Melissa completed her physiotherapy degree in 1996 and as a new graduate was employed at Western hospital before going on to work in the United Kingdom for two years. In the UK Melissa worked in a variety of physiotherapy areas including aged care, neuro-rehabilitation and cardiothoracics. On her return to Melbourne Melissa was employed at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (Royal Park campus) and Western Hospital. Over this time she worked as a physiotherapist in home rehabilitation, cardiothoracics and orthopaedic outpatients.
Melissa started at NARI at the end of 2002. Over this time she has been involved in the implementation of physical activity programs for older people in residential care and the development of the “Well for Life” resource for older people living in the community. Melissa has also provided physiotherapy support and statistical support with a variety of projects at NARI over her time there.
Through NARI and the Department of MEGA Epidemiology at the University of Melbourne Melissa began her PhD in 2003. This is due for completion in August 2008. Her supervisors for her PhD have been Professor Keith Hill, Associate Professor Shyamali Dharmage and Dr Lesley Day.
Over 2004 to 2007, through the University of Melbourne Department of Public Health, Melissa has also completed eight subjects in epidemiology and biostatistics. In 2005 and 2006 Melissa tutored undergraduate medical students in epidemiology. From 2006 to 2008 Melissa has undertaken some tutoring in the Masters of Public Health course.
Research Areas
Current Research Projects
- Randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary intervention for older fallers discharged from the Emergency Departments (PhD project).
Teaching Areas
Publications
Russell M, Hill K, Blackberry I, Day L, Dharmage S. Falls risk and functional decline in older fallers discharged directly from Emergency Department. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 2006: 61; 1090-1095.
Russell M, Hill K, Blackberry I, Day L, Dharmage S. The reliability and predictive accuracy of the falls risk for older people in the community assessment (FROP-Com) tool. Age and Ageing 2008: June 19
Russell M, Hill K, Day L Blackberry I, Gurrin L, Dharmage S. Development of the falls risk for older people in the community (FROP-Com) screening tool. Age and Ageing (accepted)
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