Caroline Laurence

Professor Caroline Laurence

Professor (Level E)

School of Public Health

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


Caroline Laurence is a health services researcher and educator in the School of Public Health at the University of Adelaide.

She is a recognised expert in the area of health workforce planning, particularly for the primary care sector. Her research has contributed to a greater understanding of the workforce pipeline in Australia including career decision making, workforce maldistribution, retention issues, changing workforce profiles and workforce policy analysis.

In 2012, she was a recipient of the highly competitive and prestigious ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award and she has used this funding to develop for the first time in Australia, a needs-based approach to planning the GP workforce in South Australia. This research has now been extended to Western Australia, Australia and the practice nurse workforce.

She has more than 75 publications and a Scopus H-Index of 21. In 2011 she was awarded the AAAPC Travelling Fellowship and was a visiting Scholar at the University of Melbourne Department of Primary Care. She has received the General Practice Education Training Regional Training Provider Staff Excellence Award in 2005, The Wyeth/Medical Journal of Australia Award for the best research article published in 2009, the 2009 Sir Richard Stawell Memorial Prize and the Australian Association for Academic General Practice Most Distinguished Paper Award (2010).

She has generated more than $15m in research funding through competitive schemes and contract research and has strong track record in working with industry partners, resulting in funding of more than $12m.

Research interests

  • Health workforce planning
  • Health workforce policy analysis
  • Access to health services
  • Primary care

Current research projects in the areas of:

  • Understanding career pathways of AGPT program graduates
  • Estimating the future requirements of the health workforce
  • Embedding cost and benefits in health workforce planning models
  • Health care provision in developing countries

 

The Health Workforce Planning Group offers a number of research opportunities for students at a variety of levels including PhD, MPhil, Honours, MPH Coursework Thesis and Dissertation, MClinSci and Summer Vacation Scholarships. Details of the projects that are available for students in the health workforce planning can be found in the School of Public Health Student Research Project Handbook.  The link to the Handbook is provided below.

 

For details on projects available please view the following booklet: School of Public Health Student Projects

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2018 - ongoing Professor University of Adelaide
    2018 - ongoing Professor University of Adelaide, Adelaide
    2016 - 2019 Head of School University of Adelaide
    2015 - 2016 Interim Head of School University of Adelaide
    2015 - 2015 Deputy Head of School University of Adelaide
    2013 - 2017 Associate Professor University of Adelaide
    2002 - 2013 Research and Development Manager Adelaide to Outback GP Training Program
    2000 - 2012 Research Fellow Universtiy of Adelaide
  • Awards and Achievements

    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2015 Award School of Public Health Academic Leadership Award University of Adelaide Australia -
    2012 Award Faculty of Health Sciences International Conference Award University of Adelaide Australia -
    2011 Award School of Population Health & Clinical Practice Best Early Career Research Publication University of Adelaide Australia -
    2011 Award AAAGP Most Distinguished Paper Award Australian Association for Academic General Practice - -
    2011 Fellowship AAAPC Travelling Fellowship Australian Association for Academic Primary Care Australia -
    2009 Award Wyeth/Medical Journal of Australia Award Medical Journal of Australia Australia -
    2009 Award Sir Richard Stawell Memorial Prize - Australia -
    2007 Achievement ARI Pty Ltd Bonus Funding University of Adelaide Australia -
    2005 Award Regional Training Provider Staff Excellence Award General Practice Education and Training Ltd Australia -
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    University of Adelaide Australia PhD
    Flinders University Australia Masters of Health Service Management
    University of Adelaide Australia BA
    University of Adelaide Australia BA(Hons)
  • Research Interests

Competitive Research Funding

National Competitive Schemes

Date Project/No. Investigators Funding Body Amount
2016 Customising pathways to self-management support for people with osteoarthritis Hoon E, Frank O, Gill T, Hill C Laurence CO The Arthritis Australia and State/Territory Affiliate Translational Grant, Arthritis Australia National Research Program $40,000
2012-2013 Developing a needs-based simulation model for planning the general practice workforce Laurence CO, Karnon J HWA Strategic Research Program $79,990
2012-2015 Planning the primary care workforces: developing and implementing a needs-based approach (DE120101502) Laurence CO ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award $375,000
2011-2012 Turning evidence into practice: implementing and evaluating models of teaching in general practice to maximise benefits for all participants Laurence CO Education Integration Project, GPET $242,000
2011-2013 Increasing the rural medical workforce: investigating personal traits to enhance our understanding and improve training for rural registrars Eley DS, Laurence CO, Wilkinson D, Walters LK, Cloninger CR, Young JL, Kitchener SJ, Black LE ARC Linkage Grant $116,272
2008-2009 Enhancing the quality use of pathology for GP Trainees Laurence CO, Glastonbury B Quality Use of Pathology Program, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing $170,000
2006-2007 Pre-vocational General Practice Placement Program (1 grant) Laurence CO, Black L Royal Australian College of General Practitioners $213,000
2004-2007 Pre-vocational General Practice Placement Program (3 grants) Laurence CO, Black L Royal Australian College of General Practitioners $643,200
2004-2007 Pre-vocational General Practice Placement Program (2 grants) Laurence CO, Black L Royal Australian College of General Practitioners $423,600
2003 Point-of-care testing for the management of atrial fibrillation in general practice Howell C, Laurence CO, Holton C RACGP Cardiovascular Research Grant in General Practice $20,000
2003 Management of acute myocardial infarction by GPs in a rural setting Ponte L, Baig Z, Laurence CO, Beilby J RACGP Cardiovascular Research Grant in General Practice $25,000
2002 Improving the integration of asthma management in a rural setting Beilby JB,Laurence CO Asthma Innovative Management Project, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing $60,000
2002 From medical student to GP Supervisor: establishing a framework for vertical integration in a rural area through a clinical teaching program Laurence CO Innovation grant, General Practice Education and Training Inc $95,000
2002 Bridging the gap: online tutorials for Registrars and Supervisors Laurence CO Innovation grant, General Practice Education and Training Inc $60,000

State Competitive and Intramural Schemes eg UoA interdisciplinary grants

Date Project/No. Investigators Funding Body Amount
2006 Australian Trained International Medical Students Laurence COM, Laven G, Turnbull D, Fleming J, Elliott T PHC RED $12,500
2003-2004 Piloting a practice based research co-ordinator Laurence CO PHC RED $30,000

Contract Research Funding

Date Project/No. Investigators Funding Body Amount
2019 GP Graduate Tracking Study - Phase 3 Laurence CO GPEx, WA General Practice Education and Training (WAGPET) $61,458
2018 GP Graduate Tracking Study - Phase 1 & 2 Laurence CO Northern Territory General Practice Education Inc. $26,490
2017-18 GP Graduate Tracking Study - Phase 2 Laurence CO GPEx, Murray City Country Coast GP Training, Eastern Victoria GP Training, General Practice Training Tasmania $20,748
2017 GP Graduate Tracking Study - Phase 1 Laurence CO WA General Practice Education and Training (WAGPET), GPEx, Murray City Country Coast GP Training, Eastern Victoria GP Training, General Practice Training Tasmania $32,500
2015 Estimating the general practitioner workforce in Western Australia – Additional analysis Laurence CO WA General Practice Education and Training (WAGPET) $12,715
2015 Forecasting the general practitioner workforce in Western Australia Laurence CO WA General Practice Education and Training (WAGPET) $86,049
2011 General practice recruitment implications of the variation in AGPT applications from Australian medical schools Young D, Spike N, Temple-Smith M, Naccarella L, Laurence C, Bingham A GPET Tender $75,000
2010 Rural and remote GP workforce participation and medical practice composition in South Australia. Analysis of RDWA 2009 GP and rural practice survey. Laurence CO Rural Doctors Workforce Agency (RDWA) $84,000
2009-2010 Sustainable teaching in general practice in Western Australia Laurence CO WA General Practice Education and Training (WAGPET) $120,000
2008-2011 National Health Workforce Planning and Research Collaboration -  Joint Submission: Australian Health Workforce Institute (University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, Price Waterhouse Coopers and University of Adelaide   National Health Workforce Taskforce $4.5M
2007-2008 The feasibility of establishing a state-wide system to track medical graduates in South Australia Phase 1 Laurence CO Rural Doctors Workforce Agency (RDWA) $45,000
2007-2008 Partner perceptions of the attractiveness of rural communities (PpARC): an exploration of the concerns of the families of GP Registrars in participating in a rural placement Laurence COM, Black L Rural Doctors Workforce Agency (RDWA) $60,000
2009-2012 Playford North GP Super Clinic Taylor G, Laurence C, Kettler L, Beilby J GP Super Clinics Program, Department of Health and Ageing $7.5M
2007-2009 Provision of vocational training services - Adelaide to Outback GP Training Program Tender Black L, Laurence CO General Practice Education and Training Inc $12M
2006-2007 Unsuccessful applicants to the medical school at the University of Adelaide Laurence COM, Turnbull D, Stocks N, Robertson J Rural Doctors Workforce Agency (RDWA) $39,000
2006-2007 What do new GP graduates deem important in their selection of a rural practice in South Australia? A stocktake of views from recently recruited or soon to be recruited rural GPs Laurence CO, Stocks N Rural Doctors Workforce Agency (RDWA) $34,000
2004-2007 Year 12 Medical Intention Project Jones A, Newbury J, Laurence CO, Laven G, Baillie S Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing $147,000
2003 Characteristics and career determinants of Interns in South Australian in 2003 Laurence CO, Black L, Sumner K Department of Human Services $30,000
2005 Trial Manager/Evaluator, Point of Care Trial in a general practice setting Beilby J, Laurence CO, Worley P, Shephard M, Tideman P, Tirimacco R Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing $3.8M
2002 Adelaide to Outback GP Training Program Tender Beilby J, Wilkinson D, Laurence CO General Practice Education and Training Inc $1.17M

 

I teach in undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences.

Bachelor of Health & Medical Sciences

  • PUB HLTH 3008  Health care systems: structure, policy and people (Course Coordinator)
  • Research Placement - Public Health (Supervisor)

Master of Public Health

  • PUB HLTH 7092 Health care systems, systems thinking & advocacy for change (Course Coordinator)
  • PUB HLTH 7091 Knowing what works: Public health evaluation

Bachelor of Medical Studies (BMS) and the Doctor of Medicine (MD)

  • Health and Society Domain Lead
  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2018 Co-Supervisor Strengthening Viral Hepatitis Management in Aboriginal Health Services Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Michael Larkin
    2018 Principal Supervisor Tobacco Smoking and mental Illness Among Young People in Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Kimberley Amanda Martin
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2019 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Addressing the Growing Burden of Concomitant Illnesses in Pregnancy in Indonesia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Lareesa Marie Ryan
    2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Application of Primary Health Care Principles in National or Large-Scale Community Health Worker Programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Shagufta Perveen
    2015 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Quality of Care in Family Planning Services in Ethiopia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Gizachew Assefa Tessema
    2014 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Setting Basic Standards in a Developing Ambulance Service: A qualitative description of the impact of the Intermediate Ambulance Care course on prehospital care practice in Penang, Malaysia Master of Philosophy (Public Health) Master Full Time Mr Matt Perry
    2013 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Collaborative prescribing within the opioid substitution treatment program in South Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Phi Le
    2011 - 2014 Co-Supervisor The regulation of non-invasive medical devices in Australia: a case study of breast cancer imaging devices marketed direct-to-consumer Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Thomas Dion Vreugdenburg
    2010 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Medical Students’ Motivations for Studying Medicine: Changes and Relationship with Altruistic Attitudes, Expectations, and Experiences of Learning at University Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Maoyi Xu
  • Board Memberships

    Date Role Board name Institution name Country
    2017 - ongoing Board Member Adelaide Unicare Pty Ltd University of Adelaide Australia
  • Committee Memberships

    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2016 - 2020 Member MBS Review Taskforce General Practice and Primary Care Clinical Committee Department of Health Australia
    2016 - ongoing Chair Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Admissions Committee University of Adelaide Australia
    2016 - 2017 Member University of Adelaide Negotiating Team, Enterprise Bargaining 2017. University of Adelaide Australia
    2016 - ongoing Advisory Board Member ARCPOH Expert Advisory Committee University of Adelaide Australia
    2015 - ongoing Member Faculty Executive Team, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Adelaide Australia
    2015 - ongoing Chair School Executive Committe, School of Public Health University of Adelaide Australia
    2014 - ongoing Member Academic Promotions Level B&C Faculty of Health Sciences Committee University of Adelaide Australia
    2014 - 2014 Chair Program Management Committee, School of Population Health University of Adelaide -
    2013 - 2015 Chair AOGP Research Committee Adelaide to Outback GP Training Program Australia
    2013 - 2014 Member Faculty Program Approval Committee University of Adelaide Australia
    2013 - 2013 Member Advisory Committee, Feasibility of Intern Training for Community Health Project University of Melbourne Australia
    2012 - 2013 Member ReCenT Research Management Committee Valley to Coast GP Training Program Australia
    2012 - ongoing Member NHMRC Postdoctoral Reference Group National Health & Medical Research Council -
    2012 - ongoing Member Theo Murphy High Flyers Think Tank Australian Academy of Sciences Australia
    2012 - 2014 Member HWA Technical Advisory Group Health Workforce Australia Australia
    2009 - 2014 Chair Learning and Teaching Committee, School of Population Health University of Adelaide Australia
    2009 - 2013 Member Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee University of Adelaide Australia
  • Memberships

    Date Role Membership Country
    2014 - ongoing Member North American Primary Care Research Group United States
    2013 - ongoing Member Health Services Research Association of Australia and New Zealand Australia
    2012 - ongoing Member Association of Medical Educators in Europe United Kingdom
    2010 - ongoing Member Australian & New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators Australia
    2004 - ongoing Member Australian Association for Academic General Practice Australia
  • Position: Professor (Level E)
  • Phone: 83134951
  • Email: caroline.laurence@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83133339
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Rundle Mall Plaza, floor 4
  • Org Unit: Public Health

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