Professor Esther Chang

Biography


Esther Chang is Director of Research in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Western Sydney, and Undergraduate Honours and Higher Research Degree Program Coordinator. She has worked in academia since 1986 with three tertiary institutions. She has been a Head of School, Dean of the Faculty of Health, and Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor Academic at the University of Western Sydney. She is currently President of the Lifestyle Medicine Institute Australia. Esther Chang is a Professor of Nursing, specialising in aged care research. She has extensive experience in managing research projects and supervising post-graduate students in aged and palliative care. Her commitment to aged care practice commenced in 1987. Since then, Professor Chang has received many large grants investigating nursing and health needs of aged persons, and has developed models of care for acutely ill elderly patients and clients with end-stage dementia. She is involved in cultural aspects of cardiovascular care research, especially with older people. She has a 20-plus year record of funded research and publications in priorities for clinical practice and education, long term disability, aged care and palliation; and has directed and co-directed a Centre for Research in Healthy Futures which received a local council award and a National Heart Foundation award. Professor Chang’s international links have generated collaborative research into aged care across several countries. She has received partnership linkage grants with the local Area Health Services and now leads the School’s Aged Care And Palliation (ACAP) research team. 

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Areas of Research/Teaching Expertise


Aged Care focus on Dementia and Palliation
Research Methodology
Graduates Transition
Nursing Leadership
Coronary Health Improvement
Models of Care
Role Stress
Graduate Workforce Issues
Successful Nursing Graduates
Occupation Health and Safety Issues

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Awards/Honours

  • 2010, International Collaboration for the Occupational Health of Nurses, Grant to ttend workshop in San Francisco, USA.

  • 2009, Nominated for the UWS VC Community Engagement Award

  • 2002, Awarded the UWS VC Excellence Commendable Award for Professional Service for the Hong Kong Program

  • 2002, Kellogg Local Government Awards at State and National Levels

  • 2000, Hawkesbury Food Program, awarded Outstanding Healthy Nutrition Project category of the Heart Foundation

  • 2000, Nominated for Telstra Business Woman of the Year

  • 1998, Awarded a scholarship from the David C Lam Institute for East-West Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University

  • 1993, Awarded staff development funding from the UTS to complete PhD

  • 1989, Nominated by UNSW to present PhD thesis methodology at the Inaugural National Graduate Research Seminar in Educational Administration at the University of New England

  • 1989, Awarded travel grant by the Australian Council for Educational Administration and the UNSW

  • 1988, Awarded a grant from the NSW Nurses' Registration Board for research related to the socialisation of tertiary nursing graduates into the workforce.

  • 1985, Awarded a scholarship by the NSW Nurses' Registration Board to complete Bachelor of Applied Science (Adv.Nurs)

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Grants/Current Projects

2010-2011

University of Western Sydney Research Infrastructure Fund. Awarded to partner schools within UWS College of Health and Science, including the School of Nursing and Midwifery. "Friend Zone" Smart Living Space a "highly specialised computer-based research infrastructure facility..." for "improving quality of life and health status for aged people through provision of augmented living environments."

Investigators: Prof A. Maeder, Prof S. Simeon, Assoc. Prof A. Bialowcerovski, Prof G. Kolt, Prof E. Chang, Prof R. Griffiths

Funding: $135,000

2010-2011
Avoiding ‘high-tech’ through ‘high touch’ in end-stage dementia: Developing a protocol for care at the end of life.
Funding: Australia Department of Health and Ageing.
Research Team: Chang, E. (CI), Johnson, A. (CI), & Nicholls, D. (CI); Partners: Simard, J. Geriatric Consultant; Noel, M., Easterbrook, S., SWAHS; Johnson, R. Domain Principal Group, & Fularon, C., Australasian Aged Care Pty Ltd.

2009-2010
Coronary Health Improvement Program (CHIP) Evaluation Survey.
Funding: Lifestyle Medicine Institute Australia.
Research Team: Chang, E. (CI), Farnsworth, J. (PI), & Ward, J. (AI).

