About

Robyn McDermott is Professor of Public Health Medicine at the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention James Cook University, Senior Clinical Research Fellow (Queensland),  NHMRC Practitioner Fellow and Professor of Public Health in the School of Population Health (UniSA) and the Sansom Institute for Health Research (South Australia).

Robyn previously served as Professor of Public Health Medicine at JCU in Cairns from 2002-4 and prior to that, as Medical Epidemiologist in the Cairns Tropical Public Health Unit from 1995. She has been a Research Fellow at the Menzies School of Health Research in the NT and spent many years working as a clinician and health services manager in rural and remote Australia, and in refugee health in South East Asia in the 1980’s and 90’s.

From 2000 to 2004 she served as Vice President, then President of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine and numerous advisory committees to state and commonwealth governments. Robyn has worked as a consultant for WHO, AusAID, the World Bank and State and Commonwealth governments and others, in health services and Public Health.  Her research interests are in chronic disease epidemiology, clinical quality improvement and disease prevention. She has chaired NHMRC Grant Review Panels for Projects, Fellowships and Capacity Building Grants and has had continuous NHMRC funding as lead investigator since 1998, totalling more than $12 million.

Robyn has co-ordinated and taught Masters level courses in Epidemiology and Health Economics while in the Northern Territory, and a new masters course in chronic disease and public health at James Cook University, as well as contributing to undergraduate teaching on the new JCU Medical Course.

Qualifications: MBBS University of Sydney 1978, FAFPHM The Royal Australasian College of Physicians 1990,MPH Harvard University 1993, PhD University of Sydney 2002

Interests
Research
  • Robyn's research interests include the epidemiology of chronic disease and health transition, and how primary health care can improve outcomes in resource-poor settings. Her work on improving diabetes care systems in remote far north Queensland resulted in major changes to policy and practice, and was recognised by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) as one of the “best 10” projects in 2006 More recently her focus has been the effective translation of research evidence into clinical and public health practice, with attention to systems issues including funding models, policy environment, information systems, workforce development and quality improvement in primary care settings Although coming late to the formal research world, she has earned more than $7 million in NHMRC research grant funding as lead investigator and more than $8million as co-investigator.
Research Disciplines
Socio-Economic Objectives
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
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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 141+ research outputs authored by Prof Robyn McDermott from 2002 onwards.

Current Funding

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

National Health & Medical Research Council - Boosting Dementia Research Grant

Reducing Dementia Risk in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

Indicative Funding
$1,515,145 over 6 years
Summary
The aim of the project is to address these issues through the development of a range of interventions to specifically target the high rates of dementia in Indigenous communities. This project will use a Participatory Action Research approach to enable communities to identify and prioritise dementia risk reduction strategies/potential risk and protective factors. Using a Continuous Quality Improvement Framework, primary health care centries will address modifiable dementia risk factors to change practice and systems through the development of culturally appropriate interventions. The outcome will be a culturally appropriate framework that incorporates evidence-based best-practice guidelines for delivering community specific interventions for risk reduction and prevention of dementia.
Investigators
Edward Strivens, Sarah G Russell, Rachel Quigley, Sarah Larkins, Robyn McDermott, Venessa Curnow, Kate Smith, Prabha Lakhan and Veronica Matthews in collaboration with Alan Cass, Yvonne Hornby-Turner, Desley Harvey, Leon Flicker, Dina LoGiudice, Frankie Clive, Gavin Miller, Dallas McKeown and Gail Garvey (College of Medicine & Dentistry, Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, Queensland Health, The University of Western Australia, The University of Sydney, Menzies School of Health Research, The University of Queensland, The University of Melbourne and North Queensland Primary Health Network)
Keywords
Indgenous Health; Healthy Ageing; Dementia; Chronic Disease

National Health & Medical Research Council - Targeted Call for Research into Healthy Ageing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

A framework for healthy ageing in the Torres Strait

Indicative Funding
$1,100,540 over 6 years
Summary
The aim of this project is to develop a culturally appropriate framework of healthy ageing for Torres Strait Comjmunities to enable older persons to remain living well at hme and on Country for as long as possible. Participatory Action Research (PAR) within a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) framework will be the overarching lmethodology for this project. The scope of the framework will be guided by the World Health organisation Framework of Healthy Ageing encompassing both intrinsic capacity and environmental characteristics that influence health outcomes.
Investigators
Edward Strivens, Sarah G Russell, Leon Flicker, Dina LoGiudice, Kate Smith, Rachel Quigley, Robyn McDermott, Sean Taylor, Venessa Curnow and Sarah Larkins in collaboration with Betty Sagigi, Desley Harvey, Dympna Leonard, Elizabeth Beattie, Gavin Miller, Jennifer Mann, Nancy Pachana and Yvonne Hornby-Turner (College of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Australia, Melbourne Health, Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, Cairns & Hinterland Health Service District, Queensland Health, Queensland University of Technology and The University of Queensland)
Keywords
Indigenous Health; Chronic Disease; healthy ageing; Dementia

Menzies School of Health Research - HOT NORTH Fellowship

Evaluation framework for community rehabilitation services in remote northern Australia

Indicative Funding
$46,770 over 1 year
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

Menzies School of Health Research - 2019/2020 Hot North Pilot and Translation Projects

Traditional Bush Foods in the Top End - Can they prevent chronic disease?

Indicative Funding
$23,300 over 1 year
Summary
This project will document the traditional uses of 9 key plants sold by the Corporation in Maningrida (with ethnobotanists from the NT Herbarium), perform a detailed analysis of their nutrient profile including phenolic and flavonoid content and anti-oxidant analysis with UniSA scientists.
Investigators
Clem Bresson, Robyn McDermott, Susan Semple and Permal Deo (Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine and University of South Australia)
Keywords
Traditional foods grown in N. Australia

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

HOT NORTH PILOT PROJECTS - RND 4 - Translation of a culturally responsive stroke rehabilitation service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into a real-world setting in northern Australia: a hybrid effectiveness implementation study

Indicative Funding
$35,290 over 2 years (administered by Menzies School of Health Research)
Summary
An evidence-based communication intervention will be implemented in the real world setting at Wuchopperen Health Services (WHS) in Cairns. Eight stroke survivors will participate in 24 sessions across a 12-week period, delivered by a speech pathologist in partnership with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Allied Health Assistant (AHA). Individually tailored activities will be undertaken within a 'yarning' framework, with family involvement, and culturally relevant resources. Change in everyday communication and barriers and enablers to implementation will be assessed. This study will prepare for full-scale implementation of the service model and reduce health disadvantage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Investigators
Ruth Barker, Kylie Stothers, Robyn McDermott, Natalie Ciccone, Jacqueline Mein, Anita Seinen, Michelle Dougan and Natasha Barlow in collaboration with Beth Armstrong, Deborah Hersh, Juli Coffin, Michael Adams, Anne Lowell, Elaine Maypilama, Renae Moore, Frances Cochrane and Lauren King Koi (College of Healthcare Sciences, Indigenous Allied Health Australia, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Wuchopperen Aboriginal Health Service and Charles Darwin University)
Keywords
Rehabilitation; communication; Allied Health; Partnership; aboriginal and torres strait islander

National Health & Medical Research Council - Project Grant

Building a simulation model to improve cardiovascular disease risk prediction and treatment for indigenous Australians

Indicative Funding
$235,000 over 5 years
Summary
This project will use a large linked cohort of 2800 Indigenous adults from north Queensland remote communities which looks at reasons for the excess cardiovascular risk in this group. The aim is to get better measures of risk of heart disease and premature death which can be done by primary health care services for better early detection and better management and survival.
Investigators
Robyn McDermott, Philip Clarke, Kerry Arabena, Kenny Lawson, Andrew Hayen, Kerin O'Dea and Wendy Hoy (Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, The University of Melbourne, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, University of South Australia and The University of Queensland)
Keywords
Cardiovascular Diseases; Indigenous Health; Primary Health Care

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 over 1 year (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

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

HOT NORTH - Indigenous Development and Traning Grant

Indicative Funding
$24,936 over 1 year (administered by Menzies School of Health Research)
Summary
Michelle Dougan will undertake the role of Aboriginal Allied Health Assistant/Co-researcher for our HOT North pilot project titled 'Talking after Stroke'. The Indigenous Development and Training grant will support Michelle by enabling her to undertake a Certificate IV Allied Health Assistant (Speech Pathology and Physiotherapy), providing both course fees and backfill for her position at Wuchopperen. The grant will also enable Michelle to attend a forum in Darwin for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander co-researchers, access face-to-face training for her role no the pilot project and to attend key conferences (IAHA and Lowitja) to share findings.
Investigators
Michelle Dougan, Ruth Barker, Kylie Stothers, Robyn McDermott, Anita Seinen, Natasha Barlow and Natalie Ciccone (Wuchopperen Aboriginal Health Service, College of Healthcare Sciences, Indigenous Allied Health Australia, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences and Edith Cowan University)
Keywords
Indigenous; Rehabilitation; Allied Health; Speech Pathology; Stroke; Physiotherapy
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
  • Older Persons enablement and rehabilitation for complex health conditions: OPEN ARCH Study (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
  • Experimental Hookworm Infection in Humans with Metabolic Disease (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
  • Obesity in Pregnancy (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
  • Health Care Homes in Cairns: a mixed methods study exploring the experience of adults living with chronic conditions to inform the new model of primary health care (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
  • Features of Primary Health Care Services in Remote Indigenous Communities that Contribute to Hospital Avoidance for Ambulatory Sensitive Chronic Conditions (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
  • Long term Predictive and and Protective Factors of Dementia in the Torres Strait and Cape (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Completed
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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