https://www.facebook.com/100239572564544/

WA Country Health Service and Curtin University Alliance, Perth (2025)

10/04/2024

Exciting news! Kaylie Toll (Alliance Senior Research Officer) has had her PhD protocol published in the Journal of Digital Health.

Her manuscript titled 'Enhancing the Implementation of Provider-to-provider Telehealth in Rural and Remote Areas: A Mixed Methods Study Protocol' outlines how she will evaluate the current implementation of WACHS' Command Centre services and explore factors associated with their differential use.

The rural provider-to-provider telehealth service connects rural and remote clinicians to a 'hub' of healthcare specialists, which allows for increased access to emergency and specialised healthcare.

This model has several benefits for providers in rural and remote areas including enhanced knowledge, expanded professional development opportunities, improved scope of practice, and confidence in treating more complex cases, which could have implications for supporting and futureproofing our health workforce.

A special thanks to Kaylie’s PhD supervisors and WACHS advisors for their support and guidance: A/Prof Joanna Moullin, Prof Suzanne Robinson, Prof Tim Carey, Dr Aled Willliams and Steve Andrew.

Learn more about Kaylie’s exciting research at: https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076241242790

08/03/2024

Do you use client or patient feedback/satisfaction surveys? The WACHS Curtin Alliance is excited to share that we are hosting our second survey design webinar for WACHS and Curtin staff on March 26th, from 1pm to 2pm. The webinar will provide insights into designing patient feedback and client satisfaction surveys.

The presenter, Professor David Lawrence, is an expert in survey design with a PhD in public health, psychiatry, and behavioural science.

Don’t miss this opportunity to improve your survey design skills! Register at: https://forms.office.com/r/SRB1jfp4GU. Note that registration closes on the 25th of March at 7pm. If you have any questions, send us an email at: WACHSCurtinAlliance@curtin.edu.au.

16/02/2024

Kaylie Toll, Senior Research Officer at the Alliance, presented at the Centre for Transformative Work Design Conference this week.

Kaylie shared insight into her PhD research protocol on rural provider-to-provider telehealth as a strategy to futureproof our workforce. She spoke about how virtual health services have significant work design implications. Her research will explore the value and benefit the increasing integration of virtual care technologies can give to those living and working in rural and remote areas.

“It was fantastic to present my research protocol at the first ever CTWD! It was a great opportunity to dive into the world of work design and job crafting with experts from around the globe,” she said.

31/01/2024

The popularity of scoping reviews is on the rise! The WACHS Curtin Alliance is excited to share that we are hosting a webinar on scoping reviews for WACHS and Curtin staff on February 26th, from 11:30am to 12:30pm. The webinar will provide insight into when to use scoping reviews, how to conduct them, and what benefits they can bring to your work!

Learn from expert presenter, Dr Danielle Po***ck, a Research Fellow and Methodologist at HESRI (Health Evidence Synthesis Recommendations and Impact). Danielle has extensive experience conducting scoping reviews, and she is a lived experience stillbirth researcher who strongly believes that those impacted by health care decisions should be at the centre of research and guideline development.

Do you want to learn more about scoping reviews? Here is your chance! Register at: https://forms.office.com/r/kLf8XPEKLG. Note that registration closes on the 25th of February at 7pm. If you have any questions, send us an email at: wachscurtinalliance@curtin.edu.au.

17/01/2024

We are pleased to announce that we will be running our popular ‘Being a Better Peer Reviewer’ course again in February. The free, online course teaches WACHS and Curtin staff and PhD students about how they can effectively peer review articles.

The course also provides an opportunity for participants to interact on the online discussion boards and receive feedback from Professor Timothy Carey (Chair, Country Health Research and Innovation).

The course will start on the 5th of February and run until the 1st of March. If you’re interested in enhancing your peer reviewer skills, enrolment is now open at: https://forms.office.com/r/gpQd8UJ9Kt. Note that limited spots are available.

