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Polly Wai Chi LI
Polly Wai Chi LI

BNurs, MSc Cardiology, PhD, RN, APN (Education and Research in Nursing)

Associate Professor

pwcli@hku.hk
3917 6686

ORCID

Professor Polly Wai-Chi Li received her degree of Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Hong Kong with first class of honours. She furthered her education by obtaining a Ph.D. from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She received several awards during her postgraduate study, including the Outstanding Thesis Award, New Researcher Award and Dr. Thomas HC Cheung Postgraduate Scholarship.

Professor Li's research interests include cardiology, critical care and chronic disease management. She has successfully secured research grants, such as the General Research Fund and Early Career Scheme from the Research Grants Council, the Health and Medical Research Fund, and the Health Care and Promotion Scheme from the Health Bureau. These grants have supported her studies in various areas, including:

  • Promoting appropriate care-seeking behaviors in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
  • Managing frailty in patients undergoing invasive cardiac procedures.
  • Improving the care and prevention of post-intensive care syndrome among survivors of intensive care units.
  • Enhancing self-management for chronic diseases.
  • Stroke prevention in individuals with atrial fibrillation.
  • Preventing cognitive decline in persons with mild cognitive impairment.

Professor Li’s work has been widely disseminated in leading international, peer-reviewed journals in nursing, gerontology, and cardiology, such as the International Journal of Nursing Studies, Ageing Research Reviews, Age and Ageing, and Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology.

Professor Li is committed to make significant contributions to the fields of nursing and healthcare, driving forward innovations and best practices that benefit patients and healthcare systems globally.

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Funding Scheme Project Title Approved Amount (HK$)

Health and Medical Research Fund

 The feasibility and acceptability of a prehabilitation program for pre-frail patients undergoing cardiac surgeries/procedures

500,000

HKU Seed Fund for Basic Research

A strength building Lifestyle integrated intervention for tackling double burden of sarcopenic patients with coronary artery disease: A pilot randomized controlled trial

123,000

HKU Seed Fund for Basic Research for New Staff

The effects of an empowerment-based cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia on sleep, cognitive function and health-related quality of life in persons with mild cognitive impairment: A mixed-method pilot study

150,000
HKU Start-up Fund An internet-based cardiac rehabilitation enhancement (i-CARE) intervention to support self-care of patients with coronary artery disease: A mixed-method study 1,850,000
Pneumoconiosis Mutual Aid Association A caregiver support program for family caregivers of patients with pneumoconiosis 450,000
General Research Fund A nurse-coordinated integrated care model to support decision-making and self-care in patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomized controlled trial 664,264
Health Care and Promotion Scheme Promoting brain health among people with suboptimal cognitive functioning in Hong Kong: a brain vitality enhancement (BRAVE) program 1,171,697
Early Career Scheme The effects of a modelling-based narrative intervention on care-seeking behavioural intention and prehospital care-seeking delay in patients with acute myocardial infarction 1,060,154
Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board The experience of patients and family caregivers in managing pneumoconiosis in the family context: An exploratory qualitative study 435,480
Direct Grant A multi-factorial model to explain sleep disturbances in patients with heart failure: a feasibility longitudinal study 142,557
  1. Li PWC*, Yu SFD, BP Yan. Nurse-led multi-component behavioral activation intervention for patients with atrial fibrillation: A randomized controlled trial. Circulation: Arrythmia and Electrophysiology (in-press).
  2. Li PWC*, Wong CWY, Chan AKH. Improving cultural competency of healthcare providers to reduce prehospital delays in care-seeking among culturally and linguistically diverse populations. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. 2024. zvae142.
  3. Yu SFD, Qiu C, Li PWC, Lau J, Riegel B. Effects of dyadic care interventions for heart failure on patients’ and caregivers’ outcomes: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 157, 104829. 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104829
  4. Wong CWY, Li PWC*, Yu SFD, Ho MH, Chan BS. Estimated prevalence of frailty and prefrailty in patients undergoing coronary artery or valvular surgeries/procedures: A systematic review and proportional meta-analysis. Ageing Research Reviews 2024. 96: 102266.
  5. Li PWC*, Yu SFD. Empowerment-based cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in persons with mild cognitive impairment: A sequential explanatory mixed-method pilot study. Journal of Sleep Research 2024. e14131.
  6. Li PWC*, Yu SFD, Yan BP, Wong CW, Chan CMC. Theory-based cognitive–narrative intervention versus didactic education for promoting prompt care-seeking for acute myocardial infarction: A multisite mixed-methods randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Nursing Studies 2023. 148: 104564.
  7. Xue D, Li PWC*, Yu SFD, Lin RSY. Combined exercise and cognitive interventions for adults with mild cognitive impairment and dementia: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies 2023. 147: 104592.
  8. Wong CWY, Yu SFD, Li PWC*, Chan BS. The prognostic impacts of frailty on clinical and patient-reported outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery or valvular surgeries/procedures: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ageing Research Reviews 2023. 85:101850.
  9. Li PWC*, Yu SFD, Yan BP, Wong CW, Yue SCS, Chan CMC. Effects of a narrative-based psychoeducational intervention to prepare patients for responding to acute myocardial infarction: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open 2022. 5(10):e2239208.
  10. Li PWC*, Yu SFD, Siu PM, Wong SCK, Chan BS. Peer-supported exercise intervention for persons with mild cognitive impairment: A waitlist randomized controlled trial (the BRAin Vitality Enhancement trial). Age and Ageing 2022. 51: 1–10.
  11. Lin RSY, Yu DSF, Chau PH, Li PWC. (2023). Effects of an empowerment-based educative psycho-behavioral program on neuropsychiatric symptoms among persons with mild cognitive impairment: A mixed methods study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 137, 104381–104381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2022.104381
  12. Chan CMC, Lee MKY, Chan AKC, Hui ML, Li PWC*. (2021). Changing the model of care during the COVID-19 pandemic: Same-day discharge of patients undergoing elective invasive cardiac procedures in Hong Kong. Heart & Lung. 50(6): 919-925.
  13. Lin RSY, Yu DSF, Li PWC, Chau PH, Lee JJ. Lived experience of neuropsychiatric symptoms among females with mild cognitive impairment: A phenomenological study. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2021 Oct 29. Available from: doi: 10.1111/jan.15088
  14. Masika GM, Yu DSF, Li PWC, Lee DT, Nyundo A. Visual art therapy and cognition: Effects on people with mild cognitive impairment and low education level. Journal of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences. 2021 Sep 18:gbab168. Available from: doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbab168
  15. Lin RSY, Yu DSF, Chau PH, Li PWC. An empowerment-psycho-behavioral program on neuropsychiatric symptoms in persons with mild cognitive impairment: Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2021 Aug;77(8):3507-3517. Available from: doi: 10.1111/jan.14871
  16. Li PWC, Yu DSF, Tam SYS. The Lived Experience of Patients and Family Caregivers in Managing Pneumoconiosis. Qualitative Health Research. 2021 Jul;31(9):1645-1656. Available from: doi: 10.1177/10497323211002819
  17. Lin RSY, Yu DSF, Li PWC, Masika GM. The effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions targeting neuropsychiatric symptoms among persons with preclinical and mild dementia: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2020 Nov;36(4):479-492. Available from: doi.org/10.1002/gps.5460
  18. Masika GM, Yu DSF, Li PWC. Visual art therapy as a treatment option for cognitive decline among older adults. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2020 Mar 23. Available from: doi: 10.1111/jan.14362
  19. Li PWC*, Yu DSF, Chong SO, Lin RSY. A Systematic Review on the Effects of Nonpharmacological Sleep Interventions on Cardiometabolic Risk or Disease Outcomes. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. 2020 Mar;35(2):184-98. Available from: doi:10.1097/JCN.0000000000000662
  20. Li PWC*, Yu DSF. A modeling-based narrative intervention to promote timely care-seeking in patients with acute myocardial infarction: A pilot randomized controlled trial and feasibility analysis. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. 2018 Oct 29;18(3):215-23. Available from: doi:10.1177/1474515118810126
  21. Li PWC*, Yu DSF. Predictors of pre-hospital delay in Hong Kong Chinese patients with acute myocardial infarction. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. 2017 Jun 28;17(1):75-84. Available from: doi:10.1177/1474515117718914
  22. Li PWC*, Yu DSF. Recognition of atypical symptoms of acute myocardial infarction: development and validation of a risk scoring system. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. 2017 Mar 1;32(2):99-106. Available from: doi:10.1097/JCN.0000000000000321
  23. Li PWC*, Yu DSF. Testing a model to reveal the predictive mechanism of care-seeking decisions among patients with acute myocardial infarction. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. 2017 Jul;32(4):393-400. Available from: doi:10.1097/JCN.0000000000000355
  • Open Access Journal of Cardiology
  • Annals of Nursing and Primary Care
  • Honorary advisor, The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation
  • External Advisor, School of Nursing, Tung Wah College
  • Honorary Advisor, Care For Your Heart
  • Committee member, Prevention Science Committee of the Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, American Heart Association
  • Honorary Advisor, Care For Your Heart
  • Education Subcommittee member, Hong Kong Cardiac Nursing Association, Hong Kong
Year Scholarship/ Award Institution, Country
2024 Best Poster Award Health Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
2021 Paul Dudley White
International Scholar Award		 The American Heart Association
2018 Young Researcher Award Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

2018

 Internationalization Faculty Mobility Scheme (Outbound) 2018-19 Office of Academic Links, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

2016

 Best Oral Presentation Award Sixth Pan-Pacific Nursing Conference and First Colloquium on Chronic Illness Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

2015

 Martha N. Hill New Investigator Award finalist American Heart Association

2015

 Best Oral Presentation Award Second Cardiac Nursing Conference 2015, Hong Kong College of Cardiac Nursing / Hong Kong Cardiac Nursing Association

2015

 Outstanding Thesis Award The Chinese University of Hong Kong

2013

 New Researcher Award The Chinese University of Hong Kong
2012 HKAUW Dr. Thomas HC Cheung Postgraduate Scholarship Hong Kong Association of University Women
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