College of Healthcare Sciences


Lisa Shaw

Lisa Shaw

Stephen Yu

Stephen Yu

Karen Smith

Karen Smith

Chae Rose

Chae Rose

Helen Petsky

Helen Petsky

Lucy Bird

Lucy Bird

Alyssia Merrick

Alyssia Merrick

Building Capacity for Frailty management in Regional Queensland Residential Aged Care Facilities
Michael Inskip - Sports & Exercise Science
01 Nov 2024 - 31 Jul 2025
Virtually all older adults living within aged care are at risk of becoming or are currently frail, with increased risk of adverse health outcomes. The core treatments for frailty are good nutrition, medication optimisation, and robust exercise, which was recently evaluated in the novel Frailty Reduction via Implementation of Exercise, Nutrition and Deprescribing (FRIEND) trial. This trial developed comprehensive training resources for the aged care sector. This project aims to build capacity through dissemination of this training to aged care champions across regional Queensland facilities and support them to improve frailty care and client health within their facility. The project has two main project aims: 1. Disseminate FRIEND in an online and in-person, train-the-trainer model to build capacity of aged care champions and key regional, healthcare professionals 2. Support aged care champions to develop local facility training, and an organisational strategy for improving frailty care The study will involve two phases: 1. Pre/post evaluation of a train-the-trainer education intervention (FRIEND website modules and an intensive one-day course on frailty management). Five strategically located RACFs across North-West Queensland will nominate an aged care champion (i.e. senior staff member) by early September to complete website training and travel to Townsville for intensive training in Late October/Early November along with local healthcare professionals (e.g. nurses, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, social workers) working within aged care. 2. Involves evaluation of the champion-led local training implementation development of an organisational strategy to improve frailty care over a six-month period. The champion will identify key implementation/leadership staff and training needs to develop a 1–2-hour training webinar and develop an organisational strategy to improve frailty management in their facility
Building Capacity for Frailty management in Regional Queensland Residential Aged Care Facilities
Michael Inskip - Sports & Exercise Science
01 Oct 2024 - 31 Dec 2025
Virtually all older adults living within aged care are at risk of becoming or are currently frail, with increased risk of adverse health outcomes. The core treatments for frailty are good nutrition, medication optimisation, and robust exercise, which was recently evaluated in the novel Frailty Reduction via Implementation of Exercise, Nutrition and Deprescribing (FRIEND) trial. This trial developed comprehensive training resources for the aged care sector. This project aims to build capacity through dissemination of this training to aged care champions across regional Queensland facilities and support them to improve frailty care and client health within their facility. The project has two main project aims: 1. Disseminate FRIEND in an online and in-person, train-the-trainer model to build capacity of aged care champions and key regional, healthcare professionals 2. Support aged care champions to develop local facility training, and an organisational strategy for improving frailty care The study will involve two phases: 1. Pre/post evaluation of a train-the-trainer education intervention (FRIEND website modules and an intensive one-day course on frailty management). Five strategically located RACFs across North-West Queensland will nominate an aged care champion (i.e. senior staff member) by early September to complete website training and travel to Townsville for intensive training in Late October/Early November along with local healthcare professionals (e.g. nurses, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, social workers) working within aged care. 2. Involves evaluation of the champion-led local training implementation development of an organisational strategy to improve frailty care over a six-month period. The champion will identify key implementation/leadership staff and training needs to develop a 1–2-hour training webinar and develop an organisational strategy to improve frailty management in their facility
The Bamboo Parenting Program: Promotion of a Randomised Pilot Trial.
Brian Law - Psychology
01 Jun 2024
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 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 will be used to promote a pilot randomised trial in North Queensland.
Strengthening the resilience of ICU nurses: Co-designing an online education intervention.
Brian Law - Psychology
01 Jun 2024
ICU nurses are at increased risk of burnout, compassion fatigue, depression, and PTSD. Numerous studies have suggested that strengthening resilience in ICU nurses can decrease these negative psychological impacts. Research indicates that education and interventions to build resilience can positively influence resilience and well-being in ICU nurses. However, there is a paucity of research that explores the potential of accessible online education interventions to influence nurse resilience. Accordingly, this project will use focus groups of ICU nurses with varied experience to inform the co-design of online education to build resilience in ICU nurses.
Reseracher: Rachel Walker (Professor of Nursing & Midwifery)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
Reseracher: Anne Jones (Head, Physiotherapy)
Title: SARRAH
Reseracher: Anne Jones (Head, Physiotherapy)
Reseracher: Wendy Li (Associate Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2021
Reseracher: Wendy Li (Associate Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2021