The Faculty of Health has helped to develop an amazingly supportive HDR student body which has made...
Key research areas/interests: Health services research for vulnerable populations, and chronic conditions from the perspective of patients and providers.
‘Promoting workforce capacity in managing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander childhood disability’
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience higher prevalence of disability and socio-economic disadvantage than other Australian children. Early intervention involving the health, education, and social service sectors is vital for improved outcomes, but complex and fragmented service provision impedes access.
My research seeks to document the barriers and facilitators to service provision from the perspective of non-Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS) providers from the health, education, and social service sectors. The aim is to provide recommendations for the development of an integrated pathway to promote service access as part of a larger community-initiated Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage project.
Why did you decide to embark on your research degree at the Faculty of Health at UTS?
I was involved with the ARC Linkage project as a project manager and was presented with the opportunity to undertake my PhD on part of the larger project.
What contribution to knowledge are you planning to make with your research project?
As families inevitably interact with non-ACCHS providers in navigating the mainstream service system, documenting the barriers and facilitators to service provision from the perspectives of these providers creates a richer picture, allowing us to better address service access issues.
Who will benefit from your research?
Primarily the research aims to benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with a disability and their families. Non-ACCHS providers across the health, education, and social service sectors are also intended beneficiaries. Addressing the complex and fragmented service landscape for both families and providers may assist in improving both service access and provision.
How did you go about selecting your supervisor?
My supervisor was the chief investigator on the ARC Linkage project with a track record of effectively supporting students through their PhD journey.
What advice would you give to future research students thinking about starting a higher degree in research at the Faculty of Health?
I would advise students to have confidence in themselves to give it a go and trust in their supervisors to help guide them on their journey.
What has been the most valuable part of your research student experience at the Faculty of Health at UTS?
The Faculty of Health has helped to develop an amazingly supportive HDR student body which has made the PhD journey very enjoyable.