a. Active research partner, involved in: 

• study design 

• methodology 

• sharing general practice data  

• interpretation of findings 

• co‑authorship 

• governance decisions 

b. Facilitated quality improvement activities in general practices  

c. Engagement with general practices/ other stakeholders  

• promotion through our communication channels  

• recruitment of study participants  

• dissemination of study findings  

d. Engagement with GCPHN Advisory groups

• Community Advisory Group, Clinical Council or Primary HealthCare Improvement Committee 

e. Endorsement only

• Letter of support 

GCPHN acts as the data custodian for Primary Sense data and is therefore responsible for ensuring that the data is handled, stored, accessed and used appropriately, securely, and in line with permitted purposes.

All use of Primary Sense data is governed by Data Sharing and Software Licence Agreements between GCPHN and individual general practices, as well as GCPHN’s internal data governance framework, which includes the following elements:

De‑identification and privacy protection 

Primary Sense data used for research or evaluation is completely de‑identified before use. Patients, practices and GPs are not identifiable in any research outputs or analyses.

Practice consent and opt‑out 

Each general practice using Primary Sense enters into a Data Sharing and Software Licence Agreement with GCPHN, which sets out permitted uses (separated into primary and secondary purposes, which includes research or evaluation activities). Practices are advised of each use of their data for secondary purposes and given the option to opt out of participation.

Ethics and advisory oversight 

All proposed uses of Primary Sense data for secondary purposes are subject to endorsement by the Gold Coast Primary Sense Clinical Advisory Group (PS-CAG). Members of PS-CAG include a local GP, Practice Manager, primary health care nurse, and GCPHN executive and program staff. The PS-CAG meet quarterly to:

• provide clinical direction and governance to GCPHN on the use of Primary Sense data,
• offer clinical and general practice perspectives on how Primary Sense data is used, and
• provide oversight and endorsement of proposals to use Primary Sense data for secondary purposes, such as research, evaluation and quality improvement activities.

In addition, most research and evaluation activities using Primary Sense data require approval from a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).

Strong data governance framework 

GCPHN applies a data governance framework, including defined roles, accountability for data access and use, and controls to ensure data quality, security and appropriate handling throughout the Primary Sense data lifecycle.

Partnerships and transparency 

Research projects may be undertaken in collaboration with approved academic or research partners under formal agreements. GCPHN is committed to communicating research findings to general practices and stakeholders, where appropriate.

PHASES (Preventing Heart Attacks and Stroke Events through Surveillance) is a Queensland-wide initiative that aims to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by strengthening primary care. One element of the broader PHASES program is a research project, funded through a Queensland Health Clinical Research Fellowship. The project will use linked primary care, hospital and mortality data to evaluate cardiovascular disease risk, test new CVD risk prediction approaches, and estimate the number of heart attacks and strokes that could be prevented through improved prevention in general practice.

GCPHN is the lead PHN for the PHASES Data Linkage Project, responsible for designing, managing and delivering the statewide infrastructure that will securely link general practice, hospital and mortality data.

This project is led by Bond University and the Australian Frailty Network at University of Queensland, with funding from the Medical Research Future Fund. The project aims to improve early identification and management of frailty in older adults by automatically generating frailty scores from general practice data using Primary Sense tool and supporting evidence‑based care. GCPHN is supporting this work as a key industry partner by enabling access to Primary Sense data and working with practices to translate research findings into practical tools for improved primary care.

The VaxiMums project is led by University of Queensland. The study examines the safety of influenza and COVID‑19 vaccination during pregnancy, with a specific focus on pregnancy loss before 24 weeks gestation, to strengthen local and national safety evidence. GCPHN is supporting the project by facilitating access to de‑identified Primary Sense data and assisting with governance, engagement and translation of findings for general practice and the broader community.

OPTIMAS‑GP is led by the University of Wollongong and funded by the Medical Research Future Fund. The project aims to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing for respiratory infections in general practice through the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship interventions. GCPHN is supporting the study by promoting participation among local practices and supporting implementation and translation in the primary care setting.

This project is led by QIMR Berghofer and examines patterns of cardiovascular disease preventive care across the Gold Coast PHN population, including priority population groups. The study aims to identify gaps and opportunities for improving CVD prevention and equity in care delivery. GCPHN is supporting the project through access to Primary Sense data and by providing local health system context to inform analysis and interpretation.

This project is led by University of Melbourne and funded by the Medical Research Future Fund to strengthen the role of primary care in identifying and responding to domestic and family violence. The research focuses on improving detection, support pathways, and referral practices within primary care settings. GCPHN is supporting the project by contributing primary care expertise, and facilitating engagement with general practices to inform safer, more responsive care models.

This is a PhD research program at the University of Queensland that aims to improve access to appropriate stepped‑care mental health services by examining how digital health tools and primary care pathways can better support timely, needs‑based care. GCPHN is supporting the project as an industry partner by contributing local system and primary care expertise and facilitating engagement with general practices and consumer advisory groups.