Research
Research at RSL Care
RSL Care is committed to providing quality care to our clients. Maintaining a focus on knowledge generation and translation assists us to meet this commitment. To do this, RSL Care has developed significant collaborative relationships with Griffith University, University of Queensland (UQ), and the QLD DTSC along with other valued research partners.
Please explore this section of the website to find out how to begin discussions on conducting research involving RSL Care as well as to locate more information on current and previous projects RSL Care has been involved in.
The Research Team
The research team at RSL Care is a small team of six members, ranging from senior clinicians (RNs, psychologists); managers; researchers, and educators who all have a passion for research in aged care and who all have knowledge, training and experience in aged care; workforce and staff development; project management; research; and change management / practice development. Each team member brings to the team a unique combination of experience, education and knowledge, which allow RSL Care to engage in a broad range of research projects.
The team has a broad range of education and experience in health care, ranging from PhDs in aged care policy and practice development methodologies, Masters degrees in Mental Health and Human Resource Management, undergraduate degrees in psychology, nursing, social science, education and health management; and certificates in training, research, and project management.
The research team consists of the following members:
Lorraine Venturato RN, PhD, BN (Hons), BBus (Health Admin)
Role: Research Fellow (Joint position with Griffith University)
Jenni Marshall RN, RPN, MMH.
Role: Research Coordinator
Andrea Steel BBehavSc(Psych)
Role: Project Support Officer
Katrina Radford Bpsych (Hons), MHRM, CAPM, PhD candidate
Role: Lifestyle Services Officer
Ellen Meissner
Role: Research Development Officer
Mervyn Wilkinson PhD, MEd, BA, Cert T, Cert WTA.
Role: Strategy Adviser Practice Development
Conducting Research @ RSL Care
RSL Care views research as an integral component to striving for excellence and enhancing sustainability. Further, engaging with research is recognised as fundamental to providing a best practice approach to care. Therefore, RSL Care is open to receiving applications from researchers that align with our strategic research goals.
For information on how to involve RSL Care in your research please refer to the Research Application Process and complete the Conducting Research at RSL Care Application Pack.
RSL Care is currently engaged in the following research studies.
Research Area/Title | Administering Organisation | Year engaged | Funding Body |
| Current Research | |||
| Let’s talk about change | University of Queensland | 2008-2011 | Nil |
| Texture Modified Foods for Dysphagics | University of Queensland, Two Short Giraffes Pty Ltd | 2009-2011 | ARC Linkage LP0883448 |
| Implementation and Evaluation of the Capabilities Model of Dementia Care | Griffith University | 2010-2012 | The JO & JR Wicking Trust |
| Housing Security in the Retired Ex-Service Community | University of Tasmania | 2011 | Nil |
| Integrated Aged Care Strategy and Practice | University of Queensland | January 2008-2011 | Sylvia and Charles Viertel Grant Foundation |
| Enhancing care for people with dementia living in long term care settings: Exploration of a ‘Quiet Proximity’ intervention. | Griffith University | 2011 | Griffith Health InstituteRSL Care |
Additionally, RSL Care welcomes and supports Research Higher Degree student projects that align with the research goals.
Previous research projects that RSL Care has been engaged in are listed in the below table.
Research Area/Title | Partnerships | Year engaged | Funding Body | |||
| Previous Research | ||||||
| Introducing computer based documentation to Residential Aged Care: a multi method evaluation of success | University of Wollongong | 2008 - 2011 | ARC Linkage LP0882430 | |||
| HomeCare Mental Health Action Research | Internal | January 2009-June 2010 | RSL Care | |||
| Alternative Models Of Care- Residential Care | Griffith University | November 2007-September 2010 | RSL Care | |||
| Loneliness: The Influence Of Activity And Social Engagement On Loneliness And Quality Of Life On People With Dementia And Their Carers | Griffith UniversityUni of SA | 2007 - December 2009 | Dementia Research Consortium Project CRS-GU-05-07 | |||
| Alone in a Crowd- Supporting Older Australians Managing Loneliness | University of South Australia, Griffith University | November 2006- November 2009 | ARC Linkage LP0774983 | |||
| A Comparative Study of an Education Intervention to Promote Family Involvement in Residential Dementia Care | Griffith University | January 2006-January 2009 | ARC LinkageLP 0560484 | |||
| Enhancing Moral Care and Quality of Life in People with Dementia | Griffith University | January 2007-December 2009 | ARC LinkageLP 0775127 | |||
| Trial Of A Community Model Of Care For People Throughout The Progression Of Dementia | QUT, Blue Care, The Prince Charles Hospital | December 2005-February 2009 | The JO & JR Wicking Trust | |||