“The evolution of naturopathic treatment and prescription characteristics for the management of endometriosis: clinical insights into Australian naturopathic practice”
My research project will seek to investigate the prescription and treatment characteristics of naturopathic treatments used to manage endometriosis in Australian naturopathic clinics. The study will be drawing on evidence from traditional and contemporary texts and will involve three phases using an exploratory sequential design.
Why did you decide to embark on your research degree at the Faculty of Health at UTS?
My decision to embark on my research degree at UTS was a fairly easy one. I had heard of UTS and the Faculty of Health through my undergraduate studies and in my place of employment. I was also aware that UTS has a world-leading research centre in complementary and integrative medicine (ARCCIM) which has a number of leading complementary medicine researchers who could also supervisor research students. I also spoke with students at the Faulty of Health to see what their experiences had been while completing their research degrees. Based on these factors, I decided UTS would be the most appropriate university to embark on my research journey.
What contribution to knowledge are you planning to make with your research project? What impact might that have?
My research will identify the relevance of traditional and contemporary practice as it relates to naturopathic care for women with endometriosis. It will contribute to the existing knowledge base of current naturopathic treatments for endometriosis and inform clinically relevant research. This can in turn feedback into naturopathic grass root clinical practice. In addition, my project may identify gaps in the current naturopathic curriculum which can be used to inform naturopathic education for future naturopaths.
Who will benefit from your research? How?
The main groups that will benefit from my research are women with endometriosis, naturopaths in clinical practice and other health care professionals. There are aspects within my project that will highlight women’s experiences of endometriosis and the type of care they seek from their health care professional. These elements will allow for better awareness of the effects of endometriosis on women’s lives and ways that can they can be better supported by their health care professionals.
How did you go about selecting your supervisor?
Selecting my supervisors was an easy task as I had made connections between academics at the Faculty of Health and my place of employment. I also wanted to ensure that I would be mentored by lead researchers in the field of naturopathy and health services research. I selected my supervisors (Professor Jon Adams, Dr Amie Steel and Dr Jon Wardle) based on their reputation of being a leader and well known academic researcher within the complementary medicine field such as naturopathy. In addition Dr Steel and Dr Wardle are both naturopaths and have conducted research on traditional evidence which is an important aspect of my research within the naturopathic practice context.
How would you describe your research student experience at the Faculty of Health at UTS overall?
My research student experience at UTS has been phenomenal. Since undertaking my research degree, I have received a lot of support from not only my supervisors but also the administration staff and have had great opportunities to advance my career as a researcher and network with well know leaders in complementary medicine.
What advice would you give to future research students thinking about starting a higher degree in research at the Faculty of Health?
My advice to students thinking about enrolling in a research degree would be to look into what the Faculty of Health can offer you and talk to graduate students to gage their experiences. I found this to be helpful in making my decision to study at UTS.