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Biography

Karin is a Tamworth-based Research Academic at the University Department of Rural Health, University of Newcastle and Adjunct Senior Lecturer at University of New England School of Health and Rural Medicine. Her PhD consisted of a mixed methodology that involved quantitative analysis of surveillance data as well as analysis of qualitative individual interviews using grounded theory. The focus of this work was to understand why syphilis is still present in a rural area of New South Wales as well as to explore how an individual’s construction of rurality shapes the way in which he or she accesses health services for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). This work showed the significance of rurality as a marker for affecting health and shaping different experiences, especially the changes in the meanings associated with STIs.

Since Karin’s appointment to the University of Newcastle, she has been involved in a number of research projects. She has authored a number of peer reviewed journal articles and refereed and non-refereed research based national and international conference papers. Karin has also supervised a number of health services staff who have undertaken workplace research as well as PhD students. Her current research interests include primary health care, public health issues and health workforce.

Dr Fisher currently holds a small grant from Hunter New England Local Health Network to investigate injecting drug users access to the Needle Syringe Program equipment in rural/remote outlets of HNE Northern region.

Qualifications

• PhD, University of New England, 2008

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Research

Research keywords

• Grounded Theory
• Health Workforce
• Primary Health Care
• Public Health
• Rural Health

Research expertise

Population Health issues

Sexually transmitted infections

Health service access

Rural workforce issues

Difficult to access populations

Grounded theory

Mixed methods

Collaboration

As part of my work at the University of Newcastle, I have worked in research teams with members from Hunter New England Local Health Network, University New England, University of Sydney, Flinders University, University Tasmania and University of Adelaide. I also work as part of a multidisciplinary team based at the University of Newcastle, Department of Rural Health that includes the disciplines of medicine, radiography, physiotherapy, nutrition and dietetics, pharmacy, occupational therapy, Indigenous health care, speech pathology and mental health.

Languages

• English

Fields of Research

Description (Code)	%
Public Health And Health Services(111700)	60
Medical And Health Sciences Not Elsewhere Classified(119999)	20
Policy And Administration Not Elsewhere Classified(160599)	20