Expressions of interest for the NCIRS Social Science Unit reference group – now open

The Social Science Unit at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) is forming a reference group of healthcare providers to give input and advice into the development of immunisation resources and initiatives.

• Are you a healthcare provider (nurse, pharmacist, GP) who has experience in or is looking to build skills in having vaccination conversations with patients?
• Would you like to have input into resources and initiatives that aim to support providers to have effective vaccination conversations with patients?
• Can you see yourself as part of a provider reference group, providing ad hoc informal advice a couple of times a year?

If you have answered yes to one or more of these questions, we would love to hear from you.

To express your interest in joining the NCIRS Social Science provider reference group, please fill out the form here

What is this about?
The Social Science Unit (SSU) at NCIRS is conducting research and developing resources to support immunisation providers to have more effective conversations about vaccination with patients. We are seeking expressions of interest from healthcare providers to give informal input and advice on our resources and initiatives.

Who are we looking for?
We are seeking providers from different geographic locations in Australia (metro, regional, and rural), working in diverse settings (general practice, hospital, pharmacy, community, residential care facilities, etc.) and working with different populations (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people).

What would be involved?
From time to time, we will send an email to the reference group asking for input on resources or initiatives. You can give input in ways that are convenient to you (via email, survey software or over a phone/Zoom chat).

How much time would this take?
There is no minimum input required although we would like to hear from you at least once a year. We would ask for brief input, no longer than 15 minutes of your time.

What sort of things will we ask for input into?
We may ask for your input into different initiatives, including priority areas for our planning activities; questions to include in surveys and interviews; content and format of resources; and where or how to disseminate information and resources to best reach providers.

If you would like to learn more or have questions, please email Dr Maryke Steffens, NCIRS Social Science Research Fellow at maryke.steffens@health.nsw.gov.au