Dr Wendy Smyth ~ Adjunct Senior Research Fellow

I have over 40 years nursing experience in clinical, education, management and research positions in the private and public health sectors, and tertiary facilities. In 1984-85 I was a recipient of a short-term Kellogg Foundation Australian Nursing Fellowship, through which I spent six months at the University of Rochester, New York, U.S.A., exploring my interest in integrating theory with practice.

I have held the position of Nurse Manager – Research, Townsville Hospital and Health Service, since February 2002. A major responsibility of this role is to assist nurse clinicians to engage with research, by undertaking studies and through implementing evidence into their daily practice. I provide research education sessions, and assist nurses and midwives across the health service to: plan and conduct research; write submissions to Human Research Ethics Committees and grant funding bodies; and disseminate research findings. I organised the research forums held annually on International Nurses Day for 10 years. I also collaborate with staff across disciplines on research projects, grant submissions, and research education. I sit on various committees within the health and tertiary sectors, including being part of the Organising Group and Abstract Review Group for the Townsville Health Research Week. As part of Tropical Health Research Unit, I organised and led the monthly Nursing and Midwifery Grand Rounds for the Health Service for five years since their inception in late 2010. I have successfully co-supervised one Master of Nursing Science student to completion; I have also been on the supervisory panel for Bachelor of Nursing Science Honours students. In 2014, I joined the Townsville Hospital and Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee as a Member ‘Category C: Professional care, counselling or treatment of people’.

Academic Qualifications

·         Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (JCU, Townsville), 2008

·         Master of Business (Quality) (QUT, Brisbane), 1998

·         Graduate Diploma of Quality with Distinction (QUT, Brisbane), 1997

·         Master of Applied Science (Nursing, Clinical Research) (Sydney University), 1991

·         Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Education) (Macquarie University), 1981

Interests

Research

• Qualitative research methodologies
• Critical theory
• Using research in clinical practice
• Developing nurses’ research awareness and expertise
• History of nursing research

Experience

• 2002 to present - Nurse Manager - Research, Townsville Hospital & Health Service (The Townsville Hospital)

Research Disciplines

• Nursing (4205)
• Public health (4206)
• Human resources and industrial relations (3505)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Clinical health (2001)
• Provision of health and support services (2003)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health (2103)

Awards

• 2010 - Queensland Health, Healthcare Improvement Symposium, Research informing healthcare improvement: From benchtop to bedside category. Member of winning team.
• 2008 - Inaugural Passionate about Practice Conference, Brisbane - Poster Award
• 2006 - Graduate Research School, James Cook University - Graduate Research International Travel Award, $1,000

Other

• 2008 - Queensland Nursing Council, 2009 Conference Attendance Scholarship, $2,000
• 2006 - Queensland Nursing Council, Postgraduate Studies Scholarship, $2,500

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Finnimore K, Smyth W, Carrucan J and Nagle C (2023) Nurses’ knowledge, practices and perceptions regarding Clostridioides difficile: survey results. Infection, Disease & Health, 28 (1). pp. 39-46
• Jones A, Nagle C, Ahern T and Smyth W (in press) Evidence for a nurse-led protocol for removing urinary catheters: A scoping review. Collegian,
• McIntosh C, Elvin A, Smyth W, Birks M and Nagle C (2022) Health promotion, health literacy and vaccine hesitancy: the role of humanoid robots. Inquiry, 59.
• Smyth W, McArdle J, Wicking K, Quayle K and Nagle C (2022) Facilitating personal hygiene choices for renal patients with central venous lines: a multi-phase study. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 39 (3). pp. 24-32
• Acher V, Smyth W and Nagle C (2021) Bathing wipes, a valuable hygiene option for frail older persons at home: a proof-of-concept study. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 38 (3). pp. 43-46
• Omonaiye O, Smyth W and Nagle C (2021) Impact of virtual reality interventions on haemodialysis patients: a scoping review. Journal of Renal Care, 47 (3). pp. 193-207
• Shields L, Jomeen J, Smyth W and Stanley D (2020) Matthew Flinders Senior (1751-1802): surgeon and 'man midwife'. Journal of Medical Biography, 28 (2). pp. 115-120
• Lindsay D, Brennan D, Lindsay D, Holmes C and Smyth W (2019) Conceal or reveal? Patterns of self-disclosure of long-term conditions at work by health professionals in a large regional Australian health service. International Journal of Workplace Health Managment, 12 (5). pp. 339-351
• Wright K, Verney K, Brennan D, Lindsay D, Lindsay D and Smyth W (2019) Administrative staff self-reported long-term conditions: findings from a regional Australian health service. International Journal of Workplace Health Managment, 12 (6). pp. 483-494
• Edwards D, Wicking K, Smyth W, Shields L and Douglas T (2018) Information needs of parents of infants diagnosed with cystic fibrosis: results of a pilot study. Journal of Child Health Care, 22 (3). pp. 382-392
• Jessup M, Smyth W, Abernethy G, Shields L and Douglas T (2018) Family-centred care for families living with cystic fibrosis in a rural setting: a qualitative study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27 (3-4). pp. e590-e599
• McArdle J, Wicking K, Smyth W and Gardner A (2017) Haemodialysis central venous catheter exit site dressings in the tropics: a crossover randomised controlled trial. Wound Practice and Research, 25 (4). pp. 200-207

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 64+ research outputs authored by Dr Wendy Smyth from 2003 onwards.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Exploring Advantages and Disadvantages of using Social Media to recruit and retian participants in Perinatal Research (Masters , Secondary Advisor)
• Attitudes, behaviours, and perspectives of people coping with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). (Masters , Secondary Advisor)
• Does Nurse led HOUDINI Protocal for early Removal of Indwelling urinary Catheters Reduce Incidence of Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections? (Masters , Secondary Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.