Alliance activities

STARS aims to be a leader and established research centre for interprofessional collaborative teamwork (IPCT). Our priority is developing high functioning interprofessional clinical teams. Our IPCT-Workforce program focuses on developing clinical teams, teamwork skills, team reflexivity and our educator’s capacity in providing a collaborative team experience for our students. Our STARS IPCT-Student program involves a range of educational activities, providing opportunities for our students to develop their interprofessional competencies, including skills workshops, simulations, interprofessional quality improvement projects and interprofessional activities in clinical areas. Every clinician at STARS is committed to creating unique learning opportunities for our STARS students– ‘It takes a village”.

The STARS research portfolio includes 60+ projects, with half of these projects led by STARS staff. Since STARS opened in February 2021, the Alliance team has led or supported over 80 funding applications for research and quality improvement, with over $30 million in funding awarded, and over 40 peer reviewed papers.

If you’re interested in collaborating with STARS for a research project, please see dedicated information on our website.

Spotlight on STARS projects

STARS-led: Mealtimes in Rehabilitation
Research Team: Alice Pashley (PhD student), Dr Olivia Wright, Dr Emmah Doig, Dr Adrienne Young
The purpose of this multiphase project is to explore the current how mealtimes can be used as a therapeutic tool as part of patients’ rehabilitation.

STARS collaborating: The Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT): Screening for trials and longitudinal research on trials ready cohort
CIA: Professor Christopher Rowe (Austin Health)
STARS team: Dr Robert Adam, Dr Kana Appaduri, Dr Joseph Tan, Dr Aparna Arjunan, Dr Hui-Shan Stella Lin
The ADNeT Registry is a multi-site, population based, observational cohort study of people with a clinical diagnosis of either dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The primary aim of the ADNeT Registry is to collect data to monitor and enhance the quality of care and outcomes for people diagnosed with either dementia or MCI in Australia. The secondary aims of the ADNeT Registry are to facilitate the recruitment of participants into dementia research and trials, especially the ADNeT Screens and Trials Initiative, and to establish a resource to facilitate further study into the risk factors for, and trajectory of, dementia and MCI in Australia.

The Queensland Aphasia Research Centre (QARC) is a University of Queensland research centre, based at STARS. Aphasia commonly occurs after a stroke and affects speech and communication. There are over 140,000 people in Australia currently living with aphasia. QARC is dedicated to optimising the lives of people living with aphasia through research, service and partnerships. Professor David Copland is the Director of QARC. General inquiries can be directed to qarc@uq.edu.au

The RECOVER Injury Research Centre is a University of Queensland research centre, based at STARS. RECOVER is a joint initiative of the Queensland Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) and the University of Queensland. The mission of RECOVER is to optimise the physical, psychological, communication, social and vocational recovery of people following injury, especially when caused by road traffic crashes. Our research focuses on developing, validating, and translating client-centred interventions to reduce disability for individuals who sustain a personal injury in a road traffic crash. RECOVER conducts research, education, and service activities in two key areas: technology-enabled rehabilitation and improving health outcomes after musculoskeletal injury. Professor Trevor Russell is the Director of the RECOVER Injury Research Centre. General inquiries can be directed to recover@uq.edu.au

In 2021 we ensured that CCI is a core part of the Alliance’s Strategic Plan, and in early 2022, we began the development of the STARS Research Consumer Group, to better ensure the vision of ‘no research about us, without us’, providing opportunities for consumers and community members to get involved in all stages of the research cycle, and to shape the education of tomorrow’s healthcare professionals. For more information see the STARS Research Consumer Group webpage or contact STARS_ResearchConsumer@health.qld.gov.au.

Thinktanks provide a stimulating and supportive forum for clinical researchers interested in progressing research ideas. The think-tanks are an opportunity to discuss and share ideas to develop and strengthen study protocols, through in-depth discussion, feedback and constructive feedback. Learn more about collaborating with STARS for a research project.

Read more about Clinical Research Think-Tanks.

Critical Appraisal Topic (CAT) group provides the opportunity to collaboratively engage clinicians, researchers and health librarians in asking and answering important clinical questions to ensure clinical practice is based on the best available evidence. CAT group provides an environment for share knowledge.  To date, we have conducted six Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) Groups involving conjoints, UQ health librarians, 45 STARS clinicians and 1 consumer. Topics have included: lens for cataract surgery, accelerated arthroplasty, and falls in inpatient rehabilitation. See our resources section for the finalised reports from CAT groups in 2021-22. To propose a CAT group topic for 2023, please complete the expression of interest form.  Watch a YouTube video created by UQ librarians for a short introduction on developing questions for CATs.

Read more about the Critically Appraised Topics (CATS) process.

The Clinical research seminar series provides the opportunity for STARS and UQ staff, students, clinicians and researchers to share the results of clinical research projects taking place in STARS or in collaboration with STARS.

We recommenced our seminar series on 12^th Dec 2022 on the topic of Technology in Rehabilitation:

• Advanced Manufacturing of Personalised Cushions presented by Adjunct Associate Professor Peter Slattery
• Design and development of an immersive virtual reality therapy tool for communication rehabilitation presented by Dr Clare Burns

Seminars will occur quarterly in 2023, with seminars advertised in the STARS bulletin. Where possible, seminars will be delivered in a hybrid mode (online and in-person options). Registration to attend the seminars is essential due to COVID room restrictions.

STARS provides students with clinical placements within medicine, nursing and allied health: 34,504 hours in 2021 (supported by 66 educators/fellows) and 29,682 hours thus far in 2022 (supported by 101 educators/fellows).

Undergraduate student placements for Allied Health are managed by the Allied Health Clinical Education Support Officers, email STARS_AHCESO@health.qld.gov.au).

For nursing placements, contact the Nurse Student Educator email STARSNursingClinicalPlacements@health.qld.gov.au.

Queensland Health has information for students.

For information about non-clinical placement students, contact the Alliance Manager on susan.sullivan@uq.edu.au or STARS_EducationandResearch@health.qld.gov.au.