Dr Alice Cairns is a research fellow with the Centre for Rural and Remote Health, James Cook University. She lives and works in Weipa, Cape York. She graduated as an Occupational Therapist in 2002 and practiced for 12 years, specialising in mental health rehabilitation. Alice was awarded her PhD in 2017 from the Queensland University of Technology, her PhD research focused on youth mental health and factors associated with goal setting, help-seeking and work and study outcomes.

Since 2017, her research interests have broaded to focus on health service research and exploring innovative models of service delivery for remote communities. She is a member of the Northern Australian Research Network (NARN) and a current HOT North Research Fellow.

 She is currently supervising 1 PhD student, honours and masters students. She is open to hearing from any prospective student interested in a research career.

Interests

Research

• Rural and remote health service improvement
• Allied health and community rehabilitation
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
• Mental health and transition periods
• Impact of cognitive capacity on occupational performance

Experience

• 2018 to present - Research Fellow, Centre for Rural and Remote Health,James Cook University (Weipa)
• 2017 to 2018 - Western Cape Site Co-ordinator and Lecturer, Centre for Rural and Remote Health,James Cook University (Weipa)
• 2011 to 2017 - PhD Candidate, Queensland University of Technology (Brisbane)

Research Disciplines

• Psychology (1701)
• Public Health and Health Services (1117)
• Clinical Sciences (1103)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Health and Support Services (9202)
• Health (9299)

Fellowships

• 2018 to 2019 - HOT North Early Career Research Fellowship

Memberships

• 2019 - Health Services Research Association Australia and New Zealand (HSRAANZ)
• 2018 - Northern Australian Research Network (NARN)
• 2018 - Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH)
• 2003 - Occupational Therapy Australia

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Cairns A, Kavanagh D, Dark F and McPhail S (2019) Goal setting improves retention in youth mental health: a cross-sectional analysis. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 13.
• Cairns A, Kavanagh D, Dark F, McPhail S and (2018) Comparing predictors of part-time and no vocational engagement in youth primary mental health services: a brief report. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 12 (4). pp. 726-729
• Cairns A, Kavanagh D, Dark F and McPhail S (2017) Prediction of vocational participation and global role functioning in help-seeking young adults, from neurocognitive, demographic and clinical variables. Journal of Affective Disorders, 221. pp. 158-164
• Dark F, Newman E, Harris M, Cairns A, Simpson M, Gore-Jones V, Whiteford H, Harvey C and Crompton D (2016) Implementing cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) in a mental health service: staff training. Australasian Psychiatry, 24 (2). pp. 185-189
• Cairns A, Dark F, Kavanagh D and McPhail S (2015) Exploring functional concerns in help‐seeking youth: a qualitative study. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 9 (3). pp. 228-233
• Cairns A, Kavanagh D, Dark F and McPhail S (2015) Setting measurable goals with young people: qualitative feedback from the Goal Attainment Scale in youth mental health. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78 (4). pp. 253-259
• Cairns A, Hill C, Dark F, McPhail S and Gray M (2013) The Large Allen Cognitive Level Screen as an indicator for medication adherence among adults accessing community mental health services. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76 (3). pp. 137-143
• Cairns A, Dark F and Batts M (2013) Implementing cognitive remediation therapy: lessons from two public mental health services. Australiasian Psychiatry, 21 (5). pp. 476-480

Other research outputs

• Dark F, Cairns A and Harris A (2013) Cognitive remediation: the foundation of psychosocial treatment of schizophrenia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 47 (6). pp. 505-507

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Advisory Accreditation:

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Expanded Pharmacy Practice in Rural Australia (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.