Professor Diana Slade
Research interests
Diana and Suzanne Eggins have been leading contributors to the development of theoretical frameworks for describing and conceptualising the relationship between communication and patient safety and to the translation of empirical research to tangible outcomes that impact on practice. Their contribution is also on the development of unique evidence-based communication guidelines, protocols and practical tools, including training for clinicians across a range of contexts that derive from the research findings and authentic data. Underpinning these developments is the innovative translational research methodological approach designed and implemented by Diana and her team in the 3 national ARC projects as well as the Hong Kong projects she led. Central to this methodology is the audio and/or video recording and language analysis of many hours of authentic healthcare interactions. Due to the large-scale nature of the healthcare communication research projects, they now have one of the largest databases internationally on authentic clinician-patient and clinician-clinician interactions with data collected both in Australian and Hong Kong hospitals.
Biography
Diana Slade is a Professor of Applied Linguistics at the Australian National University and the Director of the ANU Institute for Communication in Health Care.
She is an academic researcher and educator in health communication, linguistics, description of spoken English, organisational communication and translational research design.
Diana has over 30 years of experience in researching, teaching and publishing in applied linguistics, linguistics and organizational communication. There are currently two major strands to Diana’s research: the analysis and description of spoken English and the application of these theoretical insights to the analysis of healthcare communication. Since 2011, she has focused on the critical role of communication in the provision of safe and effective healthcare. She has led 24 research projects including 11 competitive research grants on healthcare communication across Hong Kong and Australia, and in addition is currently on four projects (two as international CI) on different aspects of healthcare communication research. She has recently led two consecutive, large national ARC Linkage grants, the first on Communication in Hospital Emergency Departments (LP0775435R1), which examined clinician- patient communication across five public hospital EDs; the second on Effective Communication in Clinical Handover (LP110100035) which investigated the effectiveness of clinical handover communication in NSW, ACT, SA and WA. Slade is second CI on a current national ARC project on communication at discharge from hospital to the community (LP140100563).
Researcher's projects
With Suzanne Eggins, Diana has also recently received philanthropic funding to undertake translational research at St Vincent’s Hospital Group on communication in nursing handovers and also with the Hong Kong team two grants—one with a large private hospital—Hong Kong Sanatorium Hospital—and another with Queen Elizabeth hospital (to investigate SPEAK up strategies). Committed to inter-disciplinary research and mentoring of younger colleagues, Diana has led research teams with linguists and communication specialists working together with healthcare clinicians and healthcare academics, including doctors, nurses and allied health clinicians.
Her books include Effective Communication in Clinical Handover: from research to practice (with Eggins and Geddes, eds. 2016, de Gruyter Mouton, PASA, Patient Safety 16), Communicating in Hospital Emergency Departments (with Manidis et al 2015: Springer); Conversation: from Description to Pedagogy (with Scott Thornbury, 2006, CUP) Analysing Casual Conversation (with Suzanne Eggins, 1997/2004, Equinox). In addition she has published over 40 refereed journal articles and book chapters. Slade currently has 2837 citations and since 2011 has been a plenary or invited speaker to 31 national and international conferences. Slade was a Harvard Macy Scholar in medical education, Harvard Medical School, 2013.
Current student projects
- Maheyrin Chowdhury, PhD thesis, 2022-. An exploration of culture and trauma-informed health communication practices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients in antenatal care settings.
- Toni Ashmore, PhD thesis, 2022-. Does a structured approach improve end of life care in comparison to routine care in an acute hospital setting or a specialist palliative care ward in an acute hospital setting?
Publications
- Dahm, M, Slade, D, Brady, B et al. 2022, 'Tracing interpersonal discursive features in Australian nursing bedside handovers: Approachability features, patient engagement and insights for ESP training and working with internationally trained nurses', English for Specific Purposes, vol. 66, pp. 17-32.
- Chien, L, Slade, D, Dahm, M et al. 2022, 'Improving patient-centred care through a tailored intervention addressing nursing clinical handover communication in its organizational and cultural context', Journal of Advanced Nursing, vol. 78, no. 5, pp. 1413-1430.
- Pun, J, Chan, A, Eggins, S et al. 2020, 'Training in communication and interaction during shift-to-shift nursing handovers in a bilingual hospital: A case study', Nurse Education Today, vol. 84, pp. 9pp.
- Scholz, B, Goncharov, L, Emmerich, N et al. 2020, 'Clinicians' accounts of communication with patients in end-of-life care contexts: A systematic review', Patient Education and Counseling, vol. 103, no. 10, pp. 1913-1921.
