Clinician Researcher Training (CRT) Program

Status: Open

Applications open: 10/03/2023
Applications close: 31/03/2023

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About this scholarship
Description/Applicant information

Project Title: Evaluation of the Connected Maternity Care Model: integrating a digital pregnancy management platform for Ramsay Health Care

Clinical Profession: Nursing and Midwifery 

Aim: To evaluate the Connected Maternity Care model on health, workforce, and economic outcomes at JHC antenatal clinic 
 

Objectives:

• To assess the implementation and usability of the Connected Maternity Care model;  
  
• To compare the Model to historical antenatal and postnatal care on maternal health outcomes;  
  
• To compare the Model to historical care on foetal/neonatal health outcomes;  
  
• To develop predictive models of adverse outcomes including maternal mental health illness, non-elective caesarean and premature birth;  
  
• To evaluate the impact of the model on cost efficiency and effectiveness of care delivery compared to historical care.

Significance:

This innovative translational digital health project will achieve efficient use of the nationally limited midwifery workforce, minimise staff and patient exposure to overcrowding/infections, preserve personal protective equipment and minimise the impact of patient surges on facilities.  

The real-time synchronous consultation and remote monitoring modalities provides opportunity for early recognition of pregnancy and foetal complications including hypertension and abnormal foetal heart rate. Abnormal health data is presented as customised alert messages to pregnant women and clinicians. The pregnant women receives instruction via the smartphone app to repeat the measurement or contact the treating team. The clinicians monitor and follow-up unresolved alerts. 

Expected outcomes: 

Connected Maternity Care will result in improved maternal and neonatal health outcomes, consumer and clinician satisfaction, more effective and efficient delivery of antenatal care and cost. This model has advanced analytic tools assessing patient information predicting adverse health outcomes such as preterm and Caesarean births or depression.  

This digital health platform offers a robust method for home monitoring with stage-specific patient education and an efficient means of communication between patients and clinicians. This digital health care model will provide many benefits for patients, providers and health systems and is a logical progression for the future delivery of safe pregnancy care

Student type

• Future Students

Faculty

• Faculty of Health Sciences

Course type

• Higher Degree by Research

Citizenship

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident
• New Zealand Citizen
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa

Scholarship base

• Merit Based

Value

This scholarship provides a living stipend of up to $315,000 over 3 to 6 years PhD

 

Full time scholarships will be paid the total stipend over a maximum period of 2 years (if Masters) or 3 years (if PhD); and part-time scholarships will be the total stipend over a maximum period of 4 years (if Masters) or 6 years (if PhD).

 

For detailed information, applicants are encouraged to refer to page 6 of the CRT guidelines and conditions 

Scholarship Details
Maximum number awarded

1

Eligible courses

PhD applicants seeking to study nursing and midwifery 

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must:

• be employed at the HSP/PPPP at time of application in a clinical discipline eg pre-consultant (medical), allied health or nursing and midwifery), and once enrolled in the program be maintained in HSP/PPPP# employment at a maximum of 0.5FTE (part time) or 0.2FTE (full time study) in a position undertaking clinical duties* Adjustments to these requirements are possible for applicants with caring responsibilities.

• meet the host university’s admission requirements for the PhD, including prior research experience

• be able to commence the scholarship within one year of execution of the funding agreement.

The following high-level selection principles are applicable to all applicants:

• Appropriate educational/research/career background within the field of the HDR project including technical skills and research-related knowledge.

• Demonstrated commitment and expertise for a clinical career.

• Demonstrated commitment, expertise and motivation for a clinical research career.

• Demonstrated commitment to and suitability for the HDR Project.

• Appropriate organisational skills and personal attributes.

• After assessment of merit, consideration of capacity to contribute diversity to the clinical research environment.

International candidates are eligible to apply but should contact the potential host university and HSP/PPPP to determine if their application can be supported within relevant university international scholarship caps and eligibility and visa limitations.

* Clinical duties are activities directly related to individual patient care, as distinguished from administrative, research or academic activities.

# HSPs include Child and Adolescent Health Service, East Metropolitan Health Service, North Metropolitan Health Service, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA, South Metropolitan Health Service & WA Country Health Service. PPPPs include Ramsay Health Care (covering Joondalup Health Campus & Peel Health Campus) & St John of God (Midland Public Hospital).

Application process

Process and timeline:

Submit the completed CRT candidate application form no later than 31 March to GRS via [email protected]

The GRS team will email the applicant the how to apply for Curtin HDR admission details.

Enrolment Requirements

Recipients will be required to meet established university milestones in line with university policy and procedures. An annual progress report confirming that the student is making satisfactory progress against milestones must be provided to the Office of Medical Research and Innovation (OMRI) with any relevant reports or publications attached.

For detailed information, applicants are encouraged to refer to the CRT guidelines and conditions 

Enquiries

For further information about this opportunity, please contact:

Associate Professor Karen Heslop, Deputy Head of Curtin School of Nursing [email protected] 

Associate Professor Paul Porter, Paediatrician and lead of PHI Research Group Joondalup Health Campus [email protected]

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