The Behavioural Sciences Unit contributes behavioural insights to the Centre for Health Services Research. The Unit works collaboratively with national and international research institutions and industry groups to conduct behaviour change trials, support clinical trials of surgical or medical interventions, evaluate health interventions and develop programs that progress the field of behavioural science.
This work is led by Professor Monika Janda.
Our areas of interest are behavioural oncology, cancer prevention and early detection, telehealth, consumer co-design, quality outcomes assessment, and improving surgical care and decision making. We have extensive experience leading research studies in skin cancer and gynaecological cancers, as well as involvement in breast cancer, diabetes and geriatric health research.
Current major grants include:
Skin cancer prevention and early detection
- Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis (ACEMID)
- Roadmap Options for Melanoma Screening in Australia (Melanoma-ROSA)
- Centre of Research Excellence in Skin Imaging and Precision Diagnosis
- Intelligent total body scanner for early detection of melanoma
- Pieces - Towards large scale implementation of evidence-based interventions for primary prevention of cancer in Europe and beyond (EU grant adminstered by Institut Catala d'Oncologia Hospitalet)
- Assessing diagnostic accuracy for melanoma with compared to without access to Melanoma Surveillance Photography in high-risk individuals (MRFF THSCOS grant administered by Monash)
- Developing the Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks for Tobacco Reduction Reforms and Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Project in Queensland
Gynaecological cancer
- ENDO3:A Phase III Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing Disease-Free Survival of Patients with or without Lymph Node Dissection in clinical stage I Endometrial Cancer (ANZGOGtrial #1911/2020)
- A non-surgical alternative to hysterectomy for the treatment of endometrial cancer
- A Phase II trial evaluating feasibility, safety and efficacy of an individually-tailored exercise intervention during chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer (MRFF EPCDR adminstered by Griffith)
Geriatric Medicine
- The GOAL Trial: Comprehensive geriatric assessment for frail older people with chronic kidney disease to increase attainment of patient-identified goals: A cluster randomised controlled trial
- INTErGenerational intervention to Reduce fraIlTY trial (INTEGRITY) (NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies grant administered by UNSW)
- Frailty ADD: Improving Hospital Outcomes for Frail Patients Across Different Disciplines