2009-2010
Evaluating the application of the Clinical Weight Loss Framework in residential aged care facilities.
Funding: UWS, Domain Principal, & Advantaged care.
Research Team: Chang, E. (CI), Johnson, A. (AI). Partners: Johnson R., & Kresner, L.

2007-2008
Bereavement care in the community
Funding: Partnership grant, UWS and SAHS.
Research Team: E. Chang (CI), J. Daly (CI), A. Johnson, S. Easterbrook, J. Bidewell & K. Hancock.

2007
Situational analysis of human resources for health in Pacific Island countries
Funding: WHO project.
Research Team: J. Daly (CI), E. Chang (CI) & D. Jackson (CI), L. Ferguson, Y. Salamonson, L. Halcomb & K. Hancock.

2006-2009
Decision-making frameworks in advanced dementia: Links to improved care
Funding: Commonwealth Dept of Health and Ageing.
Research Team: E. Chang (CI) & K. Harrison (CI), J. Daly, A. Johnson, P. Davidson, M. Noel, S. Easterbrook.

2006-2007
Funding: IRIS UWS, N FORCE, SON, total.
Research Team: E. Chang (CI), J. Daly & D. Jackson.

2006
Evaluation and implementation of an information booklet for carers of people with dementia
Funding: Commonwealth Dept of Health and Ageing.
Research Team: E. Chang (CI) & K. Harrison (CI), J. Daly, M. Johnson, P. Davidson, K. Hancock & M. Noel.

2006
Palliative care dementia interface: Enhancing community capacity
Funding: Commonwealth Dept of Health and Ageing.
Research Team: E. Chang (CI), J. Daly, A. Johnson, K. Hancock, K. Harrison & M. Noel.

2005
Palliative care dementia interface: Enhancing community capacity
Funding: Commonwealth Dept of Health and Ageing.
Research Team: E. Chang (CI), J. Daly, A. Johnson, K. Hancock, K. Harrison & M. Noel.

2004-2005
Evaluation of a mutual aid model of a group rehabilitation program for older women with heart disease
Funding: NSW Health, Women's Health Program.
Research Team: P. Davidson (CI), J. Daly, K. Hancock, E. Chang, Dennis & Everist.

2003-2005
Palliative care dementia interface: Enhancing community capacity
Funding: Dept of Health and Ageing, UWS with partner WAHS & Blue Mountains Division of General Practice.

Research Team: E. Chang (CI) & K. Harrison (CI), J. Daly, M. Johnson, P. Davidson, K. Hancock & M. Noel

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Selected Publications

Recent Refereed journal articles

Chang, E., Easterbrook, S., Hancock, K., Johnson, A., & Davidson, P. (2010). Evaluation of an information booklet for caregivers of people with dementia: An Australian perspective. Nursing & Health Sciences, 12(1), 45-51.

Scott, G., Chang, E., & Grebennikov, L. (2010).  Using successful graduates to improve the quality of undergraduate nursing programs. Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability, 1(1), 26‑44.

Johnson, A., Chang, E., & O'Brien, L. (2009). Nursing the dying: A descriptive survey of Australian undergraduate nursing curricula. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 15(5), 417-425.

Chang, E., Daly, J., Harrison, K., Noel, M., Johnson, A., Easterbrook, S., Redshaw, S., & Bidewell, J. (2009). Bereavement care in the community: Pilot study report. Sydney, NSW: College of Nursing and Midwifery, UWS.

Chang, E., Daly, J., Johnson, A., Harrison, K., Easterbrook, S., Bidewell, J., Stewart, H., Noel, M., & Hancock, K. (2009). Challenges for professional care of advanced dementia. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 15(1), 41-47.

Davidson, P., DiGiacomo, M., Zecchin, R., Clarke, M., Paul, G., Lamb, K., Hancock, K., Chang, E., & on behalf of the Heart Awarness for Women Program Invstigators Daly, J. (2008). A cardiac rehabilitation program to improve psychosocial outcomes of women with heart disease, 17(1), 123-134.

Glasson, J. B., Chang, E. M. L., & Bidewell, J. W. (2008). The value of participatory action research in clinical nursing practice. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 14(1), 34-39.

