Research and development

Find out about research and development at ACC and read about the unit that manages research and development projects.

On this page

  1. Research and Development Unit
  2. Funding and ethics
  3. Related legislation
  4. Contact details

Research and Development Unit

Research and development work is managed by the Research and Development (R&D) Unit. The Unit oversees a programme of work that informs ACC decision making, guides health purchasing and supports best practice among treatment providers. It is based at ACC’s corporate office in Wellington.

 

The R&D Unit is responsible for commissioning and managing the research projects, service evaluations and market research that ACC funds. Its work includes:

  • providing advice to ensure that ACC’s purchasing is based on good evidence
  • producing resources to support health professionals’ development and promote best practice in injury management and rehabilitation
  • carrying out evaluations to assess the effectiveness of ACC’s programmes and policies
  • undertaking surveys to ensure that key stakeholders are satisfied with ACC’s services
  • piloting and testing new ideas to help ACC work more effectively
  • identifying new and emerging issues that might have an impact on ACC in the future – we call this process ‘horizon scanning’.

ACC Research and Development Strategy

The R&D Unit has developed a strategic plan that provides an overarching framework for research investment in order to future proof the ACC scheme.

For ACC’s full research and development strategy document see:

ACC Research and Development (R&D) Strategy (PDF 53K)

Evidence Based Healthcare Group

The Evidence Based Healthcare (EBH) Group advises ACC on the effectiveness and safety of healthcare interventions. It is part of the R&D Unit. For more information about the EBH Group see:

Evidence Based Healthcare Group

To access the EBH Group’s reports, see:

Evidence Based Healthcare (EBH) Group reports

 

Funding and ethics

Funding

ACC’s research and development activities fall into four main categories depending on how they are funded.

Commissioned research that is usually:

  • carried out by external research providers
  • purchased through a competitive tender process. ACC posts its research tenders on the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) (external link) and providers are invited to submit proposals.
  1. Research instigated and carried out by external research providers who ACC has agreed to fund.
  2. Co-funded research projects of mutual interest to ACC and other funding organisations such as the Health Research Council (external link).
  3. Research carried out internally by the EBH Group.

Ethics

Research proposals must comply with ACC’s ethical guidelines to receive funding.

Research ethics

Funding for post-graduates

ACC does not directly fund research leading to Masters or PhD degrees. However Masters or PhD students conducting research into injury prevention or rehabilitation may be eligible for an ACC Research Career Development Award.

The Health Research Council (HRC) administers this award on our behalf. The HRC is the Crown agency responsible for the management of Government investment in public good health research. You can find application forms and further information about the scheme on the HRC website.

Health Research Council (external site)

 

Related legislation

Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation (IPRC) Act 2001:

Part 7 Accident Compensation Corporation, Section 263 Prevention of personal injury (external link)

 

Contact details

Please direct any enquiries about ACC research and development to:

research@acc.co.nz

 

 

Last updated: 15 December 2008