Ruth Cox
Ruth Cox is a Director of Occupational Therapy and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee (QEII) Hospital, Metro South Health and PhD Candidate under the Discipline of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University.
Throughout her career, Ruth has worked in Occupational Therapy and Allied Health management, project and advisory roles. In these roles she has had the privilege of completing research with some very learned colleagues including a needs assessment for a community based spinal cord injury service, service evaluation through goal attainment scaling, competencies for community rehabilitation, evaluation of advanced scope of practice roles, and knowledge translation. Ruth is passionate about advancing consumer and stakeholder partnerships, translation of research evidence into clinical practice, and development of innovative models of care. She holds a Masters of Business Administration in addition to my Occupational Therapy Honours Degree.
As a PhD candidate, Ruth's research focusses on consumer engagement in research, and consumer and hospital staff capability to partner in hospital organisational design. Organisational design includes service planning, design, delivery, measurement and evaluation. She is involved in several other research topics including advanced scope of practice occupational therapy-led hand clinics, rehabilitation groups, the lived experience of Dupuytren’s Disease, and reflection on acute occupational therapy practice.
Prior to becoming a researcher, Ruth was an Occupational Therapy Director within Metro South Health for over 10 years. She has also thoroughly enjoyed her previous positions as an Allied Health Workforce Development Officer, Principal Project Officer in the Community Rehabilitation Workforce Project, Principal Allied Health Advisor to Queensland Health, and Manager of the Spinal Outreach Team.
What inspires you in your work?
I am inspired by the many people I come across whether they be consumers, staff, volunteers, students, researchers or families who work so hard together to support the health and well-being of themselves, their loved ones and Queenslanders. I am constantly amazed by the resilience, enthusiasm and commitment to life-long learning of so many people I come across.
What is something people would find surprising about you?
I’m pretty boring, but I do love scuba diving when I get a chance and particularly love sharks.
What do you do for fun in your spare time?
Lots of fun sporting and music activities with my children and when I can fit it in, going for a walk or reading a good book are always a pleasure.
Featured Publications
‘Learning and growing together’: exploring consumer partnerships in a PhD
Published 24th May 2023
