Conversation Articles

The Conversation offers perspectives on key research in a manner that is clear and accessible for the public. Articles on The Conversation are not peer-reviewed, but are written by academics with proven expertise on the areas in which they write.

The links provided will direct you to the full article at The Conversation EDU.

On the Australian My Health Record:

If it’s so important to change the My Health Records Act to ensure our records can only be “unlocked” by a court order, the same should apply to the Privacy Act as well as state-based laws.

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My Health Record is only being used by a small percentage of consumers, and even then not to its fullest uses. So how can we get a greater return on the estimated A$1.2 billion taxpayer dollars invested in the system?

Hemsley, B., Meredith, J., & McCarthy, S. (2017). Why aren’t more people using the My Health Record? The Conversation EDU. Available: https://theconversation.com/why-arent-more-people-using-the-my-health-record-73606

 

On Communication Access for People with Disability:

All people need to be able to communicate in order to work, build relationships, and seek the support they need. But they will encounter many barriers to taking part and being included.

Hemsley, B., Turnbull, H., Steel, J., Bryant, L., & Brunner, M. (2018). We can all help to improve communication for people with disabilities. The Converstion EDU. Available: https://theconversation.com/we-can-all-help-to-improve-communication-for-people-with-disabilities-101199

Listen to Prof. Bronwyn Hemsley speak on this topic on 2SER with Tess Connery (host) and Micaela Savage (producer):
Disability communication: It’s a two-way street

 

On Facilitated Communication:

FC is pseudoscientific, and its use is unethical. Controlled tests of FC in research and in legal cases have shown that the facilitator is, even subconsciously, authoring the person’s message.

Hemsley, B., Shane, H., Todd, J. T., Schlosser, R., & Lanf, R. (2018). It’s time to stop exposing people to the dangers of Facilitated Communication. The Converstion EDU. Available: https://theconversation.com/its-time-to-stop-exposing-people-to-the-dangers-of-facilitated-communication-95942

 

On communication access and AAC:

Today, many Australians who need AAC still lack access to the technology and the support they need to use it. It’s time for that to change.

Hemsley, B. (2018). The technology that gave Stephen Hawking a voice should be accessible to all who need it. The Conversation EDU. Available: https://theconversation.com/the-technology-that-gave-stephen-hawking-a-voice-should-be-accessible-to-all-who-need-it-93418

 

On Oral Health in Aged Care:

The recent report of a nursing home resident found with maggots in her mouth brings home how devastating neglected oral health can be.

Hemsley, B., Georgiou, A., Steel, J. & Balanding, S. (2017). The shocking state of oral health in our nursing homes, and how family members can help. The Conversation EDU. Available: https://theconversation.com/the-shocking-state-of-oral-health-in-our-nursing-homes-and-how-family-members-can-help-77473

 

On 3D Food Printing for Dysphagia:

3D food printing is a futuristic venture in the research and development stage. But improved technologies mean more food textures, flavours and colours can be combined as they are printed into edible shapes.

Hemsley, B., Kouzani, A., Oliver, R., Adams, S., & Palmer, S. (2017). How 3D food printers could improve mealtimes for people with swallowing disorders. The Conversation EDU. Available: https://theconversation.com/how-3d-food-printers-could-improve-mealtimes-for-people-with-swallowing-disorders-76702