ORCID Profile
0000-0002-3024-1687
Current Organisation
Australian National University
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In Research Link Australia (RLA), "Research Topics" refer to ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes. These topics are either sourced from ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes listed in researchers' related grants or generated by a large language model (LLM) based on their publications.
Health Policy | Mental Health | Public Health and Health Services | Health and Community Services |
Health and Support Services not elsewhere classified | Health Policy Evaluation | Mental Health Services
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 21-08-2017
Abstract: here is growing demand for peer workers (people who use their own lived experience to support others in their recovery) to work alongside consumers to improve outcomes and recovery. Augmenting the workforce with peer workers has strong capacity to enhance mental health and recovery outcomes and make a positive contribution to the workforce within mental health systems and to the peer workers themselves. Technology-based applications are highly engaging and desirable methods of service delivery. his project is an exploratory proof-of-concept study, which aims to determine if a peer worker-led electronic mental (e-mental) health recovery program is a feasible, acceptable, and effective adjunct to usual treatment for people with moderate to severe mental illness. he study design comprises a recovery app intervention delivered by a peer worker to in idual consumers at an adult mental health service. Evaluation measures will be conducted at post-intervention. To further inform the acceptability and feasibility of the model, consumers will be invited to participate in a focus group to discuss the program. The peer worker, peer supervisor, and key staff at the mental health service will also be in idually interviewed to further evaluate the feasibility of the program within the health service and further inform its future development. he program will be delivered over a period of approximately 4 months, commencing June 2017. f the peer worker-led recovery app is found to be feasible, acceptable, and effective, it could be used to improve recovery in mental health service consumers.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 28-12-2021
Abstract: People with lived experience of mental health problems as both consumers and carers can bring significant expertise to the research process. However, the methods used to gather this information and their subsequent results can vary markedly. This paper describes the methods for two virtual World Cafés held to gather data on consumer and carer priorities for mental health research. Several methodological processes and challenges arose during data collection, including the achieved recruitment for each group (n = 4, n = 7) falling significantly short of the target number of 20 participants per group. This led to departures from planned methods (i.e., the use of a single ‘room’, rather than multiple breakout rooms). Despite this, the participants in the virtual World Cafés were able to generate over 200 ideas for research priorities, but not identify agreed-upon priorities. Virtual World Cafés can quickly generate a significant volume of data however, they may not be as effective at generating consensus.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1039/C7SM01910F
Abstract: We performed computational screening of effective diffusivity in different configurations of cubes and cuboids compared with spheres and ellipsoids. In total, more than 1500 structures are generated and screened for effective diffusivity. We studied simple cubic and face-centered cubic lattices of spheres and cubes, random configurations of cubes and spheres as a function of volume fraction and polydispersity, and finally random configurations of ellipsoids and cuboids as a function of shape. We found some interesting shape-dependent differences in behavior, elucidating the impact of shape on the targeted design of granular materials.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 28-10-2020
Abstract: The aim of this scoping review was to map and synthesise peer-reviewed literature reporting on the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme and psychosocial disability. The review followed the rigorous and systematic protocol of Arksey and O’Malley. Five databases were searched and, using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, publications were identified for inclusion. Data were extracted from publications, tabulated and graphically presented. A qualitative analysis was also completed. Twenty-eight publications were included. While a wide range of issues were covered across this literature, only eight publications specifically focused on the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Almost half of publications were only author commentary without analysis of external data. There were no evaluations and a paucity of publications documenting the lived experiences of people with psychosocial disability or their families. Qualitative analysis identified 59 separate themes. These were grouped using a modified strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats framework. While it was acknowledged that the Scheme has the capacity to enrich people’s lives and enhance service integration, themes relating to weakness and threats dominated within this literature. These included a variety of existing or predicted problems such as poor integration of a recovery philosophy into the National Disability Insurance Scheme, complex application processes creating barriers to access, concern for those ineligible or not accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the need to ensure National Disability Insurance Scheme plans address specific, changing participant needs and that services will be available to provide required supports. Given the significant impact of the National Disability Insurance Scheme on the lives of in iduals and the wider mental health service system, there continues to be surprisingly limited peer-reviewed literature reporting on experiences and outcomes of the Scheme for people living with psychosocial disability. Future research examining outcomes and shedding light on National Disability Insurance Scheme experiences of people with psychosocial disability and their families are particularly important for ongoing development and evaluation of the Scheme.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-01-2017
