Contact Details
- Phone
- +64 21 062 0068
- lis.heath@otago.ac.nz
University Links
- Position
- Lecturer, Module Convener
- Qualifications
- MN RN PhD
- Research summary
- Undergraduate palliative care education, curriculum development and evaluation
- Teaching
I convene the Early Professional Experience (EPE) vertical module for years 2-3 medical students. Through experiential learning and tutorial based discussions, students are introduced to important social, clinical and professional practice issues, and student health and wellbeing. The EPE module aims to develop resilient and reflective practitioners, and to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
I also convene the Palliative Medicine and End of Life Care (PEOLC) vertical module, which integrates teaching and learning about PEOLC throughout the undergraduate medical degree.
- Memberships
- Palliative Care Aotearoa Research Network (regional liason); Aotearoa New Zealand Undergraduate Medicine Palliative and End of Life Care Curriculum Working Group
- Palliative Care Nurses New Zealand
- Otago Medical School Senior Leadership Team
- ELM Assessment Subcommittee
- ELM Curriculum Subcommittee
- Student Progress Committee
- Clinical
While not currently clinically active, my teaching is grounded in clinical practice with 20 years experience primarily in hospice palliative care and neurosurgery and neurology, with experience in internal medicine, coronary care and age care.
Research
My PhD research used mixed methodology to investigate medical and nursing graduates' preparation, self-efficacy and attitudes towards caring for people with palliative and end of life care needs.
I am currently involved in a qualitative study to evaluate the effectiveness of a national undergraduate palliative medicine curriculum in preparing first year doctors to care for dying patients.