Prof Tracey Bucknall, Deakin University
Professor Tracey Bucknall from the Deakin University School of Nursing and Midwifery has been inducted into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame at the Sigma 30th International Nursing Research Congress in Calgary, Canada.
Decision scientist Prof Bucknall, who is also the foundational chair of clinical nursing and director of nursing research for Alfred Health, was one of 23 honorees this year and joins an illustrious group of 176 nursing researchers inducted over the past decade. She was one of two Australians among the 2019 inductees, joined by counterparts from Canada, the United States and Sweden.
“These Hall of Fame researchers have made highly substantive contributions to global health that will resonate for decades,” said Sigma president Beth Baldwin Tigges, PhD, RN, PNP, BC.
Prof Bucknall was recognised for her pioneering work into clinical decision-making and research evidence in practice, which aims to improve patient safety, alleviate symptoms, and enhance patient and family experiences. She has presented her research both in Australia and internationally, published extensively in decision-making and knowledge translation, and held four adjunct academic appointments and membership in numerous national policy committees, as well as international research and grant review panels.
“In my experience, nurses’ contributions to science and healthcare improvement have often been under the recognition radar and discounted for impact on individuals and the community,” said Prof Bucknall. “Awards such as this are a rare but important reminder of nurse scientists’ sustained contribution to health outcomes. Most of us are not doing research for the rewards; we are doing it with a long-term goal of health improvement globally.”
Prof Bucknall also shared some of her most recent work at the Sigma Congress with her presentation Improving Clinical Decision-Making to Build Fail-Safe Systems and Enhance Patient Outcomes.