Research in Implementation Science and eHealth (RISe)
The Research in Implementation Science and eHealth (RISe) group is a unit that work at the nexus between practice, behaviour change and service improvement.
About us
The Research in Implementation Science and eHealth (RISe) group, led by Professor Tim Shaw, is at the forefront of implementation science and digital health innovation. Based at The University of Sydney, RISe is committed to advancing the integration of evidence-based care into healthcare systems through a combination of research, education, and strategic partnership with services, government, industry and communities.
RISe has been a key participant in over $135M of research and development over the last 5 years and produced over 200 publications and reports
The group focuses on harnessing technology to drive improvements in clinical and consumer outcomes, ensuring research findings translate into meaningful, real-world change.
RISe aspires to global leadership in bridging the gap between research and practice, using innovative technologies and evidence-based approaches to create a healthier, more equitable future.
Our Research
RISe works closely with a wide range of organisations, both nationally and internationally. These include government departments, industry, health service providers, professional colleges, and translational research centres.
Key questions we ask are:
- How do we use health data to inform clinical practice?
- How can we use digital health to support new models of hybrid health care delivery?
- What is the impact of new, hybrid models of care on workforce and roles?
- How do we ensure digital health enhances equity in health care, especially in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities?
Our people
Domestic
- Aaron Jones
- Amith Shetty
- Meredith Makeham
- Rachna Gandhi
- Richard Taggart
International
- Bob Birnbaum
- James Card
- John Pawlovich
- Kendall Ho
- Martin Pusic
- Ray Markham
- Rodrigo Cavalcanti
- Dr Anna Janssen
- Candice Donnelly
- Emma Nicholls
- Kavisha Shah
- Mia Nazir
- Nicki Newton
- Alan Yung
- Jane Hoang
- Malhar Soni
Current projects
Description: Tim Shaw was academic co-lead on the successful application for the Digital Health CRC and inaugural Director of Research. This is a national, transformative program of research that has significantly impacted the adoption of the digital technology into healthcare
Value: $110M
Project partners: Over 70 academic, industry and government partners
Description: We are exploring the role performance data collected through various systems such as billing and administration can play in supporting reflective practice by health professionals. Focusing on how this information can be extracted from data systems (such as Patient Administration Systems) and be used by clinical teams to engage in reflective practice.
Value: $4.5M over 5 years
Project partners:
- Adventist Healthcare
- Cabrini Health
- Epworth Healthcare
- Monash University
- Ramsay Hospital Research Foundation
- Royal Australasian College of Physicians
- Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
- St John of God Health Care
- Swinburne University of Technology
- University of Sydney
Description: Remote Indigenous communities have a heavy burden of disease and sub-optimal access to comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC). In partnership with CPHC service providers, we are exploring remote consumer and health provider preferences and priorities for digital technologies that can support access to CPHC. The project will implement and evaluate the use of these prioritised digital health interventions in a small number of communities, translating these findings into a roadmap that describes how digital health can be integrated in remote communities at scale.
Value: $2M over 3 years
Project partners:
- NT Health
- NT Primary Health Network
- Menzies School of Health Research
- Department of Health and Aged Care
- Australian Digital Health Agency
- HealthDirect
- Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT)
- Digital Health CRC
Description: This project aims to help clinical staff make better real time decisions when caring for patients. Existing decision support systems currently in use in hospitals come with limited capabilities when it comes to real-time decision support, mobility, and user experience.
Project partners:
- Alcidion
- Murrumbidgee Local Health Districts
- NSW Health
- Queensland University of Technology
- Sydney Local Health District
- University of Sydney
Description: Research translation and capacity-building initiative of Sydney Health Partners to address evidence gaps and facilitate a coordinated approach to virtual care. Developing an evaluation framework and establishing standards for implementation and governance of virtual care services.
Value: $100,000 over 2 years
Project partners:
- Sydney Health Partners
- Westmead Applied Research Centre
- RPAVirtual & Sydney Local Health District
- Northern Sydney Local Health District
- Sydney Children’s Hospital Network at Westmead
- Western Sydney Local Health District
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics
Description: This project seeks to co-develop an improved Virtual Care Pathway (VCP) tailored to the unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients accessing the Emergency Department at Broken Hill Base Hospital. Building upon an existing virtual care model that connects patients with specialist clinical support, this enhanced pathway will be specifically designed to address the cultural, clinical, and social needs of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, identified through qualitative research methods. In partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and key stakeholders, the project will evaluate the new VCP using the Quintuple Aim framework, assessing its impact on health outcomes, patient and provider experience, equity, safety, and overall value. Evaluation will involve a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches to measure its effectiveness and relevance from multiple perspectives, including patients, the health system, and the broader community.
Value: $500,000 over 2 years
Project partners:
- Sydney Local Health District
Description: The proposed Implementation Hub at the Charles Perkins Centre (CPC) aims to enhance the translation of its multidisciplinary research into real-world health outcomes. Initially focusing on lifestyle research in sleep, nutrition, and physical activity, the Hub will act as a model for translating research in other areas. It will facilitate partnerships with government, industry, and community organisations to align research priorities with societal needs, providing a platform for impactful collaboration and innovation. The Hub will also build capacity among early and mid-career researchers (EMCRs), offering resources, mentorship, and opportunities to lead translational research projects, apply for competitive grants, and build partnerships. A significant focus is on addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health priorities through community-driven research and capacity building, supported by The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health.
Value: $340,000 over 2 years
Project partners:
- The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health
- Multiple government, industry and community partners
- CHAT-AF – using intelligent AI driven conversational agents to support patients post discharge with Atrial Fibrillation. 2023-2025, $700,000
- Transforming Wound Care through Telehealth in Aged Care. MRFF RART Grant. 2022-2027. $6.5M
- Giving patients an EPIC-START: An evidence based, data driven model of care to improve patient care and efficiency in emergency departments. MRFF Grant. 2022-2027, $2.9M
- Evaluating consumer expectations for Digital Front Door in NSW. 2024-2025, $40,000
- Enhancing emergency care for rural Aboriginal communities through a co-designed and virtual model of care: NSW Health TRGS. 2024-2026, $500,000
- REMOTE-CARE: REmote MOnitoring deTEcting CArdiac issues Rapidly to Enable care. 2023-2027, $1.3M.
- Economic evaluation of expansion of Command Centre services into Aboriginal Medical Services in WA. DHCRC. 2024-2026, $260,000
- Restructuring musculoskeletal health services to ensure equitable access to effective, affordable allied health care. MRFF, Nursing Midwifery and Allied Health. 2022-2026, $1.5M.