The Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) has partnered with BehaviourWorks Australia on a $1.5 million initiative to improve patient safety in public healthcare.

The three-year Patient Safety Research and Innovation Program will study behavioural enablers and barriers, to better understand the risk factors and challenges in public health and prioritise areas for improvement.

“As the state’s insurer, VMIA is pleased to be investing in initiatives to prevent and reduce harm to Victorian families,” CEO Colin Radford said.

“Our commitment to this research program allows us to draw on the expertise of academics, healthcare professionals and the insurance industry, to make a real difference.”

BehaviourWorks Australia is a research institute at Monash University’s Sustainable Development Institute.