Staff Profile
Career Summary
Biography
Professor Isabel Higgins is Professor of Older Person Nursing with the University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Health and Leads the BRICS (Buliding Research in Interdisciplianary Collaboration) Nursing and Midwifery Network with the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). Isabel's role as a Clinical Chair, jointly appointed with the Hunter New England Health, means that she works very closely with clinicians and practitioners in a range of settings including residential aged care, acute care and the community. Through the School of Nursing and Midwifery's Collaborating Center for Older Person Care (CCOPC) Isabel and her clinical nursing and academic colleagues work with the Research Centre for Gender Health and Ageing to conduct research that focuses on providing optimal care of older people in a range of settings. Through the CCOPC Isabel collaborates and partners on research and scholarly activities which centre on person centered care, practice re design and capacity building for future generations of nurses. Isabel is internationally renowned for her research relating to the care of older people in resdiential and acute care settings and has been instrumental in highlighting the issues surrounding pain and symptom management in this group. She has undertaken a range of studies in residential and acute care relating to pain and symptom management and produced numerous publications and presentations relating to the topic. Isabel has extensive expertise in relation to conducting research with older people in a range of contexts and settings and expertise relating to the use of a range of research methodologies including qualitative, mixed methods and evaluation research using pre and post design. She is on the editorial boards of several nursing journals and has been a reviewer for several international nursing journals for many years. As an indicator of her standing in the field she was an invited editor of a special edition of Contemporary Nurse in relation to older people, is an expert reviewer for twelve international nursing journals and is an invited member scholar of the International Institute of Qualitative Methodology and the International Honour Nursing Society of Sigma Theta Thau. Her expertise is acknowledged through her many conference presentations and invitations to present internationally (New Zealand, Hong Kong, Korea, Maldives,Thailand, Japan, United States, Canada, France and the United Kingdom). Professor Higgins has been an ARC reviewer for many years because of her expertise in older person care and a variety of methodologies.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle, 30/08/2002
- Master of Nursing, University of Newcastle, 13/10/1995
- Graduate Diploma of Health Science (Nursing), University of Newcastle
- Associate Diploma in Nurse Education, University of Newcastle, 08/05/1981
Research
Research keywords
- action research
- end of life care
- ethnography
- mixed methods
- older person care
- pain and symptom management
- phenomenology
- qualitative research
Research expertise
Pain and symptom management in older people, older person care, end of life care, older people and their relatives, nutrition and hydration at the end of life, qualitative methodologies and mixed methods, evaluation studies.
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 111000 | Nursing | 100 |
Memberships
Body relevant to professional practice.
- Member - International Institute for Qualitative Methodology member scholar
- Member - Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing
- Member - Fellow College of Nursing
- Member - Fellow Royal College of Nursing Australia
Editorial Board.
- Member - Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences
Awards
Distinction.
| 2008 | Premier's Award Finalist NSW Health (Australia) The Older Person Acute Care Model (OPAC) |
|---|---|
| 2008 | HNEHealth Quality Award Finalist Hunter New England Health, NSW Health (Australia) OPAC Model |
Recognition.
| 2009 | Best Policy Poster Council on the Aging (COTA), National Policy Council (Australia) Best Policy Poster |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Baxter Award Nomination NSW Health (Australia) OPAC Model |
Research Award.
| 2009 | Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research Supervision The University of Newcastle (Australia) Excellence in research supervision |
|---|---|
| 1998 | Vice Chancellor's Incentive Award for Research The University of Newcastle (Australia) Vice Chancellor's Incentive Award |
Invitations
| Delirium prevention in acute care Claus Moser Research Centre, Keele University, United Kingdom (Invited Presenter) | 2009 |
| The older person with cancer and the problem of pain Cancer Nurses Society of Australia, Australia (Keynote Address) | 2009 |
| Practice centred education Cheju Hall College, Korea, Republic Of (Keynote Address) | 2009 |
| Targeting pain in older people School of Nursing and Midwifery, Keele University, United Kingdom (Invited Presenter) | 2009 |
Collaboration
Isabels research focuses on pain and symptom management, end of life care, family members and carers needs, practice issues and practice redesign through action research. Her methodological expertise includes a range of qualitative methodologies, quantitative approaches, and mixed methods studies. In particular, she has interest and expertise in phenomenology, grounded theory, critical ethnography, discourse analysis, case study and action research, evaluation studies and the use of mixed methods and evaluation research using pre and post design. Current areas of study include pain and symptom management in older people with dementia, the prevention of delirium, nutrition and hydration at the end of life, and the social support and needs of the relatives of older people. More recently she is supervising a clinical trial of yoga and tai chi with frial older people in residential care.
Administrative
Administrative expertise
post graduate nursing education and research
Teaching
Teaching keywords
- delirium assessement and management
- mixed methods
- older person care
- pain assessment and management
- qualitative research
Teaching expertise
professional nursing issues, leadership, research and practice development, older person care in a range of settings
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 20 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $980,202 |
For project grants received where the lead institution is other than the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics.
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
2012 (2 grants)
Opioid use, health and health care in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women$24,951
Funding Body: Health Administration Corporation
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conjoint Associate Professor Lynne Parkinson, Dr Fiona Blyth, Professor Isabel Higgins, Doctor Jane Robertson, Professor Julie Byles | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $24,951 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1101174 | ||
Clinical Supervision: A discourse analysis - Top Up Scholarship$5,144
Funding Body: Hunter New England Local Health District
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ms Sophie Dilworth, Professor Isabel Higgins, Conjoint Associate Professor Vicki Parker | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Scholarship | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $5,144 | 2012 | 2013 |
| GNo:G1201038 | ||
2011 (2 grants)
Primary Dementia / Aged Care Nurse Practitioner Project$546,573
Funding Body: Department of Health and Ageing
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Dimity Pond, Professor Isabel Higgins | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Nurse Practitioner Aged Care Models of Practice program | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $546,573 | 2011 | 2014 |
| GNo:G1100944 | ||
Models of care for pain management: rapid review$24,000
Funding Body: The Sax Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Isabel Higgins, Conjoint Associate Professor Jane Conway | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $24,000 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1101057 | ||
2010 (3 grants)
Evaluation study of nurse led intervention for older people admitted to the Emergency Department$95,455
Funding Body: Hunter New England Area Health Service
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Isabel Higgins, Doctor Carolyn Hullick | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $95,455 | 2010 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1001076 | ||
An evaluation of the effectiveness of an educational intervention to increase pain management in older people in acute care settings$10,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Isabel Higgins, Conjoint Professor David Sibbritt, Conjoint Professor Sian Maslin-Prothero, Associate Professor Ashley Kable, Doctor Peter Summons | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Linkage Pilot Research Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $10,000 | 2010 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1001058 | ||
International Conference Qualitative Research in Nursing Health, Wiang Inn Hotel Chiang Rai Thailand, 1-3 December 2010$2,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Isabel Higgins | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,000 | 2010 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1000762 | ||
2009 (2 grants)
Integrated problem based management of Obstructive Airways Disease in older people$20,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conjoint Professor Peter Gibson, Professor Isabel Higgins | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Higher Degree Support Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $20,000 | 2009 | 2009 |
| GNo:G0189807 | ||
19th International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics Congress, Paris, France, 5-9 July 2009$2,500
Funding Body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Isabel Higgins | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,500 | 2009 | 2009 |
| GNo:G0190350 | ||
2008 (2 grants)
Healing the healer - a peer based mentorship intervention$47,443
Funding Body: Beyond Blue Ltd
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Dimity Pond, Doctor Teresa Joyce, Conjoint Professor Parker Magin, Professor Isabel Higgins, Conjoint Professor Teri Stone, Mrs Susan Goode | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $47,443 | 2008 | 2009 |
| GNo:G0188948 | ||
41st national Australian Associateion of Gerontologists - Ageing Landscapes, Esplanade Hotel, Freemantle, 18/11/2008 - 21/11/2008$1,587
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Isabel Higgins | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,587 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0189575 | ||
2007 (2 grants)
A Problem Based Approach to the Management of Airways Disease in people over the age of 55 years$88,595
Funding Body: CCRE in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conjoint Professor Peter Gibson, Professor Isabel Higgins | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Postgraduate Research Scholarship | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $88,595 | 2007 | 2010 |
| GNo:G0186902 | ||
Managing pain in older people in the acute care setting$10,000
Funding Body: Nursing and Midwifery Office NSW Health
| Scheme | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Investigator | ||
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $10,000 | 2007 | 2007 |
| GNo:18062449 | ||
2004 (3 grants)
Pain recognition and management in Dementia Units$30,000
Funding Body: Friends of The University
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Julie Byles, Professor Isabel Higgins, Conjoint Associate Professor Lynne Parkinson, Conjoint Professor Kim Wylie | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $30,000 | 2004 | 2004 |
| GNo:G0184904 | ||
A pilot study of the needs of relatives of hospitalised elderly and nurses' perceptions of those needs.$10,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Isabel Higgins, Professor Julie Byles, Professor Geraldine Fitzgerald | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $10,000 | 2004 | 2004 |
| GNo:G0183483 | ||
Measuring perceived health-related needs of residents of nursing homes: A pilot of a draft tool$10,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conjoint Associate Professor Lynne Parkinson, Professor Kichu Nair, Dr Jonathan Adams, Professor Isabel Higgins | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $10,000 | 2004 | 2004 |
| GNo:G0183400 | ||
2003 (1 grants)
Australian Pain Society 24th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) and New Zealand Pain Society 10th ASM, Christchurch, New Zealand, 9 - 13 March, 2003$915
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Isabel Higgins | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $915 | 2003 | 2003 |
| GNo:G0182763 | ||
1998 (1 grants)
'Incentive Grant'. Chronic pain in elderly nursing home residents$2,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Isabel Higgins | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,000 | 1998 | 1998 |
| GNo:G0177237 | ||
1994 (2 grants)
Interdisciplinary self-guided learning; teaching infection control principles and practice$39,076
Funding Body: Committee for the Advancement of University Teaching
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Isabel Higgins | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| National Teaching Development Grants (NTD Grants) | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $39,076 | 1994 | 1994 |
| GNo:G0175687 | ||
Detection and management of pain in nursing home residents suffering from dementia$9,963
Funding Body: Alzheimer`s Association (Australia)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Irena Madjar, Professor Isabel Higgins | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Dementia Research Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $9,963 | 1994 | 1994 |
| GNo:G0175199 | ||
Research Supervision
| Number of current supervisions | 12 |
|---|---|
| Total current UoN PhD EFTSL | 3.4 |
For supervisions undertaken at an institution other that the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics, and the institution name is listed below the program name.
