The opportunities and challenges of collaboration in health management research: The Australian experience

Purpose of the study: An assessment is provided of the opportunities and challenges that researchers and research teams face when they contemplate undertaking collaborative health management research. Introduction: The recently completed review by the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (2009) in Australia has made several important recommendations for greater investment in health policy, health services and health system research. Although research is deemed integral in advancing health system improvement, there are several challenges which include: a paucity of research exists, lack of support for collaborative work, and underinvestment in health management research and infrastructure (Hunter and Brown, 2007). Methods: The author largely draws upon the Australian context as documented in the literature, as well as personal experience in the field. It commences with an outline of current trends and challenges. Three collaborative health management research approaches are reviewed: organisation based research centre; cross-institutional research model ('Health Management Research Alliance' - HMRA, Day and Fulop, 2009), and the collaboration between institutions. Results: All three models were found to provide a sound framework for collaborative research work. It was also found that there is value in incorporating the recognised principles of engagement. The benefits and challenges were discussed in the broader context for proposed research collaboration in the Asia Pacific region. Conclusions: 1. Important to ensure collaborative health management research and innovation remains an integral part of the health system 2. The Conference provides the ideal opportunity for the formation of an Asia Pacific Health Management Network in research. It is recommended that this network is progressed through the development of a formal 'Declaration' at the Conference.