Have you ever wondered how we could best leverage rehabilitation technology to support our therapy services and improve patient’s recovery outcomes?  Imagine a model of care where rehabilitation engineers work hand-in-hand with physiotherapy and occupational therapy teams, collaboratively delivering therapy and shaping the use of technologies in everyday clinical practice. Our team of investigators is excited to propose just that! 

We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded $970k from the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) to trial a Rehabilitation Innovation and Technology Assessment (RITA) service. This innovative service will bridge the gap between rehabilitation engineers and therapists, and provide a hub for co-design and implementation of innovative rehabilitation concepts and technologies.  By bringing professions together, we expect to unlock new possibilities for rehabilitation and make a meaningful difference in recovery outcomes. 

Thanks to the MAIC Innovative Research Action Awards (MIRAA), we will trial RITA as an interprofessional service, and conduct an initial feasibility study at the Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS, Metro North Health) and the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH, Metro South Health). Over the next 21 months, this service trial and feasibility study will focus on two key areas:  

(1) investigating how, and to what extent, interprofessional teams can increase patients’ movement practice using technology; and  

(2) surveying rehabilitation technology needs prior to hospital discharge, including co-designing prototype solutions for selected cases. 

The RITA service is a collaborative effort between researchers and health practitioners from the Jamison Trauma Institute, RBWH, STARS, PAH, Queensland University of Technology, Griffith University, and the University of Queensland.  

Stay tuned for updates on our progress and feel free to reach out if you want to get involved!  

Contact: Dr Alejandro Melendez-Calderon, Principal Research Fellow, Jamieson Trauma Institute (alej.melendez@health.qld.gov.au) or RITA@health.qld.gov.au

Chief Investigators

• Dr. Alejandro Melendez-Calderon, Principal Research Fellow, Jamieson Trauma Institute, Metro North Health | Senior Lecturer, The University of Queensland
• Dr. Camila Shirota, Research Fellow, Griffith University
• Ms. Haylee Kajewski, Director of Physiotherapy, STARS, Metro North Health
• Mr. Oliver Mason, Director Rehabilitation Engineering Centre, STARS, Metro North Health
• Ms. Tamsin Mahoney, Director of Occupational Therapy, STARS, Metro North Health
• Ms. Jacquelin Donovan (née Mitchell), Advanced Physiotherapist, Geriatric and Rehabilitation Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Health
• Ms. Catherine Cave, Advanced Physiotherapist, Brain Injury Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Health
• Ms. Leanne Passier, Team Lead Physiotherapist, Geriatric and Rehabilitation Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Health
• Dr. Vincent Moug, Senior Lecturer, Queensland College of Art and Design (QCAD), Griffith University
• Dr. Clifford Afoakwah, Senior Research Fellow, Queensland University of Technology
• Ms Champika Patullo, Assistant Director of Innovation and Implementation, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Metro North Health
• Mr. Tim Cudmore, Consumer representative
• Prof. Sandy Brauer, Deputy Executive Dean, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Science, The University of Queensland

Associate Investigators

• Prof. Cate Cameron, Principal Research Fellow, Jamieson Trauma Institute, Metro North Health
• Dr Tanya Smyth, Research Fellow, Jamieson Trauma Institute, Metro North Health
• Ms. Jace Warren, Senior Biostatistician, Jamieson Trauma Institute, Metro North Health
• Mr. Mick Collins, Team Lead of Rehabilitation Engineering, STARS, Metro North Health
• Ms Soo Oh, Team Lead Occupational Therapy, Spinal Injury Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Health
• Ms Emilie Gollan, Team Lead Physiotherapy, Spinal Injury Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Health