The Wesley Research Institute Health Services Research team attended the Health Services Research Association of Australia and New Zealand (HSRAANZ) conference last week at the Royal International Convention Centre (Royal ICC) in Brisbane!
This year’s theme ‘Health Services Research in the Digital Age’ resonated with our researchers, as they look to further research in virtual hospital care. The conference welcomed speakers and delegates to explore the current and future challenges and solutions that health services research can offer, as we harness new digital technologies to help build a sustainable, future-ready, and patient-focused healthcare system. This event brought together a diverse array of speakers from across Australia, thought-provoking sessions, and networking opportunities for our WRI researchers.
Associate Professor Elizabeth Martin and Dr Olivia Fisher presented at the Hospital Without Walls symposium, focusing on the future of virtual hospital care. Dr Fisher discussed a virtual hospital industry-research partnership in the private sector, as well as the learnings, successes, and opportunities that come from this area of research in Australia.
They were joined by Kelly McGrath, who heads up the Care Navigation team at Isaac Navicare, a free service that helps connect people with mental health support across the Isaac Region in remote Queensland. Kelly discussed some of the healthcare challenges her clients have faced living in a remote area of Queensland, and the impact virtual hospitals could have in improving access and quality of healthcare for people in rural and remote Australia.
Dr Caroline Grogan shared her latest research on an innovative dementia in-home respite service and using inclusive processes to include people living with dementia and family carers in health services research. Shayma Mohammed Selim presented her PhD research, which investigated the most effective digital solutions for boosting appointment attendance based on patient preferences, specific patient needs, and available resources. Belinda Moshi presented a poster, focusing on the realities of digital connectivity for frontline aged-care workers.
To learn more about the innovative work of our Health Services Research team, spanning virtual healthcare, aged care, mental health and chronic wounds, visit our website.
