Carers managing wounds of the frail

Empowering family and carers in wound care practices of the frail and older people living in the community

Degree type

MRes/PhD

Closing date

27 March 2023

Campus

Sydney

Citizenship requirement

Domestic/International

About the research project

Current evidence suggests that family/informal caregivers have a role in wound management for older people living in the community.

Informal caregivers face complex challenges concerning the provision of wound care in the home setting related to knowledge, skills and emotional impacts.  While community based wound care practitioners play a vital role in supporting caregivers', there is currently a lack of research into the experiences, skills and knowledge of informal caregivers about wound care.

This project will employ a mixed methods approach. The initial phase of this study will involve baseline data collection to ascertain caregivers’ knowledge, skills, and confidence in wound care as well as their ‘lived experiences’ of managing complex wounds in the home setting. Subsequent phases of the study will focus on building caregiver capacity to manage complex wounds in the homecare setting.

Primary Supervisor

Meet Dr Rachel Kornhaber

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

  • a living allowance stipend of $31,500 per annum (2023 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
  • a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
  • a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

  • Applications are open to both domestic and international applicants from a nursing discipline
  • Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus

Selection Criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded.  Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

  • IELTS of 7 across all bands (writing, reading, speaking & listening)

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

  • The applicant is a Registered Nurse and has experience in aged care services

Application process

There is a three-step application process:

  1. Select your project, and check you meet the eligibility and selection criteria;
  2. Contact the Primary Supervisor, Dr Rachel Kornhaber to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
  3. Submit an application by the closing date listed above.
    • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
    • As part of your application, you will be required to submit a covering letter, a CV including 2 x referees and your project research proposal.

Following the application closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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