Excellence in clinical and applied research

Discovering new knowledge and evaluating how well certain programs or services work is exciting and fulfilling to me. One of my favourite things about research is interacting with all the generous people who give up their time to take part in it and share their experiences.

I mention my research interest because research and clinical practice can and should benefit one another. This benefit is described in what is known as the scientist practitioner model; namely, that psychologists should apply a scientific approach in their practice (e.g., undertaking a rigorous assessment, using evidence-based strategies) while also allowing their clinical experiences to inform and drive advances in the field through clinically relevant research (e.g., generate ideas of research topics, ensure the research ideas and methods are “realistic”).

My research interests are largely in health psychology, with a focus in the areas of psycho-oncology, palliative and end of life, bereavement, and evaluating mental health programs and services.

    1. Perumbil Pathrose, S., Sutcliffe, K., Davis, E., Patterson, P., Ussher, J., Ramjan, L. (2025). Experiences and perspectives regarding developmentally appropriate cancer services for adolescents and young adults with cancer- A mixed methods systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies. Epub, doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2025.105077

    2. Schilstra C, Ellis S, Cohen J, Gall A, Diaz A, Clarke K, Dumlao G, Chard J, Cumming T, Davis E, Dhillon H, Burns M, Docking K, Koh E, O'Reilly J, Sansom-Daly U, Shaw J, Speers N, Taylor N, Warne A, Fardell J (2024). Exploring Web-Based Information and Resources That Support Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer to Resume Study and Work: Environmental Scan Study. JMIR Cancer, 25;10:e47944. doi: 10.2196/47944

    3. Davis, E.L., Mullan, J., Wakefield, C., Clapham, S., Daveson, B., Ahern, M., Bishop, G., Connolly, A., Davis, W., Eagar, K. (2023). The experience of Australian aged care workers during a trial implementation of the Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration program. Health & Social Care in the Community. Epub, doi: 10.1002/hpm.3731

    4. Schilstra, C.E., Ellis, S.J., Cohen, J., Gall, A., Diaz, A., Clarke, K., Dumlao, G., Chard, J., Cumming, T., Davis, E., Dhillon, H., Burns, M.A., Docking, K., Koh, E.S., O'Reilly, J., Sansom-Daly, U.M., Shaw, J., Speers, N., Taylor, N., Warne, A., Fardell, J.E. Supporting adolescents and young adults with cancer to resume study and work: An environmental scan of online information and resources. JMIR Preprints. 09/04/2023:47944

    5. Allison, K. R., Patterson, P., McDonald, F. E. J., Bibby, K., Ciarrochi, J., Tracey, D., Hayes, L., Wright, A., Konings, S., Davis, E., Hulbert-Williams, N., Wakefield, C. E. & White, K. (in press). Truce: Feasibility and acceptability of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based intervention for adolescents and young adults impacted by parental cancer. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science. doi: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2023.03.014

    6. Davis, E. L., Clarke, K. S., Patterson, P., & Cohen, J. (2022). Using Intervention Mapping to develop an Education and Career Support Service for adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer: Identification of the contextual factors that influence participation in education and employment. Cancers, 14(19), 4590. doi: 10.3390/cancers14194590.

    7. Davis, E.L., Ingram, I., Deane, F.P., Buckingham, M., Breeze, D., Degan, T., Kelly, P.J. (2022). A qualitative study exploring the benefits and challenges of implementing client centred care (CCC) in an alcohol and other drug treatment service. Journal of Dual Diagnosis. Epub Oct 2022.

    8. Kelly, P.J., Hatton, E.L., Hinsley, K., Davis, E., & Larance, B. (2021). Preliminary psychometric evaluation of the Patient Reported Experience Measure for Addiction Treatment (PREMAT). Addictive Behaviors. Epub Jul 2021.

    9. Davis, E.L., Westley-Wise, V., Moules, S., Masso, M., Barclay, G., Nangati, Z. Davis, J., Eagar, K. (2021). How many people need palliative care and how many miss out? Innovation in Aging, 4 (S1), 244.

