Dr Kristen McCarter
Postdoctoral Researcher
School of Medicine and Public Health
- Email:kristen.mccarter@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone: (02) 40335721
Career Summary
Biography
Dr McCarter is a postdoctoral researcher and Clinical Psychologist. She has made significant contributions to understanding and promoting the delivery of head and neck cancer patient care with recent publications exploring care consistent with evidence based nutrition guidelines, distress screening and referral and patient experiences. This includes developing a practice change intervention to improve oncology dietitian adherence to best practice guidelines, a systematic review of distress screening interventions in cancer and a qualitative study of cancer patient experiences of a health behaviour intervention.
Kristen is currently coordinating an NHMRC funded ‘Quitlink’ trial, a new smoking cessation intervention for people living with severe and enduring mental illness. She is also leading a drug and alcohol capacity building program funded by the Primary Health Network for primary care providers in the Hunter New England area. Kristen is also collaborating with other UON and Hunter Cancer Research Alliance affiliated researchers to assess and improve the delivery of distress screening and referral in cancer settings. This work aligns closely with Kristen's interest in improving the mental and physical health of complex populations.
Kristen has an outstanding record relative to opportunity including a rapidly increasing publication trajectory with 9 peer-reviewed papers (lead author on 7). Kristen has also attracted over $260 000 in research funding since 2014. She presented at 4 national and 1 international conferences in 2017.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), University of Newcastle
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle
Keywords
- Comorbidity
- Drug and Alcohol Use
- Health Behaviour
- Implementation Science
- Mental Health
- Psycho-oncology
Languages
- English (Mother)
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 111299 | Oncology and Carcinogenesis not elsewhere classified | 35 |
| 111708 | Health and Community Services | 20 |
| 111714 | Mental Health | 45 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
| Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|
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Postdoctoral Researcher Dr McCarter is a postdoctoral researcher within the University of Newcastle's Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour and the University of Newcastle's Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation. She is currently Trial Coordinator for the NHMRC funded ‘Quitlink’ trial, a new smoking cessation intervention for people living with severe and enduring mental illness. She is also leading a drug and alcohol capacity building program funded by the Primary Health Network for primary care providers in the Hunter New England area. |
University of Newcastle School of Medicine and Public Health Australia |
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Postdoctoral Researcher Dr McCarter is a postdoctoral researcher within the University of Newcastle's Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour and the University of Newcastle's Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation. She is currently Trial Coordinator for the NHMRC funded ‘Quitlink’ trial, a new smoking cessation intervention for people living with severe and enduring mental illness. She is also leading a drug and alcohol capacity building program funded by the Primary Health Network for primary care providers in the Hunter New England area. |
Priority Research Centre (PRC) for Healthy Lungs | The University of Newcastle School of Medicine and Public Health Australia |
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Postdoctoral Researcher Dr McCarter is a postdoctoral researcher within the University of Newcastle's Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour and the University of Newcastle's Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation. She is currently Trial Coordinator for the NHMRC funded ‘Quitlink’ trial, a new smoking cessation intervention for people living with severe and enduring mental illness. She is also leading a drug and alcohol capacity building program funded by the Primary Health Network for primary care providers in the Hunter New England area. |
University of Newcastle School of Medicine and Public Health Australia |
Academic appointment
| Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|---|
| 1/01/2018 - | Postdoctoral Researcher | University of Newcastle |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Journal article (13 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
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| 2019 |
McCrabb S, Baker AL, Attia J, Skelton E, Twyman L, Palazzi K, et al., 'Internet-based programs incorporating behavior change techniques are associated with increased smoking cessation in the general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 53 180-195 (2019) © Society of Behavioral Medicine 2018. All rights reserved. Background and aims This study aims to (i) examine the effectiveness of internet-based smoking cessation programs; (ii)... [more] © Society of Behavioral Medicine 2018. All rights reserved. Background and aims This study aims to (i) examine the effectiveness of internet-based smoking cessation programs; (ii) describe the number and type of behavior change techniques (BCTs) employed; and (iii) explore whether BCTs included in internet-based smoking cessation programs are related to program effectiveness. Methods MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CENTRAL databases were searched. Randomized controlled trials were included if they described the study of a smoking cessation program delivered via the internet; included current adult tobacco smokers from the general population; and were written in English. Random effects meta-analyses and meta-regressions were used to examine program effectiveness (pooled odds ratios, by outcome measure, i.e., 7 day point prevalence abstinence [PPA], 30 day PPA, other abstinence measure) in short- and long-term outcomes, and examine the associations between BCT number and type (individual BCTs and BCT domain) and program effectiveness. Results Results from 45 studies were included (n = 65,736). Intervention effectiveness was found in the short term for all outcome measures (OR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.12, 1.50, p = .001), for "prolonged abstinence" (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.09, 1.87, p = .009), and "30 day PPA" (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.13, 2.72, p = .013). Internet-based programs were effective in the long term for all outcome measures (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.35, p = .004) and for "prolonged abstinence" (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.19, 1.63, p < .001). On average, interventions used more BCTs than comparison groups (6.6 vs. 3.1, p = .0002). The impact of specific individual BCTs and BCT domains on effectiveness was examined and is reported. Conclusions Internet-based smoking cessation interventions increased the odds of cessation by 29 per cent in the short term and by 19 per cent in the long term. Internet-based smoking cessation intervention development should incorporate BCTs to increase effectiveness. Registration CRD42015014676.
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| 2019 |
Baker AL, Borland R, Bonevski B, Segan C, Turner A, Brophy L, et al., '"Quitlink"-A Randomized Controlled Trial of Peer Worker Facilitated Quitline Support for Smokers Receiving Mental Health Services: Study Protocol', FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY, 10 (2019)
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| 2019 |
Fradgley EA, Byrnes E, McCarter K, Rankin N, Britton B, Clover K, et al., 'A cross-sectional audit of current practices and areas for improvement of distress screening and management in Australian cancer services: is there a will and a way to improve?', Support Care Cancer, (2019)
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| 2018 |
McCarter KL, Baker A, Britton B, Halpin S, Beck A, Carter G, et al., 'Head and neck cancer patient experience of a new dietitian-delivered health behaviour intervention: "You know you have to eat to survive ', SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER, 26 2167-2175 (2018) [C1]
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| 2018 |
McCarter KL, Baker A, Britton B, Beck A, Carter G, Bauer J, et al., 'Effectiveness of clinical practice change strategies in improving dietitian care for head and neck cancer patients according to evidence based clinical guidelines: A stepped wedge randomised controlled trial.', Translational Behavioral Medicine, 8 166-174 (2018) [C1]
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| 2018 |
McCarter K, Baker A, Britton B, Wolfenden L, Wratten C, bauer J, et al., 'Smoking, drinking, and depression: comorbidity in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy', Cancer Medicine, 7 2382-2390 (2018) [C1]
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| 2018 |
McCarter K, Britton B, Baker AL, Halpin SA, Beck AK, Carter G, et al., 'Interventions to improve screening and appropriate referral of patients with cancer for psychosocial distress: Systematic review', BMJ Open, 8 (2018) [C1]
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| 2016 |
McCarter K, Martinez U, Britton B, Baker A, Bonevski B, Carter G, et al., 'Smoking cessation care among patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review', BMJ OPEN, 6 (2016) [C1]
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| 2016 |
McCarter KL, Halpin SA, Baker AL, Kay-Lambkin FJ, Lewin TJ, Thornton LK, et al., 'Associations between personality disorder characteristics and treatment outcomes in people with co-occurring alcohol misuse and depression.', BMC Psychiatry, 16 210 (2016) [C1]
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| 2015 |
McCarter KL, Britton B, Baker A, Halpin S, Beck A, Carter G, et al., 'Interventions to improve screening and appropriate referral of patients with cancer for distress: Systematic review protocol', BMJ Open, 5 (2015) [C3]
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| 2015 |
Britton B, McCarter K, Baker A, Wolfenden L, Wratten C, Bauer J, et al., 'Eating As Treatment (EAT) study protocol: a stepped-wedge, randomised controlled trial of a health behaviour change intervention provided by dietitians to improve nutrition in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy.', BMJ open, 5 e008921 (2015) [C3]
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Conference (14 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 |
Pohlman S, Anderson C, Baker A, Halpin S, McCarter K, Hides L, ' I Kind of Just Missed Feeling Normal an Exploration of Alcohol Use in Young People with Severe Mental Illness', Berlin (2019)
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| 2019 |
Britton B, Baker AL, Wolfenden L, Wratten C, Bauer J, Beck AK, et al., 'Eating As Treatment (EAT): A Stepped-Wedge, Randomized Controlled Trial of a Health Behavior Change Intervention Provided by Dietitians to Improve Nutrition in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Radiation Therapy (TROG 12.03)', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY BIOLOGY PHYSICS (2019)
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| 2018 |
Fradgley EA, Byrnes E, Mccarter K, Britton B, Rankin N, Carter G, et al., 'A report card on Australian cancer services' distress screening and management practices: A pass mark or time to go back to school?', PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY (2018)
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| 2015 |
McCarter K, Wolfenden L, Baker A, Britton B, Beck A, Carter G, et al., 'A CLINICAL PRACTICE CHANGE INTERVENTION TO INCREASE DIETITIAN PROVISION OF DEPRESSION SCREENING AND REFERRAL FOR HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENTS', ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY (2015) [E3]
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| 2015 |
McCarter K, Baker A, Britton B, Carter G, Beck A, Bauer J, et al., 'CONTINUED TOBACCO SMOKING, ALCOHOL USE AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN A SAMPLE OF HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENTS ABOUT TO UNDERGO RADIOTHERAPY', ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY (2015) [E3]
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| 2014 |
McCarter K, Baker AL, Britton B, Beck A, Carter G, Bauer J, et al., 'PREVALENCE OF ALCOHOL USE AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN A SAMPLE OF HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENTS ABOUT TO UNDERGO RADIOTHERAPY', DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW (2014) [E3]
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| 2014 |
McCarter K, Forbes E, Baker A, Britton B, Beck A, Carter G, et al., 'PREVALENCE OF TOBACCO SMOKING IN A SAMPLE OF HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENTS ABOUT TO UNDERGO RADIOTHERAPY', ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY (2014) [E3]
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Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 14 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $388,868 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20191 grants / $50,000
CRA 2019 Career Advancement Fellowship in Cancer Research$50,000
Funding body: HCRA Hunter Cancer Research Alliance
| Funding body | HCRA Hunter Cancer Research Alliance |
|---|---|
| Scheme | Research Project |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2019 |
| Funding Finish | 2019 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | External |
| Category | EXTE |
| UON | N |
20183 grants / $170,334
Pilot randomised controlled trial of a telephone delivered intervention for hazardous alcohol use among young people living with severe mental ill-health $86,747
Funding body: Australian Rotary Health
| Funding body | Australian Rotary Health |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Professor Amanda Baker, Associate Professor Peter Kelly, Professor Leanne Hides, Professor Kypros Kypri, Professor Richard Velleman, Conjoint Associate Professor Richard Clancy, Ms Margarett Terry, Professor Billie Bonevski, Doctor Christopher Oldmeadow, Conjoint Professor Adrian Dunlop, Doctor Kristen McCarter, Doctor Emma Griffith, Griffith, Emma |
| Scheme | Mental Health Research Grant |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2018 |
| Funding Finish | 2019 |
| GNo | G1700922 |
| Type Of Funding | Aust Competitive - Non Commonwealth |
| Category | 1NS |
| UON | Y |
Australian Rotary Health Mental Health of Young Australians Research Grant$53,587
Funding body: Australian Rotary Health Research Fund
| Funding body | Australian Rotary Health Research Fund |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Amanda Baker, Pete Kelly, Leanne Hides, Kypros Kypri, Richard Velleman, Richard Clancy, Margaret Terry, Billie Bonevski, Chris Oldmeadow, Adrian Dunlop, Kristen McCarter, Emma Griffith |
| Scheme | Australian Rotary Health Mental Health of Young Australians Research Grant |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2018 |
| Funding Finish | 2018 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Not Known |
| Category | UNKN |
| UON | N |
Translating Eating as Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer (TREAT)$30,000
Funding body: Hunter Cancer Research Alliance (HCRA)
| Funding body | Hunter Cancer Research Alliance (HCRA) |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Doctor Ben Britton, Professor Amanda Baker, Doctor Alison Beck, Conjoint Professor Greg Carter, Doctor Chris Wratten, Associate Professor Judith Bauer, Associate Professor Luke Wolfenden, Doctor Kristen McCarter |
| Scheme | HCRA Implementation Flagship program |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2018 |
| Funding Finish | 2019 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | N |
20176 grants / $113,829
Capacity Building – Practice Nurse Mentoring Program$49,266
Funding body: Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC)
| Funding body | Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC) |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Doctor Kristen McCarter, Professor Amanda Baker, Conjoint Professor Adrian Dunlop, Conjoint Professor Parker Magin, Conjoint Associate Professor Richard Clancy, Doctor Agatha Conrad, Doctor Kylie Bailey, Associate Professor Luke Wolfenden, Lyn Gardner |
| Scheme | Collaborative Health Innovation Project |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2017 |
| Funding Finish | 2018 |
| GNo | G1701131 |
| Type Of Funding | C2110 - Aust Commonwealth - Own Purpose |
| Category | 2110 |
| UON | Y |
Capacity Building – GP Mentoring Program$49,266
Funding body: Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC)
| Funding body | Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC) |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Doctor Kristen McCarter, Professor Amanda Baker, Conjoint Professor Adrian Dunlop, Conjoint Professor Parker Magin, Conjoint Associate Professor Richard Clancy, Doctor Agatha Conrad, Doctor Kylie Bailey, Associate Professor Luke Wolfenden, Lyn Gardner |
| Scheme | Collaborative Health Innovation Project |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2017 |
| Funding Finish | 2018 |
| GNo | G1701138 |
| Type Of Funding | C2110 - Aust Commonwealth - Own Purpose |
| Category | 2110 |
| UON | Y |
Head and neck cancer patient experience of EAT: A new dietitian-delivered health behaviour intervention$7,597
Funding body: Calvary Mater Newcastle
| Funding body | Calvary Mater Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Doctor Kristen McCarter, Professor Amanda Baker, Doctor Sean Halpin, Doctor Ben Britton, Doctor Alison Beck, Conjoint Professor Gregory Carter, Doctor Chris Wratten, Associate Professor Luke Wolfenden, Associate Professor Judith Bauer |
| Scheme | Project Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2017 |
| Funding Finish | 2017 |
| GNo | G1700913 |
| Type Of Funding | C3112 - Aust Not for profit |
| Category | 3112 |
| UON | Y |
Two year survival of participants of the Eating As Treatment trial.$3,000
Funding body: Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour (CHB)
| Funding body | Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour (CHB) |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Ben Britton, Amanda Baker, Kristen McCarter, Luke Wolfenden, Judith Bauer, Chris Wratten, Alison Beck, Erin Forbes, Chris Oldmeadow, Gregory Carter |
| Scheme | Project Grant |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2017 |
| Funding Finish | 2018 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Not Known |
| Category | UNKN |
| UON | N |
Healthy living after treatment for Head and Neck Cancer.$2,500
Funding body: Faculty of Health and Medicine Pilot Grant University of Newcastle
| Funding body | Faculty of Health and Medicine Pilot Grant University of Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Amanda Baker, Kristen McCarter, Ben Britton, Gregory Carter, Luke Wolfenden, Chris Wratten, Judith Bauer, Alison Beck, Sean Halpin, Erin Forbes |
| Scheme | UON Faculty of Health and Medicine Pilot Grant |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2017 |
| Funding Finish | 2018 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Not Known |
| Category | UNKN |
| UON | N |
Mediation analysis of an effective health behaviour change intervention for head and neck cancer patients: The importance of best practice guidelines.$2,200
Funding body: Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour (CHB)
| Funding body | Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour (CHB) |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Kristen McCarter, Ben Britton, Amanda Baker, Luke Wolfenden, Gregory Carter, Judith Bauer, Chris Wratten, Alison Beck, Erin Forbes, Chris Oldmeadow, Hopin Lee |
| Scheme | Project Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2017 |
| Funding Finish | 2018 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Not Known |
| Category | UNKN |
| UON | N |
20163 grants / $44,705
Quantifying and addressing the evidence-practice gap in distress screening: a national environmental scan and short pilot-test to determine improvement areas and acceptability of implementation strategies for Australian cancer services.$29,795
Funding body: Hunter Cancer Research Alliance (HCRA)
| Funding body | Hunter Cancer Research Alliance (HCRA) |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Elizabeth Fradgley, Chris Paul, Gregory Carter, Paul Jacobsen, Ben Britton, Kerrie Clover, Douglas Bellamy, Kristen McCarter, Martine Cox. |
| Scheme | HCRA Implementation Flagship program |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2016 |
| Funding Finish | 2018 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Not Known |
| Category | UNKN |
| UON | N |
Interventions to improve screening and appropriate referral of patients with cancer for distress: Systematic review.$9,910
Funding body: Hunter Cancer Research Alliance (HCRA)
| Funding body | Hunter Cancer Research Alliance (HCRA) |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Kristen McCarter, Luke Wolfenden, Ben Britton, Amanda Baker, Sean Halpin, Alison Beck, Gregory Carter, Chris Wratten, Judith Bauer, Laura Twyman, Erin Forbes |
| Scheme | HCRA Implementation Flagship program |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2016 |
| Funding Finish | 2017 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Not Known |
| Category | UNKN |
| UON | N |
A national audit of distress screening in Australian cancer services.$5,000
Funding body: Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour (CHB)
| Funding body | Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour (CHB) |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Elizabeth Fradgley, Christine Paul, Gregory Carter, Ben Britton, Kerrie Clover, Douglas Bellamy, Kristen McCarter, Martine Cox, Emma Byrnes |
| Scheme | Pilot Grants |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2016 |
| Funding Finish | 2017 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Not Known |
| Category | UNKN |
| UON | N |
20141 grants / $10,000
Optimising smoking cessation care amongst cancer patients: A systematic review of smoking cessation interventions amongst head and neck cancer patients.$10,000
Funding body: Hunter Cancer Research Alliance (HCRA)
| Funding body | Hunter Cancer Research Alliance (HCRA) |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Kristen McCarter, Ben, Britton, Amanda Baker, Billie Bonevski, Gregory Carter, Luke Wolfenden, Chris Wratten, Alison Beck, Ashleigh Guillaumier |
| Scheme | HCRA Implementation Flagship program |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2014 |
| Funding Finish | 2015 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Not Known |
| Category | UNKN |
| UON | N |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Current Supervision
| Commenced | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | PhD | Innovative Interventions to Address Procedure Related Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy | PhD (Medicine), Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
| 2018 | PhD | An Investigation of Alcohol Use in Young People with Severe Mental Illness | PhD (Psychiatry), Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
| 2018 | PhD | What Behaviour Change Techniques Matter in Smoking Cessation for People with Mental Health Conditions | PhD (Psychiatry), Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
News
Smoking and cancer - some patients continue to smoke with the disease
July 23, 2018
Dr Kristen McCarter
Position
Postdoctoral Researcher
School of Medicine and Public Health
Faculty of Health and Medicine
Contact Details
| kristen.mccarter@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Phone | (02) 40335721 |
| Fax | (02) 403 35692 |
Office
| Building | McAuley Building |
|---|---|
| Location | Calvary Mater Hospital , |
NEWS • Jul 23.2018
Smoking and cancer - some patients continue to smoke with the disease
About half of cancer patients who smoke continue to do so after diagnosis, a University of Newcastle researcher says.
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