Two research projects from Curtin University have been awarded almost $2.8 million in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants to enhance healthcare delivery for vulnerable populations.
Directed by Professor Deborah Hersh from the Curtin School of Allied Health, the first project focuses on transforming the way healthcare professionals communicate test results and offer feedback to patients with acquired brain injuries.
By integrating adult education principles into rehabilitation contexts, Curtin University said this approach addresses a critical gap in care, where traditional assessment methods often leave people feeling confused and disconnected from their own recovery process.
The second initiative, led by Associate Professor Tuguy Esgin, Dean of Indigenous Engagement in the Faculty of Business and Law, is centred on developing radar-based technology for non-invasive cardiovascular monitoring in Indigenous communities.
This research has the potential to reshape the way Indigenous communities understand and experience healthcare.
Professor Melinda Fitzgerald, Curtin’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, congratulated Professor Hersh and Associate Professor Esgin for their success in securing the grant.
“These Curtin research projects, supported by NHMRC funding, reflect our commitment to inclusive healthcare solutions that merge technological advancement with personalised care,” Professor Fitzgerald said.
“Both Professor Hersh and Associate Professor Esgin have placed patients and the patient experience at the heart of their research, co-designing with communities to ensure their work is culturally appropriate, user-friendly and impactful.”