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 03-09-2019
Abstract: elf-guided online mental health programs are effective in treating and preventing mental health problems. However, both the uptake and engagement with these programs in the community is suboptimal, and there is limited current evidence indicating how to increase the use of existing evidence-based programs. he current study aims to investigate the views of people with lived experience of depression and anxiety on the barriers and facilitators to using e-mental health interventions and to use these perspectives to help develop an engagement-facilitation intervention (EFI) to increase uptake and engagement with self-guided online mental health programs. total of 24 community members (female = 21 male = 3) with lived experience of depression and/or anxiety participated in four focus groups that discussed: 1) barriers and facilitators to self-guided e-mental health programs, 2) specific details needed to help them decide to use an online program, and 3) the appearance, delivery mode, and functionality of content for the proposed EFI. A total of 14 of the focus group attendees participated in a subsequent follow-up survey to evaluate the resultant draft EFI. Data were thematically analysed using both inductive and deductive methods. articipants suggested that the critical component of an EFI was information that would challenge personal barriers to engagement with psychosocial interventions. These were providing personalised feedback about symptoms, information about the content and effectiveness of the e-mental health program, normalisation of participation in e-mental health programs including testimonials, and brief information on data security. Reminders, rewards, feedback about their progress, and coaching were all mentioned as being useful in assisting people to continue to engage with a program once they had started. Feedback on the developed EFI was positive with participants reporting satisfaction with the content of the EFI and that it would likely positively affect their use of an e-mental health program. FIs have the potential to improve the uptake of e-mental health programs in the community and should focus on providing information on the content and effectiveness of e-mental health programs, as well as normalising their use. There is strong value in involving people with a lived experience in the design and development of EFIs to maximise their effectiveness.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 15-07-2020
Abstract: elf-guided web-based mental health programs are effective in treating and preventing mental health problems. However, current engagement with these programs in the community is suboptimal, and there is limited evidence indicating how to increase the use of existing evidence-based programs. his study aims to investigate the views of people with lived experience of depression and anxiety on factors influencing their engagement with self-guided web-based mental health (e–mental health) programs and to use these perspectives to develop an engagement-facilitation intervention (EFI) to increase engagement (defined as both uptake and adherence) with these programs. total of 24 community members (female=21 male=3) with lived experience of depression and anxiety or depression or anxiety alone participated in 1 of 4 focus groups discussing the factors influencing their engagement with self-guided e–mental health programs and the appearance, delivery mode, and functionality of content for the proposed EFI. A subsequent evaluation survey of the focus group participants (n=14) was conducted to evaluate the resultant draft EFI. Data were thematically analyzed using both inductive and deductive qualitative methods. articipants suggested that the critical component of an EFI was information that would challenge personal barriers to engagement, including receiving personalized symptom feedback, information regarding the program’s content or effectiveness and data security, and normalization of using e–mental health programs (eg, testimonials). Reminders, rewards, feedback about progress, and coaching were all mentioned as facilitating adherence. FIs have the potential to improve community uptake of e–mental health programs. They should focus on providing information on the content and effectiveness of e–mental health programs and normalizing their use. Given that the s le comprised predominantly young females, this study may not be generalizable to other population groups. There is a strong value in involving people with a lived experience in the design and development of EFIs to maximize their effectiveness.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 26-02-2022
Abstract: Background: Transitioning from psychiatric hospitalisation back to community presents a period of heightened suicide, homelessness, relapse, and rehospitalisation risk. The Australian state of New South Wales established a state-wide Peer Supported Transfer of Care (Peer-STOC) initiative to enhance recovery-focused supports available during this transition period. Aims: To understand the impacts and outcomes of the Peer-STOC program on service users from three stakeholder perspectives: service users themselves, peer worker service providers, and other mental health workers and clinicians interfacing with the program. Methods: Qualitative data from 82 questionnaires and 58 in idual in-depth interviews were analysed thematically using constant comparative methods and an iterative and inductive process. Results: All stakeholders described positive impacts and outcomes of the program for service users. These included: (a) a better, less traumatic inpatient experience (b) felt understood, cared about and less alone (c) easier to leave hospital (d) easier to get back into life and daily routines (e) built and re-established community connections (f) gained new knowledge, strategies, and skills and (g) felt more hopeful about my recovery. Conclusions: The Peer-STOC program had a positive impact. It enhanced people’s experience in hospital, eased their transition from hospital and assisted with people recovering community-based relationships, activities, and routines.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-08-2020
DOI: 10.1111/INM.12769
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-2022
DOI: 10.1111/HEX.13458
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 10-2021
DOI: 10.1037/EMO0001018
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 04-06-2019
DOI: 10.2196/12550
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 07-12-2017
DOI: 10.2196/RESPROT.8795
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-05-2018
DOI: 10.1111/INM.12482
Abstract: Consumer and carer involvement in mental health research is a growing and developing field. Whilst there has been policy and in-principle support for such involvement from governments around the world, lived experience researchers conducting academic research in partnership with other consumers and carers remains uncommon. The Australian Capital Territory Consumer and Carer Mental Health Research Unit is based at The Australian National University and employs academic researchers with lived experience to undertake research directly relevant to the needs of mental health consumers and carers with the aim of influencing policy and practice. In this study, we share our experience of developing and conducting research within ACACIA to provide a model for meaningfully engaging mental health consumers and carers throughout the research process.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 29-10-2020
DOI: 10.2196/22528
Abstract: Self-guided web-based mental health programs are effective in treating and preventing mental health problems. However, current engagement with these programs in the community is suboptimal, and there is limited evidence indicating how to increase the use of existing evidence-based programs. This study aims to investigate the views of people with lived experience of depression and anxiety on factors influencing their engagement with self-guided web-based mental health (e–mental health) programs and to use these perspectives to develop an engagement-facilitation intervention (EFI) to increase engagement (defined as both uptake and adherence) with these programs. A total of 24 community members (female=21 male=3) with lived experience of depression and anxiety or depression or anxiety alone participated in 1 of 4 focus groups discussing the factors influencing their engagement with self-guided e–mental health programs and the appearance, delivery mode, and functionality of content for the proposed EFI. A subsequent evaluation survey of the focus group participants (n=14) was conducted to evaluate the resultant draft EFI. Data were thematically analyzed using both inductive and deductive qualitative methods. Participants suggested that the critical component of an EFI was information that would challenge personal barriers to engagement, including receiving personalized symptom feedback, information regarding the program’s content or effectiveness and data security, and normalization of using e–mental health programs (eg, testimonials). Reminders, rewards, feedback about progress, and coaching were all mentioned as facilitating adherence. EFIs have the potential to improve community uptake of e–mental health programs. They should focus on providing information on the content and effectiveness of e–mental health programs and normalizing their use. Given that the s le comprised predominantly young females, this study may not be generalizable to other population groups. There is a strong value in involving people with a lived experience in the design and development of EFIs to maximize their effectiveness.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2018
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 08-2022
DOI: 10.1037/HEA0001197
Abstract: The present study examined behavioral responses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the role of dispositional risk tolerance in the Australian context. The study involved a six-wave longitudinal investigation with a nationally representative s le of Australians ( The results revealed a high implementation rate for protective actions when Australia had a peak in the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently declined with the easing threat of the pandemic. In iduals' dispositional risk tolerance significantly predicted transition to, and endorsement of, protective actions. Participants who had low risk tolerance were more likely to remain at the state of implementing COVID-19 measures than being in, or transitioning to, other states. The findings suggest that when encouraging protective actions, governments and public authorities should acknowledge variability in the community in responding to risk and consider measures in addition to risk messaging to encourage protective actions among in iduals with a high level of risk tolerance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-08-2020
DOI: 10.1111/SLTB.12656
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1071/PY18150
Abstract: General practice care plans are designed to improve the management of chronic illness, facilitating multidisciplinary care and enabling GPs and consumers to work collaboratively. Evidence suggests that they work well for chronic physical illnesses, but it is unclear if they operate as intended for people with mental disorders. The aims of this study were to: (1) compare rates of creation and review of GP care plans for mental disorders and type II diabetes and (2) examine consumer experiences. Secondary analysis of 109589 recorded encounters from a national cross-sectional study in Australian general practice (2006–16) demonstrated that encounters involving creation of a care plan for depression or anxiety were significantly higher than those for diabetes, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Rates of review were commensurate with creation of plans for diabetes, but not for mental disorders. Eighteen people with a GP care plan completed an online survey about their experiences, reporting that care plans facilitated access to allied health professionals, but did not improve the quality of care they received. Findings suggest that care plans are underutilised for people with low prevalence mental disorders, and while they offer financial benefits to consumers, they may not result in ongoing, collaborative care.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 19-10-2018
Abstract: here is an increasing need for peer workers (people with lived experience of mental health problems who support others) to work alongside consumers to improve recovery and outcomes. In addition, new forms of technology (tablet or mobile apps) can deliver services in an engaging and innovative way. However, there is a need to evaluate interventions in real-world settings. his exploratory proof-of-concept study aimed to determine if a peer worker–led electronic mental health (e-mental health) recovery program is a feasible, acceptable, and effective adjunct to usual care for people with moderate-to-severe mental illness. verall, 6 consumers and 5 health service staff participated in the evaluation of a peer-led recovery app delivered at a community-based public mental health service. The peer worker and other health professional staff invited attendees at the drop-in medication clinics to participate in the trial during June to August 2017. Following the intervention period, participants were also invited by the peer worker to complete the evaluation in a separate room with the researcher. Consumers were explicitly informed that participation in the research evaluation was entirely voluntary. Consumer evaluation measures at postintervention included recovery and views on the acceptability of the program and its delivery. Interviews with staff focused on the acceptability and feasibility of the app itself and integrating a peer worker into the health care service. onsumer recruitment in the research component of the study (n=6) fell substantially short of the target number of participants (n=30). However, from those who participated, both staff and consumers were highly satisfied with the peer worker and somewhat satisfied with the app. Health care staff overall believed that the addition of the peer worker was highly beneficial to both the consumers and staff. he preliminary findings from this proof-of-concept pilot study suggest that a peer-led program may be a feasible and acceptable method of working on recovery in this population. However, the e-mental health program did not appear feasible in this setting. In addition, recruitment was challenging in this particular group, and it is important to note that these study findings may not be generalizable. Despite this, ensuring familiarity of technology in the target population before implementing e-mental health interventions is likely to be of benefit.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 07-05-2022
Abstract: The aim of the current study was to explore consumer views on the management of anxiety in general practice, which is often the first service from which a consumer seeks professional support. We used a mixed methods survey to explore three broad research questions: (1) what are consumer experiences of anxiety management in general practice, (2) what do consumers prioritise when considering treatment for anxiety and what are their preferences for type of treatment, and (3) how do consumers think care for anxiety could be improved? Consumers reported generally positive views of their GP when seeking help for anxiety, though they had mixed experiences of the approach taken to treatment. Consumers noted that they prioritise effective treatment above other factors and are less concerned with how quickly their treatment works. A preference for psychological intervention or combined treatment with medication was apparent. Consumers noted that key areas for improving care for anxiety were improving access and funding for psychological treatments, increasing community knowledge about anxiety, and reducing stigma.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 23-02-2023
Abstract: People living with cancer experience many impacts on their health and mental health, and are thus likely to require ongoing health care. The aim of the current study was to investigate the health and mental health care experiences and needs of Australian cancer survivors. A total of 131 people (119 female, 12 male) with lived experience of a cancer diagnosis (at least 12 months ago) participated in an online survey collecting qualitative and quantitative data, advertised via social media groups and paid advertising. Analysis of the written responses was conducted using inductive qualitative content analysis. The findings showed that a major issue facing cancer survivors was difficulties around access to and management of services for both their mental and physical health. There was also a strong preference for increasing access to allied health care, such as physiotherapy, psychology, and remedial massage. There appear to be some inequities in the experiences of cancer survivors, particularly in accessing care. Improving the experiences of health care for physical and mental health cancer survivors should focus on increasing access to and improving the management of services, specifically allied health, through a variety of avenues, including reducing costs, increasing transport, and providing closer and more co-located services.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-12-2022
DOI: 10.1111/HEX.13403
Abstract: Involvement of end‐users in research can enhance its quality, relevance, credibility and legitimacy however, the processes through which these changes occur are unclear. Our aim was to explore a coproduction research team's experiences of their involvement in research about young people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Semi‐structured interviews conducted with two young people with T1DM, two parents, one diabetes educator, one endocrinologist‐scientist and one research‐engineer explored experiences of coproduction research and its impact on both the research and the participants. Drawing on grounded theory, we undertook inductive analysis and storyline mapping to develop a theorized framework of mechanisms supporting the process of coproduction in T1DM research with young people. The framework involving coproduction partners in research about young people with type 1 diabetes centres on the unique expertize that different team members bring to the research and describes conditions that enable expert contributions through the enactment of a variety of expert roles . The framework also describes outcomes —the impact of the expert contributions on both the research and the team members involved. The findings of this small exploratory study provide a sound foundation to develop further understanding about structures and processes that are integral for the success of coproduction research teams. The framework may provide a guide for researchers planning to incorporate coproduction, on elements that are important for this model of research to succeed. It may also inform coproduction impact assessment research and be used for hypothesis testing and expansion in future studies.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-02-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S43058-020-00002-Y
Abstract: Despite significant recent reforms, Australia’s mental health system faces substantial service and workforce shortages, and progress on the reorientation of services to a recovery focus is also slow. Implementing recovery-focused programs led by mental health peer workers is one way of addressing these issues, but uptake of these programs in Australia is patchy and not well evaluated. This project will investigate the implementation of a peer-led mental health self-stigma program across three erse settings in an Australian capital city. The project aims to (1) examine the processes and contextual influences on successful implementation of peer work roles and (2) evaluate the impact a peer worker-led program has on in iduals and services. The project will use an interventional implementation science approach: small-scale, researcher-led implementation of the Honest, Open, Proud program to explore contextual influences, and implementation, service and in idual outcomes. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) will be used to guide investigation of contextual factors. Implementation outcomes (feasibility, fidelity, acceptability, sustainability) and service outcomes (safety, person-centeredness and effectiveness) will be examined in interviews with a range of staff within the services, checklists of adherence to program protocols and analysis of administrative data. In idual quantitative outcomes will include self-stigma, recovery and quality of life, measured at baseline, end of program and follow-up. Qualitative enquiry will focus on experiences with the peer worker and program. Quantitative analyses will comprise change scores on service and in idual outcome measures. Where possible, differences between settings and the effects of potential confounds will be tested using multi-level linear models, which will account for clustering of in iduals within programs and settings. Qualitative data will be analysed using a framework approach, which is an effective way of combining inductive and deductive coding to test and refine a thematic frame. Recovery-focused, peer-led programs have the potential to provide a unique contribution to the management of mental health issues. Currently, there is little information to guide successful implementation of these roles. This project will provide important preliminary data on the factors that affect implementation and the impact peer workers can have. ANZCTR - Trial Registration ID: ACTRN12619001312134 . Registered 26/09/2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-04-2018
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 07-2022
Abstract: The value of including consumers’ and carers’ views at the early stages of study design is increasingly being recognised as essential to improving the relevance and quality of research. One method of achieving this is by actively seeking and regularly updating consumer and carer priorities for mental health research. The current study presents priorities for mental health research collected from two virtual World Cafés with consumers and carers (n = 4, n = 7) held in 2021. Over 200 priorities were identified (13 themes, 64 subthemes), which were then compared with two combined data collection activities from 2013 (face-to-face forum n = 25), and 2017 (online survey n = 70). There appears to be some evolution in consumer and carer priorities over time. A key difference was that in the previous studies, mental health service issues were at the in idual service delivery level, whereas in the current study, a broader focus was on mental health systems of care and issues around service funding, accessibility, and equity of access. It is possible these changes may also have resulted from key differences between the studies, including the methods, setting, and participants. Overall, similar to our previous studies no clear priorities were identified however, a significant number of important research topics were identified by consumers and carers, providing a rich agenda from which to improve the management of mental health.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 08-02-2023
DOI: 10.2196/43798
Abstract: Social distancing requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic saw a rapid increase in the delivery of telehealth consultations as an alternative to face-to-face health care services. The aims of this study were to assess the use and acceptability of telehealth during the early stages of the pandemic and identify factors associated with telehealth avoidance during this period. Data were obtained from waves 4 and 7 of a longitudinal survey designed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and behavior of a representative s le of Australian adults. Participants reported on their use or avoidance of telehealth during the assessment period, as well as the mode of telehealth used and acceptability. Approximately 30% of participants reported using telehealth during the assessment periods, with the most common telehealth modality being the telephone. Acceptance of telehealth was generally high and was higher among those who used telehealth compared with those who did not. Approximately 18% of participants reported avoiding health care due to telehealth. Across assessment waves, avoidance was associated with younger age, speaking a language other than or in addition to English, having a current medical diagnosis, and lower levels of telehealth acceptability. While most participants in this study were accepting of telehealth services, there remain barriers to use, especially among those from particular sociodemographic groups. At a population level, avoidance of health services in nearly one in five adults may have considerable long-term impacts on morbidity and potentially mortality. Targeted efforts to promote engagement with telehealth services are critical if these adverse outcomes are to be avoided, particularly during periods when access to face-to-face services may be limited.
Start Date: 01-2015
End Date: 01-2018
Amount: $322,534.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
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