About

Introduction

Billie is a part time Senior Research Academic with the Centre for Health Research & Psycho-oncology (CHeRP) and has responsibility for driving a number of research projects in the broad field of the prevention of cancer. Billie's main interest lies in reducing social inequalities in cancer prevention and control.

Qualifications

PhD

Research

Research Interests

Billie has extensive health behaviour research experience in health promotion, psycho-oncology, public health and health services research. Her PhD research involved the successful development and evaluation of a computerised feedback program aimed at increasing rates of preventive care in general practice. This was followed through with her initial work with CHeRP which involved exploring strategies to improve breast and cervical cancer screening. In addition, Billie was responsible for developing the Supportive Care Needs Survey and conducting the first comprehensive assessment of the unmet needs of people with cancer. This research influenced the type of treatment and care cancer patients receive.

From there Billie went on to work with the Newcastle Institute of Public Health on a variety of projects which aimed to improve the quality of health service delivery by the Hunter New England Area Health Service. Much of this research was driven by a focus on implementing evidence-based health service delivery at the local level.

Most recently Billie has been involved in Media Doctor, a web based media monitoring program aimed at improving the quality of health news reporting.

Returning to CHeRP in 2008, Billie is driving research projects in the areas of reducing tobacco related disparities by working with community social service organisations (together with the Cancer Council NSW's Tackling Tobacco team) and improving the health risk and screening behaviours of socially disadvantaged groups. She is also driving research into improving public and practitioner understanding and communication about vitamin D deficiency and sun protection behaviours.

Teaching

Teaching Interests

Billie has conducted face to face teaching and assessment at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels within the Faculty of Health in the past and is currently supervises PhD students with the School of Medicine & Public Health. If you are interested in completing postgraduate research in these topic areas, please contact CHeRP regarding supervision opportunities.