Tiffany Gill

Dr Tiffany Gill

Senior Research Fellow

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

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

Dr Tiffany Gill is an Senior Research Fellow in the Adelaide Medical School at the University of Adelaide. Between 2011 and 2015 she was an NHMRC Early Career Fellow focusing on epidemiological issues and health system impacts (including costs) of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions (particularly osteoarthritis (OA), osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)) within Australia. She originally trained as a physiotherapist and then developed a research interest focusing on the epidemiology of musculoskeletal conditions. Prior to joining the University she worked as a physiotherapist in both the public and private sectors and as a chronic disease epidemiologist with SA Health. She is an Associate Investigator for the North West Adelaide Health Study, a cohort study in the northern and western suburbs of South Australia.
Tiffany is passionate about addressing the impact of musculoskeletal conditions on the population and the translation of research findings to the population. She has been a long term member of the Board of Arthritis SA and Vice President since 2012. She has also mentored undergraduate and post-graduate students and early career researchers. Tiffany's research continues to aim to increase population awareness and the focus of policy makers on the epidemiological, health economics and population effects of musculoskeletal disorders in the population.

The epidemiology of musculoskeletal conditions in the population

MSK conditions impact on every aspect of a person’s life and bring pain, suffering, inequality and disability into the lives of adults and children. Most of us know someone with an acute or chronic MSK problem such as neck, back or foot pain, or arthritis. MSK conditions not only affect the sufferer but also involve people around them, who are relied on for care, creating an additional burden. MSK problems lack targeting data, have inadequate policy support and costs are underestimated, yet the accrued impact on disability adjusted life years is considerable. My work focuses on the epidemiology of musculoskeletal conditions. My broad vision is that this work will assist in understanding the patterns and intervening with MSK conditions in Australia. Further, it will provide new insights to guide the development of more effective intervention and treatment strategies, and assist with future planning of health care services for MSK conditions in Australia, and potentially internationally.

Current projects

Projects utilise data from the North West Adelaide Health Study (NWAHS), a cohort study in the north western suburbs of Adelaide. Data have been collected over a 20 year period, with data relating to back pain available over the past 15 years. Also available are covariates such as other chronic diseases, risk factors, quality of life, Medical Benefits Scheme, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, biomedical and linkages to hospital admissions/ emergency and outpatient data. Originally, over 4000 participants were recruited to the study and in 2015, over 1500 took part in a postal survey. The data relating to musculoskeletal conditions is one of the largest data collections of this type in Australia. All projects will be undertaken under the joint supervision of myself and Professor Catherine Hill.

Project 1

Title: Back pain in the community

Description: Back pain is a significant problem in the Australian population which impacts on quality of life and the ability to undertake work and leisure activities.

By using the data and examining those who
1) have back pain,
2) develop back pain over the period of the study, and
3) don’t develop back pain;

we can understand the condition more fully and develop strategies to reduce the problem in the community.

Projects available for: Honours and HDR

Location: SAHMRI

Research project start: Semester 1 and 2

Special requirements: None

 

Project 2

Title: Hand pain in the community

Description: Hand pain impacts on quality of life and the ability to undertake work and leisure activities.

By using the data and examining those who
1) have hand pain,
2) develop hand pain over the period of the study, and
3) don’t develop hand pain;

we can understand the condition more fully and develop strategies to reduce the problem in the community.

Projects available for: Honours and HDR

Location: SAHMRI

Research project start: Semester 1 and 2

Special requirements: None

 

Project 3

Title: Use of imaging for back pain in the community

Description: Imaging for back pain is a significant cost to the community and may not be beneficial

By using the NWAHS data and examining those who used services related to imaging and surgery for back pain we can determine the impact and costs for these services on the health care budget.

Projects available for: Honours and HDR

Location: SAHMRI

Research project start: Semester 1 and 2

Special requirements: None

 

Project 4

Title: Use of imaging for shoulder pain in the community

Description: Imaging for shoulder pain is a significant cost to the community and may not be beneficial

By using the NWAHS data and examining those who used services related to imaging and surgery for shoulder pain we can determine the impact and costs for these services on the health care budget.

Projects available for: Honours and HDR

Location: SAHMRI

Research project start: Semester 1 and 2

Special requirements: None

 

Media
The Daily Mail - 23/2/2017

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4251198/Foot-pain-depends-age-lifestyle-lead.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Medical Express – 28/2/2017

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-02-foot-pain-clusters.html

The Advertiser - 24/2/2017

Advertiser article relating to work on foot pain in the population

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  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2015 Senior Research Fellow University of Adelaide
    2011 - 2015 NHMRC Early Career Fellow University of Adelaide

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2015 Recognition Life Membership Arthritis SA Australia —
    2008 Recognition Recognition of Service Australian Physiotherapy Association — —
    2008 Recognition Recognition of Service Australian Physiotherapy Association - SA Branch Australia —
    2004 Recognition Recognition of Service Australian Physiotherapy Association Australia —
    2004 Recognition Recognition of Service Australian Physiotherapy Association - SA Branch Australia —
    2004 Recognition Recognition of Service Australian Physiotherapy Association - SA Branch Australia —
    1999 Teaching Award Excellence in Teaching Award University of SA Australia —
    1998 Award Chancellors Award for Community Service University of SA Australia —

