Strategic priority outcomes 2022-2023

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​​​​​​​​​Priority 1: Establish, support and grow the network

Strategic objectives 

1. To provide sustainable leadership in clinical research activities in the AOD sector in NSW, in collaboration with clinicians, consumers, professional groups and academic researchers and institutions.
2. ​To promote and facilitate collaboration in inter-disciplinary multisite clinical research and quality improvement activities across AOD services in NSW.

Achievements

• Ongoing funding secured, ensuring the continued network expansion under the appointment of a dedicated Statewide Coordinator.
•  The inclusion of the Statewide Coordinator in the Ministry of Health Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAOD) Strategic Research and Evaluation (SRE) team has strengthened the links between DACRIN and the CAOD. Moreover, the Statewide Coordinator has been participating in CAOD-led Drug and Alcohol Program Committee, Quality in Treatment, and SRE Working Group meetings. Additionally, representatives from the SRE team have been attending DACRIN Council meetings to provide updates and seek input into COAD initiatives.
• Links have been established with external organisations, including ACDAN, ACI AOD Network, CMHDARN, NDARC, and the R3 CTC Clusters, to promote the network and foster collaboration.
• Welcomed 4 new member organisations, including 3 local health districts (NBMLHD, NNSWLHD, WNSWLHD), increasing the representation of LHD membership to 75% of NSW. In addition, the inclusion of NADA and non-government organisation has helped to create a sector-wide clinical research network encompassing a broader range of settings in which AOD interventions are delivered.
• Initiated membership conversations with MNCLHD, SNSWLHD, FWNSWLHD and MLHD • Implementation of a public-facing website designed to provide information about DACRIN, the clinical research we conduct, and the related publications that have emerged from our work. The website also includes a comprehensive overview of our mission, values, member organisations and people.
• Seven studies, comprising of four clinical research studies and three quality improvement surveys, have been scaled up into DACRIN member organisations. DACRIN led four studies, while three studies were led by external collaborators.
• NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies - $2.1M awarded for DACRIN 2022-1: A placebocontrolled randomised trial of cannabidiol (CBD) in the treatment of cannabis use disorder.
• Fourteen publications in influential journals, out of which nine were led by DACRIN and five were led by external collaborators.
• An oral presentation was given by the Statewide Coordinator at the NADA conference. The presentation was titled ‘The NSW Drug and Alcohol Clinical Research and Improvement Network (DACRIN): Enhancing clinical research capacity across the AOD sector’ at the NADA 2023 conference.
• Annual renewal of DACRINs Australian Clinical Trials Alliance (ACTA) membership and attendance by the Statewide Coordinator at ACTA SIGNet and Advisory Council meetings to ensure DACRINs continued participation and involvement as a national Clinical Trials Network (CTN). In addition, the Statewide Coordinator attended the ACTA CTN Masterclass series to assess the progress of DACRIN as a facilitating network.
• A new strategic plan drafted for the 2024-2029 period focusing on leading AOD clinical research, building clinical research and translation capacity and continuing to expand the network and influence change. The plan is undergoing review by the DACRIN Council.

Priority 2: Develop clinical research infrastructure

Strategic objectives 

1. To streamline AOD clinical research governance, including shared policies and procedures across participating services.
2. ​To develop common research metrics and databases, enabling pooling of AOD clinical data and facilitating meta-analyses, with particular regard to the mounting importance of clinical informatics and data linkage methodologies.

