ORCID Profile
0000-0001-6641-7149
Current Organisations
Australian National University
,
World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Related Links
Publications
Navigating Uncertainty: Evaluation of a COVID-19 Surge Workforce Support Program, Australia 2020-2021
Publisher: University of New South Wales
Date: 24-11-2021
DOI: 10.31646/GBIO.124
Abstract: Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic response has required a rapid influx into the public health workforce, demanding a wide range of skills to address the crisis. As the second wave of COVID-19 escalated in the southern Australian state of Victoria during 2020, the Public Health Association of Australia and the Australasian Epidemiological Association partnered to implement a mentorship program to support the public health surge response workforce within the Department of Health and Human Services. We conducted an evaluation of this program to identify whether the model is valuable for future emergency response workforce support.Methods: The mixed-methods program evaluation consisted of a short self-administered and anonymous online survey, focus groups, and semi-structured interviews for mentors and mentees. We used the Kirkpatrick model to evaluate the program, using the model’s four levels: reaction, learning, behaviour and results.Results: Seventy-six program participants responded to the online survey 16 participated in focus group discussions and nine in interviews. Eighty-nine percent (n=25/28) of surveyed mentees reported that this was their first public health emergency response, and 54% (n=15/28) reported that they had less than five years of public health experience. Three primary focus areas were identified from the data to inform program refinement: programmatic considerations, professional and wellbeing support, and broader benefits of the program.Discussion: The program supported frontline pandemic response workers at a time of heightened need. Our evaluation found the support provided mitigated the inexperience of the surge workforce in Victoria, and this model was useful during a public health emergency response. The findings of this evaluation will contribute to the development and refinement of a support program specifically for future emergency response workforces.
Study protocol: building an evidence base for epidemiology emergency response, a mixed-methods study
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 06-2020
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-037326
Abstract: Determinants and drivers for emergencies, such as political instability, weak health systems, climate change and forcibly displaced populations, are increasing the severity, complexity and frequency of public health emergencies. As emergencies become more complex, it is increasingly important that the required skillset of the emergency response workforce is clearly defined. To enable essential epidemiological activities to be implemented and managed during an emergency, a workforce is required with the right mix of skills, knowledge, experience and local context awareness. This study aims to provide local and international responders with an opportunity to actively contribute to the development of new thinking around emergency response roles and required competencies. In this study, we will develop recommendations using a broad range of evidence to address identified lessons and challenges so that future major emergency responses are culturally and contextually appropriate, and less reliant on long-term international deployments. We will conduct a mixed-methods study using an exploratory sequential study design. The integration of four data sources, including key informant interviews, a scoping literature review, survey and semistructured interviews will allow the research questions to be examined in a flexible, semistructured way, from a range of perspectives. The study is unequally weighted, with a qualitative emphasis. We will analyse all activities as in idual components, and then together in an integrated analysis. Thematic analysis will be conducted in NVivo V.11 and quantitative analysis will be conducted in Stata V.15. All activities have been approved by the Science and Medical Delegated Ethics Review Committee at the Australian National University (protocol numbers 2018–521, 2018–641, 2019–068). Findings will be disseminated through international and local deployment partners, peer-reviewed publication, presentation at international conferences and through social media such as Twitter and Facebook.
Women-centered drug treatment models for pregnant women with opioid use disorder: A scoping review
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2021
Team effectiveness: epidemiologists’ perception of collective performance during emergency response
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-02-2023
DOI: 10.1186/S12913-023-09126-Y
Abstract: To describe epidemiologists’ experience of team dynamics and leadership during emergency response, and explore the utility of the Team Emergency Assessment Measure (TEAM) tool during future public health emergency responses. The TEAM tool included categories for leadership, teamwork, and task management. We conducted a cross-sectional survey between October 2019 and February 2020 with the global applied field epidemiology workforce. To validate the TEAM tool for our context, we used exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. We analysed 166 completed surveys. Respondents included national and international emergency responders with representation of all WHO regions. We were unable to validate the TEAM tool for use with epidemiology teams involved in emergency response, however descriptive analysis provided insight into epidemiology emergency response team performance. We found female responders were less satisfied with response leadership than male counterparts, and national responders were more satisfied across all survey categories compared to international responders. Functional teams are a core attribute of effective public health emergency response. Our findings have shown a need for a greater focus on team performance. We recommend development of a fit-for-purpose performance management tool for teams responding to public health emergencies. The importance of building and supporting the development of the national workforce is another important finding of this study.
Team effectiveness: epidemiologists' perception of collective performance during emergency response
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 09-11-2022
DOI: 10.21203/RS.3.RS-1903130/V2
Abstract: Background To describe epidemiologists’ experience of team dynamics and leadership during emergency response, and explore the utility of the Team Emergency Assessment Measure (TEAM) tool during future public health emergency responses. The TEAM tool included categories for leadership, teamwork, and task management. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey between October 2019 and February 2020 with the global applied field epidemiology workforce. To validate the TEAM tool for our context, we used exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Results We analysed 166 completed surveys. Respondents included national and international emergency responders with representation of all WHO regions. We were unable to validate the TEAM tool for use with epidemiology teams involved in emergency response, however descriptive analysis provided insight into epidemiology emergency response team performance. We found female responders were less satisfied with response leadership than male counterparts, and national responders were more satisfied across all survey categories compared to international responders Conclusion Functional teams are a core attribute of effective public health emergency response. Our findings have shown a need for a greater focus on team performance. We recommend development of a fit-for-purpose performance management tool for teams responding to public health emergencies. The importance of building and supporting the development of the national workforce is another important finding of this study.
Enteric Fever in Cambodia: Community Perceptions and Practices Concerning Disease Transmission and Treatment
Publisher: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Date: 05-12-2018
Atypical clinical presentation of Ebola virus disease in pregnancy: Implications for clinical and public health management.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2020
Emergency response and the need for collective competence in epidemiological teams.
Publisher: WHO Press
Date: 02-03-2021
Shaping applied epidemiology workforce training to strengthen emergency response: a global survey of applied epidemiologists, 2019–2020
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-04-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S12960-021-00603-1
Abstract: Rapid and effective emergency response to address health security relies on a competent and suitably trained local and international workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that the health security workforce needs to be well equipped to tackle current and future challenges. In this study, we explored whether training in applied epidemiology was meeting the current needs of the applied epidemiology workforce. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey that was available in English and French. We used purposive and snowballing s ling techniques to identify potential survey respondents. An online social media advertisement c aign was used to disseminate a REDCap survey link between October 2019 and February 2020 through field epidemiology networks. Survey questions included demographic details of participants, along with their technical background, level of formal education, topics studied during epidemiology training, and years of experience as an epidemiologist. We used Pearson Chi-squared (Chi 2 ) to test the difference between categorical variables, and content analysis to evaluate responses to open-ended questions. In total, 282 people responded to the survey. Participants had a range of formal public health and epidemiology training backgrounds. Respondents applied epidemiology experience spanned almost 30 years, across 64 countries. Overall, 74% ( n = 210) were alumni of Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETP). Basic outbreak and surveillance training was well reported by respondents, however training in specialised techniques related to emergency response, communication, and leadership was less common. FETP graduates reported higher levels of formal training in all survey topics. It is critical for the health security workforce to be well-trained and equipped with skills needed to ensure a rapid and effective response to acute public health events. Leadership, communication, interpersonal skills, and specialist training in emergency response are lacking in current training models. Our study has demonstrated that applied epidemiology workforce training must evolve to remain relevant to current and future public health challenges.
Leadership, politics, and communication: challenges of the epidemiology workforce during emergency response
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-04-2022
DOI: 10.1186/S12960-022-00727-Y
Abstract: Improving the epidemiological response to emergencies requires an understanding of who the responders are, their role and skills, and the challenges they face during responses. In this paper, we explore the role of the epidemiologist and identify challenges they face during emergency response. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to learn more about epidemiologists who respond to public health emergencies. The online survey included open and closed-ended questions on challenges faced while responding, the roles of epidemiology responders, self-rating of skills, and support needed and received. We used purposive s ling to identify participants and a snowballing approach thereafter. We compared data by a number of characteristics, including national or international responder on their last response prior to the survey. We analysed the data using descriptive, content, and exploratory factor analysis. We received 166 responses from in iduals with experience in emergency response. The most frequently reported challenge was navigating the political dynamics of a response, which was more common for international responders than national. National responders experienced fewer challenges related to culture, language, and communication. Epidemiology responders reported a lack of response role clarity, limited knowledge sharing, and communication issues during emergency response. Sixty-seven percent of participants reported they needed support to do their job well males who requested support were statistically more likely to receive it than females who asked. Our study identified that national responders have additional strengths, such as better understanding of the local political environment, language, and culture, which may in turn support identification of local needs and priorities. Although this research was conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the results are even more relevant now. This research builds on emerging evidence on how to strengthen public health emergency response and provides a platform to begin a global conversation to address operational issues and the role of the international epidemiology responder.
Circulation and characterization of seasonal influenza viruses in Cambodia, 2012‐2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-06-2019
DOI: 10.1111/IRV.12647
Team effectiveness: epidemiologists' perception of collective performance during emergency response
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 17-08-2022
DOI: 10.21203/RS.3.RS-1903130/V1
Abstract: Background: To describe epidemiologists’ experience of team dynamics and leadership during emergency response, and explore the utility of the Team Emergency Assessment Measure (TEAM) tool during future public health emergency responses. The TEAM tool included categories for leadership, teamwork, and task management. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey between October 2019 and February 2020 with the global applied field epidemiology workforce. To validate the TEAM tool for our context, we used exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Results: We analysed 166 completed surveys. Respondents included national and international emergency responders with representation of all WHO regions. We were unable to validate the TEAM tool for use with epidemiology teams involved in emergency response, however descriptive analysis provided insight into epidemiology emergency response team performance. We found female responders were less satisfied with response leadership than male counterparts, and national responders were more satisfied across all survey categories compared to international responders Conclusion: Functional teams are a core attribute of effective public health emergency response. Our findings have shown a need for a greater focus on team performance. We recommend development of a fit-for-purpose performance management tool for teams responding to public health emergencies. The importance of building and supporting the development of the national workforce is another important finding of this study.
Related Organisations
World Health Organization Regional Office For The Western Pacific
Location: Philippines
Committee For Coordination Of Services To Displaced Persons In Thailand (CCSDPT)
Location: Thailand
Related Funding Activities
No related grants have been discovered for Amy Elizabeth Parry.