RN, RM, MPHC, PhD

Research Fellow, COSMOS Study
Vic/Tas Regional Coordinator The WOMBAT Collaboration

Michelle Kealy has a background in general nursing, primary health care, women's health and midwifery and has worked in a range of different health care roles in Australia, the UK and Asia. She completed a Master of Primary Health Care in 2001 (Flinders University of South Australia).

Michelle joined MCHR in 2002 as a PhD candidate and conducted an interview study to explore women's experiences of health and recovery after caesarean section. Her PhD titled Caesarean section - a response to risk and fear: An Australian study of women's experiences was submitted and passed in 2007.

Whilst at MCHR, Michelle has worked on HARP, MOSAIC, Early Births and a sub-study of Tall Girls research projects.

Since January 2006 Michelle has been the Victorian and Tasmanian Regional Co-ordinator (.4EFT) for The WOMBAT Collaboration (WOMen and Babies health and wellbeing: Action through Trials). In September 2007 Michelle joined the COSMOS study (.6EFT).

Research methods; women's health; maternal health; caesarean section.

CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS

Kealy M. Caesarean section: women’s inpatient experiences. International Congress of Midwives’ 28th Triennial Congress. Glasgow Scotland, June 2008, npn

Kealy M. [Invited] Women’s accounts of infant feeding following caesarean section. Ballarat Group of the Australian Breastfeeding Association Conference, Ballarat, May 2008, npn

Kealy M. [Invited] Caesarean section - a response to risk and fear: An Australian study of women’s experiences. School of Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, 7 May 2008, npn

Kealy M, Watson L, Small R. Mode of birth preferences and outcomes: before and after caesarean section. Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand 12th Annual Congress, Gold Coast, April, 2008, J Paediatr Child Health, 44 (Supp 1): p50

Tooher R, Middleton P, Kealy M, New K, Parker C, Crowther CA. The WOMBAT tool for diagnostic assessment and optimisation of recruitment to randomised trials in maternal and perinatal healthcare. Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand 12th Annual Congress, Gold Coast, April, 2008, J Paediatr Child Health, 44(Supp 1): p25.

Watson L, King JF, Lumley J, Forster D, Kealy M. Classifying very preterm birth according to a modified version of the PSANZ perinatal death classification. Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand 12th Annual Congress, Gold Coast, April, 2008, J Paediatr Child Health, 44(Supp 1): p47

Kealy M, Small R. Do women really request caesarean section? Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand 11th Annual Congress, J Paediatr Child Health 2007;43(Supp 1): p53

Kealy M, Small R. Caesarean section: a baby born but at what cost? Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand 11th Annual Congress J Paediatr Child Health, 2007; 43(Supp 1): p55

Small R, Daly J, Kealy M, Willis K, Green J, Gibbs L, Thomas S, Welch N, Holt L. (Qualitative research methods group). Qualitative research into determinants of health: the role of social theory. Workshop, 37th Public Health Association of Australia Annual Conference, Sydney, September, 2006, p66

Kealy M, Small R, Daly J. Women's experience of caesarean section: an in-depth study. Caesarean Section: A Clinical Forum. Monash University and Southern Health on behalf of the Maternity Services Advisory Committee, May 2006, npn

Kealy M, Small R, Daly J, Lumley J, Brown S, Bruinsma F. Early infant contact after caesarean section: what are women's experiences? The Australian Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Melbourne , August 2005, p9

Kealy M, Small R, Lumley J. Maternal choice and control in childbirth - fact or fantasy? 5th Australian Women's Health Conference, Melbourne, April 2005, p39

Kealy M, Small R, Daly J, Lumley J. Caesar pot, jelly belly or just normal? How do women view their bodies after caesarean section? British Sociological Association (Medical Sociology Group) 37th Annual Conference, York England, September 2005, p88

Kealy M, Small R, Daly J. It felt like they were playing football inside me: women's caesarean experience. 36th Public Health Association of Australia Annual Conference, Perth, September 2005, p80

Daly J, Willis K, Small R, Green J, Welch N, Kealy M, Gibbs L, Holt L. (Qualitative research methods group). Assessing qualitative research in health – a hierarchy of evidence-for-practice. Workshop, 36th Public Health Association of Australia Annual Conference, Perth, September 2005, p.74

Kealy M, Small R, Lumley J. Exploring maternal health and recovery post Caesarean section: What are women’s experiences according to the literature? 35th Public Health Association of Australia Annual Conference, Brisbane, Sept-Oct 2003, p70

Kealy M, Small R, Lumley J. Health and Recovery after Caesarean Section…is it as straightforward as we might want to believe? Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand 7th Annual Congress, Hobart, March 2003, p.28