COURSE DEVELOPED FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY TO LEARN ABOUT RESEARCH Inclusive research used by Scope Australia to support advocacy for change through lived experience
With
Dr Caroline Hart,
Senior Research Officer
Scope Australia
Nell Buchanan,
Research Assistant
Scope Australia
PEOPLE IN HEALTH CARE SEGMENT
Filmed in Melbourne | March 2026
Scope Australia is one of the largest not-for-profit disability service providers in Australia, supporting thousands of people with complex intellectual, physical, and multiple disabilities.
They operate across Victoria and New South Wales across more than 425 service locations.
Scope’s research team developed a course about what research is and how to do research. Eight people with intellectual disability did the course. Five people took part in interviews to help Scope learn about the course and how to make it better.
In November 2025, A/Professor Stella Koritsas, Scope’s Head of Research, Dr Caroline Hart, Senior Research Officer, and Mimari Hartono, Research Assistant, presented findings from their research into co-research as part of this week’s Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability 2025 conference — research carried out “with” or “by” people with disability rather than “to”, “about” or “for” them, which is important because it helps the sector uphold the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities principles of dignity, autonomy, and full participation.
The research found that the course had a positive impact on people that extended beyond their ability to do and lead research. People who participated said that they felt more confident after the course and learned new skills. They also said that they made friends. They told Scope’s researchers that the course could be better if more easy English was used. They also wanted to be able to get to know people before the course started.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Dr Caroline Hart and Research Assistant Nell Buchanan, who explained what the courses means for the sector, plus the knowledge and experiences gained.
Source: Supplied and adapted
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Thyroid health into pregnancy
‘Without an adequate amount of thyroid hormone mothers can be exposed to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia or eclampsia, which affect around 10% of pregnant women and are the leading causes of maternal and neonatal mortality worldwide. Mothers who suffer from hypertensive disorders during pregnancy are at increased risk of long-term cardiovascular consequences and hypertensive disorders in subsequent pregnancies. Evidence also indicates a risk of reduced cognitive ability to their offspring.
‘Knowing if you are genetically predisposed to Hashimoto’s or Graves’ Diseases, which are both thyroid autoimmune disorders is important to be aware of, to ensure all appropriate tests are ordered. Autoimmune disorders may predispose mothers to a thyroid problem during pregnancy’, says Professor Creswell Eastman, who also serves as the ATF’s Principal Medical Advisor.
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Integrating oral health care across non-dental professionals
Poor oral health can contribute to or exacerbate several systemic health conditions due to the close connection between oral bacteria, inflammation, and systemic processes. These conditions include cardiovascular health, diabetes, respiratory health, cognitive health, pregnancy and birth outcomes.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) in clinical trials and clinical care
Australian Health Journal today continues a major episode release on Technology Aided Healthcare Delivery, with part 2 on Artificial Intelligence in trials and clinical care. Interviews were captured at AI, Machine Learning & Robotics in Health conference in October organised by Informa Australia.
