“Award for GP Advancing Addiction Medicine Research”
09 Oct 2025
Dr Eric Hadinata, a Melbourne GP and addiction medicine specialist, has been recognised by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) for his research into the role of telehealth in improving access to addiction care.
Dr Hadinata, who is Co-Chair of RACGP Victoria’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Committee, completed his Advanced Training in Addiction Medicine with the RACP earlier this year. He currently practises at the Victoria Clinic in Melbourne, a private facility providing both outpatient and inpatient treatment for addiction and psychiatric disorders.
At the International Medicine in Addiction conference, Dr Hadinata was awarded the RACP 2025 AChAM Nghi Phung Research Project Prize, which is presented every two years for the best Advanced Training Research Project in addiction medicine.
Dr Hadinata told newsGP he felt “deeply grateful and humbled” to receive the award and praised the contributions of his research team, including leading experts from Monash Addiction Research Centre and Western Health.
His research, published in the Internal Medicine Journal, examined whether telephone consultations could reduce barriers to addiction treatment. The study found that telehealth consultations significantly increased attendance rates in outpatient addiction services, suggesting they could play an important role in improving access when part of a comprehensive care program.
According to the RACP, Dr Hadinata’s work demonstrates a commitment to evidence-based approaches that improve patient engagement in addiction medicine.
Dr Hadinata said his dual qualifications as a GP and addiction medicine specialist allow him to provide comprehensive care. “Addiction issues are common and among the most challenging problems in general practice,” he said. “Combining skills from both specialties helps coordinate care, assess patients holistically, and provide ongoing support.”
His interest in addiction medicine began during his GP training, where he completed the RACGP’s Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence program. Over time, he developed expertise in both substance-use disorders and non-substance-related addictions, such as gambling and gaming.
Encouraged by colleagues and mentors, Dr Hadinata pursued specialist training in addiction medicine. He now works at the Dual Diagnosis Program at the Victoria Clinic and uses his role on the RACGP committee to advocate for the central role of general practice in addiction care, as well as for improved government policies, funding, and education in this field.
Source: newsGP
