QUP Grant Opportunity GO6060
2023–2024 Projects:
Feedback on Pathology Requesting Practices of Emergency Department Clinicians
Organisation: Monash University
Timeframe: 2023–2026
Purpose: The project uses linked emergency department and pathology data to generate customised feedback for individual clinicians.
The aim of the project is to:
- improve the quality of clinical care
- reduce inappropriate pathology ordering.
Progress to date:
- Developed prototype dashboards linking emergency department and pathology datasets.
- Analysed data covering over 1.5 million emergency department visits.
- Identified test ordering patterns to inform tailored feedback strategies.
Next steps:
- Deliver individualised feedback reports to clinicians.
- Evaluate the impact on pathology requesting practices.
QUP Grant Opportunity GO6641
2024–2026 Projects:
Consumer Actionable Pathology Reports
Organisation: St Vincent's Hospital (Melbourne)
Timeframe: 2024–2026
Purpose: St Vincent's Hospital (Melbourne) will develop Consumer Actionable Pathology Reports (CAPRs) to help Australians understand pathology test results.
CAPRs will present results in a way that is:
- simple and easy to understand
- tailored to patient needs
- easy to engage with.
The reports will help consumers to:
- understand pathology results
- improve health outcomes
- support healthy lifestyle choices.
- Secured research ethics approval across partner institutions.
- Established project team and governance structure.
- Completed planning and risk management strategies.
Next steps:
- Co-design workshops with consumers and clinicians.
- Develop prototype CAPR designs.
- Usability testing.
Genomic Testing Digital Decision Support Tool
Organisation: University of Technology Sydney
Timeframe: 2024–2026
Purpose: The project will develop a digital decision support tool for genomic test selection.
The tool will provide guidance based on:
- patient-specific factors
- clinical indications
- test characteristics.
This will lead to:
- more accurate diagnoses
- targeted treatments
- reduced unnecessary testing
- improved patient outcomes.
- Ethics approval and data collection.
- Guideline translation for integration into the digital tool.
- Evidence base completed.
- Tool design finalised.
Next steps:
- Refine tool based on feedback.
- Integrate AI.
- Usability testing.
- Prepare for adoption.
Digital Trial of Structured Pathology Reporting of Cancer (SPRC)
Organisation: RCPA
Timeframe: 2024–2026
Purpose: The project standardises digital SPRC reporting.
The aim of the project is to:
- digitise pathology reporting
- promote digital SPRC benefits
- improve digital practice standards
- support a digital reporting pathway.
Progress to date:
- Developed 5 digital templates.
- Collected feedback from initial trials.
- Published 6 new protocols.
Next steps:
- Expand trials.
- Progress SNOMED CT coding and registry interoperability.
- Develop more protocols.
The QUOLL-Kidney Disease Study
Organisation: University of Tasmania
Timeframe: 2024–2026
Purpose: The QUOLL study is evaluating optimal testing schedules for chronic kidney disease.
The aim of the project is to:
- improve patient outcomes
- reduce unnecessary testing.
Progress to date:
- Ethics approvals secured.
- Linked data from 11 sources.
- Data cleaning started.
Next steps:
- Review testing approaches.
- Model options.
- Consult with patients and clinicians.
QUP Grant Opportunity GO7628
2025–2028 Projects:
National Pathology Test Catalogue
Organisation: Public Pathology Australia
Timeframe: 2025–2028
Purpose: The project will develop a consistent, accessible national pathology test catalogue.
Standardising testing across Australia will improve:
- interoperability
- clinical decision-making
- digital integration.
Point-of-Care Testing Quality Framework for Non-Laboratory Testing Sites
Organisation: RCPAQAP
Timeframe: 2025–2028
Purpose: The project is developing a Point-of-Care Testing (PoCT) quality framework for implementation across non-laboratory testing sites.
The project will improve access and reliability for:
- rural and remote communities
- low socio-economic groups
- migrants with limited English
- older Australians.
The framework aims to:
- promote consistent testing
- improve patient outcomes
- enhance confidence in results.
Standardised Pathology Informatics in Australia Compliance External Quality Assurance Program
Organisation: RCPAQAP
Timeframe: 2025–2028
Purpose: The project is developing an External Quality Assurance (EQA) program to evaluate laboratory compliance with the Standardised Pathology Informatics in Australia (SPIA) guidelines.
The EQA program aims to:
- enhance system interoperability
- improve data integrity
- support better health outcomes
- enable sustainable healthcare.
Enhancing Pathology Terminology With Modern Tools
Organisation: RCPAQAP
Timeframe: 2025–2028
Purpose: The project aims to improve how pathology terminology is developed, published and managed across Australia.
The project focuses on 2 key initiatives:
- SNAP TO LOINC prototype
- Transition to contemporary tools.
These innovations support efficient and future-proof terminology management.
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