Overview
Background
Associate Professor Matthew McGrail is the Head of Regional Training Hubs research at UQ’s Rural Clinical School. Joining UQ in Nov 2017, he is based at the Rockhampton Clinical Unit, and he is chair of the research and evaluation working group of UQ’s Regional Medical Pathway as well as chair of UQ RCS’s medical graduate cohort longitudinal tracking study (UQ MediCoS).
Matthew has worked in the university sector for over 20 years, working mostly as a researcher in rural health. He was originally trained as a statistician, expanding his skills across GIS and software development, completing his PhD in 2008. He has been lead biostatistician on 3 large NHMRC-funded RCTs that are published in the world-leading general medical journal, the Lancet. Matthew’s research is mostly underpinned by the overall objective of improved access to health care for rural populations, mainly focused in the medical sector. He has a unique blend of ‘generalist’ research skills and experience across the disciplines of statistics, geography, rural health, econometrics, public health and clinical research.
Matthew has a particular interest in the ongoing concerns with medical workforce distribution, connecting that through his research and evaluation to health policies, training pathways and healthcare systems. To date he has been a chief investigator on two separate Centres of Research Excellence, one on medical workforce dynamics and the other on rural and remote primary health care access. He has also co-researched with various GP training organisations, specialty colleges, rural workforce agencies, as well as state and commonwealth health departments
Availability
- Associate Professor Matthew McGrail is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science, University of Melbourne
- Graduate Diploma in Information Technology (Software Development), Swinburne University of Technology
- Doctor of Philosophy, Monash University
Research interests
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Rural medical workforce training
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Workforce distribution
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Access to health care
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Rural health workforce policy
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Health services research
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GIS methodologies in health
Research impacts
Matthew has over 130 peer reviewed journal publications. He is globally recognised for his research of medical workforce training and distributional outcomes, which directly impacts healthcare access for rural populations. He was a lead investigator on the completed Centre of Research Excellence in Rural and Remote Primary Health Care, under which he developed improved measures of healthcare access, notably producing the national Index of Access.
He was also a chief investigator of the NHMRC-funded Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life (MABEL) longitudinal study of doctors (data collected 2008-18), under which he led the rural supply and distribution research theme. These data are still used as key source of national evidence of the medical workforce. In 2018, the MABEL project was awarded the Best Impact Prize from the Health Services Research Association of Australia and New Zealand, primarily due to the body of work from the rural theme. A key outcome of MABEL was the Modified Monash Model (MMM) classification, which he co-developed with Emeritus Prof John Humphreys. From 2015, the MMM has been adopted to underpin most Commonwealth Department of Health policies in rural health.
Works
Search Professor Matthew McGrail’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Journal Article
Selection, training and employment to encourage early‐career doctors to pursue a rural postgraduate training pathway
O'Sullivan, Belinda, Gurney, Tiana and McGrail, Matthew (2021). Selection, training and employment to encourage early‐career doctors to pursue a rural postgraduate training pathway. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 29 (2), 267-271. doi: 10.1111/ajr.12744
2021
Journal Article
Critically reviewing the policies used by colleges to select doctors for specialty training: a kink in the rural pathway
McGrail, Matthew, O'Sullivan, Belinda and Gurney, Tiana (2021). Critically reviewing the policies used by colleges to select doctors for specialty training: a kink in the rural pathway. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 29 (2), 272-283. doi: 10.1111/ajr.12707
2021
Journal Article
Improving knowledge and data about the medical workforce underpins healthy communities and doctors
Russell, Grant M., McGrail, Matthew R., O’Sullivan, Belinda and Scott, Anthony (2021). Improving knowledge and data about the medical workforce underpins healthy communities and doctors. Medical Journal of Australia, 214 (6), 252-254.e1. doi: 10.5694/mja2.50962
2020
Other Outputs
Retention of the health workforce in rural and remote areas: a systematic review
World Health Organisation Team, Strasser, Sarah, Austin, Marni, Bendotti, Hollie, Bourke, Gary, Campbell, David, Campbell, Narelle , Chater, Alan Bruce, Chong, Hwee Sin , Cribb, Jacqueline, Cumming, Kay, Doty, Barbara Jean, Eley, Diann, Erikson, Jay S., Florentis, Anastasia, Floss, Mayara, Goot, Katie, Greacen, Jane, Jonk, Yvonne , Khoo, Kean, Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan, Srinivas, Lamb, Margaret, Longenecker, Randall, McGrail, Matthew, Nasir, Bushra, Partanen, Riitta, Paterson, Davis , Rajapalisha, Dilum , Schmitz, David ... Tynan, Anna (2020). Retention of the health workforce in rural and remote areas: a systematic review. Human Resources for Health Observer Series No. 25 Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.
2020
Journal Article
A realist evaluation of theory about triggers for doctors choosing a generalist or specialist medical career
O’sullivan, Belinda, McGrail, Matthew, Gurney, Tiana and Martin, Priya (2020). A realist evaluation of theory about triggers for doctors choosing a generalist or specialist medical career. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (22) 8566, 8566-17. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17228566
2020
Journal Article
Exploring preference for, and uptake of, rural medical internships, a key issue for supporting rural training pathways
McGrail, Matthew R., O’Sullivan, Belinda G., Russell, Deborah J. and Rahman, Muntasirur (2020). Exploring preference for, and uptake of, rural medical internships, a key issue for supporting rural training pathways. BMC Health Services Research, 20 (1) 930, 930. doi: 10.1186/s12913-020-05779-1
2020
Journal Article
Evaluation of patient reported outcome measures post urethroplasty: piloting a “trifecta” approach
Ong, Michelle, Duncan, Catriona, McGrail, Matthew and Desai, Devang J. (2020). Evaluation of patient reported outcome measures post urethroplasty: piloting a “trifecta” approach. World Journal of Clinical Urology, 9 (1), 9-15. doi: 10.5410/wjcu.v9.i1.9
2020
Journal Article
An exploration of the experiences of GP registrar supervisors in small rural communities: a qualitative study
Couch, Danielle, O'Sullivan, Belinda, Russell, Deborah, McGrail, Matthew, Wallace, Glen and Bentley, Michael (2020). An exploration of the experiences of GP registrar supervisors in small rural communities: a qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research, 20 (1) 834, 834. doi: 10.1186/s12913-020-05697-2
2020
Journal Article
Faculties to support general practitioners working rurally at broader scope: a national cross-sectional study of their value
McGrail, Matthew R. and O’sullivan, Belinda G. (2020). Faculties to support general practitioners working rurally at broader scope: a national cross-sectional study of their value. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (13) 4652, 1-15. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17134652
2020
Journal Article
Understanding professional satisfaction of hospital trainees in Australia
Lennon, Matthew J., McGrail, Matthew R., O'Sullivan, Belinda, Tan, Amelia, Mok, Claire, Suttie, Joseph J. and Preddy, John (2020). Understanding professional satisfaction of hospital trainees in Australia. Medical Education, 54 (5) medu.14041, 419-426. doi: 10.1111/medu.14041
2020
Journal Article
Effective dimensions of rural undergraduate training and the value of training policies for encouraging rural work
O'Sullivan, Belinda G. and McGrail, Matthew R. (2020). Effective dimensions of rural undergraduate training and the value of training policies for encouraging rural work. Medical Education, 54 (4), 364-374. doi: 10.1111/medu.14069
2019
Journal Article
Rural work and specialty choices of international students graduating from Australian medical schools: implications for policy
McGrail, Matthew R., O'Sullivan, Belinda G. and Russell, Deborah J. (2019). Rural work and specialty choices of international students graduating from Australian medical schools: implications for policy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16 (24) 5056, 5056. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16245056
2019
Journal Article
"It's so rich, you know, what they could be experiencing": Rural places for general practitioner learning
Couch, Danielle, O'Sullivan, Belinda, Russell, Deborah and McGrail, Matthew (2019). "It's so rich, you know, what they could be experiencing": Rural places for general practitioner learning. Health Sociology Review, 29 (1), 1-16. doi: 10.1080/14461242.2019.1695137
2019
Journal Article
Outcomes of a 1-year longitudinal integrated medical clerkship in small rural Victorian communities
Campbell, David G., McGrail, Matthew R., O'Sullivan, Belinda and Russell, Deborah J. (2019). Outcomes of a 1-year longitudinal integrated medical clerkship in small rural Victorian communities. Rural and Remote Health, 19 (2), 4987. doi: 10.22605/RRH4987
2019
Journal Article
Importance of publishing research varies by doctors’ career stage, specialty and location of work
McGrail, Matthew Richard, O'Sullivan, Belinda G., Bendotti, Hollie R. and Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan, Srinivas (2019). Importance of publishing research varies by doctors’ career stage, specialty and location of work. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 95 (1122), 198-204. doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2019-136473
