Congratulations to the three Western Australian recipients of Early and Mid-Career Awards from the new AHRA Women’s Health Research, Translation and Impact Network (WHRTN):
- Ms Kristie Harper (Occupational Therapist, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Research Associate, Curtin University)
- Associate Professor Georgia Halkett (Curtin University)
- Dr Anne-Marie Eades (Senior Research Fellow, Curtin University)
They are among 36 award recipients nationwide announced today.
Ms Harper’s award will assist her to continue her work to improve the health outcomes of older women. The burden of frailty is greater in women yet remains preventable. This grant will support consumer engagement and explore the feasibility of a frailty intervention team (FIT) program for women.
“This generous funding supports career advancement through completion of foundational research and ongoing networking with Australian and international research mentors and is much appreciated,” she said.
A/Prof Halkett’s project will develop online communication skills training for radiation therapists nationally and pilot an intervention called RT-ePrepare with breast cancer patients in different locations. It is recommended that 83% of women diagnosed with breast cancer should receive radiotherapy. However, up to 50% of women experience anxiety and distress before treatment. Inadequate communication and information provision increase patient anxiety and may lead to people declining treatment.
Dr Eades’ research seeks to address some of the harms caused by the systematic removal of Aboriginal children from their mothers as part of the Stolen Generations policies, which continue to impact on Aboriginal families today. It will involve co-designing a larger research project to reduce the risk of infant removal for Aboriginal women with vulnerabilities during their first pregnancy, with the longer-term aim of identifying and implementing strategies that prevent infant removal and, where possible, support reunification.
Additionally, WAHTN has received a grant of $50,000 from the WHRTN to establish a Western Australian women’s health research collaborative.