In this month’s newsletter, we would like to introduce PhD graduate, Ying Yu from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Ying’s recently submitted thesis, “Exploring a facilitator-enabled virtual iSupport for Dementia program in the Australian health and aged care context” received outstanding results from the examiners.
We asked Ying to share what led her to a Phd and why it is important, the most enjoyable and hardest parts of a PhD journey and what the future holds.
What was your research about
My PhD study has two phases. Phase 1 of the PhD study explored the activities to be delivered by the iSupport facilitators and their role and responsibility in a planned iSupport for Dementia program by engaging with stakeholders. Phase 2 of the PhD study was an internal pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) study that evaluated the feasibility, fidelity, and preliminary effectiveness of the facilitator-enabled virtual iSupport for Dementia program and explored the strategies to embed and sustain such a program after the trial.
The topic is a psychoeducation program that supports family care for people with dementia in the community. This topic links my nursing and education background and utilised my collaboration, teamwork, communication and time management skills, which made it attractive to me.
Tell us about yourself
I am a registered nurse with more than 25 years of nursing experience in China and Australia. Since migrating to Australia in 2004, I have furthered my nursing qualifications by completing a postgraduate certificate in Intensive Care Nursing, a graduate certificate in Clinical Education, and a Master of Nursing.
What led you to undertake a PhD? What inspired or motivated you?
I have worked as a full-time academic since 2018 after years of clinical work. I have always wanted to do further study, and I was lucky enough to be offered a scholarship to work on this large project.
What has been one of the most enjoyable parts of the journey?
The most enjoyable part of the journey was the participants’ contact during data collection. Data collection offered opportunities to understand their experiences, challenges, and small achievements through their care journey.
What was the highlight of your student life at Flinders?
After working full-time for nearly 20 years, starting a student’s life was enjoyable.
What has been one of the hardest parts of the journey?
The hardest part of the journey was participant recruitment because this is not under anyone’s control.
How did you overcome any challenges of doing a PhD?
I am a positive person. I am lucky enough to have the scholarship and have a supportive husband. The challenges of PhD are very short compared to our lives, and they should not be the main focus of our lives.
How did your supervisors support you during your candidature?
I am a motivated, self-directed, independent learner. My supervisors supported me through guidance, involved me in multiple projects and responded to my questions promptly.
How has your PhD influenced your future career? Where do you see your career heading in the future?
I would like to have the opportunity to obtain a teaching and research position.
What advice would you give to those who are about to undertake a PhD?
Think about what you would like to achieve after your PhD. Consider PhD is a journey, but it should not be your entire life. It is the opportunity to learn and develop independent research skills, and it may not magically change your life.
What have you been doing since you complete?
I have returned to my substantial role as a full-time teaching specialist in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. While looking for opportunities for a teaching and research position to further develop my research capacity.
Have you published anything?
Yu Y, Xiao L, Cheng A, et al. Chinese-Australian carers’ perceived needs and preferences in planning to embed an iSupport for Dementia program in aged care services. Australas J Ageing. 2024; 00: 1-11. doi:10.1111/ajag.13287
Yu, Y., Hunter, S. C., Xiao, L., Meyer, C., Chapman, M., Tan, K. P., Chen, L., Mckechnie, S., Ratcliffe, J., Ullah, S., Kitson, A., Andrade, A. Q., & Whitehead, C. (2023). Exploring the role of a facilitator in supporting family carers when embedding the iSupport for Dementia programme in care services: A qualitative study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 00, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/ jocn.16836
Yu, Y., Xiao, L., Ullah, S., Meyer, C., Wang, J., Pot, A. M., & Shifaza, F. (2023). The Experiences of Informal Caregivers of People With Dementia in Web-Based Psychoeducation Programs: Systematic Review and Metasynthesis. JMIR aging, 6, e47152. https://doi.org/10.2196/47152
Yu, Y., Xiao, L., Ullah, S., Meyer, C., Wang, J., Pot, A. M., & He, J. J. (2023). The effectiveness of internet-based psychoeducation programs for caregivers of people living with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aging & mental health, 1–17. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2023.2190082
Yu, Y., Xiao, L., & Chamberlain, D. (2023). Chinese Patients’ and Family Caregivers’ Perception of Care Quality, A Qualitative Study in Australian Hospitals . International Journal of Advanced Health Science and Technology, 3(2), 118–126. https://doi.org/10.35882/ijahst.v3i2.243
Xiao, L., Yu, Y., Ratcliffe, J., Milte, R., Meyer, C., Chapman, M., Chen, L., Ullah, S., Kitson, A., De Andrade, A. Q., Beattie, E., Brodaty, H., McKechnie, S., Low, L. F., Nguyen, T. A., Whitehead, C., Brijnath, B., Sinclair, R., & Voss, D. (2022). Creating ‘Partnership in iSupport program’ to optimise family carers’ impact on dementia care: a randomised controlled trial protocol. BMC Health Serv Res, 22(1), 762. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08148-2