Occupational Therapy research

Research areas

We engage in research to enhance our evidence-based clinical decision making across all clinical areas, with particular focus across the Alfred Health strategic areas of:

• Neurotrauma
• Rehabilitation
• Ageing
• Musculoskeletal conditions

About our research

Our research program is Chaired by Professor Natasha Lannin and overseen by our manager, Dr Karen Roberts. We work in partnership with our clinician researcher team to actively build our international occupational therapy profile through collaborative research. Central to our achievements are our Research and Quality Leads who are based at The Alfred (Dr Emma Schneider) and Caulfield Hospital (Jacqui Wheatcroft). Together we develop research capability within the department and support clinicians to seek, use and develop best available evidence to support our occupational therapy practices.

Alfred Health Occupational Therapy research is supported by a collaborative partnership with Monash University, as well grant and student supervision partnerships with The University of Sydney, Flinders University, La Trobe University, Swinburne University, Australian Catholic University and Deakin University. We continue to support Honours programs and welcome opportunities to collaborate with Universities to support student research projects within our Department.

In addition to the support we receive from Universities, our research is supported by The Alfred Foundation and Alfred Research Trust and externally supported from national competitive schemes, including the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Medical Research Futures Fund, the Heart Foundation of Australia, the Stroke Foundation, and the Transport Accident Commission (Vic).

Research highlights

Publications

Our clinician research team publish the findings from their research in peer-reviewed journals, present at National and International conferences, and disseminate their research through online webinars and teaching opportunities.

Some of our research publications can be seen here.

Post graduate study

Each year, we support our staff to engage in post-graduate studies, both research and coursework, which enables our team to tackle important questions in occupational therapy, rehabilitation, and valued occupations. Around 20 of our clinicians are enrolled in higher degrees within our Occupational Therapy Department. Behind every great research student is a comprehensive support network - that’s why Alfred Health Occupational Therapy Department facilitates a post-graduate support group who meet regularly throughout the year.

Awards and Prizes

Alfred Health Occupational Therapy clinician researchers are regularly rewarded and acknowledged for their research outcomes and impact with external awards and prizes.

Some of our past awards have included:

• Jacqueline Wheatcroft was awarded the 2023 Lucy Battisel Memorial Prize for Best Allied Health Researcher
• Helen Scott was awarded Best Conference Poster at the 2023 Australian Hand Therapy Association Conference
• Professor Natasha Lannin was awarded Mentor of the Year in 2022 by Stroke Society of Australasia
• Professor Natasha Lannin was awarded the Future Leaders Fellowship in 2022 by the Heart Foundation
• Professor Natasha Lannin was awarded Top Researcher in the field of Rehabilitation Therapy in Australia 2021 and Global Leader in the field of Rehabilitation Therapy 2021
• The Brain Recovery and Rehabilitation Group led by Professor Natasha Lannin won the Occupational Therapy Association Group Research Award for 2021

Our partners

Monash University