    10. Kelly, P.J., Deane, F.P., Davis, E. L., Hudson, S., Robinson, L. D., Keane, C., Hatton, E., Larance, B. (2021). Routine outcome measurement in specialist non-government alcohol and other drug treatment services: Establishing effectiveness indicators for the NADA base. Drug & Alcohol Review, 40(4), 540-552.

    11. Davis, E. L., Kelly, P. K., Deane, F. P., Baker, A., Buckingham, M., Degan, T., & Adams, S. (2020). The relationship between patient centered care and outcomes in drug and alcohol treatment: A systematic literature review. Substance Abuse, 41(2), 216-231.

    12. Hinsley, K., Kelly, P. K., Davis, E. L. (2019). Experiences of patient centred care in alcohol and other drug treatment settings: A qualitative study to inform design of a patient reported experience measure. Drug and Alcohol Review, 38(6), 664-673.

    13. Davis, E. L., Deane, F. P., Barclay, G. D., Bourne, J., & Connolly, V. (2018). Attitudes of palliative care clinical staff toward Prolonged Grief Disorder diagnosis and grief interventions. Palliative & Supportive Care, 16(4), 338-395.

    14. Davis, E. L., Deane, F. P., Lyons, G. C., Barclay, G. D., Bourne, J., & Connolly, V. (2017). Feasibility randomised controlled trial of an ACT self-help intervention for carers of patients in palliative care. Journal of Health Psychology, Epub Jun 2017

    15. Deane, F. P., McAlpine, E., Byrne, M. K., Davis, E. L., Matthews, C. (2017). Are carer attitudes toward medications related to self-reported medication adherence amongst people with mental illness? Psychiatry Research, Epub Nov 2017.

    16. Davis, E. L., Deane, F. P., Lyons, G. C., & Barclay, G. D. (2017). Is higher acceptance associated with less anticipatory grief among patients in palliative care? Journal of Pain & Symptom Management, 54(1), 120-125.

    17. Fernando, S., Deane, FP., McLeod, H. & Davis, EL (2017). Carer burden and stigma in schizophrenia and affective disorders: Experiences from Sri Lanka.  Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 26, 77-81.

    18. Davis, E. L., Deane, F. P., & Lyons, G. C. (2016). An acceptance and commitment therapy self-help intervention for carers of patients in palliative care: Protocol of a feasibility randomised controlled trial. Journal of Health Psychology, Epub Nov 2016.

    19. Thewes B., McCaffery K., Davis E., Garvey G. (2016). Insufficient evidence on health literacy amongst Indigenous people with cancer: a systematic literature review. Health Promotion International. Epub Aug 2016.

    20. Davis, E. L., Deane, F. P., & Lyons, G. C. (2016). Prediction of individual differences in adjustment to loss: Acceptance and valued-living as critical appraisal and coping strengths. Death Studies, 40(4), 211-222.

    21. Thewes, B., Davis, E., Girgis, A., Valery, P. C., Giam, K., Hocking, A., . . . Garvey, G. (2016). Routine screening of Indigenous cancer patients’ unmet support needs: a qualitative study of patient and clinician attitudes. International Journal for Equity in Health, 15(1), 1-12.

    22. Garvey, G., Thewes, B., He, V., Davis, E., Girgis, A., Valery, P., Giam, K., Hocking, A., Jackson, H., Jones, V., Yip, D., Members of the SCNAT-IP Implementation Group (2016).  Patient and staff attitudes towards routine screening for unmet supportive care needs amongst Indigenous cancer patients. Supportive Care in Cancer, 24(1), 215-223.

    23. Muscat, D. M., Smith, S., Dhillon, H. M., Morony, S., Davis, E. L., Luxford, K., . . . McCaffery, K. (2016). Incorporating health literacy in education for socially disadvantaged adults: an Australian feasibility study. International Journal for Equity in Health, 15.

    24. Iskra, W., Deane, F. P., Wahlin, T. & Davis, E. L. (2015). Parental perceptions of barriers to mental health services for young people. Early Intervention in Psychiatry. Epub Nov 2015.

    25. Davis, E. L., McCaffery, K., Mullan, B., & Juraskova, I. (2015). An exploration of decision aid effectiveness: the impact of promoting affective vs. deliberative processing on a health-related decision. Health Expectations, 18(6), 2742-2752.

