About

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
Socio-Economic Objectives
Honours
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
Publications

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
Other research outputs
Current Funding

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

Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre Limited - Contract Research

Evaluation framework for community rehabilitation services in remote northern Australia

Indicative Funding
$49,502
Summary
An evaluation framework for community rehabilitation services in northern Australia will be developed. In Stage 1, a guiding framework will be devised following a systematic literature review. In Stage 2, routinely collected data relevant to the framework will be identified through data scoping. In Stage 3 the framework will be refined using a modified Delphi consensus approach and in Stage 4, tested for data accuracy and to determine rules for application. Processes and outcomes responsive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will be prioritised. This evaluation framework will enable continuous quality improvement, benchmarking against national standards and evidence-informed investment.
Investigators
Alice Cairns, Ruth Barker, Linton Harriss and Edward Strivens in collaboration with Robyn McDermott, Vivienne Sandler, Sandra Campbell, Tania Cavanagh, Desley Harvey, Ella Dunsford and Jacquelin Capell (Mt Isa Centre for Rural & Remote Health, College of Healthcare Sciences, College of Medicine & Dentistry, Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, Torres & Cape Hospital & Health Service, Cairns & Hinterland Hospital & Health Service and University of Wollongong)
Keywords
Evaluation; Allied Health; Rehabilitation; Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; Health Services

Menzies School of Health Research - HOT NORTH Fellowship

Evaluation framework for community rehabilitatio services in remote northern Australia

Indicative Funding
$46,770
Summary
An evauluation framework for community rehabilitation services in northern Australian will be developed. In Stage 1, a guiding framework will be revised following a systematic literature review. In Stage 2, routinely collected data relevant to the framework will be identified through data scoping. In Stage 3 the framework will be refined using a modified Delphi consensus approach and in Stage 4, tested for data accuracy and to determine rules for application. Processes and outcomes responsive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will be prioritied. This evaluation framework will enable continuous quality improvement, benchmarking against national standards and evidence-informed investment.
Investigators
Alice Cairns, Ruth Barker and Robyn McDermott (Mt Isa Centre for Rural & Remote Health, College of Healthcare Sciences and Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine)
Keywords
Evaluation; Rehabilitation; Health Services; Allied Health; Aboriginal And Torres Strait Youth

Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation - Research Grant

Implementation and evaluation of a student-led rehabilitation and lifestyle service for people with chronic and disabling conditions in Cape York

Indicative Funding
$24,800
Summary
This project will evaluate the implementation of a student-led rehabilitation and lifestyle service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Napranum and Weipa in partnership with Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) and Apunipima Cape York Health Council (ACYC). This research is expected develop a sustainable service model that is valued by people experiencing chronic and disabling conditions and their families living in Napranum and Weipa communities.
Investigators
Alice Cairns in collaboration with Robyn McDermott, Ruth Barker, Elizabeth Armstrong, Amy O'Hara, Lynore Geia and Sylvia Kris (Mt Isa Centre for Rural & Remote Health, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, College of Healthcare Sciences, Edith Cowan University and Torres & Cape Hospital & Health Service)
Keywords
Rehabilitation; Indigenous; Health Services; Allied Health; Student; Chronic Disease

National Health & Medical Research Council - Northern Australia Tropical Disease Collaborative Research Programme

Implementation and evaluation of an innovative student-led rehabilitation and lifestyle service in Northern Australia for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic and disabling conditions: A pilot study.

Indicative Funding
$45,433 (administered by Menzies School of Health Research)
Summary
This project will pilot a student-led rehabilitation and lifestyle service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Napranum and Weipa in partnership with Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) and Apunipima Cape York Health Council (ACYC). A sequential mixed methodology will be used to evaluate the service from stakeholders' perspectives: participants, allied health students, Aboriginal and allied health workforce and collaborating organisations. To privilege the voices of Aboriginal people, Indigenous methodologies will be used. This project will provide a service for Napranum and Wei pa communities and a service model for other remote communities across Northern Australia.
Investigators
Alice Cairns, Robyn McDermott, Ruth Barker, Louise Maple-Brown, Beth Armstrong and Lynore Geia in collaboration with Sabina Knight and Catrina Felton-Busch (Mt Isa Centre for Rural & Remote Health, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, College of Healthcare Sciences, Menzies School of Health Research and Edith Cowan University)
Keywords
Rehabilitation; Lifestyle; Student; Allied Health; Indigenous; 2-Hydroxyethyl Cellulose
Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

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
  • Implementation of Nasal High Flow: A Remote Context (Masters , Secondary Advisor)
  • Expanded Pharmacy Practice in Rural Australia (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Collaboration

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.

  • 5+ collaborations
  • 4 collaborations
  • 3 collaborations
  • 2 collaborations
  • 1 collaboration
  • Indicates the Tropics (Torrid Zone)

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Location
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    Similar to me

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    2. Prof Robyn McDermott
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    3. Dr Ruth Barker
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    4. Dr Lynore Geia
      College of Healthcare Sciences
    5. Prof Peter Leggat
      College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences