Associate Professor Matthew McGrail
Associate Professor

Matthew McGrail

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Phone: 
+61 7 493 12941

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

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Clinical sciences General practice Health Sciences Health policy Health services and systems Health systems Human Society Policy and administration Rural and remote health services Rural clinical health

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.

Search Professor Matthew McGrail’s works on UQ eSpace

188 works between 2000 and 2024
All (188) Journal Article (150) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (29) Book (1) Other Outputs (7)

141 - 160 of 188 works

2013

Journal Article

Assessing microbial colonization of peripheral intravascular devices

Zhang, Li, Marsh, Nicole, McGrail, Matthew R., Webster, Joan, Playford, Elliott, G. and Rickard, Claire M. (2013). Assessing microbial colonization of peripheral intravascular devices. Journal of Infection, 67 (4), 353-355. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2013.06.001

Assessing microbial colonization of peripheral intravascular devices

2013

Journal Article

Optimal timing for intravascular administration set replacement

Ullman, Amanda J., Cooke, Marie L., Gillies, Donna, Marsh, Nicole M., Daud, Azlina, McGrail, Matthew R., O'Riordan, Elizabeth and Rickard, Claire M. (2013). Optimal timing for intravascular administration set replacement. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013 (9) CD003588. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003588.pub3

Optimal timing for intravascular administration set replacement

2013

Journal Article

Helping policy-makers address rural health access problems

Russell, Deborah J., Humphreys, John S., Ward, Bernadette, Chisholm, Marita, Buykx, Penny, McGrail, Matthew and Wakerman, John (2013). Helping policy-makers address rural health access problems. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 21 (2), 61-71. doi: 10.1111/ajr.12023

Helping policy-makers address rural health access problems

2013

Journal Article

A comparative assessment of two conservative methods for the diagnosis of catheter-related infection in critically ill patients

Gowardman, John R., Jeffries, Paula, Lassig-Smith, Melissa, Stuart, Janine, Jarrett, Paul, Deans, Renae, McGrail, Matthew, George, Narelle M., Nimmo, Graeme R. and Rickard, Claire M. (2013). A comparative assessment of two conservative methods for the diagnosis of catheter-related infection in critically ill patients. Intensive Care Medicine, 39 (1), 109-116. doi: 10.1007/s00134-012-2689-7

A comparative assessment of two conservative methods for the diagnosis of catheter-related infection in critically ill patients

2012

Journal Article

International medical graduates mandated to practise in rural Australia are highly unsatisfied: results from a national survey of doctors

McGrail, Matthew R., Humphreys, John S., Joyce, Catherine M. and Scott, Anthony (2012). International medical graduates mandated to practise in rural Australia are highly unsatisfied: results from a national survey of doctors. Health Policy, 108 (2-3), 133-139. doi: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2012.10.003

International medical graduates mandated to practise in rural Australia are highly unsatisfied: results from a national survey of doctors

2012

Journal Article

Spatial accessibility of primary health care utilising the two step floating catchment area method: an assessment of recent improvements

McGrail, Matthew (2012). Spatial accessibility of primary health care utilising the two step floating catchment area method: an assessment of recent improvements. International Journal of Health Geographics, 11 50. doi: 10.1186/1476-072X-11-50

Spatial accessibility of primary health care utilising the two step floating catchment area method: an assessment of recent improvements

2012

Journal Article

Routine versus clinically indicated replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters: a randomised controlled equivalence trial

Rickard, Claire M, Webster, Joan, Wallis, Marianne C., Marsh, Nicole, McGrail, Matthew R., French, Vanessa, Foster, Lynelle, Gallagher, Peter, Gowardman, John R., Zhing, Li, McClymont, Alice and Whitby, Michael (2012). Routine versus clinically indicated replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters: a randomised controlled equivalence trial. The Lancet, 380 (9847), 1066-1074. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61082-4

Routine versus clinically indicated replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters: a randomised controlled equivalence trial

2012

Other Outputs

Getting doctors into the bush: General Practitioners’ preferences for rural location

Scott, A., Witt, J., Humphreys, J., Joyce, C., Jeon, S-H and McGrail, Matthew (2012). Getting doctors into the bush: General Practitioners’ preferences for rural location.

Getting doctors into the bush: General Practitioners’ preferences for rural location

2012

Journal Article

'Making evidence count': a framework to monitor the impact of health services research

Buykx, Penny, Humphreys, John, Wakerman, John, Perkins, David, Lyle, David, McGrail, Matthew and Kinsman, Leigh (2012). 'Making evidence count': a framework to monitor the impact of health services research. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 20 (2), 51-58. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2012.01256.x

'Making evidence count': a framework to monitor the impact of health services research

2012

Journal Article

Who should receive recruitment and retention incentives? Improved targeting of rural doctors using medical workforce data

Humphreys, John S., McGrail, Matthew R., Joyce, Catherine M., Scott, Anthony and Kalb, Guyonne (2012). Who should receive recruitment and retention incentives? Improved targeting of rural doctors using medical workforce data. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 20 (1), 3-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2011.01252.x

Who should receive recruitment and retention incentives? Improved targeting of rural doctors using medical workforce data

2012

Journal Article

Why does a rural background make medical students more likely to intend to work in rural areas and how consistent is the effect? A study of the rural background effect

Jones, Michael, Humphreys, John S. and McGrail, Matthew R. (2012). Why does a rural background make medical students more likely to intend to work in rural areas and how consistent is the effect? A study of the rural background effect. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 20 (1), 29-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2011.01242.x

Why does a rural background make medical students more likely to intend to work in rural areas and how consistent is the effect? A study of the rural background effect

2012

Journal Article

Communicating about breast cancer: rural women's experience of interacting with their surgeon

Ristevski, Eli, Regan, Melanie, Birks, David, Steers, Nicole, Byrne, Anny and McGrail, Matthew R. (2012). Communicating about breast cancer: rural women's experience of interacting with their surgeon. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 20 (1), 22-28. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2011.01245.x

Communicating about breast cancer: rural women's experience of interacting with their surgeon

2012

Journal Article

What factors contribute most to the retention of general practitioners in rural and remote areas?

