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
-
Rural medical workforce training
-
Workforce distribution
-
Access to health care
-
Rural health workforce policy
-
Health services research
-
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
2019
Journal Article
Attracting junior doctors to rural centres: A national study of work-life conditions and satisfaction
Lennon, Matthew, O’Sullivan, Belinda, McGrail, Matthew, Russell, Deborah, Suttie, Joseph and Preddy, John (2019). Attracting junior doctors to rural centres: A national study of work-life conditions and satisfaction. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 27 (6) ajr.12577, 482-488. doi: 10.1111/ajr.12577
2019
Journal Article
Are hospital registrars growing more satisfied with their jobs?
Lennon, Matthew, McGrail, Matthew, O'Sullivan, Belinda, Suttie, Joseph and Preddy, John (2019). Are hospital registrars growing more satisfied with their jobs?. Internal Medicine Journal, 50 (1), 132-133. doi: 10.1111/imj.14650
2018
Journal Article
Demonstrating a new approach to planning and monitoring rural medical training distribution to meet population need in North West Queensland
McGrail, Matthew R., Russell, Deborah J., O’Sullivan, Belinda G., Reeve, Carole, Gasser, Lee and Campbell, David (2018). Demonstrating a new approach to planning and monitoring rural medical training distribution to meet population need in North West Queensland. BMC Health Services Research, 18 (1) 993, 993. doi: 10.1186/s12913-018-3788-0
2018
Journal Article
Rural training pathways: the return rate of doctors to work in the same region as their basic medical training
McGrail, Matthew R., O’Sullivan, Belinda G. and Russell, Deborah J. (2018). Rural training pathways: the return rate of doctors to work in the same region as their basic medical training. Human Resources for Health, 16 (1) 56, 56. doi: 10.1186/s12960-018-0323-7
2018
Journal Article
Do rural incentives payments affect entries and exits of general practitioners?
Yong, Jongsay, Scott, Anthony, Gravelle, Hugh, Sivey, Peter and McGrail, Matthew (2018). Do rural incentives payments affect entries and exits of general practitioners?. Social Science and Medicine, 214, 197-205. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.08.014
2018
Journal Article
Dressings and securements for the prevention of peripheral intravenous catheter failure in adults (SAVE): a pragmatic, randomised controlled, superiority trial
Rickard, Claire M., Marsh, Nicole, Webster, Joan, Runnegar, Naomi, Larsen, Emily, McGrail, Matthew R., Fullerton, Fiona, Bettington, Emilie, Whitty, Jennifer A., Abu Choudhury, Md, Tuffaha, Haitham, Corley, Amanda, McMillan, David J., Fraser, John F., Marshall, Andrea P. and Playford, E. Geoffrey (2018). Dressings and securements for the prevention of peripheral intravenous catheter failure in adults (SAVE): a pragmatic, randomised controlled, superiority trial. Lancet, 392 (10145), 419-430. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31380-1
2018
Journal Article
Duration and setting of rural immersion during the medical degree relates to rural work outcomes
O'Sullivan, Belinda, McGrail, Matthew, Russell, Deborah, Walker, Judi, Chambers, Helen, Major, Laura and Langham, Robyn (2018). Duration and setting of rural immersion during the medical degree relates to rural work outcomes. Medical Education, 52 (8), 803-815. doi: 10.1111/medu.13578
2018
Journal Article
Phlebitis signs and symptoms with peripheral intravenous catheters incidence and correlation study
Mihala, Gabor, Ray-Barruel, Gillian, Chopra, Vineet, Webster, Joan, Wallis, Marianne, Marsh, Nicole, McGrail, Matthew and Rickard, Claire M. (2018). Phlebitis signs and symptoms with peripheral intravenous catheters incidence and correlation study. Journal of Infusion Nursing, 41 (4), 260-263. doi: 10.1097/NAN.0000000000000288
2018
Journal Article
A review of characteristics and outcomes of Australia’s undergraduate medical education rural immersion programs
O’Sullivan, Belinda G., McGrail, Matthew R., Russell, Deborah, Chambers, Helen and Major, Laura (2018). A review of characteristics and outcomes of Australia’s undergraduate medical education rural immersion programs. Human Resources for Health, 16 (1) 8. doi: 10.1186/s12960-018-0271-2
2018
Conference Publication
Satisfaction of junior medical officers in rural Australia
Lennon, M., O'Sullivan, B., McGrail, M., Russell, D., Suttie, J. and Preddy, J. (2018). Satisfaction of junior medical officers in rural Australia. The Muster, Mt Gambier, SA Australia, 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Achieving distributed training by understanding the rural GP supervisor workforce and their work context
O’Sullivan, B., Warrington, A., Wallace, G., Russell, D., Sampson, M., Bentley, M., Burns, J., Couch, D. and McGrail, M. (2018). Achieving distributed training by understanding the rural GP supervisor workforce and their work context. GP18, Gold Coast, Australia, 2018.
