Mapping Health Complexity in Refugee Settlement

People from refugee backgrounds often present to health services with complex and interconnected physical, psychological, social, cultural, and settlement-related needs. Despite the recognised complexity of refugee health nursing, there is currently no standardised or validated tool to assess patient complexity, limiting consistent clinical decision-making, workforce planning, and service evaluation. This Honours project will contribute to the development of a Refugee Health Complexity Assessment Tool by synthesising the evidence on factors that contribute to patient complexity during early settlement and integrating these findings with emerging stakeholder perspectives. The project offers valuable experience in evidence synthesis, qualitative health research, and health service improvement, making it ideal for students interested in refugee health, primary care, public health, or health systems research. The project will be undertaken in collaboration with Refugee Nurses Australia and refugee health services across Australia as part of a national program of research to develop a standardised complexity assessment tool. It is offered through the Department of General Practice, where you will join a clinically focused research environment with opportunities to participate in weekly academic seminars, journal clubs, and multidisciplinary research discussions. You will also participate in a fortnightly student-led peer learning group alongside graduate research students, providing valuable exposure to clinical research and supporting your development as an emerging public health researcher.