Russell, Deborah J., McGrail, Matthew R., Humphreys, John S. and Wakerman, John (2012). What factors contribute most to the retention of general practitioners in rural and remote areas?. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 18 (4), 289-294. doi: 10.1071/PY11049

What factors contribute most to the retention of general practitioners in rural and remote areas?

2012

Conference Publication

Peripheral intravenous catheters can be left in situ until clinically indicated for removal: randomised controlled trial

Rickard, C., Webster, J., Wallis, M., Marsh, N., McGrail, M., French, V., Foster, L., Gallagher, P., Gowardman, J., McClymont, A. and Whitby, M. (2012). Peripheral intravenous catheters can be left in situ until clinically indicated for removal: randomised controlled trial. 36th Australian and New Zealand Scientific Meeting on Intensive Care and the 17th Annual Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 13-15 October 2011. Philadelphia, PA, United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2011.12.014

Peripheral intravenous catheters can be left in situ until clinically indicated for removal: randomised controlled trial

2012

Conference Publication

Formulating a more appropriate and equitable system for allocating rural and remote health workforce incentives

McGrail, Matthew and Humphreys, John (2012). Formulating a more appropriate and equitable system for allocating rural and remote health workforce incentives. Primary Health Care Research Conference, Canberra, 18-20 July 2012.

Formulating a more appropriate and equitable system for allocating rural and remote health workforce incentives

2012

Journal Article

How do rural GPs' workloads and work activities differ with community size compared with metropolitan practice?

McGrail, Matthew R., Humphreys, John S., Joyce, Catherine M., Scott, Anthony and Kalb, Guyonne (2012). How do rural GPs' workloads and work activities differ with community size compared with metropolitan practice?. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 18 (3), 228-233. doi: 10.1071/PY11063

How do rural GPs' workloads and work activities differ with community size compared with metropolitan practice?

2011

Journal Article

Rural amenity and medical workforce shortage: is there a relationship?

McGrail, Matthew R., Humphreys, John S., Joyce, Catherine, Scott, Anthony and Kalb, Guyonne (2011). Rural amenity and medical workforce shortage: is there a relationship?. Geographical Research, 49 (2), 192-202. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-5871.2011.00690.x

Rural amenity and medical workforce shortage: is there a relationship?

2011

Journal Article

Nature of association between rural background and practice location: a comparison of general practitioners and specialists

McGrail, Matthew R., Humphreys, John S. and Joyce, Catherine M. (2011). Nature of association between rural background and practice location: a comparison of general practitioners and specialists. BMC Health Services Research, 11 (1) 63. doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-11-63

Nature of association between rural background and practice location: a comparison of general practitioners and specialists

2010

Journal Article

Routine resite of peripheral intravenous devices every 3 days did not reduce complications compared with clinically indicated resite: a randomised controlled trial

Rickard, Claire M., McCann, Damhnat, Munnings, Jane and McGrail, Matthew R. (2010). Routine resite of peripheral intravenous devices every 3 days did not reduce complications compared with clinically indicated resite: a randomised controlled trial. BMC Medicine, 8 (1) 53. doi: 10.1186/1741-7015-8-53

Routine resite of peripheral intravenous devices every 3 days did not reduce complications compared with clinically indicated resite: a randomised controlled trial

2010

Journal Article

Professional satisfaction in general practice: does it vary by size of community?

McGrail, Matthew R., Humphreys, John S., Scott, Anthony, Joyce, Catherine M. and Kalb, Guyonne (2010). Professional satisfaction in general practice: does it vary by size of community?. Medical Journal of Australia, 193 (2), 94-+. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2010.tb03812.x

Professional satisfaction in general practice: does it vary by size of community?

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    Differences in UCAT ANZ performance between rural and metropolitan medical school applicants: A national investigation
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    Digital Health Transformation of Rural Primary Health Care Through an Innovative Digital Indigenous Primary Health Care Delivery Model: ID-INSPIRED
    NHMRC MRFF PHCR - Primary Health Care Digital Innovations
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    Informing stronger integration across all sectors of the GP education and training pipeline
    RACGP Education Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Barriers and enablers of training and employment models for female rural doctors working at generalist scope (Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine grant administered by JCU)
    James Cook University
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Learning in remote general practice settings - a comparative evaluation of quality and performance (Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine project led by James Cook University)
    James Cook University
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Evaluation of the Rural Junior Doctor Training Innovation Fund (RJDTIF)
    James Cook University
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Matthew McGrail is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Growing the Rural Medical Workforce Pipeline

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Di Eley

  • 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

    What factors influence the use and satisfaction with hospital services of residents in Queensland's regions?

    Principal Advisor

  • 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

    Other advisors: Dr Priya Martin

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Determinants of referral patterns of patients with CKD from GP practice to Specialist Nephrology clinics based on combined eGFR and albuminuria measurements and their progress over time

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Srinivas Kondalsamy Chennakesavan

Enquiries

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