research translation hub
Through our strategic partnership with Australian Catholic University (ACU), we’ve created a way to bridge the critical gap between research and the real-world care veterans receive, driving improved health and wellbeing outcomes for those who have served.
translating research into real-world impact for veterans & their families
Veterans and their families need healthcare solutions backed by the latest research and evidence. Too often, valuable research remains disconnected from clinical practice, delaying translation to health interventions that could deliver better treatment outcomes.
The Australian Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Final Report1 findings have highlighted the complex physical and mental health challenges facing our veterans and military personnel every day.
One of the key recommendations – Recommendation 62 – called for a research translation centre dedicated to defence and veteran healthcare.
that’s what we are building.
Through our strategic partnership with Australian Catholic University (ACU), we’ve created the REFORGE Research Translation Hub (REFORGE RTH).
It’s designed to bridge the critical gap between research and the real-world care veterans receive, driving improved health and wellbeing outcomes for those who have served.
our mission
To improve the health and wellbeing of Australian veterans by translating research into practical and effective healthcare solutions.
our vision
To ensure Australian veterans benefit from high-quality healthcare informed by best practice and delivered through ethical, collaborative and innovative approaches.
our model & approach
The REFORGE RTH represents an important shift in how we approach veteran healthcare and research.
It will serve as a central hub connecting research organisations nationally and worldwide. This network establishes communities of practice where national and international insights can be translated into evidence-based care and improved health outcomes for veterans and their families.
The REFORGE RTH aligns with our whole-person care philosophy, guided by the internationally recognised Eight Dimensions of Wellness framework2.
This model recognises that true health extends beyond symptom management, encompassing the physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, environmental, occupational and financial dimensions of wellbeing.
This framework can help inform how we prioritise and translate research to ensure evidence moves from theory to practice in ways that strengthen health outcomes for veterans.
key partners
GO2 Health’s specialised veteran healthcare setting and extensive veteran clinical expertise will be combined with ACU’s research rigour and academic excellence.
This collaborative approach leverages the strengths of both organisations, fostering innovation and best practice in veteran healthcare.
By integrating clinical expertise with robust research translation capabilities, the partnership is well-positioned to deliver tailored solutions that address the unique challenges faced by veterans and their families. The synergy between GO2 Health and ACU ensures that interventions are not only evidence-based but also responsive to the evolving needs of the veteran community.
research translation process
research translation activities & applications
This partnership aims to deliver improved outcomes at every level of veteran healthcare. By addressing Recommendation 62 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, we’re focused on making a meaningful, measurable impact across the veteran health sector.
Our collaborative efforts work to:
Strengthen evidence-based care delivery – we translate the latest research findings into programs and protocols to ensure veterans receive care specifically designed to address their health needs.
Influence policy development – our activities contribute to policy discussions that drive meaningful healthcare improvements for Australian veterans.
Build collaborative partnerships and global connections – we partner with universities and research institutes to undertake veteran health research translation projects.
Drive innovation and professional training – we ensure beneficial health interventions reach veterans quickly and safely by building healthcare provider capability through evidence-based training and guidelines.
Build capacity and capability – we grow our collective ability to effectively translate and implement veteran-related research.
The goal is to create evidence-based treatment guidelines and train healthcare professionals to apply the most effective practices to support veteran health.
Key priority areas include:
mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI)
pain management
suicide prevention
lifestyle medicine
partnership & collaboration
We’re building partnerships to translate research into real impact for veterans and their families. For REFORGE Research Translation Hub enquiries, please fill out the form, or contact:
Strategic Lead
ACU National Centre for Veterans & Families
Australian Catholic University
- 0427 888 831
- jacqueline.laughlandbooy@acu.edu.au
References
1 Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. (2024). Final report (Vols. 1-7). Commonwealth of Australia. https://defenceveteransuicide.royalcommission.gov.au/publications/final-report
2 Australian Catholic University, National Centre for Veterans and Families. (n.d.). ACU National Centre for Veterans and Families. https://www.acu.edu.au/research-and-enterprise/our-research-institutes/national-centre-for-veterans-and-families
3 Department of Veterans’ Affairs. (2024). Helping veterans and families to recover from brain injury. https://www.dva.gov.au/news/latest-stories/helping-veterans-and-families-recover-brain-injury
some people are lost in their fires.
others are forged in them.
