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
Matthew Yau
- Adjunct Professor
- matthew.yau@jcu.edu.au
Alyssia Merrick
- Doctor of Philosophy (Health)
- alyssia.merrick@jcu.edu.au
Louise Myles
- Adjunct Lecturer
- louise.myles@jcu.edu.au
Sandra Dash
- Lecturer
- sandra.dash@jcu.edu.au
Social support for perinatal mental health in Northern Queensland: A pilot randomised controlled trial
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 will contribute to the evaluation of a pilot randomised trial in Northern Queensland.
The Bamboo Parenting Program: Promotion of a Randomised Pilot Trial
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.
JCU College of Healthcare Sciences Research Seed Grants
Strengthening the resilience of ICU nurses: Co-designing an online education intervention.
Led by Tracey Gooding. ICU nurses face elevated risk of burnout, compassion fatigue, depression, and PTSD due to repeated exposure to trauma, death, and ethically complex care. While existing wellbeing interventions (mindfulness, positive psychology, exercise, reflection, peer support, CBT, psychoeducation) show promise for building resilience, they often fail to reflect ICU nurses' lived experiences, and their effectiveness when delivered online remains untested.
This study used a participatory co-design approach — focus groups with ICU nurses across experience levels, followed by thematic analysis and a mini-Delphi consensus process — to explore nurses' psychosocial challenges, coping strategies, and preferences for content. Findings will inform the design of an online education intervention aimed at strengthening ICU nurse resilience.
Ethical GenAI use by design: Co-Creating assessment with students and industry in postgraduate nursing online course
This SoLT participatory project comprises activity-orientated focus groups with students and industry representatives to integrate ethical use of GenAI into assessments in NS5333 Synthesising Evidence for Healthcare. Collaborative redesign builds upon JCU's core principles of learning and teaching, including partnership with students, futures-oriented learning, and assessment that upholds academic integrity. Informed by current TEQSA assessment reform guidance and Accord recommendations, this project will also contribute to academic knowledge through exploring the pedagogical implications of such collaborative assessment redesign. Students who completed NS5333 in 2024 or 2025 have the opportunity for experiential learning about assessment design through participating in this collaborative project.
Culturally safe fetal diagnosis
CoPI with Skye Stewart. This multidisciplinary seed project explores First Nations perspectives on fetal anomalies to address a paucity in knowledge. Using Indigenous methodologies, particularly Yarning, led by Aboriginal midwife and researcher Stewart, participants will share insights through culturally meaningful conversations. The project strengthens allyship among non-Indigenous researchers while generating foundational knowledge to support future large-scale studies. This project will facilitate the development of a competitive research grant, advancing efforts to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families receive respectful, informed support during prenatal diagnosis. The project provides an experiential opportunity for CHS researchers to undertake ethical research with Indigenous peoples (1).
STEP-CMV: Serological Testing and Education to Prevent CMV Infection in Early Pregnancy, Norman Beischer Medical Research Foundation
Led by Professor Lisa Hui - University of Melbourne. Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most common infectious cause of disability in Australian newborns, yet it remains under-recognised by both clinicians and the public. CMV is a common virus that is passed from person-to-person, usually causing no illness in healthy individuals. However, if a woman acquires CMV during pregnancy, the virus can cross the placenta and infect the developing baby, leading to severe complications such as brain injury, stillbirth, or neonatal death.1 Children born with cCMV may experience lifelong disability, including hearing loss, developmental delay, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy.2 This study seeks to address to issues: Lack of Australian data on maternal CMV infection rates in early pregnancy. No
robust Australian data exist on CMV infection rates during the first trimester—the most
critical period for fetal harm. These data are essential for health economics modelling
and policy recommendations.
• System barriers to CMV counselling, testing and referral in primary care. Despite excellent GP engagement with CMV eLearning modules, our research revealed structural barriers to GPs implementing CMV education in antenatal care.
Improving Parental Mental Health and Engagement in Neonatal MRI: A Co-Designed Study, 2026 MRCMHR Seed Grant
Led by Dr Liza van Eijk. Families of infants requiring neonatal MRI often experience significant stress, anxiety, and uncertainty during a highly vulnerable postnatal period. This project will examine the psychological impacts and decision-making experiences of parents in North Queensland, where some families decline imaging despite potential clinical benefits. Through reimbursed parent participation and co-designed roundtable discussions with healthcare staff, we will identify how current MRI practices and timing influence parental distress, including both increased burden and potential reassurance through earlier detection and support. Findings will inform family-centred improvements to care, supporting better mental health outcomes for families and their infants.
Perinatal palliative care: understanding a model of practice
Led by Dr Bronwyn Sacks - Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program. This mixed-methods study will examine the current model of care for pregnancies affected by a suspected or confirmed life-limiting or life-threatening fetal condition within a specialist maternity and paediatric centre. Funded through philanthropic funding received from Very Special Kids.
Mindful Ageing: A Control-Enhancement Mindfulness Pilot Intervention for Regional Australian Older Adults
This pilot study adapts an 8-week mindfulness program to support mental health and enhance a sense of control among regional Australian older adults experiencing psychological distress. Older adults frequently report a diminished sense of control, which exacerbates anxiety and depression. Participants will engage in guided mindfulness and structured inquiries to better recognise controllable versus uncontrollable life domains. This project evaluates if the intervention successfully reduces distress and strengthens personal agency, providing critical pilot data to leverage significant future funding applications for regional mental health care.
MBCSR: Co-Designing a Mindfulness-Based Climate Stress Reduction Group Intervention to Improve Climate-Related Mental Health
This project aims to co-design a group-based mindfulness intervention to support mental health in communities affected by climate change. Using participatory co-design workshops and the Delphi method, we will collaborate with individuals with lived experience, health professionals, and community members to develop an inclusive and culturally responsive Mindfulness-Based Climate Stress Reduction (MBCSR) program. The co-design process will ensure the intervention is relevant, acceptable, and grounded in real-world needs. Findings will lay the foundation for future large-scale trials and support the development of accessible, evidence-informed strategies to reduce psychological distress in regional, rural, and remote communities impacted by climate-related stress.
One nurse's experience with the effects of assumptions and judgements on practice.
- 2005
- Researchers:Pauline Calleja
Inca trail porters : the health of local tourism employees as a challenge for travel medicine
- 2003
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Researchers:Irmgard Bauer
Health advice in Australian travel brochures
- 2002
- Decker Periodicals
- Researchers:Irmgard Bauer
Geographic information systems and travel health
- 2002
- Decker Periodicals
- Researchers:Irmgard Bauer
Influence of age and moderate-intensity exercise training on heart rate variability in young and mature adults
- 2003
- Human Kinetics
- Researchers:Anthony LeichtAndrew Hoey
Influence of intensive cycling training on heart rate variability during rest and exercise
- 2003
- NRC Reserch Press
- Researchers:Anthony LeichtAndrew Hoey
Health psychology: biopsychosocial interactions. An Australian perspective
- 2002
- John Wiley & Sons
- Researchers:Marie Caltabiano
Start Date:
01 Jun 2025
Start Date:
01 Jan 2024
Start Date:
01 Jan 2025
Start Date:
01 Jan 2024
Start Date:
16 Feb 2024
Title:
SARRAH
Start Date:
01 Jan 2021
Start Date:
01 Jan 2021