Alliance activities

Collaborative practice refers to multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds work together with patients, families, carers and communities to deliver the highest quality of care (WHO, 2010). STARS strives to be a leader and established research centre for interprofessional practice and education. We are committed to developing interprofessional practice capability with programs designed for our workforce, our educators and our students. Developing interprofessional capability means understanding the specific needs of teams working in our service, and the needs of our patients and their family. We focus on developing customised solutions to develop our interprofessional collaborative teamwork.

The STARS Research Portfolio contains details of all research projects that meet any of the following criteria:

• Project involves STARS staff
• Project includes STARS patients (or their data/tissue)
• Data collection occurs in the STARS facility (including UQ-leased space on Level 1 & 7 of STARS)
• STARS resources are contributed to the project (eg data, equipment, staff in-kind time)

The STARS Research Portfolio includes over 100 projects, with over 60 active projects (currently in data collection, analysis, or dissemination) and many projects in development.

We encourage any individual (whether employed by UQ or Metro North) to include the Alliance affiliation on their outputs, especially where it involves research collaboration with STARS, or it involves STARS patients or STARS facilities. This will help us to promote the important partnership between UQ and Metro North and promote STARS as a research-active hospital. For more information on affiliations, please refer to this guide.

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 eight Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) Groups involving conjoints, UQ health librarians, STARS clinicians and consumers. Topics have included: lens for cataract surgery, accelerated arthroplasty, and falls in inpatient rehabilitation. See our  resources section for the finalised reports from CAT group. To propose a future CAT group topic, please email STARS_EducationandResearch@health.qld.gov.au.

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. Seminars will occur approximately quarterly, with seminars advertised in the STARS bulletin and/or via email. Please contact STARS_EducationandResearch@health.qld.gov.au to be place on the email distribution list. Where possible, seminars will be delivered in a hybrid mode (online and in-person options).

Steps or falls: Can we strike the right balance in post-stroke rehabilitation? Presented by Professor Pip Logan and Dr Niru Mahendran.

Professor Pip Logan and Dr Niru Mahendran

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

STARS provides clinical placements within medicine, nursing and allied health for over 200 students each year. Our students are valued members of our interprofessional teams. Many of our students on graduating take new graduate positions here at STARS. Any queries or issues around students in STARS, educational activities/initiatives should be directed to the STARS Student and Workforce Development Committee, chaired by Karina O’Leary and Nathan Costin. Email the committee secretary on STARS_EducationandResearch@health.qld.gov.au

Undergraduate student placements for Allied Health are managed by the Allied Health Clinical Education Support Officer, 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.

UQ Students in the STARS Ability Centre

UQ Students on the Spanish steps