Research Projects
Active Research Project
Year: 2026-2027
Funding: This research project is funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek), Indonesia, under Director’s Decree No.01371/UN4.1.7/PT.01.01/2026.
Active Research Project
Year: 2025-2026
Funding: The Enhancing Quaity for International Universsity Impact and Recognition (EQUITY) program, supported by Higher Education Endowment Fund (DAPT) of the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP
)
Active Research Project
Year: 2025-2030
Funding: This research is funded by an International Research Grant from the Volkswagen Foundation (VolkswagenStiftung) through Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Germany.
Active Research Project
Funding: Institute For Research and Community Service (LPPM), Hasanuddin University
Status: Completed✅
Funding: This research project is funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek), Indonesia, under Director’s Decree No. 0419/C3/DT.0500/2025.
Status: Completed✅
Funding: This research project is funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek), Indonesia, under Director’s Decree No. 0419/C3/DT.0500/2025.
Active Research Project
Year: 2025-2027
Funding: This project is generously funded by the Indonesian government via the Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), demonstrating strong bilateral commitment to addressing critical climate and health challenges in the region.
Status: Completed✅
We create iCare System. An Online Integrated Clinical Pathway to improve clinical quality of patients and healthcare services
Funding: The Directorate of Research, Technology and Community Service, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia.
Having health insurance is often seen as a guarantee of better healthcare. But is access alone enough? A recent study reveals that even insured patients may not always receive the quality of care they deserve.
The article titled “Healthcare Quality Received by Insured Patients in Two Indonesian Regional Public Hospitals”, published in the journal Public Health of Indonesia by Sage in June 2024, explores this important issue . The study analyzed hospital data from 2019 to 2020 to evaluate how well insured patients were treated in two regional public hospitals in Indonesia.
At first glance, the findings seem reassuring. Most patients were discharged with a doctor’s approval, and hospital stays generally followed expected durations. However, a deeper look reveals several hidden problems that affect healthcare quality.
One major concern is the variation in length of hospital stay among patients with the same diagnosis. Some patients stayed longer than necessary, while others were discharged too early. This inconsistency suggests that care is not always standardized. In healthcare, consistency is critical—patients with similar conditions should receive similar treatment plans.
Another important issue is the rate of hospital readmission within 30 days. Ideally, this rate should be very low, indicating that patients were properly treated before discharge. However, the study found that readmission rates in both hospitals exceeded the recommended standard. This means some patients had to return to the hospital shortly after leaving, which may indicate incomplete treatment or poor follow-up care.
The study also highlights that more than 60% of patients were treated in third-class wards. This reflects the reality that most insured patients come from lower-income groups. While Indonesia’s national health insurance system (BPJS) has improved access to healthcare, ensuring equal quality across all patient groups remains a challenge.
These findings are closely connected to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which emphasizes not only access to healthcare but also the quality and safety of services. Providing insurance is an important step, but it must be accompanied by high-quality care that is safe, effective, and consistent.
So, what is the solution? The researchers recommend implementing Integrated Clinical Pathways (ICP). This approach standardizes patient care by outlining clear steps for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. By using ICP, hospitals can reduce unnecessary variations in care, shorten hospital stays, and lower readmission rates.
In addition, better coordination among healthcare professionals—especially nurses, doctors, and administrators—is essential. Strong teamwork ensures that patients receive continuous and well-planned care from admission to discharge.
In conclusion, this study reminds us that healthcare is not just about access, but also about quality. Insurance alone cannot guarantee good outcomes if the care provided is inconsistent or incomplete. To truly achieve SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, Indonesia must focus on improving the quality of healthcare services for all patients, regardless of their economic status.
When someone arrives at the emergency room, every second counts. But what if the system that decides who gets treated first is not working as well as it should? This is where triage comes in—a process that determines which patients need immediate care and which can safely wait.
A study titled “Evaluation of the Emergency Severity Index Triage for Improving Emergency Room Services Quality in Indonesian Hospital”, published in the journal Public Health of Indonesia by Yayasan Cipta Anak Bangsa (YCAB) on August 20, 2024, takes a closer look at how this system works in Indonesian hospitals .
