Dr Jean Spinks
Senior Research Fellow
Centre for the Business and Economics of Health
+61 7 334 61167
I am a Senior Research Fellow and member of the Evolve Health Health Workforce Optimisation Program at The University of Queensland’s Centre for the Business and Economics of Health (CBEH) This program is part of the seven strategic Health Research Accelerator (HERA) initiatives announced by UQ in 2022, with the aim of redefining the future of work in the Australian healthcare sector.
As a health economist, I apply economic thinking and methodologies across a range of challenges in primary care. This includes needs-based health workforce planning, culturally appropriate and accessible care, quality improvement and digital innovation. A key research focus is improving medicines safety in primary care – one of the Australian Government’s ten health priority areas.
Research interests
Primary care workforce models: Innovative primary care models to improve health workforce accessibility, efficiency and effectiveness.
Preferences for primary care delivery: Consumer and health care provider preferences.
Medicines safety: The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of medicines safety services in primary care.
Research impact
I’m currently co-leading a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) project, ‘Activating pharmacists to reduce medication-related problems: The ACTMed stepped wedge randomised controlled trial’, which is testing a model of integrating pharmacists in general practice within a quality improvement framework. This is being undertaken with partner organisations the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Brisbane South PHN, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the Australian Digital Health Agency, The Pharmacy Guild of Australia and MedAdvisor.
I am also a current member of the Economics Sub Committee (ESC) of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), providing technical expertise on clinical and economic evaluations of medicines submitted to the PBAC for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Contact
To find out how we can collaborate and bring value to your organisation, I can be contacted via:
Email - j.spinks@uq.edu.au
Connect with Jean on LinkedIn
Publications
Book Chapter
Spinks, Jean, Houle, Sherilyn and Wheeler, Amanda (2023). Evidence of the impact of pharmacists through immunisation interventions. Encyclopedia of evidence in pharmaceutical public health and health services research in pharmacy. (pp. 1-18) edited by Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-50247-8_127-1
Journal Articles
DelDot, Megan, Lau, Esther, Rayner, Nicole, Spinks, Jean, Kelly, Fiona and Nissen, Lisa (2024). Consumer Involvement in the Design and Development of Medication Safety Interventions or Services in Primary Care: A Scoping Review. Health Expectations, 27 (6), e70092. doi: 10.1111/hex.70092
Thai, Thao, Lancsar, Emily, Spinks, Jean, Freeman, Christopher and Chen, Gang (2024). Understanding Australian pharmