Dr Laura Wall
Research Associate
School of Psychological Sciences
- Email:laura.wall@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:40339228
Career Summary
Biography
I have worked at the University of Newcastle since 2015 as a casual academic and research assistant in Psychology (2015-2019), as a post-doctoral research fellow in Health Economics (2019-2021) and as a research associate in Psychology (2022). I am currently (2023) working across two roles in the School of Psychological Sciences; as a Lecturer (0.5) in Business Psychology and as a research associate (0.5) studying perceptual inference and decision-making in persons with schizophrenia.
My research uses and develops techniques from cognitive, mathematical and computational psychology as well as health economics to improve the measurement of cognition, decision making and preferences.
My PhD explored cognitive deficits in people with schizophrenia through the linear ballistic accumulator (LBA) model of decision making and proposed a new framework for joint modelling across multiple tasks to improve measurement with fewer data points.
I have collaborated on a number of projects examining consumer and research participant preferences in health across settings including oncology, surgery, antenatal care, mental health and telehealth, through discrete choice experiments (DCE). Many of these projects and collaborations are ongoing.
My research spans the translational pathway from basic to applied research. I use and develop sophisticated statistical techniques from mathematical psychology to understand and improve the measurement of cognition and decision-making. I also use established measures to understand decision-making in clinical settings and provide outcomes that can lead to recommendations for practice change and impact.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Psychology, University of Newcastle
Keywords
- cognition
- computational psychology
- decision making
- discrete choice experiment
- schizophrenia
Languages
- English (Mother)
Fields of Research
Code | Description | Percentage |
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520402 | Decision making | 50 |
380108 | Health economics | 30 |
520499 | Cognitive and computational psychology not elsewhere classified | 20 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
Title | Organisation / Department |
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Research Associate | University of Newcastle School of Psychological Sciences Australia |
Lecturer | University of Newcastle School of Psychological Sciences Australia |
Teaching appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
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1/1/2015 - 31/12/2018 | Casual Academic | School of Psychology, Faculty of Science & IT, University of Newcastle Australia |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Journal article (14 outputs)
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2022 |
Hinwood M, Wall L, Lang D, Balogh ZJ, Smith A, Dowsey M, et al., 'Patient and clinician characteristics and preferences for increasing participation in placebo surgery trials: a scoping review of attributes to inform a discrete choice experiment', TRIALS, 23 (2022) [C1]
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2021 |
Waller A, Wall L, Mackenzie L, Brown SD, Tattersall MHN, Sanson-Fisher R, 'Preferences for life expectancy discussions following diagnosis with a life-threatening illness: a discrete choice experiment', Supportive Care in Cancer, 29 417-425 (2021) [C1] Purpose: To explore in a sample of adult cancer patients: (1) the relative influence of initiation source, information format and consultation format on preferred approach to life... [more] Purpose: To explore in a sample of adult cancer patients: (1) the relative influence of initiation source, information format and consultation format on preferred approach to life expectancy disclosure using a discrete choice experiment (DCE); and (2) whether patient age, cancer type and perceived prognosis were associated with preferences within the three attributes. Methods: A DCE survey of adult solid tumour and haematological cancer patients. Participants chose between three hypothetical scenarios about life expectancy disclosure consisting of three attributes: initiation source (i.e. doctor versus patient-initiated discussion), information content (i.e. estimate presented as best-worst-typical length of life case scenario versus median survival time) and consultation format (i.e. two 20-min versus one 40-min consultation). Respondents selected their most preferred scenario within each question. Results: Three hundred and two patients completed the DCE (78% consent rate). Initiation source was the most influential predictor of patient choice. More preferred a doctor deliver life expectancy information as soon as it is available rather than waiting for the patient to ask (59% vs 41% z = - 7.396, p < 0.01). More patients preferred the two 20-min rather than the one 40-min consultation format (55% vs 45%, z = 4.284, p < 0.01). Information content did not influence choice. Age, cancer type, and patient-perceived prognosis were not associated with preferences. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals should assess cancer patients¿ preferences for engaging in life expectancy discussions as soon as they have this information, and ensure patients have adequate time to consider the information they receive, seek additional information and involve others if they wish.
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2021 |
Edmunds K, Wall L, Brown S, Searles A, Shakeshaft AP, Doran CM, 'Exploring community-based options for reducing youth Crime', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (2021) [C1] BackTrack is a multi-component, community-based intervention designed to build capacity amongst 14¿17-year-old high risk young people. The aim of the current study seeks to explor... [more] BackTrack is a multi-component, community-based intervention designed to build capacity amongst 14¿17-year-old high risk young people. The aim of the current study seeks to explore community value and preferences for reducing youth crime and improving community safety using BackTrack in a rural setting in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. The study design used discrete choice experiments (DCEs), designed in accordance with the 10-item checklist outlined by the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research. The DCE was pilot tested on 43 participants to test feasibility and comprehension. A revised version of the survey was subsequently completed by 282 people over a 12-day period between 30 May 2016 and 10 June 2016, representing a survey response rate of 35%. Ninety per cent of respondents were residents of Armidale, the local rural town where BackTrack was implemented. The DCE generated results that consistently demonstrated a preference for social programs to address youth crime and community safety in the Armidale area. Respondents chose BackTrack over Greater Police Presence 75% of the time with an annual benefit of Australian dollars (AUD) 150 per household, equivalent to a community benefit of AUD 2.04 million. This study estimates a strong community preference for BackTrack relative to more policing (a community willing to pay equivalent to AUD 2.04 million) highlighting the clear value of including community preferences when evaluating community-based programs for high-risk young people.
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2021 |
Bunzli S, Choong E, Shadbolt C, Wall L, Nelson E, Schilling C, et al., 'Placebo Surgery Controlled Trials: Do They Achieve What They Set Out To Do? A Systematic Review.', Ann Surg, 273 1102-1107 (2021) [C1]
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2021 |
Bunzli S, Nelson E, Wall L, Schilling C, Lohmander LS, Balogh ZJ, et al., 'Factors Underlying Patient and Surgeon Willingness to Participate in a Placebo Surgery Controlled trial', Annals of Surgery Open, 2 e104-e104 [C1]
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2021 |
Wall L, Gunawan D, Brown SD, Tran MN, Kohn R, Hawkins GE, 'Identifying relationships between cognitive processes across tasks, contexts, and time', Behavior Research Methods, 53 78-95 (2021) [C1] It is commonly assumed that a specific testing occasion (task, design, procedure, etc.) provides insights that generalize beyond that occasion. This assumption is infrequently car... [more] It is commonly assumed that a specific testing occasion (task, design, procedure, etc.) provides insights that generalize beyond that occasion. This assumption is infrequently carefully tested in data. We develop a statistically principled method to directly estimate the correlation between latent components of cognitive processing across tasks, contexts, and time. This method simultaneously estimates individual-participant parameters of a cognitive model at each testing occasion, group-level parameters representing across-participant parameter averages and variances, and across-task correlations. The approach provides a natural way to ¿borrow¿ strength across testing occasions, which can increase the precision of parameter estimates across all testing occasions. Two example applications demonstrate that the method is practical in standard designs. The examples, and a simulation study, also provide evidence about the reliability and validity of parameter estimates from the linear ballistic accumulator model. We conclude by highlighting the potential of the parameter-correlation method to provide an ¿assumption-light¿ tool for estimating the relatedness of cognitive processes across tasks, contexts, and time.
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2020 |
Turon H, Wall L, Fakes K, Brown SD, Sanson-Fisher R, 'Cancer patient preferences for the provision of information regarding emotional concerns in relation to medical procedures: A discrete choice experiment', Patient Education and Counseling, 103 1439-1443 (2020) [C1] Objective: To explore the preferences of people with cancer regarding the timing and format of information provision about emotional concerns that may occur when undergoing medica... [more] Objective: To explore the preferences of people with cancer regarding the timing and format of information provision about emotional concerns that may occur when undergoing medical procedures. Methods: Eligible cancer survivors were mailed a survey containing discrete choice scenarios examining their timing and format preferences for information about potential emotional concerns associated with an upcoming hypothetical medical procedure. Results: Of 356 eligible patients, 271 (76 %) completed the survey. Both face-to-face discussion and written materials were preferred as the mode of information delivery over access to a website. In order of descending preference, participants preferred to receive the information 1 week, 3 days and the day of the procedure. There were no differences in preferences for timing or format between subgroups based on age, gender, education and cancer type. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that cancer patients prefer receiving information about emotional concerns that might be experienced as part of a medical procedure in either written or via face-to-face format, and one week before the procedure. Practice Implications: In order to provide patient-centred care, clinicians and the healthcare system more broadly should consider patient preferences for information delivery about upcoming medical procedures. Information: preparation for medical procedures; discrete choice; oncology; patient preference; emotional response.
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2020 |
Higginson S, Milovanovic K, Gillespie J, Matthews A, Williams C, Wall L, et al., 'COVID-19: The need for an Australian economic pandemic response plan', Health Policy and Technology, 9 488-502 (2020) [C1] Objectives: Pandemics pressure national governments to respond swiftly. Mitigation efforts created an imbalance between population health, capacity of the healthcare system and ec... [more] Objectives: Pandemics pressure national governments to respond swiftly. Mitigation efforts created an imbalance between population health, capacity of the healthcare system and economic prosperity. Each pandemic arising from a new virus is unknown territory for policy makers, and there is considerable uncertainty of the appropriateness of responses and outcomes. Methods: A qualitative approach was used to review mixed sources of data including Australian reports, official government publications, and COVID-19 data to discern robust future responses. Publicly available epidemiological and economic data were utilised to provide insight into the impact of the pandemic on Australia's healthcare system and economy. Results: Policies implemented by the Australian Government to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 impacted the healthcare sector and economy. This paper incorporates lessons learned to inform optimal economic preparedness. The rationale for an economic response plan concomitant with the health pandemic plan is explored to guide Australian Government policy makers in ensuring holistic and robust solutions for future pandemics. Conclusions: In future, an Australian Economic Pandemic Response Plan will aid in health and economic system preparedness, whilst a strong Australian economy and strategic planning will ensure resilience to future pandemics.
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2019 |
Hobden B, Turon H, Bryant J, Wall L, Brown S, Sanson-Fisher R, 'Oncology patient preferences for depression care: A discrete choice experiment', Psycho-Oncology, 28 807-814 (2019) [C1] Objective: Using a vignette-style DCE in a sample of oncology patients, this study explored: (1) the relative influence of the patient's level of concern about their depressi... [more] Objective: Using a vignette-style DCE in a sample of oncology patients, this study explored: (1) the relative influence of the patient's level of concern about their depression on preferences for care, (2) the relative influence of depression severity according to a mental health checklist on preferred treatment-seeking options, and (3) whether patient age and gender were associated with depression care preference. Methods: A discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey of cancer patients was conducted. Hypothetical vignettes to elicit care preferences were created using two attributes: the cancer patient's level of concern about depression (a little or a great deal) and results of a mental health checklist (not depressed or very depressed). Three response options for care preferences were presented, including a self-directed approach, shared care approach, and clinician-directed referral approach. Participants chose their most and least preferred options. Results: A total of 281 cancer patients completed the survey. There was a significant association between level of concern and the most preferred option. Those with a great deal of concern about depression preferred to receive referral from their clinician more than those with a little concern about depression. Males were significantly more likely to select a self-directed approach as their most preferred option. Conclusions: An oncology patient's level of concern about depression may influence the type of care they want to receive from their cancer doctor for depression. This finding has implications for depression screening in clinical practice.
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2019 |
Zdenkowski N, Lynam J, Sproule V, Wall L, Searston J, Brown S, 'Results of a survey of cancer patients willingness to travel to participate in a clinical trial', Internal Medicine Journal, 49 1321-1325 (2019) [C1] Only 2¿3% of cancer patients enrol in a trial. We surveyed patients' willingness to change clinician or treating centre, or to travel, to participate in trials, to improve tr... [more] Only 2¿3% of cancer patients enrol in a trial. We surveyed patients' willingness to change clinician or treating centre, or to travel, to participate in trials, to improve trial recruitment. Of 188 respondents, 79% were willing to participate in a trial in at least one scenario. Increasing travel time, change in oncologist, private health insurance and out of pocket expenses decreased likelihood of joining a trial. Rural and regional patients, and those from lower socio-economic areas, were more willing to travel. To optimise access to trials, clinicians should refer within and between institutions.
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2018 |
Herrmann A, Sanson-Fisher R, Hall A, Wall L, Zdenkowski N, Waller A, 'Support persons' preferences for the type of consultation and the format of information provided when making a cancer treatment decision', BMC Research Notes, 11 1-6 (2018) [C1]
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2018 |
Waller A, Sanson-Fisher R, Brown SD, Wall L, Walsh J, 'Quality versus quantity in end-of-life choices of cancer patients and support persons: a discrete choice experiment', Supportive Care in Cancer, 26 3593-3599 (2018) [C1] Objectives: To explore in a sample of medical oncology outpatients and their nominated support persons (SPs): (1) the relative influence of pain, consciousness and life extension ... [more] Objectives: To explore in a sample of medical oncology outpatients and their nominated support persons (SPs): (1) the relative influence of pain, consciousness and life extension on end-of-life choices using a discrete choice experiment (DCE); (2) the extent to which SPs can predict the choices of index patients and (3) whether having a previous end-of-life discussion was associated with dyad agreement. Methods: Adult medical oncology patients and their SPs were approached for consent to complete a survey containing a DCE. Participants chose between three unlabelled care scenarios characterised by three attributes: pain (mild, moderate or severe), consciousness (some, half or most of time) and extension of life (1, 2 or 3¿weeks). Respondents selected (1) most-preferred and (2) least-preferred scenarios within each question. SPs answered the same questions but from patient¿s perspective. Results: A total of 110 patients and 64 SPs responded overall (42 matched patient-SP dyads). For patients, pain was the most influential predictor of most- and least-preferred scenarios (z = 12.5 and z = 12.9). For SPs, pain was the only significant predictor of most and least-preferred scenarios (z = 9.7 and z = 11.5). Dyad agreement was greater for choices about least- (69%) compared to most-preferred scenarios (55%). Agreement was slightly higher for dyads reporting a previous EOL discussion (68 versus 48%; p = 0.065). Conclusion: Patients and SPs place significant value on avoiding severe pain when making end-of-life choices, over and above level of consciousness or life extension. People¿s views about end-of-life scenarios they most as well as least prefer should be sought.
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2018 |
Herrmann A, Sanson-Fisher R, Hall A, Wall L, Zdenkowski N, Waller A, 'A discrete choice experiment to assess cancer patients preferences for when and how to make treatment decisions', Supportive Care in Cancer, 26 1215-1220 (2018) [C1] Purpose: Cancer patients can be overwhelmed when being confronted with their diagnosis and treatment options. Such information is often provided during one consultation between th... [more] Purpose: Cancer patients can be overwhelmed when being confronted with their diagnosis and treatment options. Such information is often provided during one consultation between the patient and treating clinician. In order to achieve optimal cancer care, there may be justification for alternative consultation styles. We assessed, in a sample of adult medical oncology patients, their preferences for (i) attending one 40-min consultation or two 20-min consultations and (ii) receiving written only or both written and online information, when making a cancer treatment decision. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey using a discrete choice design of 159 adult medical oncology patients presenting for their second or subsequent outpatient consultation. Participants were presented with a set of hypothetical scenarios and asked to indicate their most and least preferred scenario. The scenarios contained a caveat explaining that there would be no difference between the available treatment options in terms of when treatment would be initiated and the impact it would have on patients¿ life expectancy. Results: One hundred forty-seven patients completed the DCE. Of these, 70% (n¿=¿103) preferred being provided with written and online information rather than just written information. This preference was statistically significant (p¿<¿0.01). Fifty-nine percent (n¿=¿86) of patients preferred two 20-min consultations over one 40-min consultation when making a treatment decision. Significantly, more patients preferred two shorter consultations rather than one longer consultation when this was combined with written and online information (p¿<¿0.01). Conclusion: When making a cancer treatment decision, clinicians should consider offering patients written and online information, combined with two shorter consultations.
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Show 11 more journal articles |
Conference (3 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
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2018 |
Herrmann A, Sanson-Fisher R, Hall A, Wall L, Zdenkowski N, Waller A, 'Comparing cancer patients' and support persons' preferences for the type of consultation and the format of information provided when making a treatment decision', ANNALS OF ONCOLOGY, GERMANY, Munich (2018)
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2017 |
Zdenkowski N, Lynam J, Wall L, Brown S, Sproule V, 'Results of a Survey Investigating Cancer Patients' Willingness to Travel to Participate in a Clinical Trial', ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY (2017)
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2017 |
Zdenkowski N, Lynam JF, Wall L, Brown S, Wells K, Sproule V, 'Breast cancer patients' willingness to travel to participate in a clinical trial.', Journal of Clinical Oncology (2017)
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Media (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
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2020 |
Paolucci F, Lee D, Wall L, Hinwood M, Antonini M, 'A $200 fine for not wearing a mask is fair, as long as free masks go to those in need', (2020)
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Other (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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2020 |
Milovanovic K, Higginson S, Gillespie J, Wall L, Moy N, Hinwood M, et al., 'COVID-19: The Need for an Australian Economic Pandemic Response Plan', : SSRN (2020)
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Preprint (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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2023 |
Wall L, Cooper G, Hawkins G, Brown S, Todd J, 'Consistency is the key! Learning to adapt in a multi-context predictive inference task. (2023)
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Report (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
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2023 | Wall L, 'Impact and Outcome Evaluation of Coast Shelter Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Support Roles', Coast Shelter (2023) |
Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 1 |
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Total funding | $103,351 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20211 grants / $103,351
Telehealth Research Initiative, Part A: Telehealth Evidence Synthesis Studies$103,351
Funding body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
Funding body | Hunter Medical Research Institute |
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Project Team | Associate Professor Christopher Williams, Emeritus Professor Julie Byles, Doctor Madeleine Hinwood, Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin, Professor Francesco Paolucci, Professor Kate Senior, Doctor Laura Wall, Professor Luke Wolfenden |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2021 |
Funding Finish | 2022 |
GNo | G2101410 |
Type Of Funding | C3300 – Aust Philanthropy |
Category | 3300 |
UON | Y |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Current Supervision
Commenced | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
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2022 | PhD | Perceiving is Believing: Perceptual Inference Anomalies in Schizophrenia | PhD (Psychology - Science), College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
Research Projects
Patient preferences in oncology care 2015 -
Publications
Zdenkowski N, Lynam JF, Wall L, Brown S, Wells K, Sproule V, 'Breast cancer patients' willingness to travel to participate in a clinical trial.', Journal of Clinical Oncology (2017)
Zdenkowski N, Lynam J, Wall L, Brown S, Sproule V, 'Results of a Survey Investigating Cancer Patients' Willingness to Travel to Participate in a Clinical Trial', ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY (2017)
Herrmann A, Sanson-Fisher R, Hall A, Wall L, Zdenkowski N, Waller A, 'Comparing cancer patients' and support persons' preferences for the type of consultation and the format of information provided when making a treatment decision', ANNALS OF ONCOLOGY, GERMANY, Munich (2018)
Herrmann A, Sanson-Fisher R, Hall A, Wall L, Zdenkowski N, Waller A, 'Support persons' preferences for the type of consultation and the format of information provided when making a cancer treatment decision', BMC Research Notes, 11 1-6 (2018) [C1]
Waller A, Sanson-Fisher R, Brown SD, Wall L, Walsh J, 'Quality versus quantity in end-of-life choices of cancer patients and support persons: a discrete choice experiment', Supportive Care in Cancer, 26 3593-3599 (2018) [C1]
Herrmann A, Sanson-Fisher R, Hall A, Wall L, Zdenkowski N, Waller A, 'A discrete choice experiment to assess cancer patients preferences for when and how to make treatment decisions', Supportive Care in Cancer, 26 1215-1220 (2018) [C1]
Hobden B, Turon H, Bryant J, Wall L, Brown S, Sanson-Fisher R, 'Oncology patient preferences for depression care: A discrete choice experiment', Psycho-Oncology, 28 807-814 (2019) [C1]
Collaborators
Name | Organisation |
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Doctor Amy Elizabeth Waller | University of Newcastle |
Miss Breanne Hobden | |
Ms Anne Herrmann | University of Newcastle |
Mr Justin Robert Walsh | University of Newcastle |
Doctor Heidi Erin Turon | University of Newcastle |
Professor Scott David Brown | University of Newcastle |
Doctor Nick Zdenkowski | |
Laureate Professor Robert William Sanson-Fisher | University of Newcastle |
Doctor Jamie Lee Bryant | University of Newcastle |
Doctor Alix Edna Hall | University of Newcastle |
Patient and Surgeon preferences for sham surgery trials 2019 -
Publications
Wall L, Hinwood M, Lang D, Smith A, Bunzli S, Clarke P, et al., 'Attitudes of patients and surgeons towards sham surgery trials: a protocol for a scoping review of attributes to inform a discrete choice experiment', BMJ OPEN, 10 (2020)
Bunzli S, Choong E, Shadbolt C, Wall L, Nelson E, Schilling C, et al., 'Placebo Surgery Controlled Trials: Do They Achieve What They Set Out To Do? A Systematic Review.', Ann Surg, 273 1102-1107 (2021) [C1]
Collaborators
Name | Organisation |
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Doctor Madeleine Hinwood | University of Newcastle |
Ms Danielle Leigh Lang | University of Newcastle |
Edit
Dr Laura Wall
Positions
Research Associate
School of Psychological Sciences
College of Engineering, Science and Environment
Lecturer
School of Psychological Sciences
College of Engineering, Science and Environment
Contact Details
laura.wall@newcastle.edu.au | |
Phone | 40339228 |
Links |
Twitter Research Networks Research Networks |
Office
Building | Behavioural Sciences building |
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Location | Callaghan Campus University Drive Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia |