2022 grant recipients

Dr Laura Jolliffe (Department of OT, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University) - Chief Investigator

Other investigators: Associate Professor Michele Callisaya (Peninsula Clinical School, National Centre for Healthy Aging, Monash University), Dr David Snowdon (Peninsula Clinical School, National Centre for Healthy Aging, Monash University), Dr Aislinn Lalor (Department of OT, RAIL Research Centre, School of Primary and Allied Health Care Monash University)

Project title: Preventing hospital-related harms in older adults: A qualitative exploration and implementation mapping study.

Funding awarded: $14,799.22

Publications / outcomes:

This pre-implementation research investigated the barriers and enablers towards implementing hospital-related harm prevention programs in a geriatric evaluation and management (GEM) context. Using a mixed methods approach, the research team completed observational ward audits and staff focus group interviews, to assess current practices and gain staff perceptions about barriers and enablers about implementation. The investigators found that GEM inpatients are typically inactive (80% of the time) and engaged in non-meaningful activity (86% of the time), for most of their daytime hours (7am-7pm). Barriers towards implementing a hospital-related harms prevention program included staffing, resources, and perceptions of professional role/identity. Enabling factors included team dynamics and involvement of diversional therapists. Although staff recognise the importance of prevention programs and are motivated to increase the amount of meaningful activity engagement for inpatients, a multidisciplinary approach, dedicated resources, and knowledge-to-action cycles are required for successful implementation.
Results from this study have been presented at Peninsula Health’s Celebrating Research Week 2023, where it won the best presentation by an experienced researcher award. Two manuscripts are currently under development for publication, and results of this work are being used to develop a novel model of care to increase the amount of meaningful activities GEM inpatients receive during their admission.

Dr Linda Barclay (Department of OT, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University) - Chief Investigator

Other Investigators: Dr Em Bould (Department of OT, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University), Associate Professor Narelle Warren (School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University), Mr Antonio Vecchio (Lived experience expert), Mr Beau Vernon (Lived experience expert)

Project title: Development of an evidence-informed explainer video: Empowering employers to hire people with spinal cord injuries

Funding awarded: $14,947.44

Publications / outcomes:

Phase one of this project consisted of gaining an understanding of employers’ attitudes to, knowledge about, and policies relating to employing someone with a spinal cord injury (SCI), through semi-structured interviews with Australian employers. It was found that organisational policies and practices of the employers’ organisations impacted the likelihood of someone with SCI being employed, particularly in relation to recruitment, employment targets, and available accommodations. Larger organisations due to their size and number of employees, have more capability and flexibility within their budgets and workforce to implement various policies and practices that support employment of people with SCI. Only one large government department had proactive policies and practices specifically aimed at recruiting people with diverse backgrounds, including disabilities. Ultimately it is individual staff who decide whether or not someone with an SCI is employed and supported, suggesting personal attitudes are an important consideration in this process.

Barriers to employment included: Lack of knowledge about SCI; and lack of knowledge about finances and legal requirements. A positive workplace culture was a facilitator. Our findings suggest that multi-faceted approaches are needed to change workplace culture and increase the employment of people with SCI. Such strategies include: committed leadership; credible and reliable information on disability and employment; and appropriate networks for linking with and recruiting people with disability.

Phase two: Based on the findings of the semi-structured interviews completed with employers, and co-designed with a person with lived experienced of spinal cord injury, a video titled “Empowering employers to hire people with spinal cord injuries” was produced and can be seen here: Video. This video is being disseminated to relevant employer groups.

A poster outlining the results of the semi-structured interviews completed with employers was presented at two recent conferences: The Rehabilitation Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand annual conference held in Hobart, September 13th-15th, 2023; Australian and New Zealand Spinal Cord Society Conference, held in Adelaide, 22nd – 24th November, 2023.

Journal article:  Barclay L, Vecchio A & Bould  E. (2024) Investigating employers’ attitudes and knowledge about employing someone with a spinal cord injury, Disability and Rehabilitation, DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2310176

Dr Pamela Carreno-Medrano (Monash Robotics, Faculty of Engineering) - Chief Investigator

Other investigators: Professor Dana Kulić (Monash Robotics, Faculty of Engineering), Dr Natasha Brusco (RAIL Research Centre, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University), Dr Aislinn Lalor (Department of OT, RAIL Research Centre, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University), Associate Professor Leah Heiss (Monash Art, Design and Architecture)

Project title: Socially assistive robots for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders

Funding awarded: $15,000