Professor Joanne Porter has worked at Federation University’s Gippsland campus since 2002. Dr Porter is the Director of the university’s Collaborative Evaluation & Research Centre (CERC), working in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Latrobe Health Assembly, Latrobe Valley Authority, and Gippsland Primary Health Network for example.
As Director, Joanne has successfully led several evaluation projects into community resilience and engagement programs. This includes the Hello Campaign to raise mental health awareness in the Latrobe Valley, the GippSport Latrobe StreetGames health and wellbeing exercise program, as well as several cancer screening and tobacco cessation projects. There has also been works on suicide prevention and community mental health projects. Joanne has an extensive research history with multiple publications in peer reviewed journals and competitive grants. She continues to lead clinically and community-based research projects.
EDUCATION
PhD, MN, Grad Dip HSM, Grad Dip CC, Grad Cert HeD, BN, RN
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Multidisciplinary, Research and Theory, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
110
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Factors Associated With Length of Stay and Readmission Rates for Older Hospital in the Home Patients: A Systematic Review Kerry de Vent, Joanne E. Porter, Jo-ann Larkins Journal of Aging and Health, 2026 Objective The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of published literature to examine factors associated with Length of Stay (LOS) and Readmission Rates for older Hospital in the Home (HITH) patients. Method In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, seven databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles relating to HITH, older patients, LOS and readmissions. Results Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Risk factors associated with increased readmissions and LOS were age, prior hospitalisations, illness severity, geriatric-related complications, and cognitive impairment. Most studies found that patients participating in HITH had a shorter initial acute hospitalisation LOS than patients transferred to a subacute hospital or rehabilitation ward. However, LOS and readmissions, comparing HITH to traditional in-hospital care, were inconsistent. Conclusions Overall, LOS and readmission rates (comparing home-based care to hospital care) were inconsistent but appear related to patient demographics and disease profile and require further study.
Research Capacity and Culture Development in a Small Rural Health Service Dai Pu, Stephen Gill, Michael Field, Alison Buccheri, Olivia A. King, et al. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 2026 Objective This study aimed to measure changes in staff perceptions of research capacity and culture in a small rural health service in Australia over time. Methods Staff completed the Research Capacity and Culture Tool, a valid and reliable survey that measures individuals' perceptions of their own research capacity and the research capacity and culture of their team and organisation. Data from 2015 was compared to 2023, following significant changes at the health service that focused on integrating research into the organisational structure. Design This was a repeated cross‐sectional study in which data were collected from different individuals. Setting Data were collected from a rural health service in Victoria (Modified Monash Model 4–5). Participants All staff working in the health service were invited to complete the survey. Main Outcome Measures Research Capacity and Culture Tool. Results Results demonstrated improvements in eleven out of eighteen measures of research capacity and culture at the organisation level, six out of nineteen measures at the team level, but none at the individual level. Median improvements were modest, typically two points on the 10‐point scale. Conclusions Integrating research into the health service organisation structure may be beneficial for its research capacity and culture.
Rural hospital general ward nurses' experiences of workplace violence by patients and visitors: a scoping review Christine Trotman, Joanne E Porter, Michael Olasoji, Anita Raymond, Bindu Joseph Journal of Occupational Health, 2026 Objectives Workplace violence (WPV) is increasing globally, and nurses are disproportionately affected. While WPV has been studied in high-risk units such as emergency departments and mental health units, less is known about violence in general medical and surgical hospital wards, where most nurses work. WPV exacerbates nursing workforce shortages, especially in rural hospitals, which already face staffing challenges. In rural areas, previous research indicates that nurses’ familiarity with patients and visitors makes patient-initiated violence more complex, and limited resources may mean a lack of on-site security and reduced local police presence. This study aimed to describe generalist nurses’ experiences of WPV by patients and visitors in acute hospital wards, with particular attention to rural settings where reported. Methods A scoping review using PRISMA-ScR guidelines identified relevant peer-reviewed studies via CINAHL, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Results Of 165 records, 12 met the inclusion criteria. No included studies directly reported rural hospital generalist nurses’ experiences of workplace violence, and evidence for this cohort could not be isolated. Four themes emerged: high prevalence of violence, underreporting, contributing factors, and negative impacts. Most generalist nurses reported experiencing WPV, with increased risk when inpatients were awaiting care-facility beds. These negative outcomes both result from, and contribute to, workforce shortages. Conclusions Despite recognition of the issue, there is little evidence on patient-/visitor-initiated violence in rural hospital general wards. Further research is needed to understand how such violence affects nurses’ safety, patient care quality, and workforce sustainability in rural areas, to inform policies.
