Profiles
Simone Lee
Simone Lee
Lecturer in Rural Health
Room E011 , E Block
03 6324 4025 (phone)
Simone is a lecturer at the Centre for Rural Health and has a background in public health, nutrition/dietetics, chronic disease risk factors and prevention, and health literacy.
Simone has worked extensively in the not-for-profit health sector in both South Australia and Tasmania, with expertise in the areas of cancer prevention, asthma management, workplace health and wellbeing, and epilepsy management. She has recently joined the University of Tasmania as an academic in Rural Health, and her current research interests include bowel cancer screening participation, and access to health services and support for people living with or affected by epilepsy.
Biography
Simone completed a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Flinders University of South Australia in 1992 and went on to complete her PhD in medicine in 2005. Her passion for health equity lead to an 18-year career in public heath, working for the not-for-profit sector in both South Australia and Tasmania. Most recently, Simone has combined her background in public health with her research expertise to develop relevant and timely projects in the area of rural health.
Career summary
Qualifications
Degree | Thesis title | University | Country | Date of award |
PhD | Plasma triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and cigarette smoking: coronary heart disease risk factors and their relationship with postprandial lipids | Flinders University of South Australia | Australia | 2005 |
Master of Nutrition and Dietetics | n/a | Flinders University of South Australia | Australia | 1992 |
Bachelor of Science | n/a | Flinders University of South Australia | Australia | 1990 |
Languages (other than English)
German
Administrative expertise
Simone has administrative expertise in the areas of project planning, management and evaluation
Teaching
Chronic disease, Cancer Prevention, Health Promotion, Public Health, Asthma Management, Epilepsy, Bowel Cancer Screening, Lifestyle Riskfactors
Teaching expertise
Simone has teaching expertise in the following areas:
- Public Health
- Asthma Management
- Chronic disease risk factors
- Chronic disease prevention
Teaching responsibility
Simone is currently in a research intensive position but contributes to Nursing and Health Science teaching when required.
View more on Dr Simone Lee in WARP
Expertise
- Bowel cancer screening
- Population health surveys
- Qualitative analysis
- Quantitative analysis
- Survey design
- Chronic disease risk factors
- Chronic disease prevention
Research Themes
Simone’s work aligns with the University’s research theme of Better Health. Current projects include: the role of telephone-based peer support in reducing the mental health burden of epilepsy in Tasmania; factors that influence bowel cancer screening uptake in rural Tasmania; the role of commercially available kits in bowel cancer screening in Australia; and, uptake of epilepsy telehealth in rural Tasmania.
Collaboration
Collaboration with Clinical Genomics and Rotary Australia: Evaluation of the 2016 Rotary Bowelscan Program
Collaboration with Epilepsy Tasmania: Epilepsy Connect: a telephone-based peer support service for Tasmanians living with or affected by epilepsy.
Collaboration with Associate Professor Wendyl D’Souza, Neurologist, The University of Melbourne: Evaluation of epilepsy telehealth in North West Tasmania.
Current projects
Evaluation of the 2016 Rotary Bowelscan Program
Epilepsy Connect: a telephone-based peer support service for Tasmanians living with or affected by epilepsy
Evaluation of epilepsy telehealth in North West Tasmania
Factors influencing bowel cancer screening uptake in Rural Tasmania.
Fields of Research
- Health and community services (420305)
- Health promotion (420603)
- Health services and systems (420399)
- Primary health care (420319)
- Public health nutrition (321005)
- Preventative health care (420605)
- Epidemiology (420299)
- Rural and remote health services (420321)
- Palliative care (420316)
- Residential client care (420320)
- Oncology and carcinogenesis (321199)
- Nutrition and dietetics (321099)
- Nutritional science (321004)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander public health and wellbeing (450417)
- Exercise physiology (420702)
- Sport and exercise nutrition (321006)
- Rural and regional geography (440609)
- Health surveillance (420310)
- Cancer therapy (excl. chemotherapy and radiation therapy) (321104)
- Health equity (420602)
- Health systems (420311)
- Public health (420699)
- Disease surveillance (420202)
- Clinical nutrition (321001)
Research Objectives
- Evaluation of health and support services (200299)
- Clinical health (200199)
- Health education and promotion (200203)
- Behaviour and health (200401)
- Rural and remote area health (200508)
- Provision of health and support services (200399)
- Health inequalities (200204)
- Telehealth (200208)
- Nursing (200307)
- Preventive medicine (200412)
- Nutrition (200410)
- Palliative care (200309)
- Evaluation of health outcomes (200202)
- Allied health therapies (excl. mental health services) (200301)
- Prevention of human diseases and conditions (200104)
- Public health (excl. specific population health) (200499)
- Other health (209999)
- Teacher and instructor development (160303)
- Social structure and health (200207)
- Determinants of health (200201)
- Health system performance (incl. effectiveness of programs) (200206)
- Migrant health (200505)
Publications
Total publications
43
Journal Article
(10 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Gadd N, Lee S, Obamiro K, 'Perception of bowel cancer information overload: A cross-sectional study', Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet, 26, (3) pp. 235-247. ISSN 1539-8285 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1080/15398285.2022.2073709 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Gadd N; Obamiro K | |
| 2022 | Lee SM, Versace VL, Obamiro K, 'Public awareness of bowel cancer risk factors, symptoms and screening in Tasmania, Australia: a cross-sectional study', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, (3) Article 1497. ISSN 1660-4601 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031497 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1Web of Science - 1 Co-authors: Obamiro K | |
| 2022 | Namasivayam P, Bui DT, Low C, Barnett T, Bridgman H, et al., 'The use of telehealth in the provision of after hours palliative care services in rural and remote Australia: a scoping review', PLoS ONE, 17, (9) Article 0274861. ISSN 1932-6203 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274861 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Namasivayam P; Bui DT; Low C; Barnett T; Bridgman H; Marsh P | |
| 2022 | Namasivayam P, Bui T, Low C, Barnett T, Bridgman H, et al., 'Use of telehealth in the provision of afterhours palliative care services in rural and remote Australia: a scoping review protocol', PLoS ONE, 17, (1) Article e0261962. ISSN 1932-6203 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261962 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 1 Co-authors: Namasivayam P; Bui T; Low C; Barnett T; Bridgman H; Marsh P | |
| 2021 | Lee SM, Obamiro K, Cooper A, Barnett T, 'General practitioner perspectives on barriers and enablers to bowel cancer screening in rural Tasmania: a thematic analysis of face-to-face interviews', Australian Journal of General Practice, 50, (3) pp. 158-163. ISSN 2208-794X (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-04-20-5386 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1Web of Science - 2 Co-authors: Obamiro K; Cooper A; Barnett T | |
| 2020 | Obamiro K, West S, Lee S, 'Like, comment, tag, share: Facebook interactions in health research', International Journal of Medical Informatics, 137 Article 104097. ISSN 1386-5056 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2020.104097 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 12Web of Science - 11 Co-authors: Obamiro K; West S | |
| 2019 | Byrne LK, Ogden K, Lee S, Ahuja K, Watson G, et al., 'Mixed-method evaluation of a community-wide physical activity program in Launceston, Australia', Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 30, (S1) pp. 104-115. ISSN 2201-1617 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/hpja.241 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 2 Co-authors: Byrne LK; Ogden K; Ahuja K; Watson G; Fell J | |
| 2019 | Cross M, Lee S, Bridgman H, Thapa DK, Cleary M, et al., 'Benefits, barriers and enablers of mentoring female health academics: an integrative review', PloS one, 14, (4) Article e0215319. ISSN 1932-6203 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215319 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 36Web of Science - 37 Co-authors: Cross M; Bridgman H; Thapa DK; Cleary M; Kornhaber R | |
| 2018 | Kent K, Charlton KE, Lee S, Mond J, Russell J, et al., 'Dietary flavonoid intake in older adults: how many days of dietary assessment are required and what is the impact of seasonality?', Nutrition Journal, 17 Article 7. ISSN 1475-2891 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1186/s12937-017-0309-7 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 18Web of Science - 14 Co-authors: Kent K; Mond J | |
| 2018 | Lee S, Miller A, 'Factors influencing participation in fecal occult blood testing to screen for colorectal cancer in Australia: a scoping review protocol', JBI database of systematic reviews and implementation reports, 16, (1) pp. 57-62. ISSN 2202-4433 (2018) [Contribution to Refereed Journal] DOI: 10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-003392 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2 Co-authors: Miller A |
Book
(3 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Pratt S, Lee SM, Stringfellow E, Chapman K, 'Cancer : reduce your risk : speaker's kit : eating and moving to prevent cancer', Cancer Council Australia, Australia ISBN 1876628316 (2005) [Authored Other Book] | |
| 1997 | Burghardt S, Nay R, Pearson A, 'Let's do lunch! : enjoying mealtimes in nursing homes', University of Adelaide, Dept. of Clinical Nursing, Australia (1997) [Authored Other Book] | |
| 1997 | Pearson A, Nay R, Burghardt S, 'Mealtimes in nursing homes : implications for resident satisfaction. Research Monograph Series, no.1', Dept. of Clinical Nursing, University of Adelaide, Australia ISBN 0863964354 (1997) [Authored Research Book] |
Conference Publication
(4 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Lee SM, Groot W, 'Epilepsy Connect: establishing a telephone-based peer support service for Tasmanians', Proceedings of the 14th National Rural Health Conference ISSN 1445-3363 (2017) [Non Refereed Conference Paper] | |
| 2016 | Lee SM, Bridgman H, Barnett T, Elphinstone KS, 'A telephone-based peer support service for Tasmanians living with or affected by epilepsy', Inglis Clark Symposium: Engaging with Impact, 21 April, 2016, Launceston, Tasmania (2016) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Bridgman H; Barnett T; Elphinstone KS | |
| 2002 | Lee SM, 'Nutrition and cancer prevention: working together to promote healthy eating', Nutrition and lifestyle: opportunities for cancer prevention. IARC Scientific Publications No. 156 ISBN 9283221567 (2002) [Non Refereed Conference Paper] | |
| 2002 | Lee SM, Slevin T, 'Nutrition and cancer prevention in Australia: a national collaboration to promote the evidence', Nutrition and Lifestyle: Opportunities for Cancer Prevention. IARC Scientific Publications No. 156, pp. 71-72. ISBN 9283221567 (2002) [Non Refereed Conference Paper] |
Contract Report, Consultant's Report
(4 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Bridgman H, Marsh P, Namasivayam P, Lee S, Bui T, et al., 'Tasmanian Palliative Care After Hours Phone Support Service: Final Evaluation Report', Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Tasmania, Australia (2019) [Contract Report] Co-authors: Bridgman H; Marsh P; Namasivayam P; Bui T; Barnett T | |
| 2018 | Lee S, 'Epilepsy Connect Evaluation Report 2018', University of Tasmania, Australia (2018) [Contract Report] | |
| 2017 | Elmer SL, Nash R, Lee S, Jones RP, 'Review of the Communication and Health Literacy Action Plan', Public Health Services, DHHS, Tasmania, 1-39 (2017) [Contract Report] Co-authors: Elmer SL; Nash R; Jones RP | |
| 2016 | Lee SM, Byrne LK, 'Royal Flying Doctors Service - Right as Rain Community Health Survey Report', University of Tasmania and Active Tasmania, Australia (2016) [Contract Report] Co-authors: Byrne LK |
Thesis
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Lee SM, 'Plasma triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and cigarette smoking : coronary heart disease risk factors and their relationship with postprandial lipids' (2003) [PhD] |
Entry
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Lee SM, 'Definition of 'fast foods'', Fast Foods and Obesity Inquiry. Twenty-fifth report of the Social Development Committee, Australia, pp. 16 (2007) [Entry] |
Other Public Output
(20 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Lee SM, 'Tasmanians in the dark about bowel cancer', The Medical Republic, online, 12 July 2022 (2022) [Media Interview] | |
| 2018 | Lee S, 'Addressing rural health barriers', Launceston Examiner, Australia, 21 September 2018 (2018) [Newspaper Article] | |
| 2018 | Lee S, 'Let's talk about bowel cancer', Interview with Paul McIntyre, ABC Radio Hobart, for Medical Matters program, 22 September 2018 (2018) [Media Interview] | |
| 2018 | Lee S, Radford JC, 'Launceston researcher hopes to increase bowel cancer screening', Sunday Examiner, Launceston, Australia, 1 April 2018 (2018) [Newspaper Article] Co-authors: Radford JC | |
| 2017 | Lee SM, 'National Bowel Cancer Screening Program - Tasmanian participation rates', ABC Northern Tasmania, Launceston, Drive, Ross Marsden, 24 May 2017 (2017) [Media Interview] | |