The research examined 100 patients in emergency departments and evaluated how well the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) triage system was implemented. This system classifies patients into five levels based on the severity of their condition and the resources they need. Ideally, it ensures that critically ill patients are treated immediately, while less urgent cases wait their turn.
The findings are both encouraging and concerning. On one hand, hospitals already have adequate facilities and infrastructure to support triage. Response times were generally within acceptable standards, meaning patients were not left waiting too long for initial assessment. In fact, patient satisfaction was quite high—reaching 92%, especially in areas like empathy and assurance from healthcare workers .
However, the study also revealed a major challenge: a shortage of nurses. In both hospitals studied, the number of nurses was below the required standard. This imbalance can lead to fatigue, slower decision-making, and potential risks for patients. Even the best system cannot function properly without enough trained professionals to run it.
Interestingly, the study found that the triage system itself was not directly linked to patient satisfaction. Instead, satisfaction was more influenced by how patients were treated—through communication, empathy, and professionalism. This highlights an important truth: healthcare is not just about systems and protocols, but also about human connection.
This issue directly relates to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. Efficient triage systems help reduce waiting times, prevent complications, and improve survival rates. At the same time, ensuring enough trained healthcare workers is essential to achieving this goal.
So, what can be done? The study recommends increasing both the number and competence of nurses in emergency departments. Regular training, better workforce planning, and continuous evaluation of triage practices are key steps forward. By strengthening both the system and the people behind it, hospitals can provide faster, safer, and more effective care.
In the end, triage is more than just a sorting system—it is the frontline of emergency care. When done right, it can save lives. When overlooked, it can cost them. Indonesia’s journey toward better emergency services reminds us that improving healthcare is not just about technology or infrastructure, but about ensuring the right care reaches the right patient at the right time.
Clean Hands, Safer Care: Why Nurses Hold the Key to Better Health
What if one of the most powerful tools to prevent disease was as simple as washing hands? In hospitals, this simple act can mean the difference between recovery and infection. This is why hand hygiene is not just a routine it is a life-saving practice.
A recent study titled “Hand Hygiene Practices among Nurses in South Sulawesi Hospitals”, published in the Media Kesehatan Masyarakat Indonesia by Elsevier on March 31, 2024, highlights how crucial this issue is. The research focuses on how nurses perform hand hygiene in hospital settings and how their practices impact patient safety and healthcare quality.
Nurses are at the frontline of patient care. They interact with patients more frequently than any other healthcare professional. Because of this, their hand hygiene practices play a critical role in preventing healthcare-associated infections. These infections are a major global concern, especially in developing countries where healthcare resources may be limited.
The study reveals that while many nurses understand the importance of hand hygiene, there are still gaps in consistent practice. Factors such as workload, limited facilities, and time pressure can affect compliance. For example, in busy hospital environments, nurses may unintentionally skip proper handwashing steps due to urgency in handling multiple patients.
This issue is closely linked to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. Proper hand hygiene directly contributes to reducing infection rates, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing the overall quality of healthcare services. When nurses consistently follow hand hygiene protocols, they help create a safer environment not only for patients but also for themselves and other healthcare workers.
Interestingly, the study also emphasizes that improving hand hygiene is not only about individual responsibility but also about system support. Hospitals need to provide adequate facilities such as handwashing stations, alcohol-based hand rubs, and continuous training programs. In addition, creating a culture of safety where hand hygiene is prioritized can significantly improve compliance.
Another important takeaway is the role of education and awareness. Continuous training and reminders can help reinforce good habits among nurses. Simple strategies like visual posters, regular monitoring, and feedback systems can make a big difference in improving adherence.
From a broader perspective, improving hand hygiene practices is a cost-effective strategy. It reduces the burden of infections, shortens hospital stays, and lowers healthcare costs. In this way, a simple act contributes not only to better health outcomes but also to more efficient healthcare systems.
In conclusion, the study published in Media Kesehatan Masyarakat Indonesia reminds us that small actions can have a big impact. Clean hands are more than a personal habit—they are a professional responsibility and a cornerstone of patient safety. By strengthening hand hygiene practices among nurses, we take a meaningful step toward achieving SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, ensuring safer healthcare for everyone.
Status: Completed✅
Year: 2024
Funding: Novo Nordisk Foundation. Wellcome and Volkswagen Foundation, Germany
Status: Completed✅
The prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Indonesia tends to increase accompanied by an increase in the National Health Insurance claim costs by 18%-25% every year leading to the Indonesian government encouraging the use of clinical pathways to achieve optimal quality of health services. The method used in this study was action research by developing, implementing, and evaluating the clinical guidelines and integrated clinical pathways (ICPs) for 10 diseases that were categorized as high volume, high risk, and high cost. Data was collected through observation and interviews and was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 28.
Funding: Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia
When we think about nurses, we often imagine people who are skilled, fast, and knowledgeable. But there is something even more importantcaring. A nurse’s ability to show empathy, respect, and compassion can greatly influence a patient’s recovery. But where does this caring behavior come from? The answer lies in ethics.
Behind every quality healthcare system, there are well-trained nurses. They are the backbone of patient care—providing support, monitoring conditions, and ensuring treatment plans are followed. But how nurses are educated can greatly influence the quality of care they deliver.
A study titled “Postgraduate Nurse Education in Indonesia and Australia: A Comparative Analysis”, published in the journal Nurse Education Today by Elsevier in December 2023, explores how nursing education differs between these two countries and what can be improved. This research highlights important lessons for strengthening healthcare systems, especially in developing countries like Indonesia.
The study shows that both Indonesia and Australia recognize the importance of postgraduate nursing education. However, there are clear differences in how these programs are designed and implemented. In Australia, postgraduate nursing education is more structured, with a strong focus on specialization, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice. Nurses are encouraged to develop advanced skills that allow them to handle complex patient conditions with confidence.
In contrast, Indonesia is still developing its postgraduate nursing education system. While there have been improvements, challenges remain. These include limited access to advanced training, fewer specialization programs, and gaps between theory and practice. As a result, some nurses may not be fully prepared to meet the growing demands of modern healthcare.
Another important finding is the role of institutional support. In Australia, universities and healthcare institutions work closely together to ensure that education is aligned with real-world clinical needs. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, collaboration between education providers and healthcare facilities is still not optimal, which can affect the quality of training.
This issue is closely linked to SDG 4: Quality Education, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Improving nursing education is not just about academic achievement—it directly impacts patient care, safety, and overall health outcomes.
The study suggests several ways to improve postgraduate nursing education in Indonesia. First, expanding access to specialized programs can help nurses develop advanced competencies. Second, strengthening partnerships between universities and hospitals can ensure that education is more relevant to clinical practice. Third, investing in continuous professional development will help nurses stay updated with the latest medical knowledge and skills.
Improving nursing education also has a broader impact. Well-trained nurses can provide better care, reduce medical errors, and improve patient satisfaction. In the long run, this contributes to a stronger healthcare system and better public health outcomes.
In conclusion, the study published in Nurse Education Today reminds us that education is the foundation of quality healthcare. By learning from countries like Australia and adapting those lessons to local contexts, Indonesia can strengthen its nursing workforce. This is an important step toward achieving SDG 4: Quality Education, while also supporting better healthcare services for all.
Imagine going to a hospital with a common illness but receiving completely different treatments depending on where you go. This situation is more common than many people realize, and it points to a deeper issue in healthcare systems—lack of standardization. One important solution to this problem is the use of clinical pathways, but implementing them is not always easy.
A study titled “Analysis of Obstacles in the Implementation of the Clinical Pathway in Indonesia: Integrative Review”, published in the Journal of Asian Multicultural Research for Medical and Health Science Study on March 2, 2023, explores why clinical pathways are still difficult to apply in Indonesia . This research combines findings from multiple studies to provide a broader understanding of the challenges faced in real-world settings.
