I lead a world-first program of research in the development of curriculum for the education of health professionals in integrated care. This research is carried out in partnership with the International Foundation for Integrated Care and involves Delphi studies with international experts and scoping of best practice. The outcome will be the development and testing of an international education framework that can be applied across health and social care settings.

My research is applied in nature, focusing on building models and evidence to change practice. For example, training curricula for healthcare workers do not promote experience and skills in community and integrated care settings. Students learn primary care principles in many training programs; however, they are often placed in clinical environments where it is difficult to implement and practice those principles.

My publications focus on interprofessional learning, rural workforce development and integrated care.

As a passionate advocate for Integrated Care, I am active in advancing recognition and the foundational knowledge in this new discipline. I am a Senior Associate for the International Foundation of Integrated Care (IFIC) where I work with the Foundation and others to promote integrated care policy and practice and support others in workforce training and curriculum development.

Traditionally health care students are trained to work predominantly in acute hospital settings within their own disciplines. They have limited understanding of each other’s roles and the functions of health and social care service providers outside of these settings. Similarly, academics and clinical educators are familiar with teaching and supervising students within their own discipline, usually in a health-related setting and with a focus on disease and cure. In my teaching program, I lead programs of work that break down these silos to provide an environment of interprofessional learning.

The IPL program which I lead at the UCRH teaches our current and future health and social care workforce to manage health and care (rather than disease and cure) and to work in teams across disciplines and with service providers within the health and social care setting. My engagement with health and social care providers from local, state and national organisations in order to have then actively engage in the teaching is critical for the program.

I provide opportunities for the students to work in small groups to problem solve and develop solutions for complex vulnerable patients with chronic disease, improving their knowledge of other disciplines and service providers and encouraging innovative thinking and ways to implement and influence current and new services, policies and practice.

Capacity building with respect to faculty development is a very essential focus of my leadership. Traditional training still emphasises the diagnosis and treatment of acute diseases; fragmented, outdated and static curricula and education and practice that focus on component elements of an issue or disease. Approaches to teaching within an integrated care model therefore need to be shared to prepare faculty to teaching into our program. I have provided significant mentorship and sponsorship to build capacity across the different universities and discipline leads. These learners include senior academics, general practitioners, rural clinicians, clinical educators and industry partners. I teach and showcase innovations and invite others to co teach to role model how to create rich learning environments for students and other program participants

To complement my previous Master’s in Nursing (Education), I recently completed the Graduate Certificate in Education Studies (Higher Education).

I also develop the research capabilities of students in this field. Walmsley et al, 2020 describes a student research project that I supervised looking at the requirements for interprofessional collaborations in rural hospitals.

I also supervise MD students in research projects for example a scoping review on electronic prescribing in rural settings.

I lead a world-first program of research in the development of curriculum for the education of health professionals in integrated care. This research is carried out in partnership with the International Foundation for Integrated Care and involves Delphi studies with international experts and scoping of best practice. The outcome will be the development and testing of an international education framework that can be applied across health and social care settings.

As part of this work, I recently completed a lead- authored scoping review that identified barriers, essential skills and competencies and models of integrated training. This work, published in the Q1 ranked Journal of Integrated Care has enabled me to build more connections and collaborations with others who have an interest and skills globally in this field. For example, others from European countries who have implemented a master’s program in Integrated Care.

My research is applied in nature, focusing on building models and evidence to change practice. For example, training curricula for healthcare workers do not promote experience and skills in community and integrated care settings. Students learn primary care principles in many training programs; however, they are often placed in clinical environments where it is difficult to implement and practise those principles.

To overcome this, I developed and implemented the continuous student placement program described in my teaching case. Longman, Barraclough & Swain, 2020 describe how the program was evaluated as essential for receiving continued funding and to support engagement with senior policy developers as part of the Commonwealth Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training Program.

My publications focus on interprofessional learning, rural workforce development and integrated care. In total I have published 8 papers, with the majority published since 2018. Other publications are in Rural and Remote Health an open access international journal. These journals target educators, researchers as well as policy makers who are influential in changing how health care is provided.

As a passionate advocate for Integrated Care, I am active in advancing recognition and the foundational knowledge in this new discipline. I have recently been appointed as a Senior Associate for the International Foundation of Integrated Care (IFIC) where I will work with the Foundation and others to promote integrated care policy and practice and support others in workforce training and curriculum development.

The University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Educational Engagement and Innovation (2022)

University of Sydney Makers and Shapers Award - Operational Excellence Team Category 2022

Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning,as partof the Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT)2022.