Article one of a package put together in my Newsroom elective. Each week a story had to be produced and filed.
A childbirth booklet currently being distributed in Australia, won the author, Dr Allison Shorten, the annual Trailblazer award last week.
Dr Shorten, from the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences at the University of Wollongong (UOW), formed the booklet to aid pregnant women with accurate information about childbirth.
A mother of two and a midwife for fifteen years, Dr Shorten led an extensive research team to create the Informed Birth Choices: Pregnancy decision support package.
The Trailblazer competition, now in its fourth year, was celebrating one of its largest finalist groups. The nineteen finalists displayed a broad range of products, ideas and research development that spread across many faculties in the university.
The annual event inspires innovative ideas and encourages research and development.
“I’ve watched the competition over time and I usually think hard science would win those things, the more exciting things,” said Allison.
Australia last year had over 250 000 child births. Dr Allison’s work will help to assist a considerable amount of women and their families.
“I created distilled information that’s clear for the women. It gives them an opportunity to ask questions. They need good information in order to make rightful choices.”
Kate Comac, a practitioner from Sutherland hospital, believes that the birthing package would be appreciated among so many women in society.
“It’s an important time for women to make the right decisions that can be based on values, health of the child and so many other elements.”
Allison ran a randomised control trial with two hundred women over three local hospitals. The package has built up popularity and was warmly welcomed across Australia.
“I have been translating it into practice. Hospitals all over Australia are starting to use it and I have an agreement with a hospital that will print it under their banner so women are actually getting use out of it,” said Dr Allison.
Dr Shorten’s prizes will include the local community being exposed to the booklet in the near future.
UOW will give concrete assistance in the sales and marketing of Dr Allison’s new product and $3000 grant for her to progress.
She will have to learn to use a new skill set as she is set to become a leading entrepreneur in the medical field.
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