College of Healthcare Sciences

Lisa Shaw

Doctor of Philosophy (Health)
lisa.shaw@jcu.edu.au

Stephen Yu

Senior Lecturer, Nursing and Midwifery
stephen.yu@jcu.edu.au

Karen Smith

Lecturer, Nursing and Midwifery
karen.smith6@jcu.edu.au

Chae Rose

Lecturer, Psychology
chae.rose@jcu.edu.au

Helen Petsky

Head, Nursing and Midwifery
helen.petsky@jcu.edu.au

Lucy Bird

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
lucy.bird@jcu.edu.au

Alyssia Merrick

Doctor of Philosophy (Health)
alyssia.merrick@jcu.edu.au

Sandra Dash

Lecturer
sandra.dash@jcu.edu.au

Leveraging AI simulations for allied health education: Pilot study for Psychology

Klaire Somoray - Psychology

Healthcare students require hands-on experience to develop critical clinical competencies. Recent advances in Large Language Models (LLMs) enable virtual simulations where students can practice their skills in a safe environment. While commercial options exist, they often raise safety concerns and restrict features behind paywalls. IDA (Interactive Dialogue Agent) is a customisable LLM-powered virtual patient simulator with speech capabilities. IDA is specifically designed for healthcare education with built-in safety measures. This project will test IDA with psychology students to determine its effectiveness before expanding to other healthcare disciplines, ultimately providing students college-wide (and university-wide) dynamic and scalable simulations.

GenAI in the classroom: Transforming Assessment Practice

Klaire Somoray - Psychology

Our project will examine both the student and educator perspectives, aiming for high-impact outcomes: • Phase 1-2 will assess AI's impact on students’ learning and assessment, informing AI literacy frameworks, assessment reforms and development of OER guides for ethical and critical use of AI. • Phase 3 will focus on educator’s perspectives, guiding future professional development programs. A resource toolkit for educators will be developed to teach AI literacy to staff and reduce bias in evaluating AI-assisted student work. • Findings from all phases will be presented at conferences and published in academic journals positioning JCU as a leader in AI-integrated assessment reform.

Developing a psychology resource library (TAP Grant)

Klaire Somoray - Psychology

https://www.jcu.edu.au/library/open/textbook-affordability-project-2024-2025/2024-textbook-affordibility-project-tap-grants

Trial Ready Stroke Centre

Moira Smith - Physiotherapy

01 Sep 2024 - 31 Dec 2027

Development of a Trial Ready Stroke Centre for north Queensland. A collaboration between JCU, THHS, NWHHS, CHHHS, MHHS. Funded by NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) to Accelerate Stroke Trial Innovation and Translation and the Tropical Australia Academic Health Centre (TAAHC). The aim of this initiative is to increase opportunities for regional people to access and participate in clinical trials that are testing interventions to improve outcomes following a stroke.

Modifiable lifestyle factors for multiple sclerosis

Moira Smith - Physiotherapy

01 Mar 2024 - 30 May 2025

Development of a guide for clinicians to distil the latest evidence on modifiable lifestyle factors for people with multiple sclerosis.

A Phase IIa multicentre umbrella trial of integrated UPper limb and Language Impairment and Functional Training (UPLIFT) after stroke

Moira Smith - Physiotherapy

03 Jan 2022 - 31 Aug 2026

Multicentre umbrella trial design with simultaneous Bayesian Optimal Phase IIa studies to evaluate four integrated and targeted UPLIFT models of rehabilitation for arm and language functional recovery after stroke.

Finding your stride - Navigating running with multiple sclerosis

Moira Smith - Physiotherapy

10 May 2023 - 31 Dec 2025

The aim of this study is to explore the running/jogging habits of individuals with multiple sclerosis over a 4-week period, examine the enabling factors for running and identify any potential relationship between physical activity and signs and symptoms of MS.

GenAI in the classroom: Transforming Assessment Practice

Brian Law - Psychology

01 Jan 2025

Social support for perinatal mental health in Northern Queensland: A pilot randomised controlled trial

Brian Law - Psychology

01 Sep 2025

The Bamboo Parenting Program is an online social support program for first-time mothers in the perinatal period. The program has been designed to prevent and reduce mental illness during this vulnerable period, and by leveraging social support, Bamboo targets one of the most significant predictors of mental health for perinatal women. The program pairs first-time mothers with volunteer mothers or with mother-nominated individuals, with support training provided in program. Pairs work together to navigate the critical and difficult perinatal period. Funding from this seed fund contributes to the evaluation of a pilot randomised trial in Northern Queensland.

The Bamboo Parenting Program: Mental Health Support for Mothers in Northern Queensland

Sam Teague - Psychology

09 Sep 2025 - 09 Mar 2027

Bamboo is a social support WebApp program for mothers aimed at alleviating psychological distress during the perinatal period. The project involves a randomised pilot trial of Bamboo in a sample of mothers from Northern Queensland. The project will be undertaken across the 2025 calendar year.