If you have any questions or would like more information, send us an email at: WACHSCurtinAlliance@curtin.edu.au.

22/12/2023

As the year comes to an end, the WACHS Curtin Alliance is happy to have had the opportunity to connect with our colleagues at WA Country Health Service and Curtin enAble Institute.

We had the pleasure of attending the 2023 Curtin Enable Institute Retreat where we were joined by Anita John and Justin Manuel from WACHS. The theme of the retreat was 'enhancing our research impact: from local innovation to global transformation.’ Anita (Director of Research and Innovation at WACHS) was part of a panel discussion providing insight into how partnerships can enhance impact.

To end the year, the Alliance Team met over lunch in Curtin's new Exchange Precinct to reflect on the year and plan for 2024. The Alliance wishes everyone a safe and joyful holiday.

15/11/2023

Congratulations Kaylie Toll (Alliance Senior Research Officer) for being selected to present at the 2024 Centre for Transformative Work Design Conference in Perth on the 13th to 14th of February.

Kaylie is excited to share her upcoming research titled, “Provider-to-provider Virtual Healthcare as a Strategy to Futureproof our Rural and Remote Workforce.” The presentation will be based on Kaylie’s PhD that aims to increase understanding of how virtual healthcare can be used to support and strengthen the local healthcare workforce in country WA.

Learn more about the conference at: https://buff.ly/3MHABt0.

10/11/2023

Are you a PhD Student at Curtin looking for experience? If so, you might be interested in one of three WA Country Health Service 60 day research internships.

Opportunity one — the Teletrial program is looking for one intern to conduct a literature review and discussions with key partners to increase understanding of different options for rural and remote trial site visits. Learn more at: https://buff.ly/3srhVqI.

Opportunity two — WACHS’s Palliative Care Program is looking for two interns to help develop a greater understanding of Palliative Afterhours Telehealth Service and the characteristics of patient and provider interactions in its first year of service. Learn more at: https://buff.ly/3ssiYGR.

Opportunity three — WACHS is looking for an intern to conduct a literature review to contribute to evidence-based strategies and policies to attract and retain health workforce in rural settings. Learn more at: https://buff.ly/476xpzs.

Applications close on the 20th of November. If you have any questions, please contact the Alliance at WACHSCurtinAlliance@curtin.edu.au.

30/10/2023

Professor Timothy Carey and Kaylie Toll from the WACHS Curtin Research and Innovation Alliance, along with Justin Manuel from WACHS’s Research and Innovation team, recently visited Northam Health Service.

Wheatbelt Executive initiated this collaboration to explore ways to improve hospital efficiency and patient experience of care, and establish systems of ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

“It’s extremely exciting to be working with enthusiastic and committed health professionals in a rural hospital to help them improve the services they provide to their community,” said Professor Carey.

13/10/2023

Are you a consumer with experience using health facilities or hospitals in rural/remote areas of WA? Would you be willing to share your experiences and contribute to group discussions?

Two PhD research projects (joint WACHS and Curtin projects) are each looking for 1-2 consumers (including carers) to share their valuable perspectives to help identify gaps in the PhD projects and implementation. There will also be an opportunity for representatives to come together to discuss similarities and learnings.

Representatives will meet (online or in person) with the PhD student for 1-1.5 hours quarterly, with an opportunity for representatives to come together 1-2 times per year. An honorarium will be provided along with training and support offered.

Learn more and/or register your interest at: https://buff.ly/45puYpO. Registrations close 31st October 2023.

06/10/2023

Kaylie Toll (Alliance Senior Research Officer) recently presented at the Curtin Research Rumble on how AI can be utilised for better health outcomes.

Kaylie not only enjoyed presenting, but she also enjoyed hearing about how AI Telehealth integration can allow for communication in a patient’s preferred language, consumer experiences of telehealth, and the discussion of how clinicians are educated to practice in the virtual realm.

“I was honoured to be invited to speak at the Curtin Research Rumble 2023 - Delving into AI for Better Health and blown away by the innovative research and depth of knowledge from my fellow presenters,” she said.

29/09/2023

Are you interested in learning about what it takes to design a good survey? Do you work for WACHS or Curtin?

Join us from 1 to 2 pm on the 18th of October to learn about survey design from international expert, Professor David Lawrence.

Register at https://forms.office.com/r/ckxvxrV3DS or send us an email at WACHSCurtinAlliance@curtin.edu.au.

13/09/2023

Professor Tim Carey (Chair Country Health and Research/Alliance Director) participated in Curtin University's Ignition program last week.

The weeklong intensive program equips participants with a wealth of knowledge, from IP protection to marketing, to trial and prepare business ideas for the commercial market.

Prof Carey will use this knowledge to develop his app Mindsurf, an app aiming to provide wellbeing services to regional workers.

“It was a tremendous privilege to be offered a place on the Ignition program providing the opportunity to spend time with and learn from experts in the various aspects of commercialisation and entrepreneurship,” he said.

04/09/2023

On the 15th of September, Kaylie Toll (Alliance Senior Research Officer) will present at the ‘Delving into AI for Better Health’ event.

Kaylie joins a panel of researchers as they explore the potential for artificial intelligence to transform healthcare including reshaping patient engagement, monitoring, supporting and improving healthcare outcomes.

The free event will be held at Curtin’s city venue from 4:00 to 6:30pm. Learn more and/or register at: https://buff.ly/3OMWuHL.

30/08/2023

Congratulations to Danika Jurat for completing her first PhD milestone!

Danika’s project titled, ‘Wellbeing in Australian Service Registrars: An Implementation Science Approach,’ will examine the wellbeing and experiences of unaccredited trainee service registrars in the Australian medical system.

By exploring the nature of issues among registers across different geographical settings, she aims to develop a tailored implementation blueprint for an evidence-based practice (EBP) to improve wellbeing in the Western Australia Country Health Service (WACHS).

We wish Danika the best as she enters the research stage of her PhD.

23/08/2023

Congratulations to the Alliance’s Senior Research Officer, Kaylie Toll, for completing her first PhD milestone!

Kaylie’s project titled, ‘Value and sustainment of provider-to-provider virtual healthcare in rural and remote areas,’ aims to increase understanding of how virtual healthcare can be used to support and strengthen the local health workforce in country WA.

Kaylie’s research is significant on a local, national and international level as sustainable workforce models are needed, particularly in rural and remote areas, to support local workforces and increase efficiency. Kaylie’s work will generate new insights to fill in knowledge gaps and explore the socioeconomic impact of the model.

We wish Kaylie the best as she enters the research stage of her PhD.

18/08/2023

Congratulations Danika Jurat and Kaylie Toll (Alliance Senior Research Officer) for completing their 1st PhD milestone!

The PhDs are a result of the WACHS Curtin Alliance’s successful Future Health Research and Innovation Fund application titled — ‘Improving process and utilising technology to provide a real-time view of the WA Country Health System, a more seamless patient journey and more efficiency across the system.’

We wish Danika and Kaylie (pictured left to right) the best of luck as they begin the research phase. Want to learn more? Stay tuned for an overview of these exciting projects.

11/08/2023

Congratulations to the Alliance’s Director, Prof Tim Carey, for winning a Trailblazer Initiative Scholarship to attend Curtin Ignition 2023 (https://buff.ly/45lt7mE).

Running over 5 days, the Ignition program equips aspiring entrepreneurs, academics and corporate innovators to trial and then prepare business ideas for the commercial environment.

Tim is looking forward to learning about commercialisation opportunities for his app, MindSurf, that could potentially provide remote workers access to a useful and effective wellbeing resource.

WA Country Health Service and Curtin University Alliance