The University of Queensland has recently welcomed Fulbright scholar Dr Erin Emery-Tiburcio, a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences and Geriatric Medicine at Rush University Medical Centre.
Dr Emery-Tiburcio’s research focuses on educating healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to address the complex needs of older adults.
Her Fulbright scholar project involves training healthcare teams at Gold Coast Health and the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service on the 4Ms Behavioural Health framework, along with lecturing broadly across Queensland and New Zealand.
By closely collaborating with healthcare teams, Dr Emery-Tiburcio has gained invaluable insights into how culture shapes both health care delivery and the experiences of older adults.
“I engage with staff from the facilities to learn about their workflows and ways in which culture impacts their work,” Dr Emery-Tiburcio said.
“In this process, I am learning a great deal about ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture impacts and is impacted by care teams and the Australian health care system.”
This has allowed her to tailor her training to meet the specific needs of Australian healthcare providers and diverse populations.
During her Fulbright experience, Dr Emery-Tiburcio is pursuing two key goals.
“Through this work I hope to provide a framework for meeting the needs of older Australians to make a positive impact on both healthcare providers and older adults,” Dr Emery-Tiburcio said.
“I also aim to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural interplay between ageing and health, particularly within First Nations communities and Australian healthcare systems.
“There are many parallels with the experience of Native Americans in the United States, which I continue to also learn about.”
Dr Emery-Tiburcio’s journey to becoming a Fulbright Scholar began with some gentle encouragement from a colleague who had previously undertaken two Fulbright Fellowships.
“She knew that I was interested in exploring new cultures and that I had a new educational program that would be potentially helpful to many other countries,” she said.
“I’m so glad I took the leap, it’s a fantastic opportunity to travel, learn, and work on meaningful projects while building lasting international relationships.”
For researchers interested in applying to the Fulbright program, Dr Emery-Tiburcio recommends establishing early connections within the faculty at your preferred university.
“This is critical to making projects work and getting what you need in country, and these professional relationships will optimally form the foundation of longstanding collaborations in the future.”
The Fulbright Scholarship Program gives researchers the opportunity to take part in an academic and cultural exchange between Australian and American universities.
