Shirley Chambers

Dr Shirley Chambers is a Research Fellow in the School of Nursing at QUT's Faculty of Health, affiliated with the Cancer & Palliative Care Outcomes Centre and the Centre for Healthcare Transformation. Her work focuses on palliative care research, particularly end-of-life service delivery for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their carers. She has led longitudinal studies on health service utilization in advanced cancer and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, and more recently investigates clinical indicators of deterioration in residential aged care residents.

Education:

• PhD in Nursing (Queensland University of Technology)
• BHlthSc (Public Health) (Hons 1st Class) (Queensland University of Technology)

Research Interests:

Dr Chambers specializes in palliative care systems, chronic disease management (e.g., CKD, heart failure), and healthcare transitions. Her work combines qualitative and quantitative methods to improve end-of-life service delivery across clinical settings. Current projects include developing interorganisational linkages between palliative care and aged care, and creating early warning systems for acute deterioration in residential care.

Grants & Industry Projects:

• Queensland Government Department of Health (2018-2019): Palliative Care Services Review
• NHMRC CRE ELC (2014-2017): CKD End-of-Life Pathways Study
• Cancer Council Queensland (2011-2013): Advanced Cancer Patient Tracking

Labs & Teams:

She collaborates with the Cancer & Palliative Care Outcomes Centre and the Centre for Healthcare Transformation at QUT, focusing on translational research to bridge gaps between clinical practice and policy.