Research
Since its inception last year, the Centre
has completed a number of projects relating to health promotion,
curriculum and training design, and community and staff health and
wellbeing. The Centre has both qualitative and quantitative research
skills, and has a strong commitment to ensuring that its research
contributes to improved training and outcomes in the health and
wellbeing sectors.
The Centre for Health and Wellbeing conducts
research in a number of areas relating to public health. We operate
according to a social model that recognizes the broader socio-economic
and structural factors that influence health outcomes.
We have a special interest in rural and
regional health in addition to positive ageing and health promotion.
Click here to see the innovative
curriculum and resources that we have designed for these areas.
Completed
Projects
Current
Projects
Completed
Projects
In 2004 a survey of the occurrence of Training Package qualifications,
courses and units of competency relating to health and wellbeing
was conducted. The purpose of this research was to identify the
shortfalls in training across a wide range of determinants of Health
and Wellbeing. Director of the School of Social Sciences Robyn Jackson
presented a paper entitled Health
and Wellbeing – What’s VET got to do with it at
the 2004 NCVER Conference, and at the Community Services and Health
Industry Training Board’s Conference in July 2004.
A
follow-up survey has recently been undertaken. Analysis has been
completed and findings have been written. Click here
to access the findings.
Demographic research to inform about areas of potential focus for
training through community partnerships was completed by Lyn Firminger
in 2004. Click here
to access.
Current
Projects
The Centre has recently been contracted by the Department of Human
Services to identify and organise training and development for the
Vocational Educaton and Training sector as part of the Better Skills,
Best Care Service-wide Workforce Design Projects. The project includes
mapping competencies for changed roles in designated streams and
health services, identifying new competencies that need to be developed,
researching existing programs and providers, conducting trainiing
needs analyses for staff, and identifying training needs and providers
of training for new roles in the workforce. This is an exciting
twelve-month project for the Centre for Health and Wellbeing, underlining
its important role in health workforce training.
The Centre is working with the Victorian Department of Education
and Training to research and develop strategies for management for
anaphylaxis in school communities. The research phase of the project
has been completed and development of strategies for management
is currently underway.
The Centre is currently undertaking a research project to develop
sustainable strategies to support the health and wellbeing of the
Swinburne workforce. Our key aim is that through consultation with
staff, we offer easily accessible and time-viable solutions that
build community and support networks in the workplace.
As part of a larger project and Memorandum of Understanding with
EACH (Eastern Access Community Health), the Centre is currently
assisting to analyse and prepare a publication for journal submission.
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