In line with the UTS Research Strategy, we are focused on external and local research engagement and strengthening our industry partnerships.
In the School of Nursing and Midwifery, we are deeply committed to maximising support for all honours, HDR students and early career research academics.
Our research highlights
2021 MRFF Consumer-Led Research
Congratulations to Dr Tim Luckett, Professor Meera Agar, and Associate Professor Jo River.
Breathlessness ‘crises’ or acute-on-chronic episodes are terrifying events that disempower people with COPD (‘consumers’) and their carers, and often result in unhelpful Emergency Department (ED) presentations.
Breathlessness crisis management ‘plans’ are written educational tools that provide consumers and carers with a step-by-step guide to using non-pharmacological strategies that bring breathlessness crises under control.
This 3-year project led by Dr Tim Luckett will partner with consumers, carers and clinicians to co-design an evidence- and theory-based breathlessness self-management plan and supporting educational resources (collectively termed “the intervention”). Feasibility testing will be used to refine the intervention and develop an accompanying implementation package and quality improvement measures.
The final intervention will be disseminated in online, printed and mobile app formats through the Lung Foundation Australia’s networks and educational program, so that it can start to improve outcomes within 12 months from the project ending.
2021 MRFF Primary Health Care Digital Innovations
Congratulations to Professor Marg Fry and Professor Deb Parker.
Australia has an ageing population and the demand for high-quality aged care services will only increase in the coming years, to which quality nursing care is fundamental.
The life expectancy in Australia is higher than it has ever been, and the coming years will present many new challenges associated with an aging population and the increasing burden of chronic disease.
Currently, over 1.3 million people use aged care services in Australia. Approximately 191,000 are cared for in residential aged care facilities (RACFs), of which there are ~830 providers and 2,704 facilities across the country.
This research will co-design and test a new aged care nursing assessment framework - HIRAIDTM Aged Care - to improve the quality and safety of person-centred aged care within RACFs, improve RN practice, resident and family satisfaction, and reduce unwarranted hospital burden.
Professor Mary Fry and Professor Deb Parker as CIs are part of the research team led by Associate Professor Ramon Shaban from University of Sydney and Western Sydney Local Health District.
International Day of the Nurse Celebration
Distinguished Professor Tracy Levett-Jones gave a keynote presentation at the International Day of the Nurse Celebration at Sydney Eye Hospital on May 12.
At the ceremony, Isobel King, one of our recent nursing graduates was awarded the Pat Danks New to Practice Nurse Award (Sponsored by the Sydney Hospital Graduate Nurses Alumni).
This award recognises nursing graduates who have shown exceptional potential during their first year of practice and who demonstrate passion and commitment to the provision of quality, safe and compassionate care to patients.
Isobel was described as a team player with ‘can do’ attitude. Isobel has a positive and kind energy that always informs her patient care and her interactions with ED staff. She is part of the rural exchange programs and will be going to Broken Hill for her second rotation later this year.
Our publications
Compassion for midwives: The missing element in workplace culture for midwives globally
This study explores the relationship between loneliness and life satisfaction among India's older population, focusing on the moderating effects of religiosity, spirituality, and religious participation. Utilising data from 31,464 individuals over 60, sourced from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, the study found that 30.84% of participants reported low life satisfaction, while 37.25% reported feeling lonely.
The analysis revealed that loneliness is associated with lower life satisfaction. However, this negative impact was less pronounced among participants who were spiritual, religious or participated in religious activities. In other words, spirituality, religiosity, and religious participation appeared to buffer the negative impact of loneliness on life satisfaction.
This study emphasises the potential health benefits of religious engagement and suggests that the interaction between religious groups and public health professionals could be a vital avenue to explore to improve the well-being of older adults.
Grant successes
2023 River, J., Vaughan, P., Pebdani, R., Demant, D., Parker, D., Woods, R., Deakin, E., Mills, C., Mills, C., Yin, C. LGBTIQA+ Health and Wellbeing Research. Department of Health and Aged Care (RfQ Health/E23-144056).
Grant amount: $79,946.2023 River, J. Exploring the skills, knowledge and healthcare needs of people living with functional neurological disorder (FND). Disability Access and Inclusion Fund, UTS.
Grant amount: $10,7102023 River, J., Bellingham, B., Kemp, H., & Rhodes, P. Youth Insearch: Raising the bar in youth mental health research. Youth Insearch Foundation.
Grant amount: $70,0002023 Rhodes, P. River, J., Bellingham, B. Co-producing lived experience research. Youth Insearch Foundation.
Grant amount: $123,6732023 Goodhew, M., River, J., Hollingdrake, O., Currie, J., Sheppard-Law, S., Orr, F., Raeburn, T. Co-designing an alcohol and other drugs education program with experts by experience. Notre Dame.
Grant amount: $9,989.Slavin, V., Costa, Fabricio., Thilaganathan, B., Judge, A., Sandall, J., Liew, A., Flanady, V., Shanley, D., Dahlen, H., Fenwick, J., Callender, E., Carter, A., Toohill, J., Ellwood, D., Ware, R. Callander et al (2023) Implementation, process evaluation and cost-effectiveness of the Australian Tommy's App - a digital clinical decision tool to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes, MEDICAL RESEARCH FUTURE FUND (MRFF) - Preventive and Public Health Research Initiative - 2022 Assessment of High-Cost Gene Treatments and Digital Health Interventions– Stream 3. Grant Identification Number: MRF2025115.
Grant amount: $739,525.802023 River, J., Vaughan, P., Pebdani, R., Demant, D., Parker, D., Woods, R., Deakin, E., Mills, C., Mills, C., Yin, C. LGBTIQA+ Health and Wellbeing Research. Department of Health and Aged Care (RfQ Health/E23-144056).
Grant amount: $79,946.2023 River, J. Exploring the skills, knowledge and healthcare needs of people living with functional neurological disorder (FND). Disability Access and Inclusion Fund, UTS.
Grant amount: $10,7102023 Goodhew, M., River, J., Hollingdrake, O., Currie, J., Sheppard-Law, S., Orr, F., Raeburn, T. Co-designing an alcohol and other drugs education program with experts by experience. Notre Dame.
Grant amount: $9,989.