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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
2010
Conference Publication
Catheter- Related Bloodstream Infection (Cr-Bsi) Arising From Short Term Vascular Access-A Comparative Assessment of Two in Situ Diagnostic Methods
Gowardman, John, Jefferies, Paula, Nimmo, Graeme, George, Narrelle, McGrail, Matthew and Rickard, Claire (2010). Catheter- Related Bloodstream Infection (Cr-Bsi) Arising From Short Term Vascular Access-A Comparative Assessment of Two in Situ Diagnostic Methods. 40th Critical Care Congress, San Diego Ca, 15-19 January 2011. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
2009
Journal Article
Geographical classifications to guide rural health policy in Australia
McGrail M.R. and Humphreys J.S. (2009). Geographical classifications to guide rural health policy in Australia. Australia and New Zealand Health Policy, 6 (1) 28. doi: 10.1186/1743-8462-6-28
2009
Journal Article
Measuring spatial accessibility to primary care in rural areas: improving the effectiveness of the two-step floating catchment area method
McGrail, Matthew R. and Humphreys, John S. (2009). Measuring spatial accessibility to primary care in rural areas: improving the effectiveness of the two-step floating catchment area method. Applied Geography, 29 (4), 533-541. doi: 10.1016/j.apgeog.2008.12.003
2009
Journal Article
The relationship between intravenous infusate colonisation and fluid container hang time
Rickard, Claire M., Vannapraseuth, Boun, McGrail, Matthew R., Keene, Lorraine J., Rambaldo, Sam, Smith, Chloe A. and Ray-Barruel, Gillian (2009). The relationship between intravenous infusate colonisation and fluid container hang time. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18 (21), 3022-3028. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2009.02870.x
2009
Journal Article
Routine replacement versus clinical monitoring of peripheral intravenous catheters in a regional hospital in the home program: a randomized controlled trial
Van Donk, Patricia, Rickard, Claire M., McGrail, Matthew R. and Doolan, Glenn (2009). Routine replacement versus clinical monitoring of peripheral intravenous catheters in a regional hospital in the home program: a randomized controlled trial. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 30 (9), 915-917. doi: 10.1086/599776
2009
Journal Article
Supporting academic publication: evaluation of a writing course combined with writers' support group
Rickard, Claire M., McGrail, Matthew R., Jones, Rebecca, O'Meara, Peter, Robinson, Anske, Burley, Mollie and Ray-Barruel, Gillian (2009). Supporting academic publication: evaluation of a writing course combined with writers' support group. Nurse Education Today, 29 (5), 516-521. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2008.11.005
2009
Journal Article
A new index of access to primary care services in rural areas
McGrail, Matthew R. and Humphreys, John S. (2009). A new index of access to primary care services in rural areas. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 33 (5), 418-423. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-6405.2009.00422.x
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
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
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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
Media
Enquiries
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