Tribal Voice

Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies: HSNet workshops

Explore | The effectiveness of HSNet workshops.

Uncover | Extent of learning after workshops compared to previous knowledge, evaluation of workshop content and presenters, comparison between workshops at different times, in different regions and by different trainers.

Drive Change | The workshops evaluations were used to improve subsequent workshops and monitor change in evaluation ratings across subsequent workshops.

Services performed | Database development, data entry, analysis and report writing, progress reports after initial workshops to enable immediate improvement, final report for all workshops.

In May 2004 the NSW Ombudsman produced a report: Assisting Homeless People – the need to improve their access to accommodation and support services. The inquiry found that exclusionary policies and practices were adversely affecting access by the most vulnerable groups to Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) services. In some cases, this seemed to contravene significant legislated guidelines and anti-discrimination legislation. People with alcohol and other drug dependency issues, mental illness and brain related physical disabilities were affected.

One response by peak bodies was to develop a client assessment risk tool and risk management process that would be implemented through training. Age Communications won the tender and Tribe Research is helping in a variety of areas to support this research on various service foci and levels. We have been working with Age Communications on the SAAP Client Risk Assessment Project and the Workshop evaluations of the trial training program. They are being run successfully throughout New South Wales.

Tribe Research and Age Communications project was Highly Commended at the WorkCover Safe Work Awards 2006 in the Best Solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue category.

The SAAP Client Risk Assessment Tool and Process consists of a six step process of Trigger Questions, Follow-up Questions, Severity of Risk, Risk Management Strategies, Decision and Evaluation. It has been implemented through training programs across NSW.

The project was funded by NSW DoCS with a steering committee of HomelessnessNSW.ACT, Women’s Refuge Resource Centre, Youth Accommodation Association of NSW, NGO Training Unit, and NSW Council of Social Services.

This post was extracted from our Spring 2005 and Spring 2006 Tribal Voice newsletters.

Telephone interviewing and quantitative analysis reveal market insight

Earlier this year we worked with Reading Systems, producers of Phonica, a phonics based literacy software system for children and adults with reading difficulties and an accelerant system for younger children. Reading Systems Managing Directors, Dr Norman Swan [also presenter of The Health Report on the ABC] and Dr Jeffrey Tobias wanted to know more about their customers and where their prospects were positioned in the buying cycle. It was also important to uncover the prevalent attitudes and perceptions of parents and guardians about reading.

We conducted in-depth telephone interview surveys to understand the decision paths made by parents looking for ways to help their child learn to read. We created a market segmentation model to illustrate where contacts were at in the buying cycle and already. Dr Norman Swan, Managing Director, Reading Systems said:

“Reading Systems has put this model into practice with excellent results”

Adapted from the Spring 2005 Edition of our newsletter Tribal Voice

Australian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study [AMSLS]: Economic Impact of MS

(Tribe Research was a member of the Working Group)

Explore | The purchases made by people with MS in Australia on MS and ways that their lifestyle has changed to deal with their MS. This is the first study to utilise the AMSLS sample.

Uncover | The economic impact of MS on individuals, the community and the government.

Drive change | Provide data to enable increasing awareness of the cost impact of MS.

Services performed | Designed the study materials [Baseline Questionnaire and Cost Diary], in consultation with the Economic Impact of MS Working Group. Design and development of the study database [MS Access] including reports and customisations for comparison with the ABS and HIC data. Undertook analysis of the trial study and managed the data entry of the full study. Undertook data analysis including standardisation for comparisons with the general population.

GP, Pharmacy and Hospital communication links improve patient care outcomes

Tribe Research was commissioned by The Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch to advise on the evaluation of continuity of care between the Prince of Wales Hospital [Sydney] Heartlink Program and Home Medicine Reviews program. The study, published in the Australian Journal of Pharmacy and Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, found an improved link between hospital, GPs and community pharmacy that resulted in positive patient outcomes.

Blennerhassett JD, Cusack BM, Smith CD , Green L, Tribe KL (2006) A Novel Medicines Management Pathway. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 36(3): 175-180.

Smith C, Tribe K, Cusack B, Blennerhassett J (2005) HMRs can drive continuity of care. Australian Journal of Pharmacy, 86:620-621, August.

Download our Health Research booklet for an abstract of the articles.

This post is an extract from our newsletter Tribal Voice #2 Spring 2005

Summer Utilisation Survey

Moerlina is a Co-op Limited fellowship ski club lodge in Smiggins at the Snowy Mountains, NSW. While in winter the lodge is often fully booked, in summer it is under-utilised.

How we helped Moerlina to explore, uncover and drive change

Chairman, Mike O’Sullivan said:

“This was the first serious survey the club has undertaken. The survey results will become a primary focus of the Board and the Utilisation and Funding Committee to increase summer usage”.

Explore | Developed a paper based survey for postal distribution to their members and return to Tribe Research for data entry and analysis.

Uncover | Analysed the results to identify the changes required to increase utilisation.

Clear-Head | Results were presented to Board Members and followed by discussion of ways that the results can be used to increase summer lodge use.

Drive change | Moerlina developed a marketing campaign to improve member awareness of the lodge throughout the year.

Tribal Voice | The marketing campaign enabled the members to know that the Board had heard their views.

Member Survey

Last Thursday Club (LTC) was a monthly networking event on the last Thursday of each month. It was started by Paul Jones from Magneto, who hosted the event for many years. It was then run by Business Chicks. In 2010 they changed the format to Small Business Seminar Series.

How we helped LTC to explore, uncover and drive change

Paul Jones said:

“I’m happy to beat the drum for Tribe Research. Kate’s personal service, skilled and insightful analysis, and easy-to-read (and absorb) report layout were excellent. She really added huge value to my business, and to our future project.”

Explore | Paul Jones created his own member satisfaction survey.

Uncover | Tribe Research analysed the survey results for insights and key themes. Then created a clear and concise report drawing out the key themes.

Clear-Head | Kate explained the results to Paul, and they discussed ways they could be implemented for the benefit of LTC.

Drive change | Prospective speakers are sent a copy of the survey factsheet highlighting insights into the Last Thursday Club audience. This ensures their presentations are as relevant as possible.

Tribal Voice | The results were presented at the Last Thursday Club to members at the monthly networking event in October 2004.

Mount Wilson Progress Association Hall Development Committee Survey

‘We appreciate the amount of time, effort and expertise that you have expended in producing the survey and in recording the results in such detail… Be assured that it will be utilised by the Mount Wilson community’
Moira Green,Secretary, Mount Wilson Progress Association

Explore | Desired uses for the Community Hall

Uncover | Real areas of use

Drive change | The survey results led to the development of sub-committees such as the library committee who have developed a community library running from the hall.

Services performed | Advised on survey design, analysed the data, and produced a report and fact sheet for community distribution.