Clinical pathways are structured treatment plans designed to guide healthcare professionals in managing specific diseases. They aim to ensure that every patient receives consistent, efficient, and evidence-based care. In short, they are like a roadmap for better healthcare.
However, the study reveals several barriers that prevent these pathways from working effectively. One of the biggest challenges is limited knowledge and understanding among healthcare workers. Many doctors and nurses are not fully familiar with how to apply clinical pathways in their daily practice. Without proper understanding, the system cannot function as intended.
Another major issue is the lack of training and continuous education. Hospitals often do not provide enough support to help staff adapt to new systems. As a result, healthcare workers may rely more on personal habits rather than standardized guidelines.
The study also highlights weak communication and teamwork. Clinical pathways require strong collaboration between different healthcare professionals. When coordination is poor, patient care becomes fragmented, leading to inconsistent outcomes.
In addition, organizational and administrative barriers play a significant role. Some hospitals lack proper monitoring systems, while others do not prioritize the implementation of clinical pathways. Without strong leadership and clear policies, even well-designed systems can fail.
These challenges are directly connected to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which focuses on ensuring quality healthcare for all. Achieving this goal requires not only access to healthcare services but also consistency and safety in treatment. Clinical pathways are essential tools to reach this standard, but they must be supported by well-trained staff and effective management.
To overcome these obstacles, the study suggests several practical solutions. First, hospitals should invest in regular training programs to improve staff knowledge. Second, leadership must actively support and monitor the implementation of clinical pathways. Third, improving communication and teamwork among healthcare professionals is crucial.
In conclusion, clinical pathways have the potential to transform healthcare in Indonesia, but only if the barriers to their implementation are addressed. The study reminds us that improving healthcare is not just about creating systems, but about ensuring those systems work in practice. By strengthening knowledge, teamwork, and leadership, Indonesia can move closer to achieving SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, ensuring better and more consistent care for all patients.
Status: Completed✅
We develop integrated clinical pathways and interprofessional collaboration-based nursing service model for improving patient health outcomes and decreasing length of hospital stays, hospital costs, and 30-day hospital readmission rates
Status: Completed✅
We create Indonesian nursing diagnose, intervention, and outcome standards and by integrating the evidence-based practice
Funding: Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia
Status: Completed✅
Addressing gaps in education, registration, and practice standards important to strengthen health professional standards and global competitiveness.
Projects: IA-CEPA ECP Katalis
Status: Completed✅
We evaluate SALDI (Indonesian sandal for diabetic wound care) in diabetes foot injury
When we talk about healthcare quality, we often focus on doctors, technology, or hospital facilities. But one key element is often overlooked—how we assess the performance of nurses. Are we truly measuring what matters?
A study titled “Nurses’ Performance Assessment Based on Nursing Clinical Authority: A Qualitative Descriptive Study”, published in the Journal of Nursing Practice by Universitas Strada Indonesia in December 2023, takes a closer look at this issue . The research explores how nurses’ performance is evaluated based on their clinical authority, and whether current assessment methods reflect their actual contributions in patient care.
The study highlights that nurses play a critical role in healthcare systems. They are responsible not only for carrying out medical instructions but also for making clinical decisions within their authority. This includes monitoring patient conditions, providing interventions, and ensuring safety throughout the care process.
However, the findings reveal a gap between responsibility and evaluation. In many cases, performance assessments still focus on administrative tasks rather than clinical decision-making. This means that the true value of nurses’ expertise and judgment is not fully recognized.
Another key issue is the lack of clear standards and guidelines for evaluating clinical authority. Without standardized criteria, assessments can become subjective and inconsistent. This can affect not only nurses’ motivation but also the overall quality of healthcare services.
The study also emphasizes the importance of leadership and institutional support. Hospitals need to create systems that recognize and support nurses’ clinical roles. This includes providing clear job descriptions, ongoing training, and fair evaluation methods that reflect real clinical practice.
This issue is closely related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which focuses on improving healthcare quality and ensuring safe, effective services for all. When nurses are properly evaluated and supported, they are more likely to perform at their best, leading to better patient outcomes.
In addition, improving performance assessment systems can also strengthen accountability and professionalism within the nursing workforce. When expectations are clear and evaluations are fair, nurses can develop their skills with confidence and purpose.
So, what can be done? The study suggests that healthcare institutions should develop standardized performance assessment tools based on clinical authority. These tools should measure not only routine tasks but also critical thinking, decision-making, and patient-centered care.
Training programs should also be strengthened to help nurses understand their clinical roles and responsibilities. At the same time, leaders must ensure that performance evaluations are transparent, consistent, and aligned with real-world practice.
In conclusion, this study reminds us that measuring performance is not just about checking boxes—it is about recognizing true contributions. Nurses are more than assistants; they are skilled professionals with clinical authority that directly impacts patient safety and recovery.
By improving how we assess nurses’ performance, Indonesia can take an important step toward achieving SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, ensuring better healthcare for all. After all, when nurses are empowered and fairly evaluated, everyone benefits—especially the patients they care for.
Status: Completed✅
We develop SALDI (Indonesian sandal for diabetic wound care)
When a patient is diagnosed with end-stage breast cancer, medicine can only do so much. At some point, the goal shifts from curing the disease to easing the journey. In those final months, patients often need not another drug, but someone who can sit with them in their pain, acknowledge their fears, and support their sense of meaning and purpose. That is what spiritual care is all about. And according to a study at one of Indonesia’s leading cancer hospitals, many nurses are not yet equipped to provide it.
Researchers from Universitas Hasanuddin surveyed 24 nurses in the Oncology Department of Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital in Makassar using a validated tool called the Spiritual Care Competency Scale (SCCS). The scale assesses six areas: assessing and implementing spiritual care, professionalising that care, personal support and counselling, referrals, attitudes toward patients’ spirituality, and communication. The findings were striking: 50 percent of nurses scored in the ‘low competence’ category. Only 25 percent reached a high level.
The encouraging part: nurses scored highest in communication and attitude the warmth and compassion are already there. What is missing are formal skills, such as how to assess a patient’s spiritual needs or refer them to appropriate religious and counselling resources. The data also reveal a clear driver of this gap: training. Nurses who had attended chemotherapy training showed higher spiritual care competence, while those with no training at all were the most likely to score poorly.
Why does this matter beyond the hospital? Because spiritual care is not a luxury it is a proven component of quality healthcare. Patients who receive spiritual support experience less anxiety and depression, better social support, and longer survival periods. When spiritual needs go unmet, research shows that medical costs at the end of life increase two to three times. This is both a human and an economic problem.
This challenge connects directly to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), which calls for universal access to quality health services including for patients at the end of life. Achieving SDG 3 means going beyond physical treatment to address the psychological and spiritual dimensions of care, especially for the most vulnerable. Nurses are on the front line of this mission.
The path forward is clear. Hospitals and nursing schools must integrate spiritual care into standard training and continuing professional development. Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo already has the foundation a palliative care programme and partnerships with religious leaders. The next step is ensuring every oncology nurse has both the heart and the competence to walk alongside a patient in life’s most difficult moments.
Breast cancer does not end when treatment stops. The quality of a patient’s final days is shaped not only by medical skill, but by the human presence of those who care for them. Investing in nurses’ spiritual care competence is investing in dignity and every patient deserves that.
Reference:
DOI: Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28317
Contact:
Prof. Rini Rachmawaty, S.Kep., Ns., MN, PhD
0812 1391 6730
Status: Completed✅
Less critical nurses in Indonesia may happen due to the lack of contribution of the nursing institutions in enhancing the critical thinking skill. The PSGW is one of clinical teaching methods that facilitates students to criticize the current literature. This study aimed at identifying the effectiveness of the PSGW on students’ critical appraisal skill (CAS) improvement during the medical surgical nursing clinical placement. The PSGW is an effective learning method for clinical teaching. Further study needs to be performed to investigate the effectiveness of PSGW on the academic learning process.
.Status: Completed✅
.Status: Completed✅