Research Fellow

**The University of Waikato**Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato**

**Research Fellow**Te Huataki Waiora School of Health**

**Vision**
We will
- deliver a world-class education and research portfolio
- provide a full and dynamic university experience which is distinctive in character
- pursue strong international linkages to advance knowledge

The over-arching themes of this _Vision_ are:

- Excellence
- Distinctiveness
- International Connectedness

**Values**
Ko te mana o Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato ka herea ki tō tātou:

- Tu ngātahi me te Māori
- Mahi pono
- Whakanui i ngā huarahi hou
- Whakarewa i te hiringa i te mahara

The University of Waikato places a high value on:

- Partnership with Māori
- Acting with integrity
- Celebrating diversity
- Promoting creativity

**1. GENERAL**

Te Wānanga Pūtaiao The Division of Health, Engineering, Computing and Science (HECS)

comprises the Schools of Health, Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences and

Science. The Division also has several research units, including the Environmental Research

Institute and commercial/equipment units which embody staff and research activities. Te Huataki

Waiora School of Health is a collaborative, innovative and integrated school offering

undergraduate degrees in Health, Sport and Human Performance, Nursing and Health. The

School also offers postgraduate research degrees, and has established programs of research in

a number of areas including Action and Lifestyle Sport, Health Communication and Population

Health. The School is also home to the Waikato Medical Research Centre which is a partnership

between the university and the Waikato District Health Board (WDHB). The aim of this group is

to provide academic support for clinical research as well as developing its own research team in

Primary Care and General Practice organisations, as well as the non-governmental

organisational sector.

**2. POSITION PURPOSE**

To provide research assistance to project(s) evaluating how health system factors contribute to

inequity in prescribing for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in primary care. This research is

funded by a Health Research Council Health Service Delivery grant.

**3. ACCOUNTABILITY**
The Research Fellow is responsible to the Dr Lynne Chepulis, Project Lead, and will be

supervised by Dr Chepulis and Professor Ross Lawrenson.

**4. FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS**

**Internal**: Project Lead

Project specific staff

Other research staff within the division

**External**: Waikato DHB

Hauraki Primary Healthcare Organisation (PHO)

Pinnacle PHO

Procare PHO

National Hauora Coalition

Research subcontractors

GP Practices (Waikato and/or South Auckland based)

Diabetes New Zealand

Diabetes patient groups

**5. KEY TASKS
- **

Undertake a literature-based stocktake of past and current interventions focused on

improving diabetes management and/or prescribing in primary care.Develop and roll-out an online survey targeted at GP practices and staff to explore which

factors may be associated with appropriate prescribing of diabetes and cardiovascular

medications.Establish and build relationships with key stakeholder groups (clinicians, patients, other

healthcare practitioners).Co-ordinate and undertake study-specific focus groups and/or semi-structured interviews to

explore the nuanced factors that may contribute to prescribing success. This will include the

transcribing and analysis of these data.Working with the research team, practices, patients and whānau, lead the co-design and

development of a suitable practice-based intervention that can be implemented into a small

number of GP practicesSupport the ‘intervention practices’ to roll out the developed intervention.
- Along with other members of the research team, prepare study data and findings for

dissemination, including writing reports, presentation of findings to appropriate audiences and

preparation of suitable manuscripts for publication.Participate in the maintenance of a safe and healthy work environment for self and others

including students. Comply with and undertake responsibilities set out in the University’s

Health and Safety Policy.

Any other duties as required that are consistent with the position held, other than in exceptional

circumstances such as rehabilitation after injury or sickness.

**6. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS**

The Research Fellow will be performing satisfactorily when:
Research is effectively supported and conducted as planned
- The research team has a comprehensive understanding of what diabetes / prescribing

interventions have occurred previously and what impact these may have had on diabetes

management and prescribing behaviours.Adequate information has been obtained from all relevant stakeholder groups to inform the

co-design development of a primary care-led intervention to optimise prescribing of diabetes

and cardiovascular medications.The study intervention is appropriately developed and implemented into