Clinician Researcher Training (CRT) Program

Updated: about 1 year ago
Location: Perth, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Status: Open

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

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About this scholarship

Project Title: Improving Aboriginal Women’s Pelvic Health: developing a culturally informed, rural and remote Physiotherapy model of care.

Clinical Profession: Allied Health

Aim: 
This project aims to improve Aboriginal Women’s Pelvic Health, by developing and evaluating a culturally informed, evidence-based Physiotherapy model of care.

Objectives:

  • To undertake a systematic review examining the delivery of culturally appropriate pelvic health Physiotherapy services to indigenous people internationally. 
  • To investigate the experiences, beliefs, and preferences of Aboriginal women in the Kimberley living with pelvic health conditions. 
  • Based on steps 1 and 2, develop a culturally informed model of pelvic health Physiotherapy. 
  • To implement and evaluate a pelvic health Physiotherapy service informed by the steps above.
  • Significance:

    The scarcity of research in Australia on Indigenous women’s health issues such as pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence has been called an urgent national priority7. Limited research reports Aboriginal women’s pelvic health needs are not being met, with both under reporting and under referral of urinary incontinence8. Pelvic floor dysfunction is known to cause high disease burden amongst urban Aboriginal women, with access to education and specific Physiotherapy services proposed to improve outcomes2. Little is known about the implementation of such a Physiotherapy service, nor the applicability of this evidence in a rural and remote setting.

    Expected outcomes: 

    Clear understanding of the lived experience, needs and preferences of Aboriginal women with pelvic health conditions in the Kimberley. 


    Development of a culturally informed service model for the provision of pelvic health physiotherapy services in the Kimberley region. 


    Documented health service and consumer outcomes from an implementation study of the proposed service model. 


    A model to inform provision of pelvic health care to Aboriginal women in other areas of Australia.


    • Future Students

    • Faculty of Health Sciences

    • Higher Degree by Research

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

    • Merit Based

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

     

    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

    1


    PhD applicants seeking to study Aboriginal Women’s Health Physiotherapy


    Applicants must:

    • be employed at the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) 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#, ie WACHS 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 applicant needs to have a post-graduate Master of Clinical Physiotherapy in Pelvic Health, Continence & Women’s Health (or equivalent).
    • They need to reside in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia.

    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:

  • Dr Darren Beales, Senior Research Fellow, Curtin enAble Institute [email protected] or
  • Kato Matthews, Kimberley Population Health Unit (KPHU) Director [email protected]


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