Dr Anna Chur-Hansen

Biography/ Background

Professor Anna Chur-Hansen is a Registered Psychologist who holds a PhD in Medical Education.  She is currently Chair of the Australian Psychological Society College of Health Psychologists in South Australia. 

Awards & Achievements

Teaching

Carrick Citation (now ALTC) “Outstanding contributions to research and literature related to the education of health professionals which have benefited the learning experiences of students locally, nationally and internationally”.

University of Adelaide Stephen Cole the Elder Teaching Award.

University of Adelaide Stephen Cole the Elder Teaching Award – High Commendation.

Research

University of Adelaide School of Population Health and Clinical Practice Prize for Scholarship in Education – Honourable Mention.

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry – “Most important papers of 2003” – Awarded by Professorial team peer review, for co-authored paper on patients’ perceptions of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

ANZAME: The Association for Health Professional Education Award for Research.  Awarded based on consistent research in health professional education and dissemination of the results in peer reviewed journals.

Service

Australian Psychological Society 2011 National College of Health Psychologists Award of Distinction.

Australian Psychological Society South Australian Branch Award 2008, for significant contributions to the South Australian section of the College of Health Psychologists.

Teaching Interests

Interdisciplinary approaches to health care. 

Co-ordinator Person, Culture and Medicine I - food, sex, pain and death considered from psychological, anthropological and biological perspectives.

Co-ordinator Emotion, Culture and Medicine II - happiness, sadness, anger and fear considered from psychological, anthropological and biological perspectives.

Chair, Electives Committee for the MBBS, Year II.

Clinical teaching in medicine.

Co-Chair, School of Medicine Clinical Teaching and Student Support Committee.

Co-co-ordinator, School of Medicine Teaching Series, Years IV and V MBBS.

Teaching of Health Psychology.

Co-co-ordinator Master of Psychology (Health).

Research Interests

Professor Chur-Hansen has two main areas of research endeavour.

One is Health Professional Education, with an emphasis on the education of medical undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The other is Health Psychology, with an emphasis on patients' perceptions of their health and illness and the health care they receive.  The other major theme within Health Psychology involves the role of companion animals in human physical and mental health.

Her most recent and current research students:

Dr Cindy Stern PhD – Systematic review of canine assisted therapy. Co-supervisor Professor Alan Pearson (Joanna Briggs Institute).  Thesis awarded with Commendation.

Dr Sin Yan (Shirley) Chui: Hospital Pharmacy Staff’s Perceptions and Experiences of Some Prominent Patient Safety Interventions: The Ideology Versus Reality.  Graduated 2010.  Co-supervisors Professor Ross McKinnon (Pharmacy, UniSA) and Dr Kingsley Couldhard (Women's and Children's Hospital Pharmacy)

Dr Rebecca Gooden PhD: An analysis of cosmetic surgery accounts and a proposed counselling framework.  Graduated 2010. Co-supervisor Professor Helen Winefield (Psychology/Psychiatry)

Dr Michael Savic PhD: Exploring the fit between the perceived mental health needs of resettling refugees and current health service responses. Graduated 2010. Co-supervisors Dr Afzal Mahmood and A/Professor Vivienne Moore (Public Health)

Bethany Smith Master of Psychology (Health): A qualitative investigation of the effects of memantine on functioning in persons with acquired brain injury: patient and family perspectives. Graduated 2009.  Co-supervisor A/Professor Les Koopowiz (Psychiatry)

Jade Keightley Master of Psychology (Health): Perceptions of obesity in self and others.  Graduated 2009. Co-supervisors Professor Gary Wittert (Medicine) and Rita Princi (Psychiatry)

Lucy-Kate Werner Master of Psychology (Health): A study examining the link between psychological attachment and Royal Society for the Blind guide dog educators’ physical and psychological health.  Graduated 2011.  Co-supervisor Dr Susan Hazel (Veterinary Sciences)

Jasmin Peacock Master of Psychology (Clinical): A study examining the potential implications of high attachment to companion animals. Graduated 2011.  Co-supervisor Professor Helen Winefield (Psychology/Psychiatry)

Kellie Hodder Master of Psychology (Health) – Psychological impact of burns. Co-supervisor Andrea Parker (Royal Adelaide Hospital Clinical Psychology).  Graduating 2012.

Alicia Jenkins Honours Psychiatry – An evaluation of a programme to reduce companion animal physical harm to children in the home.  Co-supervisors Susan Hazel and Michelle McArthur (Veterinary Sciences).  Graduated 2011.

Current students:

Ethel Chung Master of Psychology (Clinical)/PhD - Optimising Mental Health among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations.  Co-supervisor Professor Deb Turnbull (Psychology)

Katie Crocker PhD – IBS, sexuality and intimacy. Co-supervisor A/Professor Jane Andrews (Medicine)

Amaya Gilson PhD – Ethnography of genetic counselling.  Co-supervisors Dr Shona Crabb (Public Health) and Dr Susan Hemer (Anthropology)

Dr Marijeta Kurtin Master of Psychology (Health) – The role of games in childhood cancer. Co-supervisor Professor Helen Winefield (Psychology/Psychiatry)

Sonia Masciantonio PhD – An Ethnography of a parent-infant psychiatric facility.  Co-supervisor Dr Susan Hemer (Anthropology)

Lauren Moulds Master of Psychology (Health) – A critical exploration of the potential roles for Health Psychologists in child protection.  Co-supervisors Dr Liz Kummerow (Families SA) and Professor Helen Winefield (Psychology/Psychiatry)

Chris Muldoon PhD – The emotional impact of acquiring a guide dog.  Co-supervisor Dr Susan Hazel (Veterinary Science)

Dr Felicity Ng PhD – Depression and palliative care.  Co-supervisors A/Professor Greg Crawford (Medicine/Mary Potter Hospice) and Dr Rajan Nagesh (Psychiatry)

Melissa Osborn Master of Psychology (Health) - Men's body image.  Co-supervisor Professor Gary Wittert (Medicine)

Branka Radovanovic Master of Psychology (Health) - A comparison of patient and surgeon expectations.  Co-supervisor A/Professor Peter Devitt (Surgery)

Gigetta Salamone-Violi PhD – User satisfaction in an inpatient psychiatric mental health unit.  Co-supervisor Professor Helen Winefield (Psychology/Psychiatry)

Dr Melanie Turner PhD – Support for parents of neonates. Co-supervisor Professor Helen Winefield (Psychology/Psychiatry)

Sofia Zambrano Ramos PhD – Palliative care and doctors' experiences of death. Co-supervisor A/Professor Greg Crawford (Medicine/Mary Potter Hospice)

Carly Sutherland Hons Psychology – Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other characteristics of rural and urban psychologists

Research Funding

Australian Learning and Teaching Council Award (value $465,000) for project “A collaborative multi-disciplinary project for the expansion, dissemination, and evaluation of a blended learning initiative for tertiary medical education.” (Palmer, E., Devitt, P., Chur-Hansen, A. and Crabb, S.) 2009-2011.

Publications

The last five years (2006-2011)

Books

Chur-Hansen, A., Caruso, J., Sumpowthong, K. and Turnbull, D. (2006) Cross-cultural and Indigenous issues in psychology.  Frenchs Forest, Pearson Education.  (Invited textbook).

Book Chapters

Chur-Hansen, A. and Winefield, H. (in press) "Companion animals and physical health: The role of Health Psychology." In L. Ricciardelli and M. Caltabiano (eds) The Health and Well-Being Handbook. (Invited Chapter).

Chur-Hansen, A., Elliott, T. and Hally, B. (2009) “Informal Language in Health Care.”  In B. Hally (ed) A Guide for International Nursing Students in Australia and New Zealand. Sydney: Elsevier. pp 107-131. (Invited Chapter).

Chur-Hansen, A. and Woodward-Kron, R. (2009) “Clinical education: embracing diversity”.  In C. Delany and L. Molloy (eds) Clinical Education: Evidence, practice and understanding.  Elsevier.  Chapter 6. Chatswood: Elsevier.  pp 92-106. (Invited Chapter).

Chur-Hansen, A. (2008) “Keeping a journal of reflections on learning”. In N.C. Facione and P.A. Facione (Eds) Critical Thinking and Clinical Reasoning in the Health Sciences: An International Multidisciplinary Teaching Anthology.  California: Insight Assessment, California Academic Press.  pp 93-100. (Invited Chapter).

Editorial Works

Chur-Hansen, A. and Appell, G. (Eds). (in press) "Psychiatric Research Among the Iban: Collected Papers of Robert J. Barrett."

Journal Articles, Refereed Journals, Sole Author Articles

Chur-Hansen A. (2011) "Attitudes of psychiatrists in South Australia towards research degrees." Australasian Psychiatry, 19, 17-21.

Chur-Hansen, A. (2010) "Grief and bereavement issues and the loss of companion animal: People living with a companion animal, owners of livestock, and animal support workers.  Clinical Psychologist, 14, 14-21.

Chur-Hansen, A.  (2008) “A passionate love: The contributions of the late Professor Robert John Barrett”.  Borneo Research Bulletin, 39, 26-34. (Invited paper: included in the volume, on page 285, a “Summary of Professor Barrett’s data held in the University of Adelaide Barr Smith Library Special Collection Archives” –  all of his data are deposited there, for future researchers to access).

