Scholarships, Grants and Jobs

Postgraduate Scholarship on Indigenous Chronic Disease 

and Health Professional Education

BACKGROUND
Educating for Equity

Indigenous peoples in Canada, Australia and New Zealand experience a greater burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and mental illness than non‐Indigenous people. This is partly due to differences in access to health care and in the standard of care received. Indigenous patients tend to receive poorer quality health care than non Indigenous people, which is partly due to health professionals’ clinical decision making, communication and engagement with patients and families. One way to address these factors is through education of current and future health professionals, yet there is currently little known about how education can influence these ‘health professional factors’ or what approaches work best.

This project is about comparing, building and sharing experiences and approaches to Indigenous health teaching and learning in the area of chronic disease. A major focus of the project will be on ensuring that the lessons from the project are translated into practice. The research will make a substantial and enduring contribution to improving the quality of health care for Indigenous people with chronic disease and thus health outcomes.

Research Areas:
Indigenous Health, Health Professional Education, inter‐professional education, medical education, e‐health.

Description:
Several full‐time postgraduate scholarships are available over the next three years for suitably qualified candidates to undertake research studies leading to a Masters (Research) or Doctorate on exploring how health professional education can reduce disparities in chronic disease care and improve outcomes for Indigenous populations. Indicative degrees available include Master of Philosophy, Master of Education, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Education, Master of Aboriginal Health, Master of Health Professional Education.

Eligibility:
Applicants should have a Bachelors degree with Honours or a Masters Degree in Indigenous health, education, public health, social science, or a related discipline. Experience/background in qualitative research and/or knowledge of Indigenous health and health professional education would be an advantage. Applicants must be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens. The successful applicant/s will be in a position to commence their candidature subject to successful enrolment in a research Masters or PhD through the University of Western Australia, University of Melbourne or University of Queensland.

Amount awarded:
The standard‐rate NHMRC scholarship stipend (including support) is $33.488 in 2010 (tax exempt) and may be renewed for the standard duration of their course (3 years for PhD), subject to satisfactory progress. Indigenous applicants should also seek out targeted supports through the Indigenous studies centres at the respective Universities.

Application guide:
For further information, contact Dr David Paul david.paul@uwa.edu.au (08) 6488 7084

Your application should include the following.
1) Curriculum vitae;
2) Copy of full academic transcript;
3) Proof of citizenship or permanent residency;
4) Names and contact details of two relevant referees;
5) A sample of your written work (this may include an assignment from an
undergraduate program, a thesis chapter, dissertation or a published paper);
6) A ‘Statement of Purpose’ of up to two pages, which should outline your interest in Indigenous health, your research interests, your reasons for pursuing an advanced degree in general and this project in particular.

Applications should be sent to:
Dr David Paul
Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health
University of Western Australia (M303)
35 Stirling Hwy
Crawley, WA 6009