eHealth academic awarded for innovative research

A USQ academic has once again secured his reputation as one of Australia’s foremost experts in eHealth after receiving national recognition for his initiatives in aged care and services for people with disabilities.

Information Systems researcher Professor Jeffrey Soar, who founded and heads USQ’s Queensland Smart Homes Initiative (QSHI), was named a finalist in the Inclusive Community Champions awards in Brisbane last month (November).

The awards recognise businesses and services that provide a fully accessible and inclusive service. Professor Soar was nominated by the Spinal Injuries Association for services to people with disabilities.

'The Queensland Smart Home Initiative showcases local and international innovations and technologies to support independent living and home care and aims to keep people in their homes for longer and to reduce lengthy hospital stays,' he said.

The QSHI provides healthcare with new applications and technologies including wireless smart technology, intelligent agent software, academic research and international consultation.

Professor Soar also received national kudos last month for co-authoring a book exploring the potential of innovative technology in aged care.

Older People, 3rd Edition, Issues and Innovations in Care received the Australasian Journal on Ageing Book Prize during the Australian Association of Gerontology 43rd National Conference in Tasmania last month.

This edition captures the underlying new approach in patient-centred care and highlights the most recent ideas and experiences of policy analysts, nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and the consumer experience, from both Australia and Internationally.

Cases are incorporated into each chapter to re-enforce and highlight many issues faced by nurses and health care workers in aged care, such as dementia.

'It was a privilege to be invited to contribute to the latest edition of this book which is the major reference for gerontology in Australia, and to be amongst papers from Australia’s research leaders in this field,' Professor Soar said.

'The inclusion of this chapter also reflected the increasing recognition of the potential that ICT has for ageing and aged care.'