The feasibility, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of nurse-led models of chronic disease management in general practice. This study directly relates to the National Research Priority of 'promoting and maintaining good health' through our approach to trial a new and innovative model of chronic disease management specifically for CVD and Type II diabetes in general practice. This project aims to test a new model of health service delivery - that is, the use of a practice nurse to provide chro ....The feasibility, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of nurse-led models of chronic disease management in general practice. This study directly relates to the National Research Priority of 'promoting and maintaining good health' through our approach to trial a new and innovative model of chronic disease management specifically for CVD and Type II diabetes in general practice. This project aims to test a new model of health service delivery - that is, the use of a practice nurse to provide chronic disease care rather than a general practitioner. Our strategy involves collaboration with health providers, stakeholders and consumers to help achieve this by providing patient education and disease management through a registered nurse in general practice.Read moreRead less
Burnt out and worn out or engaged and energised? Exploring the antecedents and consequences of burnout and engagement in drug-treatment specialists. This project will have significant social benefits in regard to the health and well being of workers in the health and human services sector. The results and outcomes of this project will contribute to the National Research Priority of "Promoting and Maintaining Good Health" by (1) contributing to the design of workplace interventions to facilitate ....Burnt out and worn out or engaged and energised? Exploring the antecedents and consequences of burnout and engagement in drug-treatment specialists. This project will have significant social benefits in regard to the health and well being of workers in the health and human services sector. The results and outcomes of this project will contribute to the National Research Priority of "Promoting and Maintaining Good Health" by (1) contributing to the design of workplace interventions to facilitate health and wellbeing in the workplace, (2) contributing to the policies designed to address problems with worker retention in the AOD workforce, and (3) contributing to the development of strategies and interventions which are likely to benefit a key disadvantage group - individuals with alcohol or other drug problems.Read moreRead less
The impact and cost of short-term health staffing in remote communities. This project aims to examine the impact of the increasing levels of short-term health staffing in remote communities upon service acceptability to patients, workload and attitudes of long-term resident primary health care staff, and the effectiveness and cost of health services. There is a dearth of information about this 'fly in/fly out' (FIFO) workforce in remote communities, which have the worst health outcomes in the co ....The impact and cost of short-term health staffing in remote communities. This project aims to examine the impact of the increasing levels of short-term health staffing in remote communities upon service acceptability to patients, workload and attitudes of long-term resident primary health care staff, and the effectiveness and cost of health services. There is a dearth of information about this 'fly in/fly out' (FIFO) workforce in remote communities, which have the worst health outcomes in the country. The project aims to inform consumers, health practitioners, health service planners and policy-makers about the impact of FIFO, as well as to contribute to the development of strategies designed to stabilise the remote health workforce.Read moreRead less
Staffing practices in Aboriginal primary health care services. This project aims to generate new knowledge about the impact of short-term staffing in remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services on service acceptability to patients, workload and attitudes of long-term staff and the effectiveness and cost of services. The project intends to compare these results to recent findings about the impact of short-term staffing in government-run clinics, in order to quantify and describe the po ....Staffing practices in Aboriginal primary health care services. This project aims to generate new knowledge about the impact of short-term staffing in remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services on service acceptability to patients, workload and attitudes of long-term staff and the effectiveness and cost of services. The project intends to compare these results to recent findings about the impact of short-term staffing in government-run clinics, in order to quantify and describe the potential positive effect of community control. Expected outcomes include rigorous evidence about the 'fly in/fly out' workforce and the impact of community control which can inform new policy that will stabilise the remote health workforce, save money and contribute to 'closing the gap' in health outcomes.Read moreRead less
Assessing Bone Quality and Health: Experimental imaging, structural characterisation, and mechanical modelling of bone in 3D. Age-related bone fractures due to osteoporosis impose a significant social and economic problem on our increasingly aging population. The assessment of bone quality is important in the diagnosis of age related bone fragility and for studying the efficacy of therapeutic intervens. In this proposal a unique interdisciplinary group with expertise in bone and mineral research ....Assessing Bone Quality and Health: Experimental imaging, structural characterisation, and mechanical modelling of bone in 3D. Age-related bone fractures due to osteoporosis impose a significant social and economic problem on our increasingly aging population. The assessment of bone quality is important in the diagnosis of age related bone fragility and for studying the efficacy of therapeutic intervens. In this proposal a unique interdisciplinary group with expertise in bone and mineral research, experimental 3D imaging and the characterisation and modelling of complex materials will tackle the problem of assessing bone quality and health. The proposed research will greatly improve our assessment of the mechanical competence of bone.Read moreRead less