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    — Monash University Australia PGradDip(Biostatistics)
    — Southern Cross University Australia MBA
    — Flinders University Australia PhD
    — Curtin University Australia PGradDip(Hlth Sc)
    — Monash University Australia GradCert(Hlth Ec)
    — University of South Australia Australia MAppSc(Physio)
    — South Australian Institute of Technology Australia BAppSc(Physio)

  • Research Interests
    Arthritis & Rheumatology Biostatistics Bone and Bones Epidemiology Health Economics Physiotherapy Public Health Rheumatology and Arthritis

Competitive Research Funding

National Competitive Schemes

Date Project/No. Investigators Funding Body Amount
2011-2015 APP1013552 Gill, Tiffany K NHMRC $290,032
2016   Hoon EH, Frank O, Gill TK, Hill CL, Laurence C Arthritis Australia $40,000
2015-16   Adams RJ, Taylor AW, Gill TK, McEvoy D, Antic N Sleep Health Australia $20,000
2015   Hoon EH, Hill CL, Gill TK Arthritis Australia $10,000
2014   Shanahan EM, Gill TK, Hill CL Arthritis Australia $30.000
2012   Gill TK, Hill CL, Shanahan EM, Allison D Arthritis Australia $15,000

 

Teaching Activites 

Courses Taught

Date Course Title Institution Course Level/ Code URL
2016 Musculoskeletal Medicine The University of Adelaide 3720_MEDIC_ST_4018BHO  
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  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2020 Principal Supervisor Treatment of Distal Femur Fractures; factors affecting the choice of fixation, and the option of distal femur replacement as a viable alternative Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Stephanie Louise Cairns
    2019 Co-Supervisor The influence of socioeconomic factors on medication use and health outcomes in Australians with rheumatoid arthritis Master of Clinical Science Master Part Time Oscar Kenneth Russell
    2019 Principal Supervisor Risk factors of musculesceletal pain Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Claudia Kurkammz
    2018 Principal Supervisor Community Orthogeriatric Care Using a Web-Based Platform to Improve Outcomes Among Older Hip Fracture Patients Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Lalit Dinesh Yadav
    2018 Principal Supervisor Association between Nutrition and Depression Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Prem Raj Shakya

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2015 - 2019 Co-Supervisor The establishment of an automated, electronic data-collection system for the purpose of qualifying, evaluating and improving post-operative surgical outcomes and evidence-based surgery Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr James Marcus McLean
    2015 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Diet and Epidemiology of Non-communicable Chronic Diseases: focusing on dietary and nutrient patterns and bone fragility in adults Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Yohannes Adama Melaku
    2013 - 2017 Co-Supervisor Prescription Medicines, Over-the-Counter Medicines and Complementary and Alternative Medicines Use in Baby Boomers and Older South Australians and their Association with Health Outcomes (as Assessed by Health Services Use and Quality of Life) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Bee Leng Per
    2013 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Measuring the health status of informal and family caregivers - how, what and why Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Anne Florence Stacey
    2013 - 2019 Co-Supervisor A Multicentre Case Control Study of Vitamin D and Breast Cancer Risk among Pakistani Women Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Uzma Shamsi
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  • Board Memberships
    Date Role Board name Institution name Country
    2012 - 2015 Representative Faculty of Health Science Board The University of Adelaide Australia
    2011 - 2015 Member Australasian Epidemiological Association — Australia
    2004 - ongoing Member Arthritis SA — Australia
    2001 - 2003 President SA Branch Australian Physiotherapy Association SA Branch Australian Physiotherapy Association Australia

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2018 - ongoing Member Adelaide Medical School Research Committe The University of Adelaide Australia
    2014 - ongoing Chair Education, Research, Advocacy Committee Arthritis SA Australia
    2013 - ongoing Member Human Research Ethics Committee The University of Adelaide Australia
    2012 - ongoing Member Research Translation Faculty National Health and Medical Research Council Australia
    2012 - 2015 Member Postdoctoral Reference Group National Health and Medical Research Council Australia
    2011 - 2013 Chair Research Committee Arthritis SA Australia
    2004 - 2013 Chair Education Committee Arthritis SA Australia
    2004 - 2007 Representative National Advisory Council Australian Physiotherapy Association Australia

  • Consulting/Advisories
    Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country
    2015 - ongoing Department of Veteran's Affairs - Medical and Health Services Advisory Panel — Health services and related Australia
    2014 - ongoing Therapeutic Goods Administration - Assessment and Advisory Services Panel — Health services and related Australia

  • Offices Held
    Date Office Name Institution Country
    2018 - ongoing President Arthritis SA Australia
    2012 - ongoing Vice President Arthritis SA Board Australia
  • Position: Senior Research Fellow
  • Phone: 83131206
  • Email: tiffany.gill@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: SAHMRI, floor 7
  • Org Unit: Adelaide Medical School
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