Meet Professor Andrea Driscoll, our new Chair in Nursing for Monash Health and Deakin University.
Continuing our existing long-standing partnership with Deakin University, Professor Driscoll leads The Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Strategic Research, Monash Health Partnership.
“We have a very strong relationship with Deakin University,” says Professor Driscoll.
“The partnership goes back over a decade, and it’s important because it helps us improve clinical practice by translating research into what happens on the ward.”
Professor Driscoll has plenty of firsthand experience turning her research into best practice.
“I’ve been very fortunate with my research in that I can translate it into clinical practice very easily.
“Many years ago, I led the first randomised controlled trial of medication titration clinics, which was highly successful. It reduced the number of patients coming into a hospital and mortality from heart failure.
“There are now over 40 clinics nationally and the clinics are now recommended as standard care in the heart failure guidelines.”
Her research has transformed workforce models of care through pioneering work in nurse-led clinics. She has received national and international awards and is currently involved in several NHMRC funded projects.
Professor Driscoll has an established program of research focusing on advanced practice nurses, nurse practitioners and system redesign to improve evidence-based practice to reduce disparities in health care.
“There are now over 1,200 nurse practitioners nationally, and there’s a number of fantastic nurse practitioners at Monash Health. The role works closely with medical staff, and we know it improves outcomes and survival, and reduces re-hospitalisations.”
Professor Driscoll’s contribution has been recognised through induction into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honours Society – International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. In nursing, this is the most prestigious international award acknowledging excellence and scholarship in nursing research over a lifetime.