Chur-Hansen, A.  (2008) “A passionate love: The contributions of the late Professor Robert John Barrett”.  Monash Bioethics Review, 26, 12-20. (Invited paper).

Chur-Hansen, A. (2006) “Grief – loss of a pet.”  Grieflink.  http://www.grieflink.asn.au/   (Invited contribution).

Joint Author Articles

Peacock, J., Chur-Hansen, A., & Winefield, H. (in press) "Mental health implications of human attachment to companion animal." Journal of Clinical Psychology (accepted 14 Oct 2011)

Clark, Y., Chur-Hansen, A., Turnbull, D. & Masciantonio, S. (in press) "A qualitative study of Australian undergraduate psychology students’ attitudes towards the teaching of Indigenous and Cross-Cultural psychology at one University." Focus on Health Professional Education

Keightley, J., Chur-Hansen, A., Princi, R. and Wittert, G. (2011) "Perceptions of obesity in self and others."  Obesity Research and Clinical Practice.  Available on-line from April 27.

Black, A.F., Winefield, H.R. and Chur-Hansen, A. (2011) “Occupational Stress in Veterinary Nurses: Roles of the Work Environment and Own Companion Animal.” Anthrozoos, 24, 191-202.

Black, A., Chur-Hansen, A. & Winefield, H. (2011) "Australian Psychologists’ Knowledge of and Attitudes toward Animal Assisted Therapy". Clinical Psychologist, 15, 69-77.

Chur-Hansen, A., Black, A., Gierasch, A., Pletneva, A. and Winefield, H. (2011) "Cremation services on the death of a companion animal: views of service providers and service users in South Australia." Society and Animals, 19, 248-260.

Chur-Hansen, A. Stern, C. and Winefield, H. (2010) "Gaps in the evidence about companion animals and human health: some suggestions for progress."  International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare, 8, 140-146.

Bain, E. and Chur-Hansen, A. (2010) "Why has this patient presented in this manner at this time in the context of his or her life?" Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal, 34, 17-24.

Wilson, A., Chur-Hansen, A., Marshall, A. and Air, T. (2010) "Should nursing-related experience be a prerequisite for acceptance into a nursing programme?  A study of students' reasons for withdrawing from undergraduate nursing at an Australian university." Nurse Education Today.  doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2010.09.005

Ortega, C., Limaye, V. and Chur-Hansen, A. (2010) “Patient perceptions of and experiences with Inflammatory Myositis." Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 16, 341-342.

Galletly, C., Chur-Hansen, A., Air, T. and Chapman, I. (2009) “Academics of the future?  A survey of final year medical students.”  Australasian Psychiatry, 17, 502-505.

Elliott, T., Bromley, T., Chur-Hansen, A. and Laurence, C. (2009) "Expectations and experiences associated with rural GP placements." Rural and Remote Health, 9, 1264 (online).

Crabb, S. and Chur-Hansen, A.  (2009) “Qualitative research: Why psychiatrists are well placed to contribute to the literature.”  Australasian Psychiatry, 17, 398-401.

Wilson, A., Chur-Hansen, A., Donnelly, F. and Turnbull, D.  (2009) “Selection of nursing students at the University of Adelaide using an oral interview.”  Focus on Health Professional Education, 11, 61-74.

Chur-Hansen, A., Winefield, H.R. and Beckwith, M. (2009) “Companion animals for elderly women: a qualitative study of the role of attachment.”  Qualitative Research in Psychology, 6, 281-293.

Wilson, A., Chur-Hansen, A., Donnelly, F. and Turnbull, D. (2008) “Being an interviewer in a structured oral assessment process for selection of undergraduate nursing students: motivations, expectations and reflections of the experience.”  International Journal of Nursing Practice, 14, 475-483.

Winefield, H.R., Black, A. and Chur-Hansen, A. (2008) “Health effects of ownership of and attachment to companion animals, in an older population.”  International Journal of Behavioural Medicine, 15, 303-310. Includes a new measure designed by Winefield and Chur-Hansen, “The Owner-Pet Relationship Scale”. http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/guide/med/menthealth/scales.html [last accessed 17.6.09].  (In 2009 this scale was translated into Norwegian for use by the University of Oslo).

Chur-Hansen, A., Winefield, H. and Beckwith, M. (2008) “Reasons given by elderly men and women for not owning a pet, and the implications for clinical practice and research.”  Journal of Health Psychology, 13, 988-995.

Chur-Hansen, A., Herbert, P., Caruso, J, and Barrett, R.J. (2008) “Indigenous students entering the Faculty of Health Sciences: A qualitative study of their aspirations and expectations."  Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal, 32, 19-24.