Achievements

• DACRIN members-only SharePoint site implemented to promote access to research support and resources, facilitate education and training of staff involved in the running of studies and provide cross-member connection opportunities
• New member affiliate process implemented allowing individuals employed by DACRIN member organisations to take advantage of the benefits offered through DACRIN. These benefits include complimentary and discounted training, shared resources, and the opportunity to stay updated with the latest news on AOD and research-related developments - including state and federal initiatives. This process aims to foster greater collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the AOD research community and supports DACRIN's mission to facilitate high-quality AOD clinical research and quality improvement activities.
• The DACRIN Data Project, which aims to standardise data collection for clinical research in AOD services in New South Wales, has been finalised and published in the Drug and Alcohol Review. Moreover, the project resulted in the development of an online library of standardised, downloadable REDCap electronic Case Report Forms available to DACRIN member affiliates via the SharePoint site.
• Developed guidelines for shared governance and operations, accessible on the SharePoint site. - GD.01 DACRIN Authorship, Publication and Spokesmanship
• GD.02 DACRIN Cost associated with conducting research
• GD.03 DACRIN Member Affiliates • Drafted guidelines for shared governance and operations, for inclusion on the SharePoint site when finalised
• GD-04 DACRIN Consumer Involvement
• GD.05 DACRIN Participant Reimbursement
• GD.06 DACRIN AOD Researcher Orientation Manual
• DACRIN scale-up process streamlined to provide better information on required activities and anticipated payments, aiding more informed and faster decision-making for site participation in AOD research and Quality Improvement (QI) projects.

Priority 3: Build clinical research and translation capacity

Strategic objectives 

1. To increase clinician, consumer and researcher engagement in AOD clinical research and QI activities, including by facilitating workforce development and other capacity building opportunities.
2. ​To implement strategies that enable clinician and consumer input into the development of research questions and protocols, and enhance the translation of findings into AOD clinical practice.

​​Achievements

• Joint NADA/DACRIN project led by Rob Stirling, NADA CEO, undertaken to explore the research capacity of AOD services across NSW. The study aimed to assess the baseline research capacity of the NSW AOD sector, exploring multiple factors that may influence capacity. The results of this study are being used by NADA, DACRIN and the NSW Ministry of Health to inform responses aimed at enhancing research capacity.
• Partnered with PRAXIS Australia to give DACRIN members access to 35 research essentials training packages. So far, 21 people from 10 organisations have enrolled in the 12-month program, which offers a unique educational model that allows for customised, modern, and self-paced training.
• Partnered with SophieMephamGCP™ to offer free online Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training to DACRIN member affiliates. So far, 60 people have completed the training.
• Supported services with purchasing software (EndNote, SPSS) and equipment (fridges, freezers, centrifuges) necessary for the effective conduct of research.
• Purchased 20 new iPads plus SIM cards. iPads offer a portable and convenient way to collect and store data, allowing researchers to efficiently conduct surveys, interviews, and other forms of data collection in the field. The device's touchscreen allows for easy navigation through surveys and questionnaires. Additionally, the built-in camera and microphone can be used to capture photos and audio recordings for qualitative data analysis. The SIM card enables researchers to access the internet, a requirement when entering data into REDCap study databases. •
• Biostatistical advice to DACRIN member organisations is imperative to enhancing research capacity across NSW. To support the network's funding applications and publication submissions in the next three years, CAOD committed a total of $30,000 to support a 0.1FTE biostatistician. A process to request support from the biostatistician has been included on the DACRIN SharePoint site.
• Created a Consumer Involvement Strategy to involve consumers in our AOD clinical research and QI activities. This strategy is currently being reviewed by the Consumer Informed AOD Research and Analysis (CIARA) Working Group at the Ministry of Health.
• Compiled a comprehensive library of DACRIN publications using EndNote and made them readily available to visitors of the DACRIN website.
• Increased use of medicinal cannabis to treat people with cannabis use disorder across Australia - arising from the evidence derived from Sativex RCTs (x2) undertaken by DACRIN services.
• The UNLOC-T study gathered important perspectives from health and correctional staff prior to the widespread roll-out of Depot buprenorphine (Buvidal) in NSW custodial settings. As of Aug 2023, around 2200 patients received buprenorphine formulations in NSW correctional centres.
• The NSW LADB guidelines were rewritten based on research undertaken by DACRIN services (DEBUT, UNLOCT, CoLAB). This landmark research has led to the majority of buprenorphine treatment in Australia being administered using LADB.