Facing the unexpected

We are developing the first Australian multidisciplinary training and microcredential program focused on the psychosocial aspects of prenatal diagnosis.

This learning platform will offer short online and interactive courses, networking communities and collaborative spaces.

Interactive

Our courses will include multimedia resources and activities designed to be authentic to the learner's role. Our networking communities will offer the chance to connect with others, share expertise and establish networks to transform systems.

Evidence informed

We will explore, engage with, and critique the evidence and evidence gaps in relation to the psychosocial aspects of prenatal diagnosis to ensure information is contemporary and aligned with best practice.

Co-designed

Our training is being co-designed with health and allied health professionals, researchers, educators, systems experts and people with lived experience of receiving a prenatal diagnosis to provide unique and meaningful courses.

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Project and research leads

Study 1: Health professionals training perspectives, Principal Investigator:
Dr Belinda Johnson, RMIT University
BA, SSW(Hons), GradCertTertTeach&Learn, PhD

Study 2: Co-producing training resources, Principal Investigator/
Overall Training Project lead:
Pieta Shakes, James Cook University
PhD Candidate, BN(Hons), PGradCertChild&AdolesMentalHlthNurs, GradCertDiagnosticGenomics, GradCertHEdILearnTeach, MNurs(MentalHlth)

Pieta Shakes has lived experience of receiving a third-trimester prenatal diagnosis.

Research Co-investigator:
Dr Tracey Ahern, James Cook University
RN, PhD, BNSc (Hons), Grad Dip (Academic Education), BEd

Research Co-investigator:
A/Prof Chris Maylea, La Trobe University
BSW(Hons) MHSMP, JD, DSW

Project advisors

Project advisors with lived experience of receiving a prenatal diagnosis

Natalie Browning, Central Queensland University & Townsville Hospital and Health Service, RN RM BA MEd BN/BMid GCMid MWomHMed MACM

Julia D’Orazio, Julia D’Orazio Postpartum, Accredited Social Worker

Eleanore Fritze, LLB(Hons), BA, Grad Cert Dis St

Sophie Ward, Clinical Psychologist

Zena Mason, Advocate

Additional project advisors

Amanda Bates, Mater Mothers Hospital, Neonatal critical care unit, Clinical nurse consultant- Masters of Clinical practice (Neonatology)

Elizabeth Callinan, Writer & Producer

Alison Deslandes, Specialist Imaging Partners, Accredited Medical Sonographer (AMS), MMedSono

Lucinda Freeman, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Registered Genetic Counsellor

Dr Nicole Highet, Centre of Perinatal Excellence

Margaret Shield, BHSc(Hons)

Skye Stewart, Red Nose, Registered Midwife

Eliza Strauss, The Perinatal Loss Centre, Bereavement Midwife & Perinatal Loss Educator

Dr Imogen Thomson, Royal North Shore Hospital, MD MPhil

Beatrice Webb, ThinkWise Clinical Psychology, BPsych (Hons), MPsych (Clin), Clinical Psychologist

Kara Williams, Registered Midwife, Masters in Primary Maternity Care (Mental Health)

Collaborators

A/Prof Alison D Archibald
Alison Deslandes

Amanda Bates
Amanda Tipping

Beatrice Webb

Candice Learmouth
Danielle Mortlock

Dr Jane Lockton
Dr Kate Russo

Dr Nicole Highet

Dr Renée Miller

Dr Tracey Ahern

Eleanore Fritze

Eliza Strauss,

Elizabeth Callinan
Georgina Robilliard

Jessica Cute

Jessica Schulter

Kara Williams

Karen Eagleson

Kieran Burke

Lucinda Freeman,

Lyndal Macpherson

Meagan Donaldson

Mel Redman

Melanie Rolfe

Natalie Browning

Rheann Kennedy

Skye Stewart
Stefan Bramble

Sophie Ward

Tara Corder
Tayla Phillipps-Lewis

Our courses and collab spaces are launching soon...

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Who we are

Through the Unexpected is a registered health promotion charity with the vision that all people are informed, supported and empowered through the experience of prenatal diagnosis.

Facing the unexpected