Beyond the Workforce Crisis: Advancing Conceptual Understanding in Rural and Remote Health. This research will document a theoretical framework for understanding how and why rural health differs. Understanding the causes of rural health issues will lead to more effective strategies in rural health education, research, policy, and practice. This framework has benefit to national, state and local policies and programs in rural health across the country because it will provide understanding of what ....Beyond the Workforce Crisis: Advancing Conceptual Understanding in Rural and Remote Health. This research will document a theoretical framework for understanding how and why rural health differs. Understanding the causes of rural health issues will lead to more effective strategies in rural health education, research, policy, and practice. This framework has benefit to national, state and local policies and programs in rural health across the country because it will provide understanding of what works, why it works and what else is needed. Contributing to understanding the rural health context is key to improving rural health curriculum, designing meaningful research, supporting practitioners appropriately and developing rural health policies that increase the workforce, access to services and the overall rural health status.Read moreRead less
Retirement activity planning: a randomised controlled trial. Retirement is a life transition where people must rethink the way they use their time, but little thought is given to planning for this. This project will assess the effect of systematic pre-retirement activity planning on use of time after retirement, with an emphasis on physical activity and sedentary behaviours.
Mathematical Modelling in Early Education. This study is about enhancing children's and teachers' capacities to engage in basic mathematical modelling, which lays the foundation for working with complex systems. New and innovative learning experiences will provide all children with future-oriented mathematical understandings and social skills that are essential for effective participation in a knowledge-based society, but are underrepresented in current curricula. A new research approach, multil ....Mathematical Modelling in Early Education. This study is about enhancing children's and teachers' capacities to engage in basic mathematical modelling, which lays the foundation for working with complex systems. New and innovative learning experiences will provide all children with future-oriented mathematical understandings and social skills that are essential for effective participation in a knowledge-based society, but are underrepresented in current curricula. A new research approach, multilevel collaboration, will be adopted involving children, teachers, research students, and researchers in an international learning community. The outcomes will include explanatory models of children's and teachers' modelling developments, the training of new research scholars, the documentation of innovative curriculum, and advancements in teacher education.Read moreRead less
Primary classroom teacher-student interactions, cultural learning environments and their relationships with students' attitudes and understanding of science concepts. This project examines associations between teacher-student interactions and primary students' perceptions of cultural factors of learning environments with students' attitudes towards science and their understanding of science concepts. In the tradition of classroom environment research, the study will use interviews and questionna ....Primary classroom teacher-student interactions, cultural learning environments and their relationships with students' attitudes and understanding of science concepts. This project examines associations between teacher-student interactions and primary students' perceptions of cultural factors of learning environments with students' attitudes towards science and their understanding of science concepts. In the tradition of classroom environment research, the study will use interviews and questionnaires to obtain students' perceptions of their primary classrooms. In-depth studies will then be made of particular classrooms with the aim of enhancing the description of primary school science teaching. The project will lead to a systematic understanding of what is happening in primary school science and a direction for teachers to implement desirable changes in their teaching.Read moreRead less
The role of subject-matter knowledge in teaching science and mathematics: Practices of teachers with advanced qualifications in the sciences. High quality science and mathematics education is central to economic prosperity. This study will achieve two outcomes. Firstly it explores the importance of subject matter knowledge in teaching. Much has been studied about the knowledge of teachers but limited research has been conducted with teachers who have substantial subject-matter knowledge. These f ....The role of subject-matter knowledge in teaching science and mathematics: Practices of teachers with advanced qualifications in the sciences. High quality science and mathematics education is central to economic prosperity. This study will achieve two outcomes. Firstly it explores the importance of subject matter knowledge in teaching. Much has been studied about the knowledge of teachers but limited research has been conducted with teachers who have substantial subject-matter knowledge. These findings will inform the current debate about the appropriate models of teacher education and the balance of emphasis on content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge. Secondly, given a number of attempts to attract mid career professionals with high qualifications to teaching, the study will provide evidence on how these people transition to their new careers and what support is needed.Read moreRead less