2018
Journal Article
'Surfing the coastal wave' - a new way to consider workforce distribution
May, Jenny, McGrail, Matthew R. and Walker, Judi (2018). 'Surfing the coastal wave' - a new way to consider workforce distribution. Rural and Remote Health, 18 (3) 4753. doi: 10.22605/RRH4753
2018
Conference Publication
Applying a more sophisticated approach to planning GP training distribution relative to population need
McGrail, M., O’Sullivan, B., Russell, D., Reeve, C. and Gasser, L. (2018). Applying a more sophisticated approach to planning GP training distribution relative to population need. RMA18, Darwin, NT, Australia, 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Achieving distributed training by understanding the rural GP supervisor workforce and their work context
O’Sullivan, B., Warrington, A., Wallace, G., Russell, D., Sampson, M., Bentley, M., Burns, J., Couch, D. and McGrail, M. (2018). Achieving distributed training by understanding the rural GP supervisor workforce and their work context. GPTEC2018: Switch On, Adelaide, Australia, 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Longer duration and varied settings of rural immersion for medical students related to rural work outcomes in Victoria, Australia
O'Sullivan, B., McGrail, M., Russell, D., Walker, J., Chambers, H., Major, L. and Langham, R. (2018). Longer duration and varied settings of rural immersion for medical students related to rural work outcomes in Victoria, Australia. The Muster 2018, Mt Gambier, SA, Australia, 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Setting the directions for future GP policy and research
O’Sullivan, B., Walters, L., Carson, D., McGrail, M., Russell, D., Kamien, M., Strasser, R. and Hays, R. (2018). Setting the directions for future GP policy and research. 6th Rural and Remote Health Scientific Symposium, Canberra, Australia, 2018.
2017
Journal Article
Rural specialists: the nature of their work and professional satisfaction by geographical location of work
O'Sullivan, Belinda, McGrail, Matthew and Russell, Deborah (2017). Rural specialists: the nature of their work and professional satisfaction by geographical location of work. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 25 (6), 338-346. doi: 10.1111/ajr.12354
2017
Journal Article
Medications affecting healing: an evidence-based analysis
Khalil, Hanan, Cullen, Marianne, Chambers, Helen and McGrail, Matthew (2017). Medications affecting healing: an evidence-based analysis. International Wound Journal, 14 (6), 1340-1345. doi: 10.1111/iwj.12809
2017
Journal Article
Comparing rural and regional migration patterns of Australian medical general practitioners with other professions: implications for rural workforce strategies
Carson, Dean, Punshon, Katherine, McGrail, Matthew and Kippen, Rebecca (2017). Comparing rural and regional migration patterns of Australian medical general practitioners with other professions: implications for rural workforce strategies. Australian Population Studies, 1 (1), 55-68. doi: 10.37970/aps.v1i1.12
2017
Journal Article
Family effects on the rurality of GP's work location: a longitudinal panel study
McGrail, Matthew R., Russell, Deborah J. and O'Sullivan, Belinda G. (2017). Family effects on the rurality of GP's work location: a longitudinal panel study. Human Resources for Health, 15 (75) 75. doi: 10.1186/s12960-017-0250-z
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Matthew McGrail is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Growing the Rural Medical Workforce Pipeline
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Di Eley
-
Doctor Philosophy
What factors influence the use and satisfaction with hospital services of residents in Queensland's regions?
Principal Advisor
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Master Philosophy
Interprofessional collaboration in Radiography: Do we need to re-invent the wheel?
Associate Advisor
-
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
For media enquiries about Associate Professor Matthew McGrail's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: