Dr Anna Rose
Lecturer
School of Health Sciences
- Email:anna.rose@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:(02) 4921 7881
Giving definition and structure to comfort
As an Occupational Therapist, Dr Anna Rose is used to solving problems. Which is why she focuses on how we define and measure comfort.
An Occupational Therapist (OT) has a broad remit. Much like a GP they explore the whole person, rather than specialise in one area of health or the body – but unlike a GP, an OT brings the whole of a person’s surroundings into focus. “We look at both the physical and social environment,” Anna says. “And how that impacts on a person’s health and wellbeing.”
“As an OT you are continually faced with new challenges,” Anna says. “The health system is constantly challenged with new demands as people are living longer with more complex health conditions. As OTs, we tend to be creative people, and it’s this creativity that we bring to health care.”
Anna is passionate about bringing OT research into everyday research to bring the work into the allied health space. “We need to be measuring health outcomes and consider ‘what is the outcome that an OT contributes?’. This is where my current research is heading – looking at ‘comfort’ as an outcome of occupational therapy and where that sits with a mental health perspective.”
What is comfort?
“In my recent research, it’s clear there are physical aspects of comfort, but there’s also psychosocial aspects of comfort,” Anna says. “Because I’m a systems thinker, having an outcome of comfort might bring us more into the allied health space in terms of more preventative approaches to wellbeing.”
Comfort means exploring deeper into a person’s experience. “It’s not just about eliminating negative symptoms or focusing on the medical issues, but starting to think more about life-enriching experiences,” Anna says. “I think that’s where OT can have a big role in providing positive client outcomes.”
There has already been a lot of work around comfort, and it is seen as an outcome in other health areas. However, in OT, the word ‘wellbeing’ has tended to be preferred when considering client outcomes. “I’m currently working on a systematic review with a colleague at Colorado State University and we’re pulling together all the evidence that we can find about OT interventions that enhance client comfort,” Anna says.
“Nursing and medicine have already done a great deal of work in this space, so I’m trying to look at what OTs can bring to it. What is our intervention? How do we assess client comfort?”
Training the next generation
Anna’s workload is split between research, clinical and teaching – and she manages to bring a little bit of each to the other area. “I’m passionate about instilling life-long learning in my students, so I’m also passionate about problem-based learning,” Anna explains. “Our students are brought together to solve problems – and I do this by giving them a bit of systems thinking.”
“It’s about empowering students to understand the health system to effect positive change.”
Technology and OTs
Another of Anna’s projects involves exploring GPs and Telehealth. “The medical students I’m working with are exploring how GPs use telehealth: what are the barriers and how they currently link in with allied health services around chronic health management,” Anna says. “We’re doing a survey with GPs and asking them about how they link to other medical services as well.”
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a massive uptake in Telehealth appointments nationally, so Anna is keen to see how it has impacted its long-term implementation. “Thanks to technology, Telehealth has enabled access to healthcare, particularly for those in rural and remote regions,” Anna says.
“It will continue after COVID, but that’s very dependent on funding, so it’s important that there’s research to show the benefits of Telehealth. Because of COVID we’ve moved ahead five to ten years.”
“Technology and Telehealth gives us the power to educate, monitor and check in,” Anna adds. “It doesn’t work in every situation, but we need to know where it can have optimal impacts for clients and the health system.”
For people living with chronic diseases, Telehealth provides a solution to help them maintain independence while still offering the care and support they need. “Managing a chronic condition can be quite an exhausting thing for people to do over the long-term,” Anna says.
“Telehealth could be a valuable way to provide the additional care they need to ensure they have the skills and support required to monitor their signs and symptoms and seek care when they need it.”
Dying well
OTs also come to the fore in end-of-life care, enabling a positive experience for the patient, their family and carers. “Another aspect of comfort for end-of-life care can be going home to die,” Anna says. “Or it can be about ensuring that all your affairs are in order – that can bring a great deal of comfort to somebody.”
And this is where OTs come in. “I think OT has an excellent understanding of an untapped knowledge of the activities involved in dying,” Anna explains. “OTs can help people go home or stay at home to die by working with carers and health team members to determine the necessary supports.” This could involve modifying the home environment, or working out what kind of training may be required for a carer, so they can perform their caring role safely and effectively.”
Skills for life
Working with both physical skills and cognition is an OT’s greatest strength, but Anna admits it’s also a weakness. “We work in so many areas that sometimes people struggle to understand what we do.”
When we think of occupation we often think of our job, but that’s only one very small part of what an OT does. “It’s such a huge space and an often untapped skillset,” Anna says. “We’re providing skills for everyday living.”
“OTs give a practical level of support so people can live as independently as they wish,” Anna explains. “Often it’s about changing a task and simplifying it – so using tools such as jar openers to make life easier. We give people the tools, education and skills so they can learn new ways to do activities and maintain some level of confidence.”
“Practical support measures can make such a huge difference to people’s quality of life and their wellbeing.”
Giving definition and structure to comfort
As an Occupational Therapist Dr Anna Rose is used to solving problems. Which is why she has a focus on how we define and measure comfort.
Career Summary
Biography
Dr Anna Rose is an Occupational Therapist who dedicates her teaching, clinical and research career to helping people live optimally – with comfort at the centre of all of her work. She works with patients, carers, clinicians and care workers to deliver optimal solutions to ensure that people live their life as well as possible. This includes life-limiting illness where Anna strives to enable people to die-well and find the comfort they need at the end of their life. Related areas of interest are assistive technology and the prevention and management of pressure injuries.
Anna sees OT as a vital element of allied healthcare that includes the whole of a person’s surroundings and environment in the nature of care.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours), University of Newcastle
Keywords
- Comfort
- Health Services Research
- Interdisciplinary
- Pressure Injury
- Primary Health Care
Fields of Research
Code | Description | Percentage |
---|---|---|
420104 | Occupational therapy | 100 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
Title | Organisation / Department |
---|---|
Lecturer | University of Newcastle School of Health Sciences Australia |
Professional appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
---|---|---|
14/3/2016 - 14/1/2017 | Researcher | Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour (CHB) Faculty of Health and Medicine Australia |
Teaching
Code | Course | Role | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
OCCT2151 |
Occupational Therapy and Everyday Living Faculty of Health and Medicine Research- the University of Newcastle |
Lecturer | 1/2/2017 - 1/6/2021 |
OCCT4172 |
Researching and Developing an Occupational Therapy Program The University of Newcastle |
Tutor | 28/2/2017 - 9/11/2017 |
MEDI16001 |
Research for Medical Professionals Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle |
Supervisor | 2/1/2020 - 31/12/2021 |
OCCT1201 |
Introduction to Occuaptional Therapy Practice The University of Newcastle |
Course Coordinator | 1/2/2017 - 1/6/2021 |
OCCT1110 |
Introduction to Occupational Therapy The University of Newcastle |
Course coordinator | 1/2/2017 - 1/6/2021 |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Journal article (7 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 |
Asher RC, Jakstas T, Lavelle F, Wolfson JA, Rose A, Bucher T, et al., 'Development of the Cook-Ed (TM) Matrix to Guide Food and Cooking Skill Selection in Culinary Education Programs That Target Diet Quality and Health', NUTRIENTS, 14 (2022) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2022 |
Freund M, Carey M, Dilworth S, Waller A, Mansfield E, Rose A, et al., 'Effectiveness of information and communications technology interventions for stroke survivors and their support people: a systematic review.', Disabil Rehabil, 44 4563-4578 (2022) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2022 |
Rose AJ, Kamil A, Roberts E, Hopson A, Tehan PE, 'eHealth interventions for the prevention of pressure injuries: a scoping review protocol', WOUND PRACTICE AND RESEARCH, 30 179-184 (2022)
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2020 |
Asher RC, Jakstas T, Wolfson JA, Rose AJ, Bucher T, Lavelle F, et al., 'Cook-EdTM: A Model for Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Cooking Programs to Improve Diet and Health.', Nutrients, 12 (2020) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
Show 4 more journal articles |
Conference (3 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 |
Rose A, Lane S, Haney J, Gleeson J, Burke H, Fellowes J, 'What interventions are used by occupational therapists to enhance client comfort?', Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, Virtual Conference and Engagement Hubs (2022)
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2021 |
Roberts E, Weaver C, Rose A, 'The language of recovery from eating disorders: Thematic analysis of 'your own words'', JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS (2021)
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2021 |
Scholte S, Rose A, Lane S, 'Comfort: Occupational therapist s perception of assessment and intervention', Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, Virtual Conference (2021)
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Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 6 |
---|---|
Total funding | $24,116 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20231 grants / $4,808
Harnessing technology to improve the lives of people with spinal cord injury and wounds$4,808
Funding body: University of Newcastle
Funding body | University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Project Team | Doctor Anna Rose, Mr Nick Edwards, Doctor Joel Ferguson, Doctor Peter Robinson, Doctor Peta Tehan |
Scheme | Pilot Funding Scheme |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2023 |
Funding Finish | 2023 |
GNo | G2300448 |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | Y |
20221 grants / $4,984
EHealth for the prevention and mangement of pressure inuries: A scoping review. $4,984
Funding body: Shcool of Health Sciences
Funding body | Shcool of Health Sciences |
---|---|
Project Team | Rose, A., Tehan P., Ahmad, A., Roberts, E., Hopkins, A |
Scheme | Research Support Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2022 |
Funding Finish | 2022 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20211 grants / $4,422
What e-support(s) are available to prevent pressure injury?$4,422
Funding body: School Health Science - Strategic Pilot Grant
Funding body | School Health Science - Strategic Pilot Grant |
---|---|
Project Team | Dr Peta Tehan, Dr Elysa Roberts, Alexandra Hopson, Arif Kamil |
Scheme | School of Health Sciences Research Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2021 |
Funding Finish | 2021 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20201 grants / $2,902
An evaluation of current practice in Pressure Injury management for older people and people in the community$2,902
Funding body: School of Health Sciences
Funding body | School of Health Sciences |
---|---|
Project Team | Anna Rose, Arif Ahmed, Lynette Mackenzie |
Scheme | SHS Research Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2020 |
Funding Finish | 2020 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20181 grants / $4,000
What interventions are used by occupational therapists to enhance client comfort?$4,000
Funding body: School of Health Sciences Strategic Pilot Funding
Funding body | School of Health Sciences Strategic Pilot Funding |
---|---|
Project Team | Dr Anna Rose, Professor Shelly Lane, Jacob Fellowes |
Scheme | School of Health Sciences Strategic Pilot Funding |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2018 |
Funding Finish | 2018 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20171 grants / $3,000
Strategic Pilot Grant$3,000
Funding body: The University of Newcastle | Australia
Funding body | The University of Newcastle | Australia |
---|---|
Project Team | Dr Sam Ashby, Dr Peta Tehan, Felicity Williams, Jayne Campbell. |
Scheme | School of Health Sciences Strategic Pilot Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2017 |
Funding Finish | 2017 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - Local |
Category | 2OPL |
UON | N |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Current Supervision
Commenced | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Honours | The experiences and perceptions of pressure injury prevention devices & eHealth technologies in individuals at risk of, or with pressure injury in the community. | Medical Studies, College of Health, Medicine & Wellbeing - The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
Past Supervision
Year | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Honours | Coaching for participation and health management for individuals with spinal cord injury: A scoping review. | Occupational Therapy, College Health, Medicine and Wellbeing - The University of Newcastle (Australia) | Principal Supervisor |
2023 | Masters | Ensuring Correct Fit and Sustainability of Assistive Technology in Schools in a Rehabilitation Model of Care | M Philosophy (Occupat Therapy), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
2022 | Honours | How do allied health students perceive written reflections as a learning tool? | Occupational Therapy, College of Health, Medicine & Wellbeing - The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
2021 | Honours |
Improving Current Chronic Disease Management – Is Telehealth the Key? Joint Medical Program project <br /> |
Medical Studies, College of Health, Medicine & Wellbeing - The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
2019 | Honours | Comfort: Occupational therapists' perceptions of assessment and intervention. | Occupational Therapy, The Faculty of Health Science / The University of Newcastle / Australia | Principal Supervisor |
2018 | Honours | Making Sense of Eating Disorders: The Lived Experience | Occupational Therapy, The Faculty of Health Science / The University of Newcastle / Australia | Co-Supervisor |
Dr Anna Rose
Position
Lecturer
School of Health Sciences
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
Contact Details
anna.rose@newcastle.edu.au | |
Phone | (02) 4921 7881 |
Office
Room | 372 |
---|---|
Building | ICT Building |
Location | Callaghan University Drive Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia |