4 Corners Newsletter - Vol 2 - Central Queensland University

Inaugural
eye tracker
conference held
at Noosa
In June 2012 researchers from as
far as Germany, Scotland, Ireland,
England, South Africa, France,
Malaysia and Finland gathered at
the Noosa CQUni campus for Eye
Track Australia 2012 – Australia’s
first eye tracker conference.
Held at CQUniversity Noosa
in June, Eye Track showcased
the latest developments in crossdisciplinary
eye movement
research, bolstering the Noosa
Campus’ reputation as a
burgeoning research hub and
leader in the eye tracking field since
the development of the $73,000
purpose built eye tracker facility.
Eye tracking methodologies
hold significant implications for
nursing practice, education and
research, specifically in the design
of instruction in reading complex
diagnostic displays.
CQUni researchers from
the School of Nursing and
Midwifery – Dr Marc Broadbent
and Associate Professor Melanie
Birks – presented updates at the
conference on current research
projects undertaken by the School.
“Eye tracking technology
holds great promise for research
in nursing and the conference
was a way of understanding the
possibilities for nurse education,
both in university and field
placement contexts,” said Marc.
Cont’d over page
Nicholas Ralph wins $10,000
CQUniversity Noosa lecturer Nicholas Ralph won the 2012 Australian
Nurse of the Year (Innovation in Nursing) award of $10,000 for his concept
for a multi-functional Mobile Clinical Learning Unit (M-CLU) for the
Sunshine Coast.
Nicholas intends to use the development
grant prize money provided by ME Bank to
enhance the project through research and
evaluation.
“This award not only acknowledges the
M-CLU’s worth, it strengthens the project
in the eyes of those who will fund further
phases down the track.”
The M-CLU is a dynamic 10-metre splitlevel
trailer which is home to a simulation
deck and a realistic ward environment
featuring a simulated mannequin patient.
The unit enables health professionals to
hone their skills and also promotes health
careers, while there are plans for it to roll out
to schools and other public areas to bolster
health recruitment, training and health
promotion.
“The most innovative aspect of
the unit is that it uses simulation as a
tool for recruitment,” says Nicholas.
“Using simulation spaces where
health professionals can develop
and sharpen their skills is proving
to be an effective and dynamic
teaching tool.
The M-CLU will visit schools,
shopping centres, sports grounds
and public parks to give participants
a taste of the opportunities a career in health
can offer. It also has huge potential for
remote areas such as mining towns, where
training programs are of great value to the
community.
With a looming skills shortage in a
region that will require 50,000 new health
professionals over the next 20 years,
the M-CLU goes a long way to engaging
Nicholas receives his $10,000 prize cheque from
ME Bank as the HESTA* Australian Nursing
Awards ‘innovation’ winner. From left: Bronwyn
Barling (ME Bank), Nicholas Ralph, Michael
Scanlon HESTA Super Fund.
those thinking about a career as a health
professional.
“The primary aim of this initiative is
improve healthcare in the region – whether it
be through opening up career opportunities
in health to the public, upskilling the regional
health workforce or improving the health
of our communities using health promotion
strategies,” Nicholas said.
NSA
ART nursing research recognised globally
Norma West OBE formally
acknowledges Dr Judith
Applegarth (left) for completing her
PhD titled: Understanding Assisted
Reproductive Technology Nursing
Practice in Australia – A Grounded
Theory Study.
4
The accolades for CQUniversity’s
Dr Judith Applegarth continue as her
research into assisted reproductive
technology generates global interest.
Not only has Dr Judith Applegarth – an assisted
reproductive technology (ART) nurse – received
formal acknowledgement of her conferral for the
award of Doctor of Philosophy, her abstract titled:
Delivering ‘bad news’ – a key aspect in provision of
support in assisted reproductive technology nursing
practice was selected for the Award for Nurses at
the 28th Annual Meeting of European Society of
Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) in
Istanbul, Turkey this July. Also Dr Applegarth is an
invited speaker at ESHRE conference.
“To be invited as a speaker at such a prestigious
multidisciplinary conference acknowledges Judy’s
significant contribution to ART Nursing,” said
Professor Chapman.