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Barwon Health / Research

(03) 4215 0000

Allied Health Research & Translation - Catherine Williams

Background

With a clinical background in physiotherapy, I have spent recent years dedicated to driving the development and coordination of Barwon Health’s Oncology Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation Service.  This included leading a 12-month project funded by the DHHS investigating the feasibility of a prehabilitation service for Barwon Health’s cancer patients that helped secure sustainable funding for the service. 

Having completed post-graduate qualifications in Oncology Exercise Medicine, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Clinical Trials Protocol Design, I have recently commenced my PhD investigating the education and training needs of allied health professionals to engage with and lead clinical trials.  I am currently leading the Allied Health Clinical Trials Unit – Oncology (ACT-ONC) Project: building capacity in the allied health workforce to engage with and lead clinical trials addressing cancer supportive care and survivorship needs.  The ACT-ONC Project is funded by a 3-year Clinical Trials Management Scheme Competitive Grant from Cancer Council Victoria and the Victorian Cancer Agency, which I was awarded following a competitive funding round in 2021.

I have keen interests in research translation, clinician-led research and equity in exposure and opportunities for Allied Health Professionals.

Research FocusCatherine Williams about me 2023

My current research focus involves several areas that are key to understanding and building the capacity of allied health clinicians to lead clinical trials, including:

  • Examining the barriers and enablers of allied health professional involvement in clinical trials
  • Understanding the needs of healthcare consumers to engage with allied health-led clinical trials, both as trial participants but also as members of the trial design team

I am also involved in several research projects aimed at improving our understanding of how specific allied health interventions can impact on the cancer outcomes and quality of life of people with cancer in our region.

Awards & Achievements

  •  Barwon Health Best Care Award 2019
  • Clinical Trials Management Scheme Competitive Grant, Cancer Council Victoria and Victorian Cancer Agency ($500,000) 2021
  • Western Alliance Academic Health Science Centre Funding Support ($20,000) 2021
  • World Allied Health Professions Day Award – Commitment 2022
  • Melbourne Microcert Scholarship (Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance) 2022
  • Renée Sheedy Scholarship 2023

Feature Publications

  • Williams, C., King, O., Granger, C., Lee, V., Gulli, J. (2023, August 8) The ACT-ONC Project: how we are building capacity to increase Allied Health Professionals engagement in clinical trials – a 3-year project at a large, regional public health service in Victoria. (Poster presentation). National Allied Health Conference, 2023. Expanding Horizons, Perth, Australia.
  • Beks, H., King, O., Clapham, R., Alston, L., Glenister, K., McKinstry, C., Quilliam, C., Wellwood, I., Williams, C., & Wong Shee, A. (2022). Community Health Programs Delivered Through Information and Communications Technology in High-Income Countries: Scoping Review. Journal of medical Internet research, 24(3), e26515. https://doi.org/10.2196/26515
  • Stagnitti, K., da Graca Costa, M., Falzon, L., Williams, C., Chi, J., Richards, K.. (2013) Upper limb pain and decline in strength during rehabilitation for a lower limb injury.  International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation 20:3, 136-143 https://doi.org/10.12968/ijtr.2013.20.3.136

How you can help

Donate

Research requires ongoing investment and there are several ways to support our work. You can make a donation today and contribute to an item on our research group’s wish list, consider a bequest in your will, or establish a lasting legacy fund in your name. No matter what size, your philanthropic support will deliver an immediate impact to this important work. To donate now or for more information, please contact the Barwon Health Foundation.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 25 October 2023

Catherine Williams3

Catherine Williams

PhD candidate
Microcert in Clinical Trial Protocol Design
Graduate Certificate in Epidemiology Intelligence
Graduate Certificate in Exercise Medicine (Oncology)
Bachelor of Physiotherapy

Project Lead: Allied Health Clinical Trials Unit - Oncology

Allied Health Research & Translation
Adrian Costa Clinical Trials Centre

[email protected]
(03) 4215 3053