Oxford health academic to speak at Monash

An Oxford University researcher and co-founder of a website detailing health and illness experiences based on narrative research will speak at Monash University this month.

Healthtalkonline.org is the public interface of an ongoing qualitative research project on health and illness experiences co-initiated by Professor Sue Ziebland, Director of Oxford's Health Experiences Research Group. The site provides access to patient and carer experiences of more than 60 health conditions, to inform other patients, carers, health care professionals and policy makers.

The website canvasses diverse aspects of illness, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and its effects, and the views of families and carers. A number of people were interviewed for their experiences of each condition. Interviews are rigorously analyzed by researchers to inform the development of the website.

Professor Ziebland will speak about the potential health effects of access to online patient experiences at a free public lecture, at Monash University's City Conference Centre.

The talk is organized as a part of ongoing collaboration between Professor Ziebland and  Associate Professor Renata Kokanovic, of Monash University’s School of Political and Social Inquiry - a specialist in the sociology of health and illness.

Associate Professor Kokanovic led the establishment of the Australian arm of the healthtalkonline.org research consortium, DIPEx International Australia, with the University of Sydney and La Trobe University. 

“Health and illness experiences, in the form of online stories, provide insight into living with various illnesses, not just for patients but their health care providers, carers, family, friends, and policymakers," Associate Professor Kokanovic said.

"Stories highlight the various strategies that people use to negotiate their everyday life and approach the future. They also highlight sources of information, alternative health services and activities that others have found helpful or enjoyable.”

Like their collaborators in the UK, the researchers of DIPEx International Australia conduct qualitative research into personal experiences of health and illness. They use this information to produce the website as a resources for the public, health professionals and policy-makers.

The first Australian website, initiated by Associate Professor Kokanovic, details experiences of depression and recovery.

Sue Ziebland, University of Oxford, will speak at Monash University Conference Centre, 30 Collins Street Melbourne, 2-4 pm, Tuesday 6 March.

To register, please visit Monash Events.