Reduce stress and trauma for children during healthcare interventions

About the Project and the Involvement Opportunity

This project will explore what paediatric nurses currently know about caring for children during stressful times in hospital and what skills they use to reduce stress and identify ways nurses can improve the care they give children and potentially reduce medical trauma and long term mental health effects on children caused by healthcare interventions. This is known as trauma informed care.

This project will specifically look at nurses who care for children with heart disease however the findings will be relevant to children who experience other illnesses. Consumer contributions will guide researchers to create research that is relevant to children and their families and ensure that changes made to care as a result of this research help children and families in hospital.

About the Position

We are looking to form a consumer advisory group who will meet once every 3-4 months for about 1-2 hours. Members of this group will be asked to share their own lived experience of hospitalisation as a young person or members will share the experiences of caring for a loved one as a child in hospital. Members will help researchers to identify important aspects of the child and family’s experience to include in research. Members shared experiences will shape the design of this study and help researchers to create recommendations for improvements in care for children.

What Am I Expected to Do?

Attend regular meetings with the research team (e.g., monthly or quarterly)
Review documents (e.g., grant applications, consent forms, surveys)
Share your lived experience and insights
Optional: Participate in public presentations or forums
Help design participant recruitment strategies
Other: Help recruit new members from your community.

What Skills or Experience Do I Need?

No prior research experience required for this role. We are seeking members who would be comfortable to speak and share their experience in a small group of up to 5 people.
Members do not need experience caring for those with childhood onset heart disease although it is desirable. All applicants with lived experience of childhood illness will be considered.

How Long Am I Expected to Be Involved?

The group will meet every 3-4 months for 12 hours. It is anticipated this group will firstly meet in late November 2026 and continue for 12 months. Group meetings will be flexible to suit group members and consist of a mixture of face to face and online meetings, whichever the group decide is most suitable. Face to face meeting locations will be flexible depending on member geographical location and preference.

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 each group member in line with CCI Program guidelines
Researchers holding meeting will provide emotional support where required
Psychological support will be available via Lifeline 24 hour free online service
Refreshments will be provided for face to face meetings

Web form to create Applications

Submitting this form will create Applications

Salutation:

First Name: *

Last Name: *

Home Phone:

Mobile Phone Number: *

Email Address: *

Postcode: *

My gender is:

Year of birth: *

I identify as Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander:

Ethnicity (Please select):

If other, please specify:

I am a: (you can select more than one): *

Describe your lived experience - What experience do you have to inform the project? (*required for us to consider your application or EOI):

Statement of Interest - Why do you want to be involved with this project:

Referees provided previously:

Referee 1 Type:

Referee 1 First Name:

Referee 1 Last Name:

Referee 1 Phone:

Referee 1 Email:

Referee 2 Type:

Referee 2 First Name:

Referee 2 Last Name:

Referee 2 Phone:

Referee 2 Email:

Access or other requirements:

If other, please specify:

Dietary Requirements:

Subscribe to Newsletter:

Save Details

Note: By checking this box, you agree to allow us to save your details to a cookie on your device. Your information will not be saved to our servers and will only be used to assist in pre-populating your details on other registration forms. You can clear your saved details by removing this cookie through your browser settings.