Christine Clifford is a Clinical Psychologist who has worked in the School Medicine on a fractional and full time basis since 1993. Her interests in teaching focus on communication in the medical setting and mental health education. From a research perspective her interests are in medical education and mental health.

Biography

Christine Clifford completed her PhD at The Institute of Psychiatry in 1982. Her PhD was in Psychiatric Genetics. On arriving at The University of Melbourne in 1982 she continued her work in Psychiatric Genetics and became the Director of the Australian National Twin Registry, a position she held until 1990.

In 1989 Christine Clifford moved to Tasmania to take up a position with The Mental Health Services Commission. She worked in the Liaison Psychiatry Service at the Royal Hobart Hospital and at this time commenced teaching in the Medical Degree on an honorary basis. This was followed by a number of fractional appointments which were teaching-intensive. When the Medical Degree was revised to a 5 year program,10 years ago, Christine Clifford was invited to lead the curriculum development of Communication and collaboration in the 5 year MBBS.

Christine Clifford continues to be involved in teaching in the Medical Degree from years 1 to 4. She also has 4 PhD students currently, working in Medical Education and Mental Health.

Career summary

Qualifications

• PhD, University of London, UK, 1983. Twin Studies of Drinking Behaviour and Obsessionality
• BA Hons, University College Cardiff, UK, 1978

Memberships

Professional practice

• Full Member of The Australian Psychological Society
• Registered Psychologist AHPRA (Australia)
• Registered Psychologist HCPC (UK)
• Member of the Scientific Advisory Committee, Cancer Council Tasmania
• Member of the Clinical Advisory Group, Cancer Council Tasmania

Administrative expertise

I have experience in maintaining the theme of communication and collaboration across the five years of the MBBS. I addition to this I am the Rotation Coordinator for Clinical Specialties which one to the four clinical rotations in year 3 of the MBBS. This rotation includes Psychiatry introductory Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Teaching

Communications skills for health professionals, Mental Health, A comprehensive knowledge of Human psychology from both a clinical and academic perspective.

Teaching expertise

Christine Clifford has developed resources and a training package for 'Incidental Support' in the health care setting. The initial training was obtained in the UK using the NHS Psychological Assessment Skills Model; the model has been refined locally with Cancer Council Tasmania. The program has been delivered to staff at Cancer Council Tasmania. It has also been delivered in the community through Tasmania including Flinders Island.

Teaching responsibility

Christine contributes to the following units within the School of Medicine:

• CAM 101
• CAM 102
• CAM 201
• CAM 202
• CAM 304
• CAM 305
• CAM 435
• CAM 436