Original Research
Consumer-driven approach to determining health research priorities: what matters most to people living in rural Australia?
AUTHORS
Soraia de Camargo Catapan1,2 PhD, Research Fellow * 
Bushra F Nasir3 Research Fellow
Leonie Gavioli3,13
Anthony Smith1,2,14
Trevor Russell7 Director
AFFILIATIONS
1 Centre for Online Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
2 Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
3 Rural Clinical School, Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Toowoomba, Qld, Australia
4 School of Health and Medical Sciences and Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
5 UCT Research Centre for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport (HPALS), Division of Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
6 Manna Institute, Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
7 RECOVER Injury Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
8 Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
9 UQ Clinical Trials Capability (ULTRA) team, Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Australia, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
10 Rural Clinical School, Griffith University, Toowoomba, Qld, Australia
11 QENDO and Australian Coalition for Endometriosis, Australia
12 Champion Health Agency, Australia
13 Telehealth Consumer Representative Group, Centre for Online Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
14 University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
ACCEPTED: 5 July 2026
Early Abstract:
Background: Rural, regional and remote (henceforth rural) communities face unique health challenges, including limited access to healthcare, workforce shortages, and higher disease burden. Consumer and community involvement (CCI) is essential for addressing real-world health needs and fostering equity, yet its role in shaping research priorities remains largely underexplored, particularly in rural contexts. This study aims to identify consumer priorities for rural health research in Australiaand to describe the process and learnings of a novel approach to promoting involvement of rural consumers in health research.
Methods: We adopted the World Café method, involving a 1-day workshop and pre- and post-surveys with rural consumers and researchers from Western Downs region of Queensland, Australia. We invited participants to share their health experiences and identify local health priorities. Discussions were graphically recorded during the workshop. Participants and facilitators notes were content analysed to identify key research categories. Demographic data and pre- and post-workshop surveys were analysed descriptively.
Results: Five key priorities were identified: 1) recruiting and retaining general practitioners in rural towns; 2) expanding multidisciplinary care; 3) increasing community awareness of local health and wellbeing services; 4) enhancing chronic care options, including remote monitoring; and 5) addressing links between health and hardship, such as housing and financial challenges. Consumers and researchers’ participants reached consensus on the need for tailored, community-driven interventions and increased collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and local communities.
Conclusion: Active involvement of consumers is important for determining user needs and research priorities in rural community settings and should be routine when planning and prioritising healthcare services in order to foster improved health outcomes.
Keywords: Australia, Community-Based Participatory Research, Healthcare, Health Services Research, Research Priorities, Rural Health, Telehealth.