Victoria Roberts is a steadfast figure dedicated to ushering in a new era of compassionate and inclusive healthcare practices. With a rich background spanning nursing and social work across diverse organisations, Victoria has served as the Community Health Nurse Coordinator at Monash Health for over six years, spearheading holistic support for trauma survivors within the Multidisciplinary Centres (MDCs).
“Multidisciplinary Centres are purpose-built, multi-agency response centres, providing a victim-centred, integrated, and holistic response to victim-survivors,” Victoria elaborates.
“In my role, I provide operational oversight and strategic governance to ensure consistency of practice and identify opportunities for service improvement.”
Within these centres, including Monash Health’s Dandenong and Seaford facilities, Victoria oversees many services, collaborating with agencies such as the police, child protection, counsellors and nurses to create a supportive environment for those impacted by trauma.
However, Victoria’s quest for transformative healthcare extends beyond her role in the MDCs. Driven by frontline experiences and a passion for bridging existing gaps in practice, Victoria embarked on a research journey through the Monash Health Emerging Researcher Fellowship, focusing on trauma-informed care.
“Trauma-informed care is about understanding the widespread impact of trauma and how to support pathways for recovery. It’s about recognising the signs and symptoms of trauma and integrating that knowledge into policy, practice, and procedures,” Victoria explains.
“I selected trauma-informed care as my research focus based on my interactions with victim-survivors.”
“I saw a need to explore the effective implementation of trauma-informed practices within mainstream healthcare settings.”
“We aimed to address these gaps to prevent additional harm or re-traumatisation of patients,” she explains.
At the core of Victoria’s research were three key aspects: understanding trauma survivors’ experiences; gauging nurses’ understanding of trauma-informed care; and documenting the implementation of trauma-informed practices. Through interviews and surveys, she uncovered deep insights highlighting trauma-informed care’s transformative potential.
“What we found was that people felt safe and heard, a stark contrast to their usual healthcare experiences,” Victoria shares.
This sense of safety and empowerment, alongside positive health outcomes, demonstrated the effectiveness of trauma-informed approaches. Additionally, nurses reported feeling empowered and less distressed, showing the mutual benefits of implementing such practices.
The Monash Health Emerging Researcher Fellowship provided Victoria with invaluable support and mentorship, aiding her in navigating the complexities of research methodology and data analysis.
Reflecting on her journey, she reflects, “The fellowship was instrumental in supporting my research endeavours…providing mentorship and access to expert insights. Through collaborative discussions and guidance, I could confidently lead my research project. Having that mentorship support truly paved the way for future endeavours.”
Victoria’s guidance for first-time researchers highlights the benefits of the fellowship, “my advice to aspiring researchers is to seek mentorship, embrace learning opportunities, and set realistic expectations.”
“By staying curious and proactive, novice researchers can confidently navigate the research landscape.”
As Victoria’s research journey unfolds, it enhances her development across different areas of her life.
“My research journey has contributed to my personal and professional growth…providing opportunities for learning and skill development,” Victoria reflects. “By embracing research opportunities, individuals can progress their career goals and contribute to meaningful change within their respective fields.”
Looking ahead, Victoria aims to continue her research efforts, focusing on developing guidelines for trauma-informed care in broader healthcare settings. Her dedication to advancing patient-centred care through a trauma-informed lens underscores her commitment to promoting holistic healing and empowerment.
Aspiring researchers seeking to follow Victoria’s path can find guidance and support through the Emerging Researcher Fellowship.
Approved by Dr Angus Henderson, General Manager of Research Strategy