Dr Oliver Frank
University Senior Research Fellow
Adelaide Medical School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
I have been in clinical general practice since 1978, and was a partner in a practice from 1988 until 2009. Exchanges of practice with English GPs in 1993-1994 in Nottingham and in 2000-2001 in Bristol allowed me to compare the British NHS with the Australian health system as a practitioner working within those systems.
My PhD was awarded in 2006 for a thesis based on a randomised controlled trial of automated opportunistic reminders to general practitioners about preventive activities. I designed and conducted the trial and programmed a general practice computer system to generate the automated reminders.
In 2006 I started an academic career part time, with the balance of my time continuing to be spent in clinical practice. My professional and academic interests are in prevention, clinical informatics, quality of care and health services. I lead a research program that is developing and evaluating the benefits of automatically presenting targeted individualised education, information and advice about preventive and other care to people who are attending their general practitioner or practice nurse.
I have served and continue to serve on a range of professional and government committees and boards related to my interests.
I lead a research program that is exploring the benefits of providing education, information and advice to people who have made appointments for consultations in their general medical practice (family practice).
We have developed technology that automatically generates targeted personalised education, information and advice based on the patient’s current status, and that is presented to the patient at a moment when the patient can act immediately with a minimum of additional time, effort or cost. Our software runs when the patient arrives for a consultation and compares algorithms about recommended preventive and other care with data in the patient’s electronic clinical record to generate relevant education, information and advice that is given to the patient to read while waiting to see the GP or practice nurse.
This strategy can be used to increase the performance of preventive care and care of diagnosed conditions. We are exploring its use to help to recruit participants for research studies that are being conducted in or via general practice.
I am also involved in research projects with a range of colleagues that are aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of care provided in general practice.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2006 University Senior Research Fellow University of Adelaide 1978 General practitioner Self -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 1998 - 2006 University of Adelaide Australia PhD 1971 - 1976 University of Adelaide Australia MBBS -
Certifications
Date Title Institution name Country 2011 Fellow Australasian College of Health Informatics Australia 1984 Fellow Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Australia 1980 Full Member Australian Society of Hypnosis Australia 1979 Family Planning Certificate Family Planning Association of South Australia Australia -
Research Interests
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Journals
Year Citation 2021 Mikaeel, R. R., Symonds, E. L., Kimber, J., Smith, E., Horsnell, M., Uylaki, W., . . . Young, J. P. (2021). Young-onset colorectal cancer is associated with a personal history of type 2 diabetes. Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology, 17(1), 131-138.
Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC12021 Frank, O., Tam, C. M., & Rhee, J. (2021). Is it time to stop using statistical significance?. Aust Prescr, 44(1), 16-18.
2021 Sweetman, A., Knieriemen, A., Hoon, E., Frank, O., Stocks, N., Natsky, A., . . . McEvoy, R. D. (2021). Implementation of a digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia pathway in primary care. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 107, 106484.
2020 Frank, O., Stocks, N., & Del Mar, C. (2020). Does point-of-care testing in general practice for leucocyte and differential count change use of antimicrobial medicines? A pilot study. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PRIMARY HEALTH, 26(5), 4 pages.
2020 Moffat, A. K., Westaway, K. P., Apajee, J., Frank, O., Shute, R., Weston, C., . . . Roughead, E. E. (2020). Impact of a patient-specific national programme aimed at increasing the use of emollient moisturisers to reduce the risk of skin tears: a longitudinal cohort study.. BMJ open, 10(10), e039579.
2020 Holden, C. A., Frank, O., Caruso, J., Turnbull, D., Reed, R. L., Miller, C. L., & Olver, I. (2020). From participation to diagnostic assessment: a systematic scoping review of the role of the primary healthcare sector in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.. Aust J Prim Health, 26(3), 191-206.
Scopus1 Europe PMC12020 Holden, C. A., Frank, O., Li, M., Manocha, R., Caruso, J., Turnbull, D., . . . Olver, I. (2020). Engagement of General Practice in an Australian Organised Bowel Cancer Screening Program: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Knowledge and Practice.. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 21(7), 2099-2107.
2019 Frank, O. (2019). No more P values. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE, 48(4), 168. 2019 Westaway, K., Blacker, N., Shute, R., Allin, R., Elgebaly, Z., Frank, O., . . . Roughead, E. (2019). Combination psychotropic medicine use in older adults and risk of hip fracture. Australian Prescriber, 42(3), 93-96.
2019 Frank, O., De Oliveira Bernardo, C., González-Chica, D. A., Macartney, K., Menzies, R., & Stocks, N. (2019). Pneumococcal vaccination uptake among patients aged 65 years or over in Australian general practice. Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics, 16(4), 965-971.
Scopus5 WoS6 Europe PMC22018 Westaway, K., Frank, O., Shute, R., Moffat, A., LeBlanc, V., Rowett, D., . . . Roughead, E. (2018). Gathering tips from carers to support people with dementia: an adaptation of the TOP 5 program for community use. International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare, 16(2), 128-135.
Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC12018 Frank, O., & Rowett, D. (2018). Facilitating respectful interprofessional communication: how do we get there?. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 48(4), 303-305.
2018 Kumar, S., Woodward-Kron, R., Frank, O., Knieriemen, A., & Lau, P. (2018). Patient-directed reminders to improve preventive care in general practice for patients with type 2 diabetes A proof of concept. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE, 47(6), 383-388.
2017 Westaway, K., Frank, O., Husband, A., McClure, A., Shute, R., & Curtis, J. (2017). Minimising fracture risk in older people taking long-term oral corticosteroids. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 47(2), 158-162.
2017 Frank, O. (2017). Discharge summary quality assessment tool. Australian Family Physician, 46(4), 184. 2017 Frank, O., Stocks, N., & Knieriemen, A. (2017). Providing “just-in-time” preventive care advice. Annals of Family Medicine, 15(3), 276.
Scopus2 WoS12017 Liaw, S., Kearns, R., Taggart, J., Frank, O., Lane, R., Tam, M., . . . Harris, M. (2017). The informatics capability maturity of integrated primary care centres in Australia. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 105, 89-97.
Scopus7 WoS7 Europe PMC62016 Frank, O. (2016). My Health Record: repository or communication tool?. Public health research & practice, 26(2).
Scopus12015 Frank, O. R., & Stocks, N. P. (2015). A bowel cancer screening plan at last. MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA, 202(4), III-IV.
2015 Young, J., Win, A., Rosty, C., Flight, I., Roder, D., Young, G., . . . Price, T. (2015). Rising incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer in Australia over two decades: Report and review. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 30(1), 6-13.
Scopus71 WoS75 Europe PMC352015 Frank, O. R., & Stocks, N. P. (2015). A bowel cancer screening plan at last. Medical Journal of Australia, 202(4), iii-iv.
Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC12015 Mnatzaganian, G., Karnon, J., Moss, J., Elshaug, A., Metz, M., Frank, O., & Hiller, J. (2015). Informing disinvestment with limited evidence: cobalamin deficiency in the fatigued. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, 31(3), 188-196.
2015 Westaway, K., Frank, O., Husband, A., McClure, A., Shute, R., Edwards, S., . . . Rowett, D. (2015). Medicines can affect thermoregulation and accentuate the risk of dehydration and heat-related illness during hot weather. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 40(4), 363-367.
Scopus28 WoS22 Europe PMC152014 Westaway, K. P., Alderman, C. P., Frank, O. R., Husband, A. J., Rowett, D., & Le Blanc, T. (2014). Optimising therapy for patients with neuropathic pain. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 44(1), 44-47.
Scopus12014 Frank, O., Aylward, P., & Stocks, N. (2014). Development of pre-consultation prevention summary and reminder sheets for patients: Preliminary study of acceptability and sustainability. Australian Family Physician, 43(5), 310-314.
Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC22014 Westaway, K., Frank, O., Husband, A., Rowet, D., Rossi, S., Blanc, T., & Shute, R. (2014). Safe use of statins in elderly people. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 44(3), 138-142.
Scopus22013 Stocks, N., & Frank, O. (2013). Study design of ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE): A randomized, controlled trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 36(2), 555-564.
Scopus119 WoS110 Europe PMC812013 Newman, L., & Frank, O. (2013). The rhetoric and reality of e-health: A critical assessment of the benefits of e-health in primary health care. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 19(4), 265-269.
Scopus8 WoS6 Europe PMC22013 Johnson, D., Frank, O., Pond, D., & Stocks, N. (2013). Older people with mild cognitive impairment: their views about assessing driving safety. Australian Family Physician, 42(5), 317-320.
Scopus16 WoS15 Europe PMC102013 Bell, J., Blacker, N., LeBlanc, V., Alderman, C., Phillips, A., Rowett, D., . . . Husband, A. (2013). Prescribing for older people with chronic renal impairment. Australian Family Physician, 42(1), 24-28.
Scopus20 WoS19 Europe PMC92013 Ried, K., Frank, O., & Stocks, N. (2013). Aged garlic extract reduces blood pressure in hypertensives: a dose-response trial. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 67(1), 64-70.
Scopus106 WoS96 Europe PMC632012 Frank, O. (2012). Hospitals are not an appropriate setting in which to provide catch-up immunisations. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 48(12), 1106-1107.
WoS12012 Ried, K., Sullivan, T., Fakler, P., Frank, O., & Stocks, N. (2012). Effect of cocoa on blood pressure. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2012(8), 1-84.
Scopus152 WoS112 Europe PMC462012 Stocks, N., Allan, J., Frank, O., Williams, S., & Ryan, P. (2012). Improving attendance for cardiovascular risk assessment in Australian general practice: an RCT of a monetary incentive for patients. BMC Family Practice, 13(1), 1-6.
Scopus7 WoS7 Europe PMC52012 Bell, J., Blacker, N., Edwards, S., Frank, O., Alderman, C., Karan, L., . . . Rowett, D. (2012). Osteoporosis pharmacological prevention and management in older people. Australian Family Physician, 41(0003), 110-+.
Scopus8 WoS8 Europe PMC32012 Bell, J., Mezrani, C., Blacker, N., Tammy, L., Frank, O., Alderman, C., . . . Shute, R. (2012). Anticholinergic and sedative medicines Prescribing considerations for people with dementia. Australian Family Physician, 41(1-2), 45-49.
Scopus41 WoS38 Europe PMC242011 Frank, O. (2011). A fistful of prescriptions: is there a better way?. Australian Family Physician, 40(9), 659.
Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC12011 Frank, O., Stocks, N., & Aylward, P. (2011). Patient acceptance and perceived utility of pre-consultation prevention summaries and reminders in general practice: pilot study. BMC Family Practice, 12(1), 40-1-40-8.
Scopus10 WoS9 Europe PMC42011 Stocks, N., Frank, O., Linn, A., Anderson, K., & Meertens, S. (2011). Vertical integration of teaching in Australian general practice - a survey of regional training providers. Medical Journal of Australia, 194(Suppl. 11), S75-S78.
Scopus11 WoS13 Europe PMC42011 Ried, K., Sullivan, T., Fakler, P., Frank, O., & Stocks, N. (2011). Effect of chocolate on blood pressure. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 1, 1-7.
2011 Frank, O. (2011). Care continuity starts with GPs. Australian Doctor, (22-APRIL), 25. 2010 Ried, K., Frank, O., & Stocks, N. (2010). Chocolate and blood pressure. Chocolate dose may be too much.. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 341.
Scopus32010 Ried, K., Sullivan, T., Fakler, P., Frank, O., & Stocks, N. (2010). Does chocolate reduce blood pressure? A meta-analysis. BMC Medicine, 8(39), 1-11.
Scopus152 WoS134 Europe PMC692010 Reid, K., Frank, O., & Stocks, N. (2010). Chocolate and blood pressure: Chocolate dose may be too much. British Medical Journal, 341(7768), 318.
Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC12010 Ried, K., Frank, O., & Stocks, N. (2010). Aged garlic extract lowers blood pressure in patients with treated but uncontrolled hypertension: A randomised controlled trial. Maturitas, 67(2), 144-150.
Scopus113 WoS105 Europe PMC672009 Frank, O. (2009). General and relative time in urban general practice. Medical Journal of Australia, 191(2), 125.
2009 Ried, K., Frank, O., & Stocks, N. (2009). Dark chocolate or tomato extract for prehypertension: a randomised controlled trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 9(1), 1-12.
Scopus82 WoS71 Europe PMC382008 Ried, K., Frank, O., Stocks, N., Fakler, P., & Sullivan, T. (2008). Effect of garlic on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, 8(13), 1-12.
Scopus166 WoS129 Europe PMC712008 Frank, O. (2008). Wishful thinking. Australian Doctor, (29/AUG.), 23. 2008 Frank, O. (2008). Big step to improving patient care. Australian Doctor, (12/SEPT.), 2. 2007 Frank, O. (2007). Nurse questions [3]. Australian Doctor, (6/JULY), 25. 2007 Frank, O. (2007). In a paper bind [5]. Australian Doctor, (23/MAR.), 21. 2007 Frank, O. (2007). GP-free TV [2]. Australian Doctor, (29/JUNE), 23. 2007 Frank, O. R. (2007). Untitled - To the editor. MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA, 187(8), 473-474.
2006 Frank, O. (2006). Item 291. Australian Family Physician, 35(9), 663. 2006 Frank, O. (2006). Fatness. Australian Family Physician, 35(8), 567-568. 2006 Frank, O., & Agzarian, J. (2006). Making CO2 cryotherapy more economical. Australian Family Physician, 35(11), 839. 2005 Frank, O., Litt, J., & Beilby, J. (2005). Preventive activities during consultations in general practice : influences on performance. Australian Family Physician, 34(6), 508-512.
Scopus6 Europe PMC52004 Frank, O., Litt, J., & Beilby, J. (2004). Opportunistic electronic reminders : improving performance of preventive care in general practice. Australian Family Physician, 33(1/2), 87-90. 2004 Frank, O., Litt, J., & Beilby, J. (2004). Opportunistic electronic reminders: Improving performance of preventive care in general practice. Australian Family Physician, 33(1-2), 87-90.
Scopus42 Europe PMC241999 Frank, O., & May, F. W. (1999). Outcomes of an educational-outreach service for community medical practitioners: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (multiple letters) [4]. Medical Journal of Australia, 171(7), 388-389.
1997 Frank, O. (1997). Registers, recalls and reminders. Australian Family Physician, 26(1), 42-47.
Europe PMC11997 Frank, O. (1997). Practice compared--payment systems. Aust Fam Physician, 26, 1229. 1996 Frank, O., & Kidd, M. (1996). A guide to computer-generated prescriptions. Australian Family Physician, 25(7), 1162-1163.
Scopus11996 Frank, O. (1996). Preventing falls in the elderly at home: a community-based program. The Medical Journal of Australia, 165(4), 238.
1992 Frank, O. (1992). Capitation: a service by another name. Australian Family Physician, 21(3), 270-272. 1991 Frank, O. (1991). Medical reference filing systems. Australian Family Physician, 20(1), 57-59.
Scopus11989 Bungey, J., Pols, R., Mortimer, K., Frank, O., & Skinner, H. (1989). Screening alcohol & drug use in a general practice unit: a comparison of computerised and traditional methods. Community Health Studies, 13(4), 471-483.
Scopus11 WoS6 Europe PMC21988 Frank, O., & Coulthard, K. (1988). Paracetamol for fever in children. Australian Family Physician, 17(9), 771. 1986 Frank, O. R. (1986). Accidents in childhood.. The Medical journal of Australia, 144(12), 671.
1985 FRANK, O. (1985). COMPUTERS FOR MEDICAL OFFICES - LEUDTKE,P, LEUDTKE,R. COMMUNITY HEALTH STUDIES, 9(3), 303. -
Conference Items
Year Citation 2020 Matthews, K., Frank, O., & Devlin, E. (2020). Australian GPs might support the 'open-label' prescription of 'inert' placebo medicines. Poster session presented at the meeting of AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PRIMARY HEALTH. CSIRO PUBLISHING. 2019 Hoon, E., Grivell, N., Haycock, J., Vakulin, A., Chai-Coetzer, C. L., Stocks, N., . . . McEvoy, R. D. (2019). Managing sleep disorders: A qualitative study exploring current practices, knowledge and attitudes of general practitioners. Poster session presented at the meeting of JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH. Sydney, AUSTRALIA: WILEY. 2017 Liaw, S. -T., Kearns, R., Taggart, J., Frank, O., Lane, R., Tam, M., . . . Harris, M. (2017). eHealth and Integrated Primary Health Care Centres. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED CARE. UBIQUITY PRESS LTD.
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NHMRC Endorsed Guidelines
Year Citation 2008 Publication status: Published
Title: Clinical guidelines for best practice management of acute and chronic whiplash-associated disorders
Authors: Cox M, Frank O, Osti O, Merlin T, Atkinson R, Jezukaitis P
Author affiliation: A1024253-A1064970-A1065901-A1018746-B1001943-A1066503
Pagination: 0 pages
Publication date: 2008
Language: en
Notes: Migrated record 20140814
Verification-status: Verified
Record created at source: 14 August 2014 -
Theses
Year Citation 2006 Frank, O. R. (2006). Opportunistic reminders and other influences on the performance of preventive activities in consultations in general practice.
| Date | Project | Investigators | Funding Body | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Coverage of influenza, pneumococcus, and herpes zoster immunisation amongst patients with immune-mediated inflammatory conditions and use of reminders to improve vaccination rates in Australian general practice. | Nigel Stocks, David Gonzalez-Chica, Oliver Frank, Carla de Oliveira Bernardo, Catherine Hill, Jane Andrews | Pfizer Independent Grant for Learning & Change | $US149,669 |
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2017 - 2019 Member Clinical and Technical Board Advisory Committee Australian Digital Health Agency Australia 2015 - ongoing Member RACGP Expert Committee – eHealth and Practice Systems Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Australia 2014 - ongoing Member Strategy Group, SA Cancer Service SA Health Australia 2013 - ongoing Member eHealth network, RACGP National Faculty of Specific Interests Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Australia 2012 - ongoing Member Northern Region GP Council Northern Health Network Australia 2011 - ongoing Member National Bowel Cancer Screening Program State Reference Group SA Health Australia 2010 - ongoing Member Writing group, MATES quality use of medicines program Department of Veterans’ Affairs Australia
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