Exploring the Adoption of Health Technology in the Self-Management of Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review

Established Supervisor: Louisa Lam <Louisa.Lam@acu.edu.au> 
Emerging Supervisor: Brandon Cheong
Third Supervisor: N/A

Project Description

This systematic review aims to explore how health technology is being adopted to support the self-management of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The study will focus on identifying the digital tools that are currently being used and examine the factors that influence their adoption such as perceived usefulness, ease of use, accessibility, patient engagement and impact on health outcomes. The findings of this research will help to inform recommendations for optimising digital health technologies for self-management of CVD and ultimately support better cardiovascular health and outcomes.

Description of the research

The research internship offers an opportunity to engage in digital health research, focusing on the role of technology in the self-management of cardiovascular disease. The chosen student will work within the ACU nursing research group and conduct a comprehensive literature search, extracting and analysing data, synthesising evidence and quality assessment. Students will also contribute to identifying gaps in the current digital health landscape and provide recommendations for future research and interventions. This project provides hands-on experience in systematic review methodology (such as PRISMA) and sets the foundation for doing further studies as a PhD candidate at ACU.

The Development and Pilot of a Survey to Explore Technical Interoperability Challenges on Nursing Practice in Australian Hospitals

Established Supervisor: Dr Brandon Cheong <Brandon.Cheong@acu.edu.au> 
Emerging Supervisor: Evelyn Hovenga
Third Supervisor: Heather Grain and John Oldroyd

Project Description

Effective interoperability between healthcare systems is essential for safe and efficient patient care supporting seamless communication and care coordination in hospitals. Nurses, as primary users of electronic health records, encounter various challenges when accessing and exchanging patient information across multiple digital platforms. This research project aims to develop and pilot a survey that explores the impact of technical interoperability challenges on nursing practice in Australian hospitals. The project will focus on designing the survey and conducting a small-scale pilot to assess its feasibility. The results of this work will provide insights to improve health information systems for enhancing patient safety, care and workflow efficiency.

Description of the research

Working within the Group for Digital Health Research and Education (GDHRE), this research project offers students an opportunity to gain experience in digital health with a focus on healthcare interoperability. Students will engage in the development of the survey, including conducting a literature review, designing survey questions, and receiving feedback from experts to ensure content validity. They will also participate in piloting the survey and analysing preliminary results. It is anticipated this research project will set the foundation for future large-scale validation thereby providing students with the opportunity to pursue further studies as a PhD candidate at ACU.

Exploring the efficacy of digital applications in enhancing cardiovascular health literacy: A systematic review 

Established Supervisor: Dr Brandon Cheong <Brandon.Cheong@acu.edu.au> 
Established Supervisor: A/Prof Louisa Lam <Louisa.Lam@acu.edu.au> 
Emerging Supervisor: Mary Huynh
Third Supervisor: Dr John Oldroyd

Project Description

This project aims to identify gaps in current knowledge and effective strategies that can be employed to further the development of cardiovascular health education through digital platforms. The study will assess the effectiveness of mobile applications and online platforms on their impact to disseminate knowledge, motivate behavioural change and communicate perceived risks. By synthesising existing literature, this research will conduct a comprehensive systematic review of digital applications used to raise awareness and improve health literacy related to cardiovascular disease.

Description of the research

Working within the Group for Digital Health Research and Education (GDHRE), this research opportunity offers students the opportunity to work in both digital health and health promotion related to the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Students will learn how to prepare a systematic review for publication and hone their skills in written and verbal communication through the dissemination of research findings. The honours student will gain the opportunity to develop themselves as an emerging leader in digital health/health promotion with the potential to do further studies as a HDR student at the Australian Catholic University.

Incidence and characteristics of perioperative pressure injury in adult cardiac surgical patients.

Established Supervisors: Professor Paul Fulbrook <Paul.Fulbrook@acu.edu.au> 
Emerging Supervisor: Dr Adam Burston 

Project Description

Surgical patients are an at-risk group for the development of PI with up to 21% of surgical patients developing a PI within 2 days of surgery; primarily associated with the period spent on the operating table. Cardiac surgical patients are a high-risk sub-group.

The main aim of this retrospective quantitative study is to describe the incidence of perioperative hospital-acquired pressure injury in cardiac surgical patients. The results of this study will provide evidence to contribute to research knowledge about the incidence of PI in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. It will also provide benchmarking data and help inform clinical practice guidelines and policy development.

Description of the research

The student will be situated within the Nursing Research & Practice Development Centre and as such will be able to access additional research opportunities. These opportunities may include involvement with a systematic literature review, preparation of human research ethics applications, involvement with data collection using quantitative or qualitative methods, or collaboration on a journal paper with named authorship.

Mental Health, Resilience, Engagement, and Retention in the Helping Professions

Established Supervisors: Theresa Dicke <thdicke@acu.edu.au> 
Emerging Supervisor: Kim Foster
Third Supervisor: Emma Bradshaw

Project Description

We are currently developing a new interdisciplinary research program on how to improve mental health and wellbeing, resources, engagement, and retention in the helping professions (e.g., nurses, teachers, aged-care workers). A key aspect will be developing, piloting, implementing, and analysing an Occupational Wellbeing questionnaire for nurses. The survey will be co-designed with peak nursing bodies and end-users (i.e., nurses) but will in part be based on an already successful national and longitudinal survey with Australian school principals. The survey results will then feed into a) policy evaluation and b) developing evidence-based interventions to improve nurses’ mental health, wellbeing, and retention.

Description of the research

As part of this there are several additional projects including a meta-analysis, developing research focused marketing materials, presentations, pitch decks, research proposals, testing survey items, where we could use your support.

An investigation into the pitfalls associated with data-driven decision making in healthcare

Established Supervisor 1: Dr Brandon Cheong <Brandon.Cheong@acu.edu.au> 
Established Supervisor 2: Dr John Oldroyd <John.Oldroyd@acu.edu.au> 
Emerging Supervisor: Ms Mary Huynh
Third Supervisor: Professor Evelyn Hovenga

Project Description

With the increasing prevalence of technology in the healthcare industry, the rate at which healthcare data is being used for clinical decision making is increasing rapidly. Digital transformation has forced health organisations to adopt a contemporary approach to patient care and adapt to the changes that come with it. But what are the drawbacks to this new approach? This honours project will investigate the pitfalls and challenges associated with data-driven decision making in healthcare. Through a review of the literature and empirical qualitative research methods, key aspects of data-driven decision making will be explored, including data quality, data governance, and the impact these have on patient outcomes.

Description of the research

This internship research experience offers students the opportunity to work with eHealth Education Pty. Ltd. to learn and develop skills in evidence-based research in an educational context. Students will contribute to a review of the literature in data-driven healthcare and will learn to conduct their own qualitative studies by submitting an ethics application and engaging in data collection, data analysis and the presentation of results. The honours student will gain the opportunity to develop themselves as a leader in the digital health space, with the potential to do further studies as a HDR student at the Australian Catholic University.