The Bridging Study
In 2020, researchers from the Queensland University of Technology partnered with Wesley Research Institute and local communities to develop and pilot the Navicare in Moranbah, Queensland, with the aim of improving access to mental health services in rural and remote areas.
The research team is now running a new project - The Bridging Study – which is evaluating the Navicare service and will work to implement new Navicare sites and Care Navigators across the Greater Whitsundays area.
Consultations and interviews with local community members, users of the Navicare service, and local healthcare providers are informing where new sites will be located, as well as helping researchers to understand the local considerations for the implementation, scaleup and sustainability of the program.
The Bridging Study will run until 2026 and has been funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Partnership Grant (GNT2018981). The study is led by researchers from the Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation at the QUT, in collaboration with researchers at James Cook University, and the University of California San Diego, and in partnership with Wesley Research Institute, Beyond Blue, Isaac Regional Council and Greater Whitsundays Communities.
If you would like to know more about the Bridging Study, or are interested in participating in our community consultations or interviews, get in touch with us at bridging.study@qut.edu.au, or speak to one of the Navicare Mental Health Care Navigators for more information.
As part of this expansion, we will also be hiring additional Mental Health Care Navigators. Details regarding the role and how to apply can be found on Seek. The closing date for applications is 22 September 2023.
