Rasika Jayasekara

Research Interests

Ageing and older people Education Assessment and Evaluation Education Policy Mental Health Nursing

Teaching Strengths

Innovation and educational technology
Digital learning
Evidence-based practice
Education program evaluation

Dr Rasika Jayasekara

Senior Lecturer, Nursing and Midwifery

School of Nursing and Midwifery

College of Health

Available For Media Comment.

Dr Rasika Jayasekara is a senior lecturer in Nursing & Midwifery. His current professional activities encompass teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, research, research supervision, research project management, publications, and international journal reviewing. Dr Jayasekara's teaching philosophy is grounded in the best available evidence, contemporary trends in teaching and learning, practice directions, and innovation. As a researcher, Dr. Jayasekara actively engages with the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research and Education Group at UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences.
Dr Jayasekara has been increasingly recognised as a methodological expert, particularly in regard to systematic reviews within the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Department of Health and Ageing, due to his extensive experience in the area, publication records and attracting research grants. As a NHMRC Specialist in systematic reviews, he has lead and successfully completed three NHMRC review projects (Category II)  to develop Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (AICG), 2010, 2013 and 2019. Dr Jayasekara was an associate Investigator for a series of systematic reviews (5 reviews) for developing National Evidence-Based Antenatal Care Guidelines, Department of Health and Ageing, Commonwealth of Australia in 2010/11 (Category II).
Before his current position, Dr Jayasekara worked as a research fellow at the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), the University of Adelaide.
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Dr Rasika Jayasekara, Senior Lecturer RN, BA, BScN(Hons), PGDipEdu,Grad Dip Edu Stu (Digital L), MNSc, MClinSc (Evid Based Healthcare), PhD

Evidence-based practice and systematic reviews, Infection control and prevention, Microbiology, Health economics and policy, Nursing education, curriculum development and educational policy, Digital Learning, Aged care and Mental health

Date Position Institution name
2013 - ongoing Senior Lecturer in Nursing & Midwifery University of South Australia
2010 - 2013 Lecturer in Nursing & Midwifery (Level B) University of South Australia
2007 - 2009 Research Fellow/Clinical Associate Lecturer University of Adelaide
2002 - 2004 Nursing Tutor School of Nursing
2001 - 2002 Clinical Nursing Instructor School of Nursing
1992 - 2000 Registered Nurse Teaching Hospitals, Peradeniya and Kurunegala

Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
2013 Research Award Best Research Paper Award, Worldwide Nursing Conference (WNC), Worldwide Nursing Conference Singapore -
2002 Award Presidential Scholarship Government of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka -
1999 Award Gold Medal for BScN Open University of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka -

Language Competency
English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
Sinhala; Sinhalese Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

