Helping Healthcare Teams Spot When a Child Is Getting Sicker

About the Project and the Involvement Opportunity

When children are in hospital, staff monitor things like heart rate, breathing and temperature to check if they are becoming more unwell. However, these numbers often change only after a child has already started to deteriorate. Experienced clinicians and parents often notice much earlier, more subtle changes— such as changes in their behaviour, alertness or how a child interacts.

This research aims to capture the expert knowledge and turn it into a practical clinical guide to help staff recognise these early warning signs sooner. Working with parents with lived experience, we will identify and rank the signs that expert doctors and nurses rely on most. We will then test whether using this guide in hospital wards and Emergency Departments helps teams recognise sick children earlier. By validating clinical concern, the project aims to ensure children receive the right care as early as possible.

About the Position

As a Research Buddy, you will act as a trusted consumer partner and advisor to the lead researcher throughout the design, conduct, and reporting phases of the study. In this flexible, one-on-one partnership, you will offer ongoing feedback, test early ideas, review study materials, and ensure that parental perspectives directly shape how early signs of deterioration are captured and communicated in healthcare settings.

What Am I Expected to Do?

Attend regular meetings with the research team (e.g., quarterly)
Review documents (e.g., grant applications, consent forms, surveys)
Share your lived experience and insights

What Skills or Experience Do I Need?

Lived experience as a parent or primary carer of a child who has been hospitalised or required acute medical care.
Comfort sharing thoughts, feedback, and lived perspectives in informal, one-on-one or small-group catch-ups.
Access to and basic familiarity with Zoom or Microsoft Teams for virtual check-ins, or a willingness to meet in person.
No prior research or medical background is required — your lived experience as a parent is the key expertise needed

How Long Am I Expected to Be Involved?

The PhD research project runs through until the end of 2029. We are hoping to partner with a Research Buddy who can commit to the full duration of the study to help guide the tool’s development from start to finish. However, we fully understand that life happens and circumstances change — flexible participation is completely supported, and you are welcome to adjust or step back from your involvement at any point. The expected time commitment is approximately 1–2 hours per quarter, with flexible scheduling for catch-ups and occasional document reviews via email.

Where Will Meetings Be Held?

A mix of in-person and online, depending on consumer preference

What Support Is Offered?

An honorarium of $37.50 per hour is available for consumer involvement activities in line with CCIProgram guidelines
Training and support provided by the CCIProgram or relevant support body.

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