Dr Priyanka Vandersman is a Registered Nurse and digital health technology researcher. She is a Senior Research Fellow at the Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying working with the End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) project.
What is your main research area and why did it pique your interest?
I have always been interested in improving care for older people nearing the end of life. I am particularly curious about how digital solutions can benefit not just patients but also those providing care. As a registered nurse, I have seen both the value and challenges of integrating technology into healthcare—it is not easy to balance tech-driven care with a personal, human touch.
With health systems becoming more tech-focused and the need for end-of-life care growing, I am drawn to this space where innovation and compassion intersect. I am eager to contribute to designing solutions that genuinely enhance care for those who need it most.
What are you currently working on and how do you envision it helping improve palliative and end-of-life care?
I recently returned from a blissful seven-month maternity leave and jumped back into my work with the ELDAC project as a senior research fellow. One of our big achievements has been the redevelopment of our project website, which acts as a central hub of knowledge for people working in aged care, particularly those supporting older adults at the end of life.
We know that a well-supported workforce is instrumental in achieving better care outcomes for older Australians. With that in mind, we focused on making the website more user-friendly, so those involved in care can easily access reliable information when they need it.
What are the next steps in terms of rolling out and further collaboration?
The next step for us is to gather feedback from our users to better understand what is working well and where we can improve. We will be conducting an evaluation study to see how we can further enhance the website and continue supporting aged care workers in delivering high-quality care.
What have been the highlights of your research journey so far?
One of my biggest highlights has been working on projects that directly improve care for older adults, particularly those nearing the end of life. Being part of the ELDAC project has been very rewarding – seeing how research turns into practical tools and resources that support those providing care to older people at the end of life is truly motivating.
I’ve also found it exciting to explore the intersection of nursing, technology, and digital innovation. Finding ways to integrate digital solutions into healthcare while maintaining the human aspect of care has been both challenging and rewarding.
Outside of research, how do you like to spend your spare time?
With two little ones at home, spare time is a rare luxury! But whenever I do find a quiet moment, I enjoy reading and spending time in the garden—it’s a peaceful way to relax and reflect.