Research Themes within the School
Best Practice Guidelines for the Nutritional Management of the Elderly
Dr Surinder Baines
Undernourishment is an important condition, which can complicate many chronic conditions associated with ageing. Undetected and untreated under-nutrition can lead to higher mortality rates and poor quality of life, and can extend length of stay in hospital and community nursing through delayed recovery, reduced wound healing, weakness, poor cognitive function, and higher risk of complications. Research has been conducted in collaboration with the Gender and Aging Priority Research Centre. The researchers have been instrumental in developing and validating tools for the identification and management of protein energy malnutrition that is secondary to chronic disease. The research has led to the development of best practice guidelines for use in residential aged care.
Clinical Reasoning Development
Professor Susan Ryan, Associate Professor Darren Rivett
Knowledge about clinical reasoning development, taken from various perspectives, can underpin personal and professional growth, improve practice and service delivery, program and course design, and a greater understanding of interdisciplinary workings. Integrating this knowledge into other bodies of knowledge produces powerful understandings of many practice issues. Research that also combines adult learning theories, models of reflection, and, competency acquisition produces successful and improved outcomes of healthcare. National and international research studies and publications underpin the above work in both occupational therapy and physiotherapy. Current research is developing with other disciplines such as nursing, podiatry and medical radiation science within the University.
Diagnostic Dosimetry and Image Quality Assessment
Dr Helen Warren-Forward, Paul Cardew, Nick Hille
Medical imaging plays an important role in the management of patients for the purposes of diagnosis, screening and guided therapeutic interventions. The ultimate aim of all medical practices is to ensure better patient outcomes. For any specific clinical problem, the questions the clinician should consider include: is the examination necessary at all and, if so, what technique will afford the best patient management in terms of accuracy and safety? This research area focuses primarily on the latter and investigates the assessment of patient doses and image quality and methods that can be used to help in the optimisation of dose.
Improvement of Diagnosis and Treatment for Women with Breast Cancer and At Risk of Breast Cancer
Dr Helen Warren-Forward
One of the group's research themes is the improvement in the early diagnosis and treatment of women at risk of breast cancer and to understand the preventative risk factors and to translate this knowledge into effective strategies for the reduction in the incidence of breast cancer. This area of research has involved multiple collaborations including those involved in the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study I conducted in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and other European countries, the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Waikato Hospital and Waikato Regional Breast Screening Program, and Hunter BreastScreen.
Improvement in the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Overweight and Obesity
Associate Professor Clare Collins
One of the research objectives is to understand the contribution of diet to the development, prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. Collaboration with researchers in the School of Population Health and Medical Practice, University of Newcastle has seen this work translated into best practice Information Sheet for nurses in collaboration with the Joanna Briggs Institute in Adelaide, SA. Other collaborations include a NHMRC funded RCT with the University of Wollongong and with the Mothers & Babies Research Centre, University of Newcastle.
Improving the Efficacy and Safety of Physical Treatments for Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Spine
Associate Professor Darren Rivett, Peter Osmotherly, Sue Reid, Suzanne Snodgrass and Lucy Thomas
This research focuses on understanding risk factors in the physical treatment of spinal disorders, developing effective screening procedures, and translating this knowledge into clinical guidelines. In addition, the force parameters and effectiveness of common interventions for spinal pain and other symptoms are investigated through rigorous evaluation of manual therapy and exercise treatments. This area of research has involved collaboration with the Hunter New England Area Health Service, the Australian Physiotherapy Association, the University of Otago (New Zealand), the New Zealand Society of Physiotherapists, and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists in the United Kingdom, as well as senior researchers in New Zealand and two other Universities in Australia.
Incontinence Management
Associate Professor Pauline Chiarelli
Work in collaboration with Gender, Health and Ageing has resulted in improved continence management through the development of effective health education material and other interventions. Research to determine the prevalence and impact of incontinence, and evaluation of existing management strategies, led to the development of interventions, for example, to improve hospital intervention strategies for elderly patients admitted with hip or neck of femur fractures or stroke, and to reduce incontinence following childbirth.
Continence projects by researchers have included the re-writing of Commonwealth Government education resources, and the development of self-help materials and of clinical guidelines. Pauline's work has included the development of educational material about postpartum continence management, a book about continence for women, Waterworks.
Occupational Health and Safety Issues Among NSW Nurses
Maya Guest, Carole James, Associate Professor Darren Rivett, Dr Ashley Kable
Nurses as an occupation group face numerous occupational health and safety hazards. Often they work under highly complex and stressful conditions. In collaboration with the NSW Nurses Association, a number of ongoing separate studies are investigating various health and safety issues.
Occupational Rehabilitation
Maya Guest, Carole James, Associate Professor Darren Rivett, Dr Ashley Kable, Suzanne Snodgrass
The rehabilitation of injured workers is an important process both for the worker and the employer. Often the process is not straight forward or successful. A number of studies are ongoing in a variety of settings to investigate various aspects of the occupational rehabilitation process.
Occupational Therapy Practice with Children and Youth with Disabilities
Dr Imelda Burgman
There are two strands to this research theme. One strand is exploring how children and youth with disabilities sustain their resilience and engagement in life when life experiences challenge their identity. Research has been conducted with children with disabilities exploring spirituality across home, school and community contexts. Research with youth with disabilities has focused on high school experiences. The second research strand focuses on the needs of children with sensory issues, in collaboration with the University of Sydney. This research is investigating current occupational therapy practice in the Hunter and Central Coast regions. Further projects will investigate the impact of occupational therapy interventions on children with sensory issues.
Radiation Therapy Cancer Care
Dr Helen Warren-Forward, Shane Dempsey and Naomi Chapman
Radiation therapy is a dynamic profession associated with increasingly sophisticated technology, that is rapidly implemented into clinical practice, and that forces change to professional standards and practice, and ultimately patient treatment. The main focus of this research has been to encourage and engage the profession, and students in education, to examine emerging technology and advanced practice reforms in terms of their impact of current practice in measurable outcomes. There is on-going collaboration with the Department of Radiation Oncology, Calvary Hospital, Newcastle. Research in this area has been assisted from funding from the NSW Cancer Institute.
The Ageing Workforce
Maya Guest, Dr Janine Duke, Dr May Boggess, Dr Deon Viljoen
Australia's aging population has become a national problem for a number of reasons. Included in these are the shortage of skilled workers, the adjustment of workplaces and working hours to facilitate the older worker and aspects of occupational health and safety.
