Projects in the Family and Community Health Research Group

Selected latest FaCH research projects 

Listed in reverse year order.

Establishing breastfeeding: An analysis of the language and practices used by midwives and lactation consultants when interacting with new mothers

Researchers: A/Prof V Schmied, Dr Fenwick, Dr A Sheehan, Mrs Saxton and Mrs Passant
Partner/Funding Body: Campbelltown Hospital, John Hunter Hospital
Period: 2008
The aim of this study is to examine the impact of midwives’ language practices, education and public policy on first-time mothers’ breastfeeding experiences in the early postpartum period. This research will focus specifically on the interactions between midwives and lactation consultants (LCs) and women and the impact these have on women’s breastfeeding experiences. The research team are interested in investigating the ways in which health professionals interact with women in relation to breastfeeding, including what type of advice and support they give women, how they portray breastfeeding, how they represent the mother-child relationship and if these practices differ in hospitals that have achieved BFHI accreditation.

Model of Care: a Family Focused Approach to Promote Child Protection

Researchers: Debra Jackson, Lesley Wilkes and Jenni Hutchins
Funding Body: Australian Research Council, Linkage Grant
Period: 2007-2009
This project addresses an area of family research where there is a significant paucity of Australian research. Through a collaborative endeavor between the University of Western Sydney (UWS) and The Benevolent Society's South Western Scarba Service this project will: evaluate exisiting model of child protection in Australia from the perspectives of the families in the service and the staff that deliver care to them, and develop recommendations and a framework for a sustainable model of family focused care to promote child protection. 

Care of clients with chronic and complex conditions: Role of the community nurse in the multidisciplinary team

Researchers: Dr J Cioffi, Prof L Wilkes, Ms B Warne and Ms K Harrison
Partner/Funding Body: Sydney West Area Health Service
Period: 2007-2010
The growing number of clients with chronic and complex conditions is placing high demand on multidisciplinary health care teams in the community to provide quality care.  To date the role of the community nurse in this team has remained ambiguous.  Using focus groups and a Delphi survey of experts the role of this community nurse in the multidisciplinary team in community health services in an area health service will be delineated.  The outcome will be that community nurses can more comprehensively perform their role in the multidisciplinary team as team members and independent clinicians.

Surviving and Thriving in the Face of Workplace Adversity: an Intervention to Develop Personal Resilience in Nurses and Midwives

Researchers: Debra Jackson, Margaret Vickers and Lesley Wilkes
Funding Body: Australian Research Council, Linkage Grant
Period: 2006-2009
» Fact sheet (PDF, 37Kb)
This project will provide evidence about resilience as a strategy to enhance the ability of nurses and midwives to thrive in climates of rapid organisational change. Findings of this study will provide information about the value of initiating sustainable strategies that can support nurses and midwives to develop their personal resilience. Australia is currently experiencing an acute and chronic shortage of nurses and midwives, and findings of this study will assist organisations by providing a validated and sensitive model to develop resilience in staff. This may reduce staff turnover and contribute to the retention of nurses and midwives.

Decision-Making Frameworks in Advanced Dementia: Links to Improved Care

Researchers: Esther Chang, Amanda Johnson, John Daly and Patricia Davidson
Funding Body: Department of Health and Ageing
Period: 2006-2009
» Fact sheet (PDF, 42Kb)
Develop, implement, evaluate and promote sustainability of a decision-making framework for advanced dementia care. The research will provide a decision-making framework of support that will include guidelines for nurses to enable them to assist people in residential aged care facilities. Four major symptoms will be targeted ― pain, constipation, weight loss and agitation/confusion.

Evaluation of a Family Information Booklet for Family Carers of People with Dementia

Researchers: Esther Chang, Amanda Johnson, John Daly and Patricia Davidson

Funding Body: Department of Health and Ageing
Period: 2006
» Fact sheet (PDF, 29Kb)
» Poster (PDF, 140Kb)
» Family information booklet (PDF, 276Kb)
‘Dementia is a growing health issue with perhaps one in four people aged over 65 years having a diagnosis of dementia by 2020’ Prof Chang. ‘Family members play a crucial role in caring for people living with dementia, however, their need for information and support is often not well addressed and they can suffer from depression. By providing education to the carers about the progressive nature of dementia, the incidence of depressive symptoms experienced by carers can be reduced. Investigation has shown that family members can be relieved for example when they know that the person is dying rather than experiencing new symptoms and what steps they can take to assist with this stage of palliative care. To address this need for information, a booklet has been developed by the three partner organisations in consultation with dementia and aged care experts, providing information on what to expect as the dementia progresses. The completed booklet will be published on the World Wide Web giving vital support to innumerable families, carers and service providers locally, nationally and internationally.