- Slade, D, Murray, K, Pun, J et al. 2019, 'Nurses' perceptions of mandatory bedside clinical handovers: An Australian hospital study', Journal of Nursing Management, vol. 27, pp. 161-171pp.
- Pun, J, Chan, A, Man, M et al. 2019, 'Pre- and post-evaluations of the effects of the Connect, Ask, Respond and Empathise (CARE) protocol on nursing handover: A case study of a bilingual hospital in Hong Kong', Journal of Clinical Nursing, vol. 28, no. 15-16, pp. 3001-3011.
- Leung, C, Pun, J, Lock, G et al. 2018, 'Exploring the scope of communication content of mechanically ventilated patients', Journal of Critical Care, vol. 44, pp. 136-141.
- Slade, D, Pun, J, Murray, K et al. 2018, 'Benefits of Health Care Communication Training for Nurses Conducting Bedside Handovers: An Australian Hospital Case Study', Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, vol. 49, no. 7, pp. 329-336pp.
- Pun, J, Chan, E, Murray, K et al. 2017, 'Complexities of emergency communication: clinicians' perceptions of communication challenges in a trilingual emergency department', Journal of Clinical Nursing, vol. 26, no. 21-22, pp. 3396-3407.
- Pun, J, Matthiessen, C, Williams, G et al. 2017, 'Using Ethnographic Discourse Analysis to Understand Doctor-Patient Interactions in Clinical Settings', Sage Open, vol. online, no. -, pp. 1-19pp.
- Ng, G, Pun, J, So, E et al 2017, 'Exploring speaking-up culture in an intensive care unit (ICU): Chinese doctors' and nurses' perceptions of the openness of communication', BMJ Open, vol. 7, no. 8, pp. 12pp.
- Geddes, F, Slade, D, Eggins, S et al. 2016, 'Clinicians' voices: what healthcare professionals say about handover practice', in Suzanne Eggins, Diana Slade and Fiona Geddes (ed.), Effective Communication in Clinical Handover: From Research To Practice, De Gruyter, Germany, pp. 25-42.
- Slade, D, Matthiessen, C, Lock, G et al. 2016, 'Patterns of Interaction in Doctor-Patient Communication and Their Impact on Health Outcomes', in L Ortega, A E Tyler, H I Park and M Uno (ed.), The Usage-Based Study of Language Learning and Multilingualism, Georgetown University Press, United States, pp. 235-254pp.
- Eggins, S & Slade, D 2016, 'Resource: communicating effectively in bedside nursing handover', in Suzanne Eggins, Diana Slade and Fiona Geddes (ed.), Effective Communication in Clinical Handover: From Research To Practice, De Gruyter, Germany, pp. 115-125pp.
- Slade, D, Pun, J, Lock, G et al. 2016, 'Potential Risk Points in Doctor-Patient Communication: An Analysis of Hong Kong Emergency Department Medical Consultations', in Helen de Silva Joyce (ed.), Language at Work: Analysing Language Use in Work, Education, Medical and Museum Contexts, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, United Kingdom, pp. 146-165pp.
- Slade, D, Eggins, S, Geddes, F et al. 2016, 'Effective communication in clinical handover: challenges and risks', in Suzanne Eggins, Diana Slade and Fiona Geddes (ed.), Effective Communication in Clinical Handover: From Research To Practice, De Gruyter, Germany, pp. 5-24.
- Eggins, S & Slade, D 2016, 'Clinical handover in context: risks and protections across a hospital patient's journey', in Suzanne Eggins, Diana Slade and Fiona Geddes (ed.), Effective Communication in Clinical Handover: From Research To Practice, De Gruyter, Germany, pp. 131-155.
- Eggins, S & Slade, D 2016, 'Communication in bedside nursing handovers', in Suzanne Eggins, Diana Slade and Fiona Geddes (ed.), Effective Communication in Clinical Handover: From Research To Practice, De Gruyter, Germany, pp. 97-113.
- Eggins, S, Geddes, F & Slade, D 2016, 'iCARE: an integrated translational model of effective clinical handover communication', in Suzanne Eggins, Diana Slade and Fiona Geddes (ed.), Effective Communication in Clinical Handover: From Research To Practice, De Gruyter, Germany, pp. 295-323pp.
- Eggins, S & Slade, D 2016, 'Contrasting discourse styles and barriers to patient participation in bedside nursing handovers', Communication and Medicine, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 71-83.
