Several UTS Health academics, from palliative care specialists to frontline nursing staff – have turned their research efforts to the fight against COVID-19.
It seems a long time since the first case of COVID-19 was announced back in January by Federal Health minister Greg Hunt.
In the early stages of the pandemic, UTS Professor of Palliative Medicine David Currow, put his attention into using the Rapid Program to better understand the symptoms, and their intensity and management in people severely affected by COVID-19.
Professor Currow is a member of IMPACCT, which is a research collaboration focused on the health and wellbeing of individuals living with life-limiting illnesses and their families, as is UTS Health senior lecturer Dr Tim Luckett.
Dr Luckett is leading a current survey of specialist palliative care providers to analyse their response to COVID-19. He is particularly interested in how the pandemic has changed the palliative care of people dying from cancer, organ failure and other life-limiting illnesses.
Dr Suzanne Sheppard-Law, who is a senior research fellow in the UTS School of Nursing and Midwifery, is working with colleagues on a national survey to measure the impact of COVID-19 on nursing practice and wellbeing.
We want to determine which nurse populations are most at risk of poor well-being and may require additional support.
Dr Suzanne Sheppard-Law
The World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre (WHOCC) at UTS is also focused on COVID-19 workforce research - in 22 countries in the Pacific region. A team including WHOCC director Michele Rumsey, Professor Debra Anderson, Professor Jane Maguire and Lisa Townsend is carrying out research to evaluate best practice evidence to develop health resources for nursing and midwifery health workers, who are managing COVID-19 and other public health emergencies.
Read the full story on UTS News: Challenge accepted: on the frontline of a pandemic