Current Supervision
| Commenced | Proposed Completion | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 2015 | PhD (Nursing) | Principal Supervisor | Acute Care Nurses Cultural Influences on Assessing and Managing Pain in Older People: How Values and Beliefs Can Shape Clinical Practice and Affect Uptake of Best Practice |
| 2011 | 2018 | PhD (Nursing) | Principal Supervisor | Nurses' Perception and Roles for Cancer Pain Management in the South Korea Healthcare Context - Critical Ethnographic Approach |
| 2011 | 2015 | PhD (Nursing) | Principal Supervisor | Development of Care Standards for Older Koreans in Residential Facilities |
| 2010 | 2014 | PhD (Nursing) | Principal Supervisor | Facilitating the Development of Psychological Support Skills Through Clinical Supervision |
| 2010 | 2014 | PhD (Nursing) | Principal Supervisor | Preventing Falls in Older People in Residential Care Settings: Improving Balance Through Tai Chi and Yoga |
| 2009 | 2017 | PhD (Nursing) | Principal Supervisor | Moral and Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Health Care Professionals, Care Workers and Families When Caring for People in Residential Aged Care Facilities During the Final Phase of Life: A Discourse Analysis |
| 2009 | 2017 | PhD (Nursing) | Sole Supervisor | The Lived Experience of Family Members During Their Older Person's Delirium |
| 2008 | 2017 | PhD (Nursing) | Principal Supervisor | Exploring decision making processes in acute pain management of older people: An ethnographic study |
| 2007 | 2010 | Masters Nursing Not Elswher Classified University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor | An exploratory study of ethical decision making in aged care facilities by AINs |
| 2007 | 2008 | PHD Nursing Not Elswher Classified University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor | Case study of advanced care planning |
| 2007 | 2015 | PhD (Nursing) | Principal Supervisor | A critical ethnography of the transition of registered nurses to nurse practiitioners in Australia |
| 2001 | 2011 | PhD (Nursing) | Co-Supervisor | The Nurses' Experience of Receiving Nursing Care as a Patient in an Acute General Hospital |
Past Supervision
| Year | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | PhD (Nursing) | Principal Supervisor | Improving Maternal Health using Participatory Action Research with Women Living in Rural Papua New Guinea |
| 2012 | PhD (Nursing) | Principal Supervisor | Being in Limbo: The Experience of Critical Illness in Intensive Care and Beyond |
| 2011 | PhD (Medicine) | Co-Supervisor | Asthma and COPD in Older People |
| 2011 | PhD (Nursing) | Principal Supervisor | Older Women and Chronic Illness: Learning to Live with Diabetes |
| 2009 | M Nursing [R] | Principal Supervisor | Attitudes of Health Care Staff Towards Older Persons in Acute Care |
| 2008 | PhD (Nursing) | Co-Supervisor | Gerotranscendence: A Case Study of the Phenomenon of Advance Care Planning (ACP) |
| 2008 | PhD (Nursing) | Co-Supervisor | It's Just Part of the Job, Isn't It? Violence and Aggression in the Nursing Home |
| 2007 | M Nursing [R] | Sole Supervisor | Nurses' Stories of Advanced Nursing Practice: The Subjective Reality |
| 2007 | PhD (Nursing) | Principal Supervisor | Belongingness: A Pivotal Precursor to Optimising the Learning of Nursing Students in the Clinical Environment |
Professor Isabel Higgins
| Work Phone | (02) 4921 6144 |
|---|---|
| Fax | (02) 4921 6301 |
| Isabel.Higgins@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Position | Professor School of Nursing and Midwifery Faculty of Health and Medicine |
| Focus Area | Nursing |
| Office | RW227, Richardson Wing, Callaghan University Drive Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia |
| URL: | www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/isabel-higgins |
