also gave attendees the opportunity to attend sessions aligned with their areas of interest and practice.
At Sunshine Coast Health Institute (SCHI), we are proud to contribute to improved patient care and health service outcomes through innovative research and quality initiatives. Some examples include our SCHI research team working with principal investigator and conjoint between Griffith University and Sunshine Coast Health Professor Kim Greaves on the Cardiology Attendance Prediction and Targeted Utilisation of Resources for Engagement (CAPTURE) Study and the Evaluation of a Nurse-led Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Model of Care. Another example is the team working with principal investigator and conjoint Professor James O’Beirne on the Feasibility of Elecsys® GAAD for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in a Regional Australian Setting study. These projects are only a few examples of how the SCHI partners are supporting the continued growth of clinician-led research and evaluation activities across Sunshine Coast Health.
Earlier this year there were 5 conjoint clinician research positions created between Sunshine Coast Health and Griffith University which is a huge step forward in the translational research space at SCHI. The goal behind these conjoint clinical research roles is to help strengthen translational research for healthier communities by supporting clinician-led research, and by mentoring emerging researchers. The new conjoint positions will be transformational for the Sunshine Coast region. We are in a unique position where clinicians can have set research time during the day to collaborate with other scientists, clinicians and researchers. Associate Professor Bryan Chan said it best in a recent SCHI news article, “the gift of dedicated research time and presence and the ability to focus on that away from the clinical world for a period is important.”
The 2026 showcase keynote presentation from Professor Alex Broom, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Sydney Centre for Health Societies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, The University of Sydney, bought a unique research perspective from his work. Research starts with trust, collaboration and a deeper understanding of the social, economic and political factors that influence health outcomes.
In an era of AI-generated content and growing misinformation, he highlighted the critical importance of maintaining public trust in research, while also embracing transdisciplinary collaboration to tackle complex healthcare challenges such as chronic illness, mental health and antimicrobial resistance. Professor Broom's approach reminds us that meaningful research impact happens when communities, clinicians, researchers and policymakers work together to address the root causes of health challenges, not just their symptoms. A big thank-you to Professor Broom for attending the showcase and giving your perspective on the future of research.
It was a strong cohort of presentations across the board this year. The lucky winners from each category shared a total prize money of $10,000 kindly donated by Wishlist and Sunshine Coast Health Institute partners in Sunshine Coast Health, Griffith University, University of Sunshine Coast and TAFE Queensland.
A big congratulations to this year’s winners!
Best Oral Presentation- Professor Chrisopher Askew, University of Sunshine Coast.
Effect of footplate muscle stimulation on walking capacity in people with peripheral artery disease: the FootPAD randomised clinical trial.
Rapid Fire Session 1 – Dr Tanish John, Sunshine Coast Health.
Outpatient non-attendance in cardiology services: predictors and opportunities for service improvement in SCHHS.
Rapid Fire Session 2 – Associate Professor Andrew Dettrick, supported by Associate Professor Rebecca Donkin, Sunshine Coast Health and University of Sunshine Coast.
Ultraviolet signature mutation testing for the management of metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary site.
Rapid Fire Session Novice – Andrzej (Andrew) Kwintowski, University of Sunshine Coast.
Does blood flow restriction applied during aerobic training enhance the functional and vascular health benefits of cardiac rehabilitation? A randomised controlled efficacy trail.
Printed Poster Presentation – Clare Perrett and Amiee Simpson, Sunshine Coast Health.
Right care, right clinician: A CA4-led nutrition clinic.
Research and quality improvement underpins everything we do in healthcare. It’s time to celebrate everyone’s achievements and foster future research collaborations. Well done to everyone who participated in the 2026 Sunshine Coast Research Showcase.