New Nursing Academic for Port Macquarie
Working to improve the delivery of mental health services in regional areas is a passion that drives new University of Newcastle - Port Macquarie Campus nursing lecturer, Dr Graeme Browne.
Dr Browne joins the Port Macquarie campus team after spending more than 30 years at the coal face of mental health service delivery as a clinician, researcher and lecturer.
"I'm very impressed with the learning experience that is offered to students of the Port Macquarie campus, the smaller nature of the campus means that I can get to know the students and give them the individual attention and guidance that they need to succeed as a nurse," he said.
Nursing and Midwifery are two of the programs delivered by the University at the Port Macquarie campus, which has recently celebrated its 150th nursing graduate, most of whom are now working in health services in the local area.
"As I get to know the students, who are mostly from the Mid North Coast area, I am impressed that they are driven to study nursing because they want to give back to, and have a positive impact on, the health and wellbeing of their local community," Dr Browne said.
Shining the spotlight on mental health services delivery and investigating the best clinical practises to improve the health outcomes for clients, is also an aim for Dr Browne.
"I want to support students and staff at the University and the local area health services with which we are in partnership, to boost evidence-based research in community, maternity and mental health nursing.
"Mental illness is something that fascinates me in particular, as it can affect anyone and most people have experienced low moments in their life, or times when their mental health or wellbeing is not as it should be.
"This is why research in this area, in particular having a better understanding of how clinicians work with patients, is essential to improve the outcomes for clients; this has particular importance in regional areas with limited access to mental health services."