- Eggins, S, Slade, D & Geddes, F (eds) 2016, Effective Communication in Clinical Handover: From Research to Practice, De Gruyter, Germany.
- Slade, D, Chandler, E, Pun, J et al. 2015, 'Effective healthcare worker-patient communication in Hong Kong accident and emergency departments', Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine (HKJEM), vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 69-83.
- de Silva Joyce, H, Slade, D, Bateson, D et al. 2015, 'Patient-centred discourse in sexual and reproductive health consultations', Discourse & Communication, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 275-292.
- Slade, D, Manidis, M, McGregor, J et al. 2015, Communicating in Hospital Emergency Departments, Springer, Germany.
- Slade, D, Rider, E, Pun, J et al. 2015, 'The International Research Centre for Communication in Healthcare (IRCCH): Interprofessional, Multicultural Approaches to Healthcare Communication Challenges', Journal of Interprofessional Education and Practice, vol. 1, no. 2, p. 67.
- Chandler, E, Slade, D, Pun, J et al. 2015, 'Communication in Hong Kong Accident and Emergency Departments: The Clinicians' Perspectives', Global Qualitative Nursing Research, pp. 1-11.
- Rider, E, Slade, D, Branch Jr, W et al. 2015, 'Translating Healthcare Values into Action: An International, Interprofessional Collaboration', Journal of Interprofessional Education and Practice, vol. 1, no. 2, p. 68.
- Pun, J, Matthiessen, C, Murray, K et al. 2015, 'Factors affecting communication in emergency departments: doctors and nurses' perceptions of communication in a trilingual ED in Hong Kong', International Journal of Emergency Medicine, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 12pp.
- Eggins, S & Slade, D 2015, 'Communication in Clinical Handover: Improving the Safety and Quality of the Patient Experience', Journal of Public Health Research, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 666-666.
- Wong, H, Yin, Q, Guo, Y et al. 2015, 'Big data as a new approach in emergency medicine research', Journal of Acute Disease, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 178-179.
- Slade, D, Matthiessen, C, Rider, E et al. 2014, 'The International Centre for Communication in Healthcare: Creating Safer and More Compassionate Healthcare Systems around the World', The International Journal of Whole Person Care, vol. 1, no. 1.
- Rider, E, Ho, M, Branch Jr, W et al. 2014, 'Restoring Core Values: An International Charter for Human Values in Healthcare', The International Journal of Whole Person Care, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1pp.
- Rider, E, Kurtz, S, Slade, D et al. 2014, 'The International Charter for Human Values in Healthcare: An interprofessional global collaboration to enhance values and communication in healthcare', Patient Education and Counseling, vol. 96, no. 3, pp. 273-280.
- Rider, E, Ho, M, Branch Jr, W et al. 2013, 'PRESENTATION - Teaching Values and Compassion: An International Charter: 2013 Annual Retreat Abstracts'.
- Eggins, S & Slade, D 2012, 'CLINICAL HANDOVER AS AN INTERACTIVE EVENT INFORMATIONAL AND INTERACTIONAL COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES IN EFFECTIVE SHIFT CHANGE HANDOVERS', Communication and Medicine, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 215-227.
- Rider, E, Slade, D, Kurtz, S et al. 2012, 'The human dimensions of care - Where have we been? Where are we going?', National Academies of Practice Conference 2012, National Academies of Practice (NAP), United States, pp. 1pp.
- Matthiessen, C & Slade, D 2011, 'Analysing Conversation', in R Wodak, B Johnstone and P Kerswill (ed.), The Sage Handbook of Sociolinguistics, SAGE Publications Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 375-395.
- Rider, E, Slade, D, Kurtz, S et al. 2011, 'An international collaborative on communication: Connecting research, education and practice', International Conference on Communication in Healthcare, ICCH 2011, International Research Centre for Communication in Healthcare, United States, p. 115.
- McCarthy, M, Matthiessen, C & Slade, D 2010, 'What is Discourse Analysis?', in Norbert Schmitt (ed.), An Introduction to Applied Linguistics, Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 53-69.
- Slade, D, Scheeres, H, De Silva Joyce, H et al. 2009, Developing Effective Communication between Doctors and Clients: Sexual and Reproductive Health Consultations.
- Slade, D, Scheeres, H, Manidis, M et al. 2008, 'Emergency communication: the discursive challenges facing emergency clinicians and patients in hospital emergency departments', Discourse & Communication, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 271-298.
