About the project and the involvement opportunity
Parents from the greater Perth area are invited to join a Paediatric Respiratory Diseases Community Reference Group, researchers would like to hear from parents of children living with respiratory disease to understand how infections such as pneumonia, asthma, and tuberculosis and the current line of treatment has impacted the life of the family. They would like to hear your lived experience, opinions, and the cultural acceptability of new probiotic therapies.
The team of researchers study the microbiota (bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes) that are present in the noses of children during the first few years of life to understand how the composition of the microbiota can influence the susceptibility to respiratory infections by harmful bacteria and viruses that cause acute and chronic infections such as pneumonia, wheeze and asthma.
Over usage of antibiotics promotes the growth of these harmful bacteria in our noses and washes away the healthy microbiota, just like in the gut. While pre-biotics and probiotics (live bacteria given to prevent or treat disease) have been widely studied for gut health there is an urgent need for translational research to identify probiotics to promote respiratory health.
Our vision is to develop probiotic therapies that protect against harmful respiratory bacteria and viruses and promote health in children. Moreover, the team of researchers also focus on developing accurate and sensitive diagnostic tests for tuberculosis, which would have global implications on the control and eradication of this important emerging infectious disease which is now the leading cause of death in adults worldwide.
About the position
Community reference group member for the paediatric respiratory conditions at the Marshall Centre, The University of Western Australia.
What am I expected to do?
Involvement tasks as a community reference group member may include:
- Attendance and involvement in community consultations.
- Involvement in informing community priorities for future research.
- Providing advice and informing decision making for a research project/program.
- Research buddy – Overseeing or steering a research project, program or strategic activity.
- Reviewing information sheets, consent forms, plain language summaries, grant applications and research documentation.
- Special projects i.e. drop in services.
- Analysing results of interviews or questionnaires.
What skills or experience do I need?
Parent of a child or children with acute or chronic respiratory infections such as pneumonia, recurrent wheezing, asthma, and tuberculosis.
How long am I expected to be involved?
Ongoing.
Where will meetings be held?
Online or at the Marshall Centre, QEII L-block, Monash Avenue, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands 6009.
What support is offered?
$37.50 per hour honorarium. Training and support is offered by the Consumer and Community Involvement Program.
To apply, please complete the application form below.
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