

| Position/s: | Chair of Nursing (Mental Health Nursing) School of Nursing and Midwifery |
| Phone: | +61 8 82015907 |
| Email: | eimear.muircochrane@flinders.edu.au |
| Location: | Sturt North Wing (N212) |
| Postal address: | GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia |
Professor Eimear Muir-Cochrane is Chair of Nursing (Mental Health) and Adjunct Professor at UniSa. Eimear is also a Visiting Professor at City University, London; Australasian Editor for the Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.
She undertook her mental health nurse training at the Maudsley and Bethlem Hospitals in London in the mid 1980s. Eimear has published multiple books, chapters, monographs and papers in mental health since the early 1980s with funded research on seclusion, restraint, youth homelessness and absconding. As a consultant, Eimear has been involved in evaluation and policy development commissioned by health departments in the Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory and South Australia and has senior roles within the Australian College of Mental Health Nursing. Eimear is also an expert member on the SA Seclusion Beacon Demonstration Steering Committee, a federally funded initiative, aiming to reduce seclusion of psychiatric patients across Australia.
BSc Hons (Univ of London) RN, Grad Dip Adult Ed, MNS, PhD (RMIT) FACMHN Credentialled mental health nurse.
2011 Department of Health SA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Award for Research
2007 Carrick Award for Australian University Teaching
Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning
2000 Inaugural Postgraduate Lecturer of the year (student nominated) UniSa
Associate Head Teaching and Learning, Faculty of Health Sciences
Chair Academic Senate
Mental health and illness, ethics, research methodology, interdisciplinary learning, use of innovative media in teaching and learning
Current research projects focus on a number of areas including absconding, restraint and seclusion of psychiatric patients, community mental health nursing, the role of peer support workers in research and teaching, interdisciplinary education, ethics, and youth homelessness, mental health and medication issues.
For further information please see our Mental Health Research Team Website.
Currently supervising PhD students in the following areas, ethnographies of acute in-patient, units, child and adolescent mental health, the role of paramedics in psychiatric cases, suicide and risk assessment.
O'Brien, A., Maude, P., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2005. Professional and industrial issues. In Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. Syndey, NSW: Elsevier, pp. 62-79.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., O'Brien, A., & Wand, T., 2005. The Australian and New Zealand politico-legal context. In Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. Sydney, NSW: Elsevier, pp. 45-61.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2003. The person who experiences anxiety. In Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing - The Craft of Caring. London, UK: Arnold, pp. 211-218.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2003. The person who is aggressive or violent. In Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing - The Craft of Caring. London, UK: Arnold, pp. 274-280.
Rasmussen, P.E., Henderson, A.N., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2012. An analysis of the work of Child and Adolescent Mental Health nurses in an inpatient unit in Australia. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 19(4), 374-377.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Van der Merwe, M., Nijman, H., Haglund, K., Simpson, A., & Bowers, L., 2012. Investigation into the acceptability of door locking to staff, patients, and visitors on acute psychiatric wards. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 21(1), 41-49.
Bowers, L., Ross, J., Nijman, H., Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Noorthorn, E., & Stewart, D., 2012. The scope for replacing seclusion with time out in acute inpatient psychiatry in England. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68(4), 826-835.
Barkway, P.M., Mosel, K.A., Simpson, A., Oster, C., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2012. Consumer and carer consultants in mental health: The formation of their role identity. Advances in Mental Health, 10(2), 157-168.
Roberts, L., Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Willis, E.M., & Henderson, J.A., 2012. The challenges of gaining ethics approval for ethnographic research in the pre-hospital setting. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Gerace, A., Mosel, K.A., O'Kane, D., Barkway, P.M., Curren, D., & Oster, C., 2011. Managing risk: Clinical decision-making in mental health services. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 32(12), 726-734.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Barkway, P.M., & Nizette, D., 2010. Mosby's Pocketbook of Mental Health, Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia: Elsevier Australia.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C. & Wand, T., 2005. Contemporary issues in risk assessment and management in mental health, Adelaide, SA: Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2009. The person who experiences anxiety. In Psychiatric and mental health nursing : the craft of caring. London, UK: Hodder Arnold, pp. 165-172.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2009. The person who appears aggressive or violent. In Psychiatric and mental health nursing : the craft of caring. London, UK: Hodder Arnold, pp. 230-236.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., O'Brien, A., & Wand, T., 2009. The Australian and New Zealand politico-legal context. In Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. Sydney, N.S.W.: Mosby/Elsevier, pp. 50-64.
O'Brien, A., Maude, P., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2009. Professional and ethical issues. In Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. Sydney, N.S.W.: Mosby/Elsevier, pp. 65-83.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., O'Brien, A., & Wand, T., 2005. The Australian and New Zealand politico-legal context. In Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. Sydney, NSW: Elsevier, pp. 45-61.
O'Brien, A., Maude, P., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2005. Professional and industrial issues. In Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. Syndey, NSW: Elsevier, pp. 62-79.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2003. The person who experiences anxiety. In Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing - The Craft of Caring. London, UK: Arnold, pp. 211-218.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2003. The person who is aggressive or violent. In Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing - The Craft of Caring. London, UK: Arnold, pp. 274-280.
Barkway, P.M., Mosel, K.A., Simpson, A., Oster, C., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2012. Consumer and carer consultants in mental health: The formation of their role identity. Advances in Mental Health, 10(2), 157-168.
Bowers, L., Ross, J., Nijman, H., Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Noorthorn, E., & Stewart, D., 2012. The scope for replacing seclusion with time out in acute inpatient psychiatry in England. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68(4), 826-835.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Van der Merwe, M., Nijman, H., Haglund, K., Simpson, A., & Bowers, L., 2012. Investigation into the acceptability of door locking to staff, patients, and visitors on acute psychiatric wards. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 21(1), 41-49.
Rasmussen, P.E., Henderson, A.N., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2012. An analysis of the work of Child and Adolescent Mental Health nurses in an inpatient unit in Australia. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 19(4), 374-377.
Roberts, L., Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Willis, E.M., & Henderson, J.A., 2012. The challenges of gaining ethics approval for ethnographic research in the pre-hospital setting. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.
De Bellis, A.M., Mosel, K.A., Curren, D.R., Prendergast, J., Harrington, A.C., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2011. Education on physical restraint reduction in dementia care: A review of the literature. Dementia.
McCauley, K., Elsom, S., Muir-Cochrane, E.C., & Lyneham, J., 2011. Midwives and assessment of perinatal mental health. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 18(9), 786-795.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Gerace, A., Mosel, K.A., O'Kane, D., Barkway, P.M., Curren, D., & Oster, C., 2011. Managing risk: Clinical decision-making in mental health services. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 32(12), 726-734.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Mosel, K.A., Gerace, A., Esterman, A.J., & Bowers, L., 2011. The profile of absconding psychiatric inpatients in Australia. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 20(5-6), 706-713.
Nijman, H., Bowers, L., Haglund, K., Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Simpson, A., & Van der Merwe, M., 2011. Door locking and exit security measures on acute psychiatric admission wards. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 18(7), 614-621.
Simpson, A., Bowers, L., Haglund, K., Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Nijman, H., & Van der Merwe, M., 2011. The relationship between substance use and exit security on psychiatric wards. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 67(3), 519-530.
Bowers, L., Haglund, K., Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Nijman, H., Simpson, A., & Van der Merwe, M., 2010. Locked doors: a survey of patients, staff and visitors. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 17(10), 873-880.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Oster, C., Drummond, A., Fereday, J., & Darbyshire, P., 2010. 'Postcards from the Edge': Collaborating with young homeless people to develop targeted mental health messages and translate research into practice. Advances in Mental Health, 9(2), 138-147.
Bowers, L., Van der Merwe, M., Nijman, H., Hamilton, B., Noorthorn, E., Stewart, D., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2010. The practice of seclusion and time-out on English acute psychiatric wards: The City-128 Study. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 24(4), 275-286.
Mosel, K.A., Gerace, A., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2010. Retrospective analysis of absconding behaviour by acute care consumers in one psychiatric hospital campus in Australia. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 19(3), 177-185.
Mosel, K.A., Ziaian, T., Gerace, A., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2010. An exploration of absconding behaviours from culturally and linguistically diverse psychiatric hospital patients in Australia. International Journal of Culture and Mental Health, 3(2), 96-106.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C. & Mosel, K.A., 2009. A retrospective analysis of absconding behaviours by psychiatric inpatients in one psychiatric hospital campus in Australia. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 16(2), 211-213.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Bowers, L., & Jeffery, D., 2009. Comparison in attitudes between nursing and other students in relation to containment measures for disturbed psychiatric patients. Nurse Education Today, 29(1), 83-90.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C. & Mosel, K.A., 2008. Absconding: A review of the literature 1996-2008. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 17(5), 370-378.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2008. An exploration of issues in the management of medical comorbidity in people with schizophrenia. Advances in Schizophrenia and Clinical Psychiatry, 3(4), 114-123.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Cleary, M., Walter, G., & Matheson, S., 2008. Managing medical comorbidity in people with schizophrenia. Current Medical Literature: Psychiatry, 19(1).
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2007. Potent pedagogy: a new multidisciplinary postgraduate program in mental health. Focus on Health Professional Education: A Multi Discipline Journal, 8(3), 54-62.
Fairlamb, J. & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2007. A team approach to providing mental health services in a regional centre using a comprehensive primary health care framework. Australian E-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health, 6(1), 1-10.
Bowers, L., van der Werf, B., Vokkolainen, A., Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Allan, T., & Alexander, J., 2007. International variation in containment measures for disturbed psychiatric inpatients: A comparative questionnaire survey. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 44(3), 357-364.
Fereday, J. & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2006. The role of performance feedback in the self-assessment of competence: a research study with nursing clinicians. Collegian, 13(1), 10-15.
Fereday, J. & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2006. Demonstrating rigor using thematic analysis: a hybrid approach of inductive and deductive coding and theme development. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 5(1), 80-92.
Darbyshire, P., Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Fereday, J., Jureidini, J.N., & Drummond, A., 2006. Engagement with health and social care services: perceptions of homeless young people with mental health problems. Health and Social Care in The Community, 14(6), 553-562.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2006. Medical co-morbidity risk factors and barriers to care for people with schizophrenia. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 13(4), 447-452.
Wilding, C., Muir-Cochrane, E.C., & May, E., 2006. Treading lightly: spirituality issues in mental health nursing. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 15(2), 144-152.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Fereday, J., Jureidini, J.N., Drummond, A., & Darbyshire, P., 2006. Self-management of medication for mental health problems by homeless young people. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 15, 163-170.
Wilding, C., May, E., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2005. Experience of spirituality, mental illness and occupation: a life-sustaining phenomenon. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 52(1), 2-9.
Fereday, J. & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2004. Evaluating performance feedback: a research study into issues of credibility and utility for nursing clinicians. Contemporary Nurse, 17(1-2), 137-148.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Holmes, C., & Walton, J.A., 2002. Law and policy in relation to the use of seclusion in psychiatric hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Contemporary Nurse, 13(2-3), 136-145.
Morrall, P. & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2002. Naked social control: seclusion and psychiatric nursing in post-liberal society. Australian E-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health, 1(2), 1-12.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2003. Ethical integrity and the research endeavour: contemporary issues. Proceedings of educational integrity: plagiarism and other perplexities, 81-90.
Mosel, K.A., Ziaian, T., Gerace, A., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2011. Exploring absconding behaviours in psychiatric patients in Australia: A cross cultural comparison. Diversit-e, (3), 32-33.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2011. Mental Health Nursing: Dimensions of Praxis [Book review]. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 20(4), 305-306.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2008. Mental Health Care for People of Diverse Backgrounds [Book review]. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 15(6), 524-525.
Mosel, K.A., Gerace, A., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2011. Communication in acute care psychiatric wards: an exploration of the enablers and barriers existing within contexts of risk. 12th Victorian Collaborative Psychiatric Nursing Conference.
Gerace, A., Barkway, P.M., O'Kane, D., Mosel, K.A., Curren, D.R., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2011. Risky relationships: How health professionals navigate risk assessment in mental health settings. 11th Annual Conference of the Australian Psychological Society's Psychology of Relationships Interest Group.
Barkway, P.M., Olsson, S., Mosel, K.A., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2011. Mental health consumer and carer consultants: The formation of their role identity. 21st Annual TheMHS Conference.
Rasmussen, P., Muir-Cochrane, E.C., & Henderson, A.M., 2011. The work of child and adolescent mental health nurses in an inpatient unit. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 20(S1), 17-18.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Oster, C., Grotto, J., & Gerace, A., 2011. Absconding: The inpatient psychiatric unit as both a 'safe' and an 'unsafe' place. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 20(S1), 13-14.
O'Kane, D., Muir-Cochrane, E.C., & Barkway, P.M., 2011. Teaching risk assessment in a virtual world. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 20(S1), 15-15.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Gerace, A., & Mosel, K.A., 2011. The use of physical restraint in aged care. 7th National Seclusion and Restraint Forum.