| 2017 | Lee SM, Cooper M, 'Have you ever received a bowel cancer screening kit?', The Advocate, Tasmania (2017) [Newspaper Article] | |
| 2016 | Ahuja KDK, Lee SM, 'Active Launceston Initiative Final Research Report', Enterprise Marketing Research Services, Australia, pp. 1-91. (2016) [Report of Restricted Access] Co-authors: Ahuja KDK | |
| 2016 | Lee SM, 'Help is just a call away', Hobart Mercury, Hobart, General News, Hobart, Australia, 14 Sep, 2016, p. 4. (2016) [Newspaper Article] | |
| 2016 | Lee SM, 'Tasmanian initiative Epilepsy Connect is world's first phone-based epilepsy peer support service', Tasmanian Times, Tasmania, Australia, 13 Sep, 2016 (2016) [Newspaper Article] | |
| 2016 | Lee SM, 'Epilepsy support line to connect remote Tasmanian patients to help', ABC News, online, Sep 13. 2016 (2016) [Newspaper Article] | |
| 2016 | Lee SM, 'New service the missing link for epilepsy sufferers', Eastern Shore Sun, Hobart, Australia, Oct 17, 2016 (2016) [Newspaper Article] | |
| 2016 | Lee SM, 'Epilepsy Connect', Centre for Rural Health Bulletin, University of Tasmania, Australia, p. 8. (2016) [Internal Newsletter] | |
| 2016 | Lee SM, 'Epilepsy Connect: free telephone peer support for Tasmanians affected by epilepsy', Intouch: Newsletter of the Public Health Association of Australia Inc., December 2016 (2016) [Magazine Article] | |
| 2016 | Lee SM, Groot W, 'Epilepsy Connect Launch', WIN Hobart, Hobart, Australia, 13 Sep, 2016 (2016) [Media Interview] | |
| 2015 | Byrne LK, Lee SM, Fox H, 'Active Tasmania Annual Report 2015', University of Tasmania and Active Tasmania, Australia (2015) [Report Other] Co-authors: Byrne LK; Fox H | |
| 2015 | Lee SM, 'Epilepsy Connect', WIN Television, Hobart, Sep 19, 2015 (2015) [Media Interview] | |
| 2015 | Lee SM, 'Epilepsy help on the line', Sunday Tasmanian, Hobart, Australia, 20 Sept, 2015, p. 12. (2015) [Newspaper Article] | |
| 2015 | Lee SM, 'Epilepsy aid to be offered', Sunday Examiner, Launceston, Tasmania, 20 Sept, 2015, p. 8. (2015) [Newspaper Article] | |
| 2015 | Lee SM, 'Epilepsy Connect Supporting people with epilepsy in rural Tasmania', Centre for Rural Health Bulletin, University of Tasmania, December, 2015 (2015) [Internal Newsletter] | |
| 2015 | Lee SM, 'Colorectal Cancer: A review of incidence, mortality and population screening in Tasmania', Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Australia, pp. 1-16. (2015) [Report of Restricted Access] |
Grants & Funding
In 2015, in partnership with Epilepsy Tasmania, Simone received a grant from the Tasmanian Community Fund for just over $80,000 to develop and evaluate a telephone-based peer support service for Tasmanians living with or affected by epilepsy.
Funding Summary
Number of grants
7
Total funding
Projects
- Description
- Disease awareness within a community is known to help improve uptake of preventative measures. A previous study has suggested a deficiency in bowel cancer awareness in many Tasmania communities. The development of a community-based co-designed educational intervention will lead to improvement in bowel cancer awareness and uptake of bowel cancer screening. This co-design process will collaboratively explore barriers and solutions to poor bowel cancer awareness, poor information seeking behaviour and poor engagement with routine screening exercise. It is expected that the co-design process will lead to the development of educational resources or services bespoke to the rural community, thereby encouraging mass adoption and improvement in health outcomes.
- Funding
- Cancer Council of Tasmania ($25,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Small
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Obamiro KO; Lee SM; Sharman MJ
- Year
- 2022
- Description
- Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer in Australia after prostate cancer, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths after lung cancer. This is despite the fact that bowel cancer is one of the most preventable cancers through lifestyle risk factor modification and early detection. Levels of population knowledge and awareness around bowel cancer prevention, screening and symptoms is currently unknown. This study seeks to: *determine bowel cancer knowledge and awareness in the overall Australian population; *identify knowledge gaps in specific regions, and; *identify determinants of poor bowel cancer knowledge.This will be achieved through a national survey using the validated Bowel Cancer Awareness Measures tool developed by the University College London and Cancer Research UK.Currently in Australia, there is limited research focusing on the awareness of risk factors, screening, and symptoms of bowel cancer. This study is the first to focus on gathering large population-level and spatial data across Australia concerning bowel cancer awareness. The findings from this research will be useful in identifying sub-groups of the population with insufficient awareness regarding bowel cancer risk factors, screening programme and warning signs, that will benefit from tailored educational intervention.
- Funding
- Cancer Council of Tasmania ($10,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Small
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Obamiro KO; Lee SM
- Year
- 2019
- Description
- The Department of Health (DoH) has contracted GP Assist to establish and trial a dedicated palliative care afterhours phone support service for palliative care clients and caregivers across North and north west Tasmania. The aim of this project is to provide a locally tailored service for Tasmanian palliative care clients with the aim of preventing unnecessary presentations to ED, avoidable hospitalisations and utilisation of ambulance services. Currently there exists no comprehensive or clear data or information regarding demand or the most appropriate service model to provide afterhours supports for palliative care clients and their carers. The proposed 10 month trial provides an opportunity to test and evaluate a service model, including gathering data about service need to inform future service planning. This formative evaluation will identify quality improvement suggestions within the context of the key performance indicators (Effectiveness, Access, Appropriateness, Quality, Efficiency) for the Palliative Care After hours Phone Support Service
- Funding
- Department of Health and Human Services Tasmania ($10,000)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Bridgman H; Mallick S; Marsh P; Namasivayam P; Lee SM; Barnett AP
- Year
- 2018
- Description
- Tasmania has the highest age-standardised incidence rate of bowel cancer in Australia with 74 cases seen per 100,000 persons. Tasmania is also on par with the Northern Territory as having the highest age-standardised mortality rate for bowel cancer at 19 deaths per 100,000 persons. These figures highlight bowel cancer as s significant public health issue in Tasmania.When bowel cancer is detected and treated early, the 5-year survival rate is as high as 93%. In Tasmania, less than half (44%) of the 65,379 eligible Tasmanians invited to take part in the 2014-2015 National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) chose to participate.Research Shows that general practitioner (GP) endorsement is a key predictor for bowel cancer screening uptake.The primary aim of this study is to determine whether a clinical prompt, based on NBCSP and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners guidelines, delivered to GPs at point-of-care, can increase bowel cancer screening participation in first-time receivers of the NBCSP kit.
- Funding
- Cancer Council of Tasmania ($22,860)
- Scheme
- Grant-Small
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Lee SM; Barnett AP; Mond JM; Kent K; Radford JC; Versace V; Ward G; Forsyth A
- Year
- 2018
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($9,868)
- Scheme
- Grant - DKD Research Theme
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Lee SM; Radford JC; Versace V; Obamiro KO
- Year
- 2018
- Description
- This evaluation of the CHL seeks to understand and document its influence, utility, reach, relevance and future focus. The key foci for the evaluation are health literacy awareness; workforce development; organisational development; and partnerships.
- Funding
- Department of Health and Human Services Tasmania ($24,042)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Elmer SL; Lee SM; Nash RE; Jones RP
- Year
- 2017
- Description
- This project will develop and pilot a telephone-based peer support program for Tasmanians living with or affected by epilepsy, including family members, partners and carers. The program will be based on the well-established Cancer Council Australia model known as Cancer Connect. The University of Tasmania will develop and implement the project and an evaluation plan to determine the program's effectiveness as well as consumer and volunteer satisfaction.
- Funding
- Tasmanian Community Fund ($58,835)
- Scheme
- Grant
- Administered By
- Epilepsy Tasmania
- Research Team
- Baker P; Lee SM; Bridgman H; Barnett AP; Elphinstone K
- Period
- 2015 - 2016
Research Supervision
One or two paragraphs describing your supervisions history. This is also good place to indicate if you are looking for any HDR candidates (include things such as what qualifications or experience you are looking for and what projects are available).
Simone supervises Masters and PhD students on a variety of topics related to rural health and public health more broadly.
Current
2
Completed
1
Current
| Degree | Title | Commenced |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Geographic Remoteness as a Risk Factor for Poor Colorectal Cancer Prognosis in Tasmania: A data linkage study | 2021 |
| PhD | Educational Intervention to Improve Bowel Cancer Awareness and Screening in a Rural Community | 2022 |
Completed
| Degree | Title | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | The Relationship Between Health Literacy, Social Support and the Self-Management of Health in Community Dwelling Rural Older Adults: A pilot study Candidate: Thi Phuong Thao Doan | 2017 |