Dr Gillian Gould: 2016 Alan Chancellor Award winner

Monday, 10 October 2016

UON researcher Dr Gillian Gould was awarded for her substantial body of research into smoking cessation with the GP’s highest award.

Dr Gillian Gould: 2016 Alan Chancellor Award winner

Presented to a GP or GP registrar considered to be the best first-time presenter of a research paper at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners at their annual conference, the Alan Chancellor Award celebrates significance of research to general practice.

Gillian’s presentation to the conference was on “What predicts intentions to quit smoking in Aboriginal tobacco smokers of reproductive age? Quantitative and qualitative findings of a cross-sectional survey in regional NSW”.

The prevalence of tobacco smoking is high in Aboriginal people of reproductive age, raising concerns about long-term consequences and exposure of babies and children to intrauterine and environmental tobacco smoke.

This cross-sectional survey collected data on smoking and quitting attitudes, behaviours and home smoking rules.

Two thirds of smokers surveyed expressed their intention to quit within three months, however, they rated any professional support received as ‘low’.

To improve outcomes, professional support could be improved in order to help these smokers to quit.

Doctor Gould was honoured to receive this award: "The award gives recognition for an important piece of research that Aboriginal communities on the Mid North Coast of NSW generously contributed to,” Doctor Gould said.

“This research informs our current work in the Hunter New England region, as we focus on tackling smoking among pregnant smokers."

The study was funded by an Indigenous Health Award from the RACGP Foundation and the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute.

Dr Alan Chancellor, who passed away in 1996, donated this award in 1990 for new researchers in the field of general practice.


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