Bushfire and adolescent mental health: A systematic review Paul Kemel, Joanne E Porter, Louisa Remedios, Andrew J Lewis Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2025 Objective: In the context of escalating impacts of climate change, bushfires have emerged as a natural disaster that may significantly impact a population’s mental health. Adolescents typically residing in rural and regional areas present unique challenges in the aftermath of bushfires. Method: Adhering to the PRISMA framework, a literature search was conducted to identify studies assessing the impact of bushfires on mental health in adolescent populations. Extracted information included demographic characteristics, bushfire location, timeframe post-bushfire, study design and relevant mental wellbeing outcomes. Results: Nineteen studies were included within the review, which examined the impact of nine separate bushfire events across six countries. There are consistent findings suggesting that exposure to bushfire is associated with adolescent mental disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder and depressive symptoms. Consistent predictors of poor mental health findings in adolescents include the subjective feeling of threat during the bushfire, property loss, housing adversity and injury to oneself or a family member. There is also replicated evidence that in adolescent populations, subjective or perceived life threat has a greater impact on post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms than objective or actual life threat. Conclusion: All studies showed that exposure to bushfires impacts adolescent mental health, with some symptoms worsening at follow-up. Adolescents require sustained psychosocial supports and targeted interventions within impacted regional and rural communities. Future research should further explore long-term impacts and strategies to effectively manage the impact of bushfire.
Mapping Hospital in the Home Models of Care: A Systematic Review Natalie J. Bransgrove, Joanne E. Porter, Blake Peck, Jaclyn Bishop Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2025 AimThis systematic review aims to describe and compare the characteristics of Hospital in the Home (HITH) models of care within Australia.DesignA systematic review of peer‐reviewed Australian literature.Data SourcesSeven databases were searched in January 2024, followed by citation searching. Articles were included if they were described the HITH model of care and were published between 1994 and 2024.Review MethodsCovidence was used to facilitate the removal of duplicates, independent total and abstract screening and full text review. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) was used to assess the quality of evidence, and title and abstract screening and full text review were completed by multiple authors. This ensured that all articles met the inclusion criteria and were then assessed, and the final articles were assessed using matrix analysis, and results were presented using narrative synthesis.ResultsTen articles met the inclusion criteria, highlighting three models care; the medical model, the nursing model and the brokerage model.ConclusionsThere is limited research available that includes the model of care and patient outcomes. Future research needs to consider the differences between HITH programs, such as the model of care, admission pathway, utilisation of telehealth and geography of the population.Implications for the ProfessionThis review may assist Australian HITH health professionals to improve the efficacy of the HITH model of care delivered within their health service and increase translatability of future HITH research.ImpactThis study highlighted for the first time the models of HITH care utilised within Australia. Three models of care are currently utilised within Australia, this knowledge may assist health services seeking to enhance their HITH model of care and policy writers.Reporting MethodThis review adhered to the EQUATOR guidelines, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution.Trial Registration: Registered with the international prospective register for protocols of systematic reviews in health social care CRD42024500950
Barriers, Benefits, and Enablers of Acute Home-Based Care (Hospital In The Home) in Australia for Older People: A Systematic Review Natalie J. Bransgrove, Joanne E. Porter, Blake Peck, Jaclyn Bishop Home Health Care Management and Practice, 2025 To determine the barriers, benefits, and enablers of acute home-based care in Australia for older people (aged 65 and over). A systematic review for people aged 65 and over receiving acute home-based care in Australia was conducted using various databases (CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, Web of Science, PubMed, Informit) and citation searching in September 2023. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) was used to assess the quality of the evidence and a thematic analysis approach was utilized to narratively synthesize results. Ten studies were included, consisting mostly of cohort studies in metropolitan areas. Barriers included inefficacy, patient demographics, and carers. Benefits included efficacy, high satisfaction, and medical management. Enablers included education, holistic assessments, and support interventions. Within the literature there was a significant research gap regarding HITH for older people in rural areas of Australia. Patient outcomes were closely aligned with admission pathways.
