Non-Government Organisation

Multiple Sclerosis Society of New South Wales 2001 Client Census Study

‘I believe the strong customer focus of the Tribe Research service allowed excellent discussion, negotiation, quality response to our needs. Preparedness to listen and present options contributed to the project’s success’.
Robyn Faine, Manager Client Programs

Explore | Gain a better understanding of our clients

Uncover | Areas of unmet need and service improvement

Drive change | Project led to follow on studies to expand service provision for people living with MS in NSW

Services performed | Advised on questionnaire design, developed the database for data collection, trained telephone interviewers and monitored the interview process. Data was then coded, analysed and presented in reports, for peer review journals and verbal presentations. The dataset included 2,651 clients, 80% of the possible sample.

Publication | International Journal of MS Care, 2006.

Prince of Wales Hospital HIV/AIDS and Related Programs (HARP) Unit

Safe Summer Survival is an annual health promotion campaign. Bi-annually Shire Wide Youth Services and Waverley Action for Youth Services conduct a survey at the same time about the sexual health behaviour of 12 to 25 year olds in southern and eastern Sydney.

Explore | The survey design and data collection is managed by Shire Wide Youth Services and Waverley Action for Youth Services. Tribe Research undertakes the data entry.

Uncover | The sexual experience of young people at different ages, the prevalence and influence of alcohol/drug use on sexual behaviour, changes since previous surveys and differences between demographic groups.

• In 2004, 32% said they would go to a doctor or nurse for information about sexual health issues. In 2006 about a fifth of the participants had discussed recreational drug use, mental health issues and/or sexual health issues with a local doctor.
• The average age for first experiencing oral sex was 14.5, and for sexual intercourse it was 14.8.
• The most common response for number of partners was 2 to 4, for both oral sex and sexual intercourse.
• Over 50% of those who have had sexual intercourse use condoms always or most of the time.
• There was an increase in the proportion reporting they’ve had sex while affected by alcohol or drugs from 2004 to 2006, even though participant average age decreased in the period. Other than alcohol, the main recreational drugs were cannabis and ecstasy.

Clear-Head | Presentation of results to the HIV/AIDS & Related Programs unit at the Prince of Wales hospital.

Drive Change | The results identified areas of importance and at-risk groups to target in future youth education through the Summer Survival team. They are being used to develop sexual health services and education programs.

The Sexual Health Survey is conducted every 2 years by peer educators from Waverly Area Youth Services [WAYS] and Shire Wide Youth Services Inc [SWYS]. It is funded by South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service’s HIV/AIDS and Related Programs Unit. The sample is collected through a convenience methodology and therefore analyses of bias can’t be undertaken. The survey is also collected in social environments and it is possible that some participants were influenced by peer pressure.

The above post is extracted from our newsletter, Tribal Voice Spring 2006 which is no longer available.

The 2008 report can be downloaded from the WAYS Website.

Tribe Research has done the analysis in 2004, 2006, and 2008.

Safety and Compliance Surveys

The Australian Marine Pilots Association and New Zealand Marine Pilots Association wanted to have a better understanding of the safety practices of Australian and New Zealand marine pilots and compliance with safety regulations on ships.

Associations need to understand member compliance for development of their organisation

Explore | Two separate surveys were developed for the safety and compliance aspects of the project. The online survey was developed online using Tribal Tool-Kit software. A personalised link emailed to all marine pilots in database and Tribe Research managed data collection.

Uncover | Data analysis and reporting to uncover the use of safety equipment such as helmets and personal flotation devices, experience with different transfer systems, satisfaction with pilot ladders and other ship equipment, changes to equipment design, pilot assessments of compliance with safety regulations on ships.

Drive Change | The results identified areas to be addressed to ensure the health and safety of all marine pilots, and how these areas can be improved.

The Australian Businesswomen’s Network (ABN)

The ABN was established to provide business education for women across Australia and to facilitate opportunities for them to network, learn and be inspired by role models and by each other. More information at: http://www.abn.org.au.

Community Surveys

Community Director and Advisory Board Chairperson, Suzi Dafnis said:

“Kate has helped us get to know our ‘tribe’. She’s a thorough operator who I have relied on to help develop, implement and analyse our research and who has always been ontime, proactive and whose work is of an extremely high standard. I have no hesitation recommending her. She’s a great person to have on your team!”

Explore | Assisted in survey design for 2005, 2007 and event feedback survey design. Assisted in the data collection for the 2005 and 2007 surveys. Undertook data entry of the paper based event feedback.

Uncover | Provided member and non-member views through surveys in 2005 and 2007 that provided insights for direction and focus. Provided summary reports of event feedback.

Clear-Head | Liaised with Suzi Dafnis and the Advisory Board about actions that could be undertaken from the results to improve the ABN.

Drive Change | Results used by Suzi Dafnis and her Advisory Board to assist in strategy.

Tribal Voice | The results for the 2005 and 2007 survey were published in ABN publications.

Over 1,000 businesswomen participated in the 2005 ABN online survey providing a valuable resource for the development of networking events for business-women throughout Australia.

More than two thirds [69%] of full time, self employed women work between 35 and 50 hours per week; 27% work between 51 and 75 hours per week; and 4% work 75 hours or more per week. These are similar findings to the Australian Bureau of Statistics report Characteristics of Small Business Operators; 65%, 30% and 5% respectively [ABS Catalogue number 8127.0]. However the ABN survey found that 71% of those self employed worked full time whereas only 40% of female small business operators reported by the ABS worked full time. Full article We Are Hearing You: ABN Membership Survey Results in ABN’s The Networker, February 2006 (p7-8) .

The 2007 survey results are available on the ABN’s website.

This post is extracted from our newsletter, Tribal Voice editions #3 Summer 2006 and #4 Autumn 2006.

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.

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.