Acrostic Poem Collection
These six acrostic poems - Confidence, Understand, Autonomy, Timing, Trust, Change - were developed from interviews with residents as part of the OPTIMISER3 study on implementing onsite pharmacists in rural, regional, and remote residential aged care homes. They reflect residents' experiences with medications.
Created through thematic analysis of interview transcripts, each poem represents a core theme. Lines were crafted to capture sharded sentiments while preserving confidentiality. This arts-based approach amplifies resident voices through combining creativity with analytical rigour.
By blending creative expression with research, these poems bring findings to life and invite reflection on how safety and dignity intersect in everyday care.
Poem 1
Confidence
Growing comfort in asking about medications
Can I ask what this pill is for?
Over time, I've learned to speak
Nurses Listen
Feelings matter when it's medicine
I know what I take, mostly
Don't be afraid to ask again
Even if I forget the name
Not shy to say, "I'd like to know"
Confidence grows
Every question deserves an answer
Poem 2
Understand
Desire for clarity on purpose and effects
Understand what I'm getting
Not just take it blindly
Don't know, maybe I'm too particular
Even the chemical composition of them
Really, I'd just like to know what it is
Sort of thing matters -
To know and understand for myself
And what effect it has on you
Need to know a little bit more about that
Do I really need to take it?
Poem 3
Autonomy
Importance of choice and control
Ask me what I prefer
Understanding helps me feel secure
Tablets, liquids, or maybe less?
Over the years, I've learned what's best
Not everyone wants to be told
Owning my choices makes me bold
My list is long, but I persist
You'll find answers if you insist
Poem 4
Timing
Tension between routines and preferences
They come at 8, sometimes 9
I was asleep, but I took it fine
Morning pills, then nothing till night
I wish they'd ask what feels right
Not keen on pills so late
Getting woken isn't great
Poem 5
Trust
Reliance on staff for reassurances and safety
The nurse knows me well
Reassures me
Under her care, I feel safe
Sometimes I ask the doctor too
Together, they help me through
Poem 6
Change
Anxiety and adaption when regimes shift
Capsules turned to tablets last week
Hard to swallow, I had to speak
Asked the nurse, "Can this be crushed?"
No one told me it might cause a rush
Glad I said something, they made it right
Even small changes can give me a fright
Meet the Researchers
Dr Bella St Clair
Bella St Clair is an experienced qualitative and mixed-methods researcher at the University of Canberra, whose work explores innovative, arts-based approaches to research in aged care. Her current projects integrate poetry, narrative, and creative arts methods to amplify the voices of older adults and care providers, transforming qualitative data into expressive forms that foster empathy and understanding.
Bella’s research bridges traditional health sciences with creative inquiry, using arts-based dissemination to engage diverse audiences—from policymakers to community members. Through poetic representation and visual storytelling, she seeks to challenge conventional reporting and create spaces where lived experiences are honored and communicated with depth and dignity.
Her professional background includes roles in clinical governance, health care standards, and accreditation, which inform her understanding of systems and quality frameworks. In her current research, Bella reimagines these insights through creative methodologies that emphasize human connection, meaning-making, and aesthetic expression. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to ensure research findings resonate beyond academia—sparking dialogue, inspiring change, and shaping more compassionate care practices.
Dr Jennifer Sonter
Dr Jennifer Sonter is a research manager at the University of Canberra currently specialising in medication safety and new models of healthcare delivery in aged care across regional, rural and remote Australia. As an allied health researcher, educator and clinician, Jennifer is committed to improving health outcomes for older people and those living with chronic conditions through impactful research. Her diverse experience collaborating across disciplines, organisations and sectors has enabled her to support new and emerging clinician-researchers in addressing real-world healthcare concerns.
As a Faculty of Health academic, she contributes to national trials and mentors students in applied health science and services research. Jennifer has served as a consumer, member, facilitator and expert contributor for a diverse range of multi-disciplinary groups, from local community organisations to National Boards. She continues to provide care working clinically with vulnerable people and those receiving aged care.