Rae Thomas

Dr. Rae Thomas, is an Associate Professor in Evidence-Based Practice and Research Education Lead for the Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre (TAAHC). In this role, Dr. Thomas leads and builds research capability and capacity training across the TAAHC Member organisations of Townsville, Mackay, Cairns and Hinterland, North West, and Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Services, The NQ Primary Care Network, Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, and James Cook University.

Her research focusses on reducing the gap between research evidence and clinical practice. Rae’s passion is to improve evidence-based decision making in clinical practice and to use community engagement strategies to improve health systems and policy.

Her research interests span several critical areas:

1. Evidence-Based Decision Making: Dr. Thomas focuses on improving evidence-based decision-making in clinical practice. She explores ways to enhance critical appraisal skills in community members and disseminate research knowledge to clinicians.

2. Community Engagement in Health Policy: She investigates how community engagement can inform health policy decision-making. Dr. Thomas has led research projects on community juries, a form of deliberative democracy, and their utility in public health policy development.

3. Translating Evidence to Practice and Policy: Her work bridges the gap between research evidence and practical implementation. She explores innovative methodologies to facilitate public deliberation in health policy decision-making.