Date Institution name Country Title
2020 - 2022 University of South Australia Australia Graduate Diploma in Education Studies (Digital learning)
2010 - 2011 University of Adelaide Australia Master of Clinical Science (MClinSc) in Evidence Based Healthcare (Research)
2004 - 2008 University of Adelaide Australia Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
2001 - 2003 The Open University, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PG.Dip. Edu.)
2000 - 2001 University of Adelaide Australia Master of Nursing Science (M.N.Sc.)
1997 - 1999 The Open University, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.Sc.N) Hons (First Class)
1993 - 1996 University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Year Citation
2025 Visvanathan, V., Jayasekara, R., & Howard, M. (2025). Identification of Takotsubo syndrome in intensive care units: a scoping review. Australian Critical Care, 38(5, article no. 101269), 1-12.
DOI
2025 Howard, M., Tan, K., & Jayasekara, R. (2025). Exploring ethical, cultural, and transnational competence among international healthcare management students: an Australian perspective. Journal of Healthcare Leadership, 17, 97-115.
DOI
2023 McKitterick, D. J., Jayasekara, R., & Parker, B. (2023). Effectiveness of simulation in undergraduate nursing programs: systematic review. Science Talks, 6(100186), 1-3.
DOI
2023 Jayasekara, R. (2023). Developing a student-centred audio feedback strategy for undergraduate nursing education. Science Talks, 6(100176), 1-5.
DOI
2023 Procter, N., Othman, S., Jayasekara, R., Procter, A., McIntyre, H., & Ferguson, M. (2023). The impact of trauma-informed suicide prevention approaches: a systematic review of evidence across the lifespan. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 32(1), 3-13.
DOI Scopus11 WoS11 Europe PMC6
2022 Visvanathan, V., Jayasekara, R., & Howard, M. (2022). The clinical pathways used to identify Takotsubo syndrome in patients admitted to the intensive care unit: a scoping review.. Australian Critical Care, 35(S1), 21.
DOI
2022 Jayasekara, R. (2022). Sexuality and dementia. The JBI EBP Database, JBI-ES-1954-2, 1-4.
2022 Jayasekara, R. (2022). Schizophrenia (adults): cognitive remediation. The JBI EBP Database, JBI-ES-1952-2, 1-2.
2022 Jayasekara, R. (2022). Transitional care from hospital to home for older people. The JBI EBP Database, JBI-ES-2076-2, 1-3.
2022 Jayasekara, R. (2022). Dementia: assessment of wandering. The JBI EBP Database, JBI-ES-2085-2, 1-2.
2022 Jayasekara, R. (2022). Substance use: accuracy of self-report. JBI EBP Database, JBI-ES-2038-2, 1-2.
2021 Wang, H. Y., Grech, C., Evans, D., & Jayasekara, R. (2021). Education programs for people living with chronic pain: a scoping review. Frontiers of Nursing, 7(4), 307-320.
DOI Scopus2
2021 Jayasekara, R. (2021). Challenging behavior in older adults with dementia (nursing home): assessment and non-pharmacological management. Joanna Briggs Institute EBP Database, JBI-ES-2350-2, 1-3.
2021 Othman, S. M. E., Fleet, J. A., Steen, M., & Jayasekara, R. (2021). Midwives' views and experiences of providing healthy eating advice to pregnant women: A qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interviews. Frontiers of Nursing, 7(4), 345-358.
DOI Scopus3
2020 Othman, S. M. E., Steen, M., Fleet, J. A., & Jayasekara, R. (2020). Healthy eating in pregnancy, education for midwives: A pre-post intervention study. European Journal of Midwifery, 4(May), 11 pages.
DOI Scopus11 WoS9 Europe PMC9
2020 Shabu, S., & Jayasekara, R. (2020). Effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy for patients with heart failure and depression: a systematic review protocol. Nursing and health sciences, 22(1), 14-19.
DOI Scopus3 WoS2 Europe PMC2
2020 Kadirappulli Hewage, M., & Jayasekara, R. (2020). Social connectedness in preventing suicide among older adults. OBM geriatrics, 4(1), 1-8.
DOI
2020 Santos, W. M., & Jayasekara, R. (2020). Dedicated Education Unit is a cost-effective clinical education model for undergraduate nursing programs. Einstein (Sao Paulo), 18, 1-5.
DOI Scopus3
2020 Jayasekara, R. (2020). Critical analysis of postgraduate students online learning style during COVID-19 public health crisis. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 29(4), 22648-22651.
DOI
2020 Weerakoon, L. N., Amarasekara, T. D., & Jayasekara, R. (2020). Factors affecting adherence to insulin therapy among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a selected teaching hospital, Sri Lanka. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 30(4), 23608-23614.
DOI
2019 LI, J., & Jayasekara, R. (2019). Reducing insulin administration errors in inpatients from a nursing perspective: a literature review. American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research, 6(2), 147-151.
DOI
2019 Shabu, S., & Jayasekara, R. (2019). Cognitive behavior therapy for heart failure patients with depression. Journal of biosciences and medicines, 7(5), 85-98.
DOI
2019 Jayasekara, R., & Juraja, M. (2019). Infection and transmission of disease in residential aged care and community care settings: key risk factors and practice recommendations. Advances in biotechnology & microbiology, 14(1), 1-8.
DOI
2019 Ko, H., Jayasekara, R., & Grech, C. (2019). Effectiveness of bioimpedance spectroscopy on dry weight (DW) measurement in haemodialysis patients: a systematic review. Renal Society of Australasia journal, 15(2), 53-63.
DOI WoS1
2019 Saumika, M. A. R., Amarasekara, T. D., & Jayasekara, R. (2019). Diabetes self-care activities and glycaemic control among adults with type 2 diabetes in Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional study. Journal of biosciences and medicines, 7(05), 99-111.
DOI
2019 Li, J., Jayasekara, R., & Zhang, Y. (2019). Discovering cultural differences to inform cultural sensitive nursing practice. Biomedical journal of scientific & technical research, 9(5), 1-4.
DOI
2019 Li, J. L., Jayasekara, R., & Zhang, Y. (2019). The effectiveness of problem-based learning in undergraduate nursing programs: a scoping review of the literature. Journal of nursing & healthcare, 4(1), 1-5.
2018 Othman, S. M. E., Steen, M. P., Jayasekara, R., & Fleet, J. A. (2018). A healthy eating education program for midwives to investigate and explore their knowledge, understanding, and confidence to support pregnant women to eat healthily: Protocol for a mixed-methods study. Jmir Research Protocols, 20(5), 10 pages.
DOI Scopus3 WoS2 Europe PMC3
2018 Othman, S., Jayasekara, R., Steen, M., & Fleet, J. (2018). An exploration of the methodology used in a study to examine the effectiveness of education and training in providing nutritional advice to pregnant women: Systematic review protocol. Evidence Based Midwifery, 16(2), 50-54.
Scopus2
2018 Othman, S., Jayasekara, R., Steen, M., & Fleet, J. (2018). A systematic review for exploring the effectiveness of healthy eating education programmes for improving midwives’ levels of knowledge and confidence in promoting healthy eating in pregnant women. Evidence Based Midwifery, 16(3), 84-93.
Scopus8
2018 Jayasekara, R., Smith, C., Hall, C., Rankin, E., Smith, M., Visvanathan, V., & Friebe, T. -R. (2018). The effectiveness of clinical education models for undergraduate nursing programs: A systematic review. Nurse Education in Practice, 29, 116-126.
DOI Scopus90 WoS73 Europe PMC56
2015 Wang, H., Jayasekara, R., & Warland, J. (2015). The effect of "hands on" techniques on obstetric perineal laceration: a structured review of the literature. Women and Birth, 28(3), 194-198.
DOI Scopus18 WoS15 Europe PMC7
2015 Jayasekara, R., Procter, N., Harrison, J., Skelton, K., Hampel, S., Draper, R., & Deuter, K. (2015). Cognitive behavioural therapy for older adults with depression: a review. Journal of mental health, 24(3), 168-171.
DOI Scopus42 WoS31 Europe PMC22
2013 Jayasekara, R. S. (2013). Evidence based national framework for undergraduate nursing education in Sri Lanka. GSTF international journal of nursing and health care, 1(1), 107-113.
DOI
2013 Gordon, A., Mikocka Walus, A., Grzeskowiak, L. E., & Jayasekara, R. S. (2013). Antidepressants for depression during pregnancy. Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2013(8), 1-17.
DOI Scopus2
2013 Jayasekara, R. (2013). Does Physiotherapy Improve the Functional Ability of Patients with Parkinson's Disease?. American Journal of Nursing, 113(2), 65.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2012 Jayasekara, R. S. (2012). Focus groups in nursing research: methodological perspectives. Nursing outlook, 60(6), 411-416.
DOI Scopus214 WoS199 Europe PMC146
2011 Jayasekara Gangoda Arachchilag, R., Munn, Z., & Lockwood, C. (2011). Effect of educational components and strategies associated with insulun pump therapy: a systematic review. International Journal of Evidence-based Healthcare, 9(4), 346-361.
DOI Scopus16 WoS14 Europe PMC12
2011 Visvanathan, V., & Jayasekara, R. S. (2011). Cochrane Corner. Recruitment manoeuvres for adults with acute lung injury receiving mechanical ventilation. Australian critical care, 24(4), 256-258.
DOI
2011 Visvanathan, V., & Jayasekara, R. (2011). Respiratory function monitoring to reduce mortality and morbidity in newborn infants receiving resuscitation. International journal of evidence-based healthcare, 9(1), 73.
DOI
2011 Jayasekara, R. S. (2011). Kinship care for the safety, permanency, and well-being of children removed from the home for maltreatment. International journal of child health and human development, 4(2), 237-239.
DOI WoS69
2011 Jayasekara, R. (2011). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for acute pain. Journal of pain management, 4(4), 437-438.
Scopus2
2011 Jayasekara, R. S. (2011). The effect of flexible working conditions on employee health and wellbeing. International public health journal, 3(3), 365-367.
2011 Jayasekara, R. (2011). Internet-based interventions for smoking cessation. International journal of evidence-based healthcare, 9(2), 195.
DOI Scopus2 WoS1
2010 Jayasekara, R. S. (2010). Effect of early treatment with antihypertensive drugs on short- and long-term mortality in patients with an acute cardiovascular event. International journal of evidence-based healthcare, 8(1), 41.
DOI
2010 Jayasekara, R. S. (2010). Early discharge hospital at home. International journal of evidence-based healthcare, 8(1), 37.
DOI
2010 Jayasekara, R. S. (2010). Evaluating the effectiveness of falls prevention strategies in nursing care facilities and hospitals. Nursing Times, 106(15), 16.
2010 Jayasekara, R. S. (2010). Incentive spirometry for prevention of postoperative pulmonary complications in upper abdominal surgery. Journal of advanced nursing, 66(2), 258-259.
DOI
2010 Jayasekara, R. (2010). Weight loss surgery for obesity: an evidence-based alternative to conventional treatment. American Journal of Nursing, 110(12), 61.
DOI
2009 Jayasekara, R. S. (2009). Issues, challenges and vision for the future of the nursing profession in Sri Lanka: a review. International nursing review, 56(1), 21-27.
DOI Scopus8 WoS8 Europe PMC9
2009 Stern, C., & Jayasekara Gangoda Arachchilag, R. (2009). Interventions to reduce the incidence of falls in older adult patients in acute-care hospitals: a systematic review. International Journal of Evidence-based Healthcare, 7(4), 243-249.
DOI Scopus28 WoS25 Europe PMC20
2009 Stern, C., & Konno, R. (2009). Physical leisure activities and their role in preventing dementia: A systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(12), 2509-2513.
DOI Scopus1
2007 Jayasekara Gangoda Arachchilag, R., & Schultz, T. (2007). Health status, trends, and issues in Sri Lanka. Nursing and Health Sciences, 9(3), 228-233.
DOI Scopus37 WoS30 Europe PMC27
2006 Jayasekara Gangoda Arachchilag, R., Schultz, T., & McCutcheon, H. (2006). A comprehensive systematic review of evidence on the effectiveness and appropriateness of undergraduate nursing curricula. International Journal of Evidence-based Healthcare, 4(3), 191-207.
DOI WoS7 Europe PMC8
2006 Jayasekara Gangoda Arachchilag, R., & Schultz, T. (2006). The feasibility and appropriateness of introducing nursing curricula from developed countries into developing countries: a comprehensive systematic review. International Journal of Evidence-based Healthcare, 4(3), 208-220.
DOI WoS5 Europe PMC3
2006 Jayasekara Gangoda Arachchilag, R., & McCutcheon, H. (2006). The history of nursing services and education in Sri Lanka and the effects on developing professionalism. Journal of Nursing Education, 45(10), 391-395.
DOI Scopus8 WoS4 Europe PMC4

Year Citation
2024 Amarasekara, T. D., Jayasekara, R. S., & Perera, P. P. R. (2024). Perceptions and challenges encountered by nursing undergraduates during clinical training: a study in a selected University in Sri Lanka. In Proceedings of International Research Symposium Faculty of Allied Health Sciences: Health Research Beyond 75 Years of Independence (pp. 34). Sri Lanka: University of Ruhuna.
2017 Jayasekara, R. S., Hall, C., Smith, C., Rankin, E., Smith, M., Friebe, T. R., & Visvanathan, V. (2017). Clinical education models for undergraduate nursing programs. In Proceedings of the 5th Annual Worldwide Nursing Conference (WNC 2017) (pp. 86-92). Singapore: GSTF Digital Library.
DOI
2015 Jayasekara, R. S., & Procter, N. (2015). The effects of cognitive behaviour therapy for major depression in older adults: a systematic review. In Annual Worldwide Nursing Conference (pp. 1-8). Singapore: Global Science and Technology Forum.
DOI
2015 Lang, H. M., & Jayasekara, R. S. (2015). Comparative effectiveness of group education and individual education methods for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In Annual Worldwide Nursing Conference (pp. 370-378). Singapore: Global Science and Technology Forum.
DOI
2015 Jayasekara, R. S., & Amarasekara, T. D. (2015). Nursing education in Sri Lanka challenges and vision for the future. In Annual Worldwide Nursing Conference (pp. 15-20). Singapore: Global Science and Technology Forum.
DOI
2014 Jayasekara, R. S., Procter, N., Deuter, K., & Hampel, S. (2014). Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression in older adults: Clinician and consumer views and perspectives. In C. Kewley (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Worldwide Nursing Conference (WNC 2014) (pp. 252-258). Singapore: Global Science and Technology Forum.
DOI
2013 Jayasekara, R. S. (2013). The development of a national framework for nursing education in Sri Lanka: an evidence-based approach. In Annual Worldwide Nursing Conference (pp. 80-84). Singapore: Global Science and Technology Forum.
DOI
2013 Kempster, C. L., & Jayasekara, R. S. (2013). The effects of diet and exercise programs for overweight or obese women during pregnancy. In Annual Worldwide Nursing Conference (pp. 67-71). Singapore: Global Science and Technology Forum.
DOI
2010 Jayasekara, R. S. (2010). Antidepressants versus placebo for depression in primary care. In Journal of Advanced Nursing Vol. 66 (pp. 256-257). UK: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd..
2010 Jayasekara, R. S. (2010). Weight Loss Surgery for Obesity. In American Journal of Nursing Vol. 110 (pp. 61). US: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC2
2010 Jayasekara, R. S. (2010). Blood donor skin preparation with alcohol vs. alcohol plus any antiseptic. In Journal of Advanced Nursing Vol. 66 (pp. 257-258). UK: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd..

  • What is the Impact of Chlorhexidine Use on Incidence of Anaphylaxis & its Use Contributing to Increased Resistance to Chlorhex and Antibiotics, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), 09/06/2016 - 30/06/2017

  • Current Epidemiology and Latest Evidence on Transmission Pathways and Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Norovirus Gastroenteritis, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), 09/06/2016 - 30/06/2017

Courses I teach

  • NURS 3055 Evidence Based Nursing Practice (2025)
  • NURS 5152 Quantitative Design for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Research (2025)
  • HLTH 1036 Global and National Health (2024)
  • NURS 3055 Evidence Based Nursing Practice (2024)
  • NURS 5152 Quantitative Design for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Research (2024)

Programs I'm associated with

  • IBNU - Bachelor of Nursing
  • IMNI - Master of Nursing
  • IPHD - Doctor of Philosophy

Date Role Board name Institution name Country
2018 - ongoing Member ANMAC Accreditation Assessment Team Member (For registered nurse and nurse practitioner assessment) Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) Australia

Date Role Committee Institution Country
2025 - 2028 Member Adelaide University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). Adelaide University Australia
2025 - 2025 Member UniSA Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). University of South Australia Australia

Date Role Membership Country
2019 - ongoing Member JBI GRADE Centre -
2000 - ongoing Member Sri Lanka Nurses Association -

Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country
2024 - ongoing Sri Lanka Nursing Council Sri Lanka Nursing Council Business and professional Sri Lanka
2023 - ongoing Ministry of Health Sri Lanka Nursing Directorate - Hospital Services Health services and related Sri Lanka

Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
2023 - ongoing Member Member of International Advisory Board of Sri Lankan Journal of Nursing (SLJN) Graduate Nurses’ Foundation of Sri Lanka (GNFSL) Sri Lanka
2023 - ongoing Member Editorial Board Members (International): Journal of Health Sciences and Innovative Research Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura Sri Lanka
2018 - ongoing Board Member Member of International Advisory Board of Nurse Education in Practice Elsevier United Kingdom
2017 - ongoing Member Editorial Board Member OUSL Journal Open University of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka

Date Topic Presented at Institution Country
2025 - 2025 Effectiveness of Audio Feedback on Written Assessments in Higher Education [Oral] ICN 2025 Congress International Council of Nurses (ICN) -
2024 - 2024 Effectiveness of audio feedback on written assessments for improving students' learning outcomes in university education programs: a systematic review 9th International Nurse Education Conference (NETNEP 2024) Nurse Education Today and Nurse Education in Practice Singapore
2022 - 2022 Developing a student-centred audio feedback strategy for undergraduate nursing education 8th International Nurse Education Conference NETNEP2022 Nurse Education Today and Nurse Education in Practice Spain
2022 - 2022 Effectiveness of Simulation in Undergraduate Nursing Programs 8th International Nurse Education Conference NETNEP2022 8th International Nurse Education Conference NETNEP2022 Spain
2019 - 2019 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Heart Failure Patients with Depression, The 2nd International Conference on Nursing and Healthcare（ICNH 2019) ICNH China
2017 - 2017 Clinical education models for undergraduate nursing programs 5th Annual Worldwide Nursing Conference (WNC) Proceeding (Full Paper) DOI: 10.5176/2315-4330_WNC17.59 WNC17 -

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