Esther May

Prof Esther May

Dean: Clinical Education

School of Allied Health and Human Performance

College of Health

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

Professor May is the Dean of Clinical Education and Equity. The role has a strategic focus on the student experience and quality of the future healthcare workforce, clinical education, equity and excellence and partnerships.
Originally trained as an occupational therapist, Esther obtained a PhD in medical sciences from the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) in 1992 and has been an active educator and researcher with achievements that include 18 PhD and Master by Research student completions.  Esther has been the Australian delegate to the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and is an honorary and founding member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association.
Esther has a keen interest in health workforce matters and the role of education in producing the health workforce of the future.  Esther currently oversees government funded grants targeting better rural clinical training, simulated learning and clinical supervision.  Esther’s experience in management and leadership is extensive, including 7 years as Head of the School of Health Sciences and before that 7 years as Head of the School of Occupational Therapy. Esther is currently on the Executive of the Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences (ACDHS).
Esther is highly passionate around Aboriginal health workforce matters, particularly in trying to encourage increased participation of Aboriginal people in health careers. This has translated into improving the Aboriginal study support for health students, better engagement with the indigenous community, and active participation in the UniSA Reconciliation Action Plan process.

Allied Health Workforce

Work Integrated Learning

Health Trends and Services

Allied Health Competencies

Interprofessional practice

Year Citation
2025 Yisma, E., Jones, M., Pauh, L. S., Walsh, S., Jones, S., May, E., & Gillam, M. (2025). Impact of rurality on health care utilization among Australian residents from 2009 to 2021. Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e12884.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC2
2023 Yisma, E., Versace, V. L., Jones, M., Walsh, S., Jones, S., May, E., . . . Gillam, M. (2023). The distribution of registered occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and podiatrists in Australia. PLoS ONE, 18(9 September), 1-14.
DOI Scopus9 WoS9 Europe PMC9
2023 Thompson, D. L., May, E. J., Leach, M. J., Smith, C. P., & Fereday, J. A. (2023). Applying learning principles within parent education: exploring nurses' practice and parents' experiences. Patient Preference and Adherence, 17, 2949-2970.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2023 Carey, L. M., Cahill, L. S., Blennerhassett, J. M., Nilsson, M., Lannin, N. A., Thijs, V., . . . Matyas, T. A. (2023). A Network of Sites and Upskilled Therapists to Deliver Best-Practice Stroke Rehabilitation of the Arm: Protocol for a Knowledge Translation Study. Healthcare Switzerland, 11(23), 16 pages.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC1
2021 Gillam, M. H., Jones, M., & May, E. (2021). Beyond the black stump: rapid reviews of health research issues affecting regional, rural and remote Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 213(11), 3-32.
DOI Scopus1 Europe PMC1
2021 Yisma, E., Gillam, M., Versace, V. L., Jones, S., Walsh, S., May, E., & Jones, M. (2021). Geographical distribution of 3 allied health professions in South Australia: A summary of access and disadvantage. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 29(5), 721-728.
DOI Scopus14 WoS13 Europe PMC11
2021 Thompson, D. L., May, E. J., Leach, M., Smith, C. P., & Fereday, J. (2021). The invisible nature of learning: patient education in nursing. Collegian, 28(3), 341-345.
DOI Scopus13 WoS11
2020 Gillam, M., Leach, M., Muller, J., Gonzalez-Chica, D., Jones, M., Muyambi, K., . . . May, E. (2020). Availability and quality of publicly available health workforce data sources in Australia: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open, 10(1), e034400-1-e034400-5.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC8
2020 Osborne, S. R., Alston, L. V., Bolton, K. A., Whelan, J., Reeve, E., Wong Shee, A., . . . Holliday, S. (2020). Beyond the black stump: rapid reviews of health research issues affecting regional, rural and remote Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 213(S11), S3-S32.e1.
DOI Scopus24 WoS16 Europe PMC19
2020 Gillam, M. H., Leach, M. J., Gonzalez-Chica, D. A., Muyambi, K., Jones, M., Walsh, S., . . . May, E. (2020). Availability and characteristics of publicly available health workforce data sources in Australia. MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA, 213(11), S23-+.
DOI WoS7
2020 Thompson, D., Leach, M., Smith, C., Fereday, J., & May, E. (2020). How nurses and other health professionals use learning principles in parent education practice: a scoping review of the literature. Heliyon, 6(3, article no. e03564), 1-24.
DOI Scopus21 WoS18 Europe PMC13
2020 Kumar, S., Tian, E. J., May, E., Crouch, R., & McCulloch, M. (2020). "you get exposed to a wider range of things and it can be challenging but very exciting at the same time": Enablers of and barriers to transition to rural practice by allied health professionals in Australia. BMC Health Services Research, 20(1), 14 pages.
DOI Scopus30 WoS26 Europe PMC16
2019 Corlis, M., Barnett, K., Loffler, H., May, E., Gilbert Hunt, S., & Van Emden, J. (2019). Partnering to provide interprofessional education in aged care. Journal of interprofessional education and Practice, 17(100277), 1-7.
DOI Scopus1
2018 Leach, M. J., Jones, M., Gillam, M., & May, E. (2018). BMJ Open regional South Australia health (RESONATE) survey: study protocol. BMJ Open, 8(4, article no. e019784), 1-7.
DOI Scopus4 WoS4 Europe PMC2
2016 Nolan, R. C., Raynor, A. J., Berry, N. M., & May, E. J. (2016). Self-reported physical activity using the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) in Australian adults with type 2 diabetes, with and without peripheral neuropathy. Canadian journal of diabetes, 40(6), 576-579.
DOI Scopus36 WoS32 Europe PMC26
2016 Rosso, E. G. F., McGrath, R., Immink, M. A., & May, E. (2016). Sport for development and peace (S4D) as 'core university business'? Modelling university participation in sport-based social development. Asia-Pacific journal of health, sport and physical education, 7(1), 77-90.
DOI Scopus3
2015 Berndt, A. H., May, E., & Darzins, P. (2015). On-road driving assessment and route design for drivers with dementia. British journal of occupational therapy, 78(2), 121-130.
DOI Scopus12 WoS9
2014 Craig, P. L., Barnard, A., Glasgow, N., & May, E. (2014). Evaluating the health 'hubs and spokes' interprofessional placements in rural New South Wales, Australia. Journal of allied health, 43(3), 176-183.
Scopus12 Europe PMC6
2014 Pearce, K. L., Birbeck, D. J., & May, E. J. (2014). The use of animations and the 'teach-back' technique to facilitate an understanding of health literacy levels within the general community. Journal of the Education Research Group of Adelaide, 3(2), 39-45.
2013 Segal, L., Leach, M. J., May, E. J., & Turnbull, C. (2013). Regional primary care team to deliver best-practice diabetes care: a needs-driven health workforce model reflecting a biopsychosocial construct of health. Diabetes care, 36(7), 1898-1907.
DOI Scopus30 WoS26 Europe PMC23
2011 Broniecki, M., Esterman, A., May, E., & Grantham, H. (2011). Pre-employment risk factors for back, neck and shoulder musculoskeletal injuries and claims in ambulance officers. Journal of musculoskeletal research, 14(1, article no. 1150002), 1-10.
DOI Scopus4
2010 Broniecki, M., Esterman, A., May, E., & Grantham, H. (2010). Musculoskeletal disorder prevalence and risk factors in ambulance officers. Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, 23(4), 165-174.
DOI Scopus32 WoS26 Europe PMC21
2010 Barras, S. L., Grimmer, K. A., & May, E. J. (2010). Consensus on 'core/essential' and 'ideal world' criteria of a pre-discharge occupational therapy home assessment. Journal of evaluation in clinical practice, 16(6), 1295-1300.
DOI Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC5
2010 May, E., Garrett, R., & Ballantyne, A. (2010). Being mobile : electric mobility-scooters and their use by older people. Ageing and society, 30(7), 1219-1237.
DOI Scopus56 WoS49
2010 Leach, M. J., Segal, L., & May, E. (2010). Lost opportunities with Australia's health workforce?. Medical journal of Australia, 193(3), 167-172.
DOI Scopus22 WoS22 Europe PMC13
2009 George, S., May, E., & Crotty, M. (2009). Exploration of the links between concepts of theoretical driving models and the international classification of functioning, disability, and health. Journal of allied health, 38(2), 113-120.
Scopus6 Europe PMC5
2009 Bruce, L., Farrow, D., Raynor, A., & May, E. (2009). Notation analysis of skill expertise differences in netball. International journal of performance analysis in sport, 9(2), 245-254.
DOI
2009 Russell, M. E., Williams, M. T., May, E. J., & Stewart, S. (2009). The conundrum of detecting stable angina pectoris in the community setting. Nature reviews cardiology, 7(2), 106-113.
DOI Scopus10 WoS5 Europe PMC6
2009 Turnbull, C., Grimmer-Somers, K., Kumar, S., May, E., Law, D., & Ashworth, E. (2009). Allied, scientific and complementary health professionals: a new model for Australian allied health. Australian Health Review, 33(1), 27-37.
DOI Scopus93 WoS86 Europe PMC69
2008 Berndt, A. H., Clark, M. S., & May, E. J. (2008). Dementia severity and on-road assessment : briefly revisited. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 27(3), 157-160.
DOI Scopus27 WoS25 Europe PMC24
2006 Wilding, C., Muir Cochrane, E., & May, E. J. (2006). Treading lightly: Sprituality issues in mental health nursing. International journal of mental health nursing, 15(2), 144-152.
DOI Scopus23 Europe PMC14
2005 Boshoff, J., Alant, E., & May, E. J. (2005). Occupational therapy managers perception of challenges faced in early intervention service delivery in South Australia. Australian occupational therapy journal, 52(3), 232-242.
DOI Scopus13
2005 Wilding, C., May, E. J., & Muir Cochrane, E. (2005). The experience of spirituality, mental illness and occupation: a life-sustaining phenomenon. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 52(1), 2-9.
DOI Scopus39
2005 Kortman, B., & May, E. J. (2005). Enabling model for assessing overseas-trained occupational therapists seeking to work in Australia. Australian occupational therapy journal, 52(3), 251-256.
DOI Scopus3
2004 Grimmer Somers, K. A., May, E. J., Dawson, A. P., & Peoples, C. A. (2004). Informing discharge plans. Assessments of elderly patients in Australian public hospitals : a field study. Internet journal of allied health sciences and practice.
2003 Brooks, A., May, E., & Boshoff, K. (2003). The Gazebo Café skills training program: a multi-perspective evaluation. Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling, 9(1), 14-25.
DOI
2002 Broniecki, M. M., May, E. J., & Russell, M. E. (2002). Wrist strength measurement: a review of the reliability of manual muscle testing and hand-held dynamomentry. Critical Reviews in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 14(1), 41-52.
Scopus5
2002 Dawkins, H., & May, E. J. (2002). The lived experience of doing a higher degree in occupational therapy from the perspective of five graduates : a phenomenological study. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 49(3), 128-137.
DOI Scopus6
2002 May, E. J. (2002). Patients with back pain value the process, as well as outcomes, of care. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 48(1), 57.
DOI
2002 Broniecki, M., May, E., & Russell, M. (2002). Wrist strength measurement: A review of intrarater and interrater reliability of isokinetic dynamometry. Critical Reviews in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 14(2), 163-171.
Scopus3
2001 Grimmer, K. A., & May, E. J. (2001). Cost drivers of public hospital occupational therapy outpatient care. Australian occupational therapy journal, 48(4), 150-156.
DOI Scopus2
2001 Priest, N., & May, E. J. (2001). Laptop computers and children with disabilities: factors influencing success. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 48(1), 11-23.
DOI Scopus19
1995 Silfverskiöld, K. L., & May, E. J. (1995). Early active mobilization after tendon transfers using mesh reinforced suture techniques. Journal of Hand Surgery, 20(3), 291-300.
DOI Scopus28 WoS15 Europe PMC15
1995 Silfverskiöld, K. L., & May, E. J. (1995). Early active mobilization of tendon grafts using mesh reinforced suture techniques. Journal of Hand Surgery, 20(3), 301-307.
DOI Scopus21 WoS18 Europe PMC13
1995 May, E. (1995). Editorial. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 42(2), 47.
DOI
1995 May, E. (1995). Editorial. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 42(3), 94.
DOI
1994 Silfverskiöld, K. L., & May, E. J. (1994). Flexor tendon repair in zone II with a new suture technique and an early mobilization program combining passive and active flexion. Journal of Hand Surgery, 19(1), 53-60.
DOI Scopus234 WoS162 Europe PMC154
1993 Silfverskiold, K. L., & May, E. J. (1993). Gap formation after flexor tendon repair in zone II. Results with a new controlled motion programme. Scandinavian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery, 27(4), 263-268.
DOI Scopus60 WoS51 Europe PMC45
1993 Silfverskiöld, K. L., May, E. J., & Oden, A. (1993). Factors affecting results after flexor tendon repair in zone II: A multivariate prospective analysis. Journal of Hand Surgery, 18(4), 654-662.
DOI Scopus34 WoS28 Europe PMC24
1993 Silfverskiöd, K. L., May, E. J., & Törnvall, A. H. (1993). Tendon excursions after flexor tendon repair in zone II: Results with a new controlled-motion program. Journal of Hand Surgery, 18(3), 403-410.
DOI Scopus63 WoS46 Europe PMC45
1993 May, E. J., & Silfverskiöld, K. L. (1993). Rate of recovery after flexor tendon repair in zone II a prospective longitudinal study of 145 digits. Scandinavian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery, 27(2), 89-94.
DOI Scopus32 WoS29 Europe PMC28
1992 May, E. J., Silfverskiöld, K. L., & Sollerman, C. J. (1992). The correlation between controlled range of motion with dynamic traction and results after flexor tendon repair in zone II. Journal of Hand Surgery, 17(6), 1133-1139.
DOI Scopus13 WoS9 Europe PMC12
1992 May, E. J., Silfverskiöld, K. L., & Sollerman, C. J. (1992). Controlled mobilization after flexor tendon repair in zone II: A prospective comparison of three methods. Journal of Hand Surgery, 17(5), 942-952.
DOI Scopus69 WoS40 Europe PMC41
1992 Silfverskiöld, K. L., May, E. J., & Törnvall, A. H. (1992). Gap formation during controlled motion after flexor tendon repair in zone II: A prospective clinical study. Journal of Hand Surgery, 17(3), 539-546.
DOI Scopus85 WoS68 Europe PMC65
1992 Silfverskiöl, K. L., May, E. J., & Törnvall, A. H. (1992). Flexor digitorum profundus tendon excursions during controlled motion after flexor tendon repair in zone II: A prospective clinical study. Journal of Hand Surgery, 17(1), 122-131.
DOI Scopus58 WoS29 Europe PMC35
1989 May, E. J., & Silfverskiold, K. L. (1989). A new power source in dynamic splinting: Clinical experience and results. Journal of Hand Therapy, 2(3), 169-174.
DOI Scopus7
1989 May, E. J., & Silfverskiold, K. L. (1989). A new power source in dynamic splinting: Experimental studies. Journal of Hand Therapy, 2(3), 164-168.
DOI Scopus4

  • Telehealth Services Review and Environmental Scan, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, 25/06/2020 - 01/08/2020

  • Building effective transition support for nursing, midwifery and allied health practice in rural south australia: A multi-methods partnership approach, Rural Doctors Workforce Agency, 01/07/2016 - 30/09/2017

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