Barkway, P.M., O'Kane, D., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2011. Learning in a virtual world: Inter professional mental health education [poster]. 21st Annual TheMHS Conference.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Williams, M., Gerace, A., & Barkway, P.M., 2010. An examination of the career advice given to undergraduate nursing and midwifery students at the University of South Australia. 3rd International Nurse Education Conference.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., McMillan, J.R., Lawn, S.J., Barkway, P.M., Roberts, L., & Green, D.J., 2010. Mental health education for the future: Learning together through Second Life. Creating Futures 2010, 46-46.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Barkway, P.M., O'Kane, D., Curren, D.R., Mosel, K.A., & Gerace, A., 2010. Risk: Conceptualisation and management in an inpatient aged mental health setting. 11th Victorian Collaborative Psychiatric Nursing Conference.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2010. Tensions and contradictions in mental health nursing education. New Zealand Mental Health and Addiction Nurse Educators Forum.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2010. Contemporary issues in the use of restraint. 6th National Seclusion & Restraint Reduction Forum.
Barkway, P.M., Gerace, A., Curren, D.R., O'Kane, D., Mosel, K.A., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2010. Managing risk: Clinical decision making in aged care mental health services. Asia-Pacific Psychiatry, 2(3), A2-A3.
Roberts, L. & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2010. Identification, assessment and management of psychiatric presentations by paramedics in the community. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing: 36th International Conference of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses, 19(1(Supplement)), A42-A42.
Roberts, L. & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2010. The identification, assessment and management of psychiatric presentations by paramedics in the community. 11th Victorian Collaborative Psychiatric Nursing Conference.
Barkway, P.M., Muir-Cochrane, E.C., & Mosel, K.A., 2009. 'More than a label' - carer/peer consultant's perception of their role. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 18(1 (Supplement)), A1-A1.
Mosel, K.A. & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2009. A retrospective analysis of absconding behaviour by acute care inpatients in one psychiatric hospital campus in Australia. Australian College of Mental Health Nurses - SA branch annual forum in conjunction with consultation liaison special interest group annual conference, 8-8.
Mosel, K.A., Gerace, A., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2009. A retrospective analysis of absconding behaviours by acute care and rehabilitation psychiatric inpatients in Australia [poster]. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing : 35th annual international conference of the Australian college of mental health nursing : mind to care, 18(1 (Supplement)), A18-A18.
Mosel, K.A., Ziaian, T., Gerace, A., & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2009. A retrospective analysis of absconding behaviours by acute care culturally and linguistically diverse patients on one psychiatric hospital campus in Australia. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing : 35th annual international conference of the Australian college of mental health nursing : mind to care, 18(S1), A18-A18.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2009. Absconding : patients running away from hospital. Mind the Future: 2nd International Conference of the Te Ao Maramatanga New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2009. Hypocrisy, irony and opportunity in mental health. Australian College of Mental Health Nurses - SA Branch Annual Forum in conjunction with consultation liaison special interest group annual conference, 1-1.
Roberts, L. & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2009. The identification, assessment, and management of psychiatric presentations by paramedics within the community. Australian College of Mental Health Nurses - SA Branch Annual Forum in conjunction with Consultation Liaison Special Interest Group Annual Conference, 9-9.
Roberts, L. & Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2009. The identification, assessment, and management of psychiatric presentations by paramedics within the community. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing : 35th annual international conference of the Australian College of Mental Health Nursing : mind to care, 18(S1), A21-A21.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C. & Mosel, K.A., 2008. Absconding: Patients running away from hospital. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 17(Supplement), A24-A24.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2008. Absconding: An investigation into involuntary detained patients running away from hospital. Scientific Programme.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., 2008. Managing medical co morbidity in person with schizophrenia. the 9th Victorian Collaborative Psychiatric Nursing Conference.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Rouse, K., & Gardner, A., 2008. Working with peer support workers in postgraduate mental health education. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 17(Suplement), A25-A25.
Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Rouse, K., Gardner, A., & Klaeby-Ly, C., 2008. Developing knowledge, understanding and positive appreciation of people with a mental illness through the use of consumers in postgraduate mental health course. the 9th Victorian Collaborative Psychiatric Nursing Conference.
Darbyshire, P., Muir-Cochrane, E.C., Drummond, A., Jureidini, J.N., & Fereday, J., 2005. Involving young people in research: from question to knowledge transfer. ARACY National Conference 2005.
Australasian Editor/ Editorial Board member Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (UK)
Editorial Board member International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
Expert member National Mental Health Professional Online development for the Australian mental health workforce
Expert member SA Seclusion Reduction Beacon Demonstration Site
Deputy Chair National Mental Health Nurse Education Taskforce
Expert member ANMAC National Registered Nurse Accreditation Committee (sub committee of AHPRA)
Expert Member Simulation subcommittee of the Council of Deans of Australia and New Zealand