Ms Sharon Maree Parker

Qualifications:  RN, BhlthSci; MPH

I am a senior researcher at the Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (CPHCE), the University of NSW, Australia. I have a clinical background in nursing and 20 years experience managing complex multi-site research projects covering a variety of clinical areas including prevention, chronic disease, mental health and breast cancer. My experience includes the evaluation of different models of health service delivery, particularly in respect to the methods used to promote collaboration between service providers and promote access to services. I have a particular interest in the utilisation of evidence for clinical practice and I have conducted a number of Cochrane systematic reviews in breast cancer, and others in psycho-oncology, mental health and primary care.

I currently coordinate the Community Health Extending Care into the Community (CHECC) Trial (https://www.unsw.edu.au/research/cphce/research/projects/community-health-workers-extending-care-in-the-community--checc-). This trial is being conducted in Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) and uses Community Health Navigators (CHNs) to provide follow up care for patients as they move from hospital to the community. The trial will evaluate the impact of the CHN from a quantitative and qualitative perspective. I also jointly coordinate the Prevention and Management of Long Term Condition Research Stream at the CPHCE.

Interests:

Primary Health Care; Mental health; Health services organisation and structure; Evidence Based Medicine and Knowledge exchange; Rural health