Huntington, A. D., Bidewell, J. W., Gilmour, J. A., Chang, E. M. L., Daly, J., Wilson, H., Lambert, V.A., & Lambert, C.E. (2008). The relationship between frequency of workplace stress, coping response and physical and mental health in New Zealand nurses. Journal of Occupational Health and Safety, 24(2), 131-141.

Chang, E. M. L., Bidewell, J. W., Huntington, A. D., Daly, J., Johnson, A., Wilson, H., Lambert, V. A., & Lambert, C. (2007). A survey of role stress, coping and health in Australian and New Zealand hospital nurses. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 44(8), 1354-1362.

Chang, E., Hancock, K., Hickman, L., Glasson, J., & Davidson, P. (2007). Outcomes of acutely ill older hospitalized patients following implementation of tailored models of care: A repeated measures (pre and post-intervention) design. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 44(7), 1079-1092.

Hancock, K., Chang, E., Johnson, A., Harrison, K., Daly, J., Easterbrook, S., Noel, M., Luhr-Taylor, M., & Davidson, P. M. (2006). Palliative care for people with advanced dementia: The need for a collaborative, evidence-based approach. Alzheimer's Care Quarterly, 7(1), 49-57.

Daly, J., Chang, E., & Jackson, D. (2006). Quality of work life in nursing: Some issues and challenges. Collegian, 13(4), 2.

Chang, E. M., Daly, J., Hancock, K. M., Bidewell, J. W., Johnson, A., Lambert, V. A., & Lambert, C. E. (2006). The relationships among workplace stressors, coping methods, demographic characteristics, and health in Australian nurses. Journal of Professional Nursing, 22(1), 30-38.

Glasson, J., Chang, E., Chenoweth, L., Hancock, K., Hall, T., Hill-Murray, F., & Collier, L. (2006). Evaluation of a model of nursing care for older patients using participatory action research in an acute medical ward. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 15(5), 588-598.

Chang, E., Hancock, K., Harrison, K., Daly, J., Johnson, A., Easterbrook, S., Noel, M., Luhr-Taylor, M., & Davidson, P. M. (2005). Palliative care for end-stage dementia: A discussion of the implications for education of health care professionals. Nurse Education Today, 25(4), 326-332.

Hancock, K., Davidson, P. M., Daly, J., Webber, D., & Chang, E. (2005). An exploration of the usefulness of motivational interviewing in facilitating secondary prevention gains in cardiac rehabilitation. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Pevention, 25(4), 200-206.

Ketefian, S., Davidson, P., Daly, J., Chang, E., & Srisuphan, W. (2005). Issues and challenges in international doctoral education in nursing. Nursing and Health Sciences, 7(3), 150-156.

Crout, L. A., Chang, E., & Cioffi, J. (2005). Why do registered nurses work when ill? The Journal of Nursing Administration, 35(1), 23-28.

Crombie, K., Hancock, K., Chang, E., Vardanega, L., Wonghongkul, T., Chanakok, A., & Mahawam, S. (2005). Breast screening education at Australian and Thai worksites: A comparison of program effectiveness. Contemporary Nurse, 19(1-2), 181-196.

Chang, E. M., Hancock, K. M., Daly, J., Johnson, A., & Jackson, D. (2005). Role stress in nurses: A review of related factors and strategies for moving forward. Nursing and Health Sciences, 7(1), 57-65.

Davidson, P., Hancock, K., Daly, J., Cockburn, J., Moser, D., Goldston, K., Elliott, D., Webster, J., Speerin, R., Wade, V., Clarke, M., Anderson, M., Newman, C., & Chang E. (2004). A cardiac rehabilitation program to enhance the outcomes of older women with heart disease: Development of the Group Rehabilitation for Older Women (GROW) program. Journal of the Australiasian Rehabilitatin Nurses' Association) 6(4), 8-15.

Recent Books

Chang, E., Daly, J., Harrison, K., Noel, M., Johnson, A., Easterbrook, S., Redshaw, S., & Bidewell, J. (2009). Bereavement care in the community: Pilot study report. Sydney: University of Western Sydney, School of Nursing and Midwifery. 

Chang, E., & Johnson, A. (2008). Chronic illness and disability: Principles for nursing practice. Sydney: Elsevier.

Chang, E., & Daly, J. (Eds.). (2008). Transitions in nursing: Preparing for professional practice. Sydney: Elsevier.

Chang, E., Daly, J., & Elliott, D. (2006). Applied pathophysiology to nursing practice. Sydney: Elsevier.

Recent Chapters in edited books

Daly, J., Elliott, D., & Chang, E. (2009) Research in nursing: Concepts and processes. In J. Daly, S. Speedy & D. Jackson, (Eds.), Contexts of nursing. Sydney: Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier. 

Chang, E., & Daly, J. (2008). Making the transition from student to graduate nurse. In E. Chang & J. Daly (Eds.), Transitions in nursing: Preparing for professional practice. Sydney: Elsevier.

Johnson, A., & Chang, E. (2008). Overview of chronic illness and disability in Australia and New Zealand. In E. Chang & A. Johnson (Eds.), Chronic illness and disability: Principles for nursing practice. Sydney: Elsevier.

Chang, E., Easterbrook, S., Johnson, A., Hancock, K., Luhr, M., & Harrison, K. (2008). Advanced dementia. In E. Chang & A. Johnson (Eds.), Chronic illness and disability: Principles for nursing practice. Sydney: Elsevier.

Rolley, J., Chang, E., & Johnson, A. (2008). Spirituality and the nurse: Engaging in human suffering, hope and meaning. In E. Chang & A. Johnson (Eds.), Chronic illness and disability: Principles for nursing practice. Sydney: Elsevier.

Chang, E., Hancock, K., & Smith, A. (2006). Health and illness. In E. Chang, J. Daly & D. Elliott (Eds.), Applied pathophysiology to nursing practice. Sydney: Elsevier.

Daly, J., Elliott, D., & Chang, E. (2006). Research in nursing: Concepts and processes. In J. Daly, S. Speedy & D. Jackson (Eds.), Contexts of nursing. Sydney: Churchill Livingston.

Anders, R., Daly, J., Thompson, D., Elliott, D., & Chang, E. (2005) Research in nursing. In J. Daly, S. Speedy, D. Jackson, V. Lambert & C. Lambert (Eds.), Professional nursing: Concepts, issues and challenges. New York: Springer.

Daly, J., Thompson, D., Chang, E., & Hancock, K. (2004). The context of nursing and health care research. In P. A. Crookes & S. Davies (Eds.), Research into practice. Edinburgh: Bailliere Tindall with the Royal College of Nursing.

Daly, J., Chang, E., Hancock, K., & Crookes, P. (2004). Leading and managing change in nursing practice. In J. Daly, S. Speedy & D. Jackson (Eds.), Nursing Leadership. Sydney: Churchill Livingstone.

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Engagement Interests

Keynote Speaker

Chang, E. (December, 2010). Australian Experiences of the CHIP. Keynote address, Coronary Health Improvement Program (CHIP) Summit, Sydney, Australia.

Chang, E. (November, 2010). Australian Experiences of the CHIP. Keynote address, Coronary Health Improvement Program (CHIP) Summit, Rotorua, New Zealand.

International scholarly activities Keynote Speaker

1996-2004

In her previous positions as Dean of the Faculty of Health, Acting Pro Vice Chancellor and Director of International and Business attracting $35 million +

Hong Kong, International and Graduate Entry Programs

Professional bodies

Honours International involvements

1995 Continuing

2003-2007

Member, Sigma Theta Tau, International Honour Society of Nursing

Elected President, Sigma Theta Tau, International Honour Society of Nursing

2003, continuing

Member, International Network for Doctoral Education in Nursing

2007 - 2009

Invited to be on International Honour Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau Service Advisory Council (SAC) for the 2007-2009 biennium

National involvements

1996 - 2000

Member, Council of Nursing and Midwifery

2002-2004

Member, Geriaction

2005, continuing

2008 July

Member, Royal College of Nursing

President, The Lifestyle Medicine Institute (Australia)

State and local involvement

1990, continuing

Fellow, New South Wales College of Nursing

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