2019
Journal Article
Mortality in hospital patients with and without mental disorders: a data-linkage cohort study
Karim, Rafid S., Kwan, Marcella M.S., Finlay, Angus J.F., Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan, Srinivas, Toombs, Maree R., Nicholson, Geoffrey C., McGrail, Matthew and Gill, Neeraj S. (2019). Mortality in hospital patients with and without mental disorders: a data-linkage cohort study. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 111, 104-109. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.01.015
2019
Journal Article
Outreach specialists' use of video consultations in rural Victoria: a cross-sectional survey
O'Sullivan, Belinda, Rann, Helena and McGrail, Matthew (2019). Outreach specialists' use of video consultations in rural Victoria: a cross-sectional survey. Rural and Remote Health, 19 (1). doi: 10.22605/RRH4544
2019
Journal Article
Rural work outcomes of medical students participating in a contracted Extended Rural Cohort (ERC) program by course-entry preference
O’Sullivan, Belinda, McGrail, Matthew, Major, Laura, Woodfield, Mark and Holmes, Christian (2019). Rural work outcomes of medical students participating in a contracted Extended Rural Cohort (ERC) program by course-entry preference. Medical Teacher, 41 (6), 1-8. doi: 10.1080/0142159X.2019.1569755
2019
Journal Article
Factors related to rural general practitioners supervising general practice registrars in Australia A national cross-sectional study
O'Sullivan, Belinda, Russell, Deborah, McGrail, Matthew, Sampson, Marisa, Warrington, Allyson, Wallace, Glen, Bentley, Michael and Couch, Danielle (2019). Factors related to rural general practitioners supervising general practice registrars in Australia A national cross-sectional study. Australian Journal of General Practice, 48 (1-2) 4637, 66-71. doi: 10.31128/AJGP-07-18-4637
2019
Journal Article
Reviewing reliance on overseas-trained doctors in rural Australia and planning for self-sufficiency: applying 10 years' MABEL evidence
O'Sullivan, Belinda, Russell, Deborah J., McGrail, Matthew R. and Scott, Anthony (2019). Reviewing reliance on overseas-trained doctors in rural Australia and planning for self-sufficiency: applying 10 years' MABEL evidence. Human Resources for Health, 17 (1) 8, 8. doi: 10.1186/s12960-018-0339-z
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Matthew McGrail is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
The Effectiveness of the Implementation of the Vision 2030 Healthcare Strategy in Improving Health Services in Rural Saudi Arabia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bruce Chater, Dr Bushra Nasir
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Doctor Philosophy
What factors influence the use and satisfaction with hospital services of residents in Queensland's regions?
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Growing the Rural Medical Workforce Pipeline
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Di Eley
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Doctor Philosophy
EPoC-CARE - Effectiveness of Point of Care CRP Assays in Rural Environments
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bruce Chater, Associate Professor Srinivas Kondalsamy Chennakesavan, Dr Bushra Nasir
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Master Philosophy
Systemic analysis of the determinants that influence the oncologist-patient relationship; exploring the interplay between organisational, cultural and personal factors. Translating key findings into training and professional development interventions with mutual focus on patient and doctor outcomes.
Associate Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
The association of major depressive disorders with chronic disease among Indigenous Australians
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Srinivas Kondalsamy Chennakesavan, Dr Bushra Nasir
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Master Philosophy
Interprofessional collaboration in Radiography: Do we need to re-invent the wheel?
Associate Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Referral patterns, disease progression and impact of the Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE) in a Queensland chronic kidney disease Registry (CKD.QLD) cohort
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Srinivas Kondalsamy Chennakesavan
Media
Enquiries
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