- Scheeres, H, Slade, D, Manidis, M et al. 2008, 'Communicating in hospital emergency departments', Prospect: an Australian journal of TESOL, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 13-22.
- Herke, M, Matthiessen, C, McGregor, J et al. 2008, 'Patient Safety: a tri-stratal interpretation of communicative risk in the Emergency Departments of public hospitals', 35th International Systemic Functional Linguistics Congress, Macquarie University, Sydney Australia, pp. 140-145.
- McCarthy, M & Slade, D 2007, 'Extending Our Understanding of Spoken Discourse', in Jim Cummins and Chris Davison (ed.), International Handbook of English Language Teaching, part 2, Springer, United States, pp. 859-873.
- Thornbury, S & Slade, D 2006, Conversation: From Description to Pedagogy, Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom.
- Slade, D & Matthiessen, C 2001, 'Teasing and Telling Tales: Analysing Casual Conversation at Work', International Sociolinguistics Symposium: Text and Talk at Work, University of Ghent, Belgium.
- Slade, D 1997, 'Stories and Gossip in English: the macro-structure of casual talk', Prospect: an Australian journal of TESOL.
- Slade, D 1997, 'Spoken Language in the ESL Classroom', Interchange, vol. unknown.
- Eggins, S & Slade, D 1997, Analysing Casual Conversation, Equinox Publishing Ltd, London United Kingdom.
- Slade, D 1995, 'Effective Communication in the Restructured Workplace: the Spoken and Written Language of Training', Third National Immigration & Population Outlook Conference, Bureau of Immigration and Population Research, Australia.
- Slade, D 1994, 'Gossip: Two Complementary Perspectives On the Analysis Of Casual Conversation in English in Spoken Interaction Studies in Australia', Australian Review of Applied Linguistics (print edition), vol. 11, pp. 47-83.
- Clyne, M & Slade, D 1994, 'Spoken Discourse Studies in Australia in Spoken Interaction Studies in Australia', Australian Review of Applied Linguistics (print edition), vol. 11.
- Cope, W, Pauwels, A, Slade, D et al. 1994, Local diversity, global connections, volume 1 and volume 2, Australian Government Publishing Service, Australia.
- Slade, D 1994, 'Effective Communication in the Restructured Workplace: Job Performance', Australian Language Matters, vol. 2, no. 4.
- Matthiessen, C, Slade, D & Macken, M 1992, 'Language in Context: A New Model for Evaluating Student Writing', Linguistics and Education, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 173-193.
- Kalantzis, M, Cope, B & Slade, D 1989, Minority Languages and Dominant Culture: Issues of Education, Assessment and Social Equity, The Falmer Press, United Kingdom.
- Slade, D & Gibbons, J 1988, 'Testing Bilingual Proficiency in Australia: Issues, Methods, Findings', Evaluation and Research in Education, vol. 1, pp. 95-106.
- Barthel, A, Hughes, C & Slade, D 1987, 'Needs-based Programming and the Provision of English Language Tuition in the A.M.E.P.', Prospect: an Australian journal of TESOL, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 171-183.
- Slade, D 1986, 'Teaching Casual Conversation to Adult E.S.L. Learner's', Prospect: an Australian journal of TESOL, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 68-89.
- Slade, D & Gardner, R 1985, 'Interactional Skills in Casual Conversation', Australian Review of Applied Linguistics (print edition), vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 105-121.
Projects and Grants
Grants information is drawn from ARIES. To add or update Projects or Grants information please contact your College Research Office.
- Effective Communication during End of Life interactions at The Canberra Hospital (Primary Investigator)
- ACCELERATE Plus: Assessment and CommuniCation ExcelLEnce foR sAfe paTient outcomEs (Primary Investigator)
- Quantifying the economic benefits of a program to improve nursing handover practices at three hospitals in the St Vincents Hospital Group (Primary Investigator)
- ACCELERATE - Assessment and CommuniCation ExcelLEnce foR sAfe paTient outcomEs (Primary Investigator)
- Improving consent procedures and shared decision-making for dialysis consumers (Primary Investigator)
- Effective communication in clinical handover: research and intervention to improve patient safety and satisfaction at St Vincents Hospital Sydney, St Josephs hospital, and St Vincents Hospital Melbourne (Primary Investigator)
- Driving health care efficiencies and patient care outcomes by improving communication in acute to primarytransitions of care (Primary Investigator)
