Professor Phillipa Hay
University of Western Sydney
Mental Health Research 2006, 2007 and 2008
Professor Phillipa Hay’s main area of clinical research expertise is in eating disorders, acknowledged through invitations to submit articles in Australasian and international journals and to present on eating disorders at scientific meetings in Hong-Kong, Australasia, Brazil and the United States. In 1999 she was awarded the Australian Federation of Medical Women Medical Research Triennial Prize for work in the area of Eating Disorders. She has published over 100 papers and invited reviews and two books. She is President of the Executive of the Australian and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders.
Professor Hay has wide experience in evidence-based medicine and the conduct of randomised controlled clinical trials in mental health. She is a principal reviewer and writer of systematic reviews in the field of eating disorders internationally for the Cochrane Collaboration. She is co-investigator in an ongoing randomised trial of psychotherapy for treatment of intractable anorexia nervosa - an international first.
Professor Hay also has long-standing expertise in community-based studies and primary-care in which she has well established links. She has had extensive experience in General Practice training in mental health and was co-convenor of the Evidence Base Sub-Committee for the RANZCP Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa. She has served on NHMRC Discipline Panels and is past-Chair of the RANZCP Board of Research.
Professor Hay has a strong interest in under-graduate and post-graduate medical education and assessment. She is currently a member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Board of Education and the Australian Medical Council Board of Examiners.
SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
“Mediating factors and effects of health literacy in course and outcome of common eating disorders: A longitudinal study”.
The Women's Eating, Health and Lifestyle Research Group (WEHL) is an ongoing collaboration between the University of Western Sydney, James Cook University, Townsville, La Trobe University, Melbourne and the Australian National University, Canberra. The longitudinal study on common eating disorders has been funded by Australian Rotary Health since 2006 and is the final year of funding.
PROGRESS REPORT:
Professor Phillipa Hay from the University of Western Sydney (and formerly from James Cook University) has received a second grant from Australian Rotary Health to continue her research. The final year of her longitudinal study involving young women with disordered eating from the ACT, North Queensland and Victoria, observes the fluctuation of symptoms over time and the relationship between changes in symptoms, mood, quality of life, weight and attitudes and beliefs about eating disorders. A particular focus has been identifying the barriers to seeking help. To date, findings indicate that while the study succeeded in encouraging people to seek help, when they did their experiences varied greatly. Important barriers were identified, including participants’ own anxieties about stigma and perceived lack of empathy and understanding from health professionals. The study found a close relationship between well-being and body weight over time.
The study’s website is: www.uws.edu.au/medicine/som/research/mental_health