Nadja Klafke

Room 251, Hughes Building Fax +61 (08) 8303 3770 nadja.klafke@adelaide.edu.au

Area of Research

Psycho-Oncology, Health Psychology, Men’s Health, Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Memberships

South Australian Psycho-Oncology (SA PoCoG) Group

Awards

Florey Medical Research Foundation Postgraduate Cancer Research Top Up Scholarship (2011 – 2012)

International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (2010 – 2013)

The University of Adelaide Scholarship (2010 – 2013)

Psychology Research Interests

My main research interests are in psycho-oncology and supportive care in cancer. In particular, I am interested in using both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore the use of complementary therapies in cancer patients. I am also particularly interested in gendered health issues.

Research Project

My PhD research utilizes a mixed methodological approach to investigate interpersonal factors and belief systems that contribute to men’s decision-making with regard to the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) after a diagnosis of cancer. By identifying patterns of meaning, it may be better understood how CAM use is perceived by males with cancer, and how significant others (SOs), like family members and friends, impact on men’s decisions to use, continue to use, or not to use CAM. The results could be used for improvements in integrative cancer care benefiting both cancer patients and their families.

Publications

Klafke, N., Eliott, J., Wittert, G., & Olver, I. (2011). Prevalence and predictors of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by men in Australian cancer outpatient services. Annals of Oncology 2011; doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdr521

Eliott, J., & Klafke, N. (2011). Family and complementary and alternative medicine. Cancer Forum, 35(1), 40-43.