Smith, B., Chur-Hansen, A., Neale, A. and Symon, J.  (2008) “Quality of life and cholinesterase inhibitors: a qualitative study of Alzheimer Disease patients and their carers.”  Australasian Psychiatry, 16, 433-437.

McNamara, C., Chur-Hansen, A.  and  Hay, P.J. (2008) “Emotional responses to food in adults with an eating disorder: A qualitative investigation."  European Eating Disorders Review, 16, 115-123. 

McNamara, C., Hay, P.J., Katsikitis, M. and Chur-Hansen, A. (2008) “Emotional responses to food, body dissatisfaction and other eating disorder features in children, adolescents and young adults."  Appetite, 50, 102-109. 

Scott, L. and Chur-Hansen, A. (2008) “A qualitative investigation of the mental health literacy of rural adolescents: Emo subculture and SMS texting.” Australasian Psychiatry, 16, 359-362. 

Chur-Hansen, A., Carr, J., Bundy, C., Sanchez-Sosa, Tapanya, S. and Wahass, S.H. (2008) “An international perspective on Behavioral Science Education in Medical Schools.” Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 15, 45-53 (Invited paper). 

Chur-Hansen, A. and McLean, S. (2007) “Supervisors’ views about their trainees and supervision.” Australasian Psychiatry, 15, 273-275. 

Chur-Hansen, A. and McLean, S. (2007) “Trainee psychiatrists’ views about their supervisors and supervision.” Australasian Psychiatry, 15, 269-272. 

Chur-Hansen, A. and McLean, S. (2007) “Perceived boundaries in the psychiatry-trainee-supervisor relationship.” Focus on Health Professional Education, 9, 47-59.

Chur-Hansen, A., Elliott, T.E., Klein, N.C. and Howell, C.A. (2007) “Assessment of English-Language proficiency for General Practitioner Registrars.”  Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 27, 36-41.

Chur-Hansen, A. and Elliott, T.E. (2007) “Medical education and the medical workforce in Australia.” Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 27, 34-35. 

Chur-Hansen, A. and Burg, F.D. (2006) “Working with standardised patients for teaching and learning.” The Clinical Teacher, 3, 220-224.

Chur-Hansen, A. and McLean, S. (2006) “Supervisor as formative assessor: a qualitative study.”  Focus on Health Professional Education, 8, 69-81. 

Chur-Hansen, A., Parker, D., Henneberg, M. and Barrett, R. (2006) “Interdisciplinary electives in the humanities for students of medicine, health sciences and psychology: suggestions and implications.” Focus on Health Professional Education, 8, 32-39.

Chur-Hansen, A., Koopowitz, L., Jureidini, J., Abhary, S. and McLean, S. (2006) “An interdisciplinary course for trainee psychiatrists: feedback and implications.”  Australasian Psychiatry, 14, 186-191. 

Chur-Hansen, A. and Zion, D. (2006) “Let’s fix the chemical imbalance first, and then we can work on the problems second: An exploration of ethical implications of prescribing an SSRI for ‘depression’.”  Monash Bioethics Review, 25, 12-23. 

Chur-Hansen, A. and McLean, S. (2006) “On being a supervisor: the importance of feedback and how to give it.” Australasian Psychiatry, 14, 67-71. 

Unrefereed Joint Author Articles

Frewin, D. and Chur-Hansen, A. (2008) “Obituary.”  In Rites of Passage, Anthropology News, Jan, 38.

Galletly, C., Allison, R., Chur-Hansen, A., Frewin, D., Good, B., O’Brien, E., Parker, D., Pilowsky, I., Smith, G. and Warin, M. (2007) “Obituary.”  Australasian Psychiatry, 15, 252-253. 

Reports

Chur-Hansen, A., Herbert, P., Caruso, J. and Barrett, R. (2008) “Indigenous students entering the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Adelaide: A qualitative study of their aspirations and expectations.” Report for the University of Adelaide Faculty of Health Sciences, based on University of Adelaide Faculty of Health Sciences Summer Vacation Research Scholarship awarded to P. Herbert, 2006-2007.

Scott, L. and Chur-Hansen, A. (2007) “A qualitative investigation of the mental health literacy of rural adolescents.”  Report for the South Australian Psychiatry Training Committee for the Brian Shea Scholarship, and the Department of Education and Children’s Services. 

Podcasts
Chur-Hansen, A. (2008) “Total Control?  Eating Disorders and Emotional Responses to Food.”  International Program of Psychosocial Health Research. 

http://www.ipp-shr.cqu.edu.au/podcasts/?id=46 [last accessed 22.6.09]

Professional Associations

Fellow, Australian Psychological Society

Chair, College of Health Psychologists (SA Branch) Australian Psychological Society

Fellow, Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia

Entry last updated: Wednesday, 8 Feb 2012