    26. Mullan, B.A., Wong, C., Todd, J., Davis, E.L., Kothe, E.J. (2015). Food hygiene knowledge in adolescents and young adults. British Food Journal, 117(1), 50-61.

    27. Davis, E.L., Deane, F.P., Lyons, G.C.B. (2015). Acceptance and valued-living as critical appraisal and coping strengths for caregivers dealing with terminal illness and bereavement. Palliative & Supportive Care, 13 (2), 359-368.

    28. Thewes, B., Butow, P., Davis, E., Turner, J., & Mason, C. (2014). Psychologists' views of inter-disciplinary psychosocial communication within the cancer care team. Supportive Care in Cancer, 22(12), 3193-3200.

    29. Davis, E., Thewes, B., Butow, P., Mason, C. (2014). A qualitative study of consumer attitudes to sharing psychosocial information within the multidisciplinary cancer care team. Supportive Care in Cancer, 22(4), 869-870.

    30. Wakefield, C., Patterson, P., McDonald, F.E.J., Wilson, H.L., Davis, E., Sansom-Daly, U. (2013). Assessment of psychosocial outcomes in adolescents and young adults with cancer: a systematic review of available instruments. Clinical Oncology in Adolescents and Young Adults, 3:13 – 27.

    31. Davis, E.L., Oh, B., Butow, P.N., Mullan, B.A., Clarke, S. (2012). Cancer patient disclosure and patient­doctor communication of complementary and alternative medicine Use: A systematic review. The Oncologist, 17(11): 1475 – 81.

    32. Oh, B., Kimble, B., Costa, D.S.J., Davis, E., McLean, A., Orme, K., Beith, J. (2012). Acupuncture for treatment of arthralgia secondary to aromatase inhibitor therapy in women with early breast cancer: Pilot study. Acupuncture in Medicine, 31(3), 264 – 271.

    33. Beith, J.M., Oh, B., Chatfield, M.D., Davis, E.L., Venkateswaran, R. (2012).  Electroacupuncture for nausea, vomiting, and myelosuppression in women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer: Randomized controlled pilot trial. Medical Acupuncture, 24(4): 241 – 248.

    1. Davis, E., Mullan, J., Clapham, S., Johnson, C., Daveson, B.A., Eagar K., for the Australian Health Services Research Institute (2021). Improving choices through the Palliative Care Collective: Collaborating for optimal end of life care at the right time, place and by the right people for older people - Final report to the Wicking Trust, January 2021. AHSRI, University of Wollongong: Wollongong, Australia.

    2. Davis, E.L. (2017). Evaluation of Illawarra Clubhouse Member Needs and Opportunities for Future Service Provision. Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong: Wollongong, Australia.

    3. Davis, E. L. & Deane, F. P. (2015). Supporting the Wellbeing of Volunteer Telephone Crisis Supporters: A framework for Lifeline South Coast. Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong: Wollongong, Australia.

    1. 1.     Davis, E.G. (2025, Jan 27). Gratitude: A Courageous Way to Embrace 2025. The Illawarra Flame. https://www.theillawarraflame.com.au/health--safety/esther-gratitude-a-courageous-way-to-embrace-2025

    2. Davis, E. L., Deane, F. P., Lyons, G.C.B. (2014). Being there: A guide to help family and friends in palliative care. Illawarra Institute for Mental Health and School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.

    3. Davis EL (2014, April 14). An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) self help program for family and friends of palliative care patients. eHospice. Url: http://www.ehospice.com/australia/ArticleView/tabid/10688/ArticleId/9909/language/en-GB/View.aspx

    1. Skrabal Ross, X., Davis, E.L., McDonald, F.E.J., Ryder, T., Online Parenting Proigram Steering Committee (Nov, 2023). Canteen, Camp Quality and Redkite partnership in practice: Co-design of an online group parenting program for parents of children and adolescents who have or have had cancer. Oral presentation presented at the 3rd Asia Pacific Conference on Integrated Care, Sydney, Australia.

    2. Clarke K., Davis Cohen, J. (2023 Jun). Process and Impact for Adolescents and Young Adults and the Organisation from Implementing a Youth Leadership Framework within Cancer Care. Poster presentation presented at the AYA Global Accord, Los Angeles, USA.

    3. Fardell, J.E., Ellis, S.J, Cohen, J., Gall, A., Diaz, A., Clarke, K., Dumlao, G., Chard, J., Cumming, T., Dhillon, H.M, Docking, K., Koh, E.s, Burns, M., Davis, E., O’Reilly, J., Sansom-Daly, U.M, Shaw, J., Speers, N., Taylor, N., Warne, A. Schilstra, C.E, (2023 June). Review of online information and resources to support adolescents and young adults with cancer participate in study and work. Poster presentation presented at the AYA Global Accord, Los Angeles, USA.

    4. Clarke, K.C., Cohen, J., Davis, E., & Patterson, P. (2023, March). Impact of a Co-Designed Youth Leadership Framework on Individual and Organisational Outcomes in Cancer Care. Oral presentation presented at the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference 2023, Gold Coast, Australia.

    5. Cohen, J., Clarke K., Davis E., & Patterson P (2022, Aug). Identifying education and employment outcomes and support needs in Adolescents and Young Adults diagnosed with cancer. Oral presentation presented at the Australian and New Zealand Oncology Group Annual Scientific Meeting, Sydney, Australia

    6. Clarke, K., Cohen, J., Davis, E., Fardell, J., Ellis, S., Patterson, P., (2022, Mar). Identifying Education and Employment Outcomes and Support Needs in Young People Diagnosed with Cancer to Inform Intervention Development. Paper presented at the 4th Victorian Cancer Survivorship Conference, Australia (online).

    7. Cohen, J., Clarke, K., Fardell, J., Ellis, S., Patterson, P., Davis, E. (2021, Dec). Developing an Education and Career Service for young people diagnosed with cancer. Poster presented at the 4th Global Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Congress 2021, United Kingdom (online).

    8. Davis, E.L., Westley-Wise, V., Moules, S., Masso, M., Barclay, G., Nangati, Z. Davis, J., Eagar, K. (2020, Nov). How many people need palliative care and how many miss out? Poster presented at Gerontological Society of America (GSA) Annual Scientific Meeting 2020, Philadelphia, USA.

    9. Davis, E.L., Clapham, S., Mullan J., Daveson, B., Eagar, K. (2020, Nov) Maintaining buoyancy amidst complex change in a residential aged care evaluation. Poster presented at Australian Association of Gerontology 53rd AAG Conference 2020, Hobart, Australia.

    10. Davis, E.L., Clapham, S., Mullan J., Bishop G., Connolly, A., Daveson, B., Webster, D., Westley-Wise, V., Eagar, K. (2020, month TBC) Are PCOC tools suitable for people with dementia living in residential aged care? Abstract accepted at NHMRC National Institute for Dementia Research (NNIDR) Australian Dementia Forum 2020, Adelaide, Australia (conference cancelled).

    11. Daveson B, Clapham S, Davis E, Bishop G, Connolly J, Joseph N, Mullan J, Westley-Wise V, Webster D, Eagar K. (2020) How can we improve outcomes in those with dementia in residential aged care? Abstract accepted at NHMRC National Institute for Dementia Research (NNIDR) Australian Dementia Forum 2020, Adelaide, 31 May-2 June 2020 (conference cancelled).

    12. Davis, E.L., Bishop, G.E., Reed, A., Clapham, S., Webster, D., Mullan, J., Westley-Wise, V., Daveson, B., Connolly, A., Green, J., Eagar, K. (2019, Nov). Improving end-of-life choices for aged care residents: Delivering the right care, at the right time, in the right place and by the right people. Paper presented at PCOC Outcomes & Benchmarking Conference, Sydney, Australia.

    13. Kelly, P.J., Davis, E.L., Hinsley, K., Deane, F.P., Buckingham, M., Breeze, D., Adams, S. (2019, Nov). Exploring the landscape of client centred care in the treatment of substance dependence. Paper presented at APSAD 2019 Conference, Hobart, Australia.

    14. Kelly, P.J., Hinsley, K., Davis, E.L. (2019, May). Validation of the Patient Reported Experience Measure for Addiction Treatment (PREMAT). Poster presented at ICHOM 2019 Conference, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

    15. Davis, E.L, Kelly, P.J., Deane, F.P., Buckingham, M. (2019, Apr). “The sky’s the limit with this stuff”: Client and staff perspective on client centred care in residential treatment. Paper presented at Patient Experience Symposium 2019, Sydney, Australia.

    16. Davis, E. L., Deane, F.P., Barclay, G. (2018, November). Assessment and management of distress from breathlessness for patients in palliative care: Benchmarking with clinical practice guidelines. Poster presented at Palliative Care NSW Conference 2018, Kiama, Australia.

    17. Davis, E.L, Kelly, P.J., Hinsley, K., Deane, F.P., Buckingham, M. (2018, June). How can we make alcohol and other drug treatment more client centred? Paper presented at NADA Conference 2018, Sydney, Australia.

    18. Davis, E.L., Deane F.P., Lyons C.B., Barclay G. (2016, November). Feasibility RCT of an ACT self-help program for carers of patients in palliative care. Paper presented at the 11th Annual ANZACBS Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

    19. Davis, E.L., Deane, F.P., Lyons C.B., Barclay, G. (2016, June). ACT in Palliative Care: Experiential avoidance and Valued-Living in Psychological Distress and Grief among Patients and Carers. Paper presented at the World CBT Conference 2016, Melbourne, Australia.

    20. Thewes, B., Butow, P., Davis, E., Turner, J., Mason, C. (2015, August). Psychologists’ views of interdisciplinary psychosocial communication within the cancer team.  Poster presented at the 2015 World Congress of Psycho-Oncology, Washington DC, USA.

    21. Davis, E.L., & Deane, F.P. (2015, April). Communication, acceptance in grief in palliative care patients and their carers. Paper presented at the Innovations in Health Psychology Conference, Aitutaki, Cook Islands.

    22. Davis, E.L., Deane F.P., Lyons C.B., Barclay G.  (2014, October). Description of a Randomised Controlled Trial of an ACT Self-Help Program for Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients. Poster presented at the Innovations in Cancer Treatment and Care Conference, Sydney, Australia.

    23. Davis, E.L., Deane F.P., Lyons C.B. (2014, March). Facilitating the acceptance of death. Paper presented at the Australian Grief & Bereavement Conference 2014, Melbourne, Australia.

    24. Davis, E.L., Deane F.P., Lyons C.B., Barclay G. (2014, March). Development of a randomised controlled trial of an ACT self-help program for caregivers of palliative care patients. Paper presented at the Australian Grief & Bereavement Conference 2014, Melbourne, Australia.

    25. Thewes, B., Butow, P., Davis, E., Mason, C. (2012, September). Patient, clinician and consumer view on inter-disciplinary psychosocial communication within the cancer care team and the use of a psychologists’ referral letter feedback template. Paper presented at the Joint Meeting of IPOS 14th World Congress and COSA's 39th Annual Scientific Meeting, Brisbane, Australia.

    26. Davis, E.L., Juraskova, I., McCaffery, K.J., McKinn, S. (2012, November). Improving decision aid effectiveness: The impact of promoting affective versus deliberative processing on a health-related decision. Poster presented at the International Conference on Communication in Healthcare, University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK.

    27. Davis, E.L., Juraskova, I., McCaffery, K.J. (2012, February). Improving decision aid effectiveness: The impact of promoting affective versus deliberative processing on a health-related decision. Poster presented at the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health & Medicine, Melbourne, Australia.

    1. Davis, E.L., Blackman, K., & Chester, S. (2023, May). Mental health of young people impacted by cancer. Invited presentation for Black Dog Institute Webinar Series, Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia. https://www.emhprac.org.au/events/webinar-58-mh-of-young-people-impacted-by-cancer/

    2. Davis, E.L., Deane, F.P., Barclay, G., & Rankin, K. (2019, Sep). Improving management of distress from breathlessness. Invited presentation at Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA.

    3. Davis, E.L. (2019, May). Standing in a young person’s shoes. Invited presentation at Mental Health Seminar, Youthworks House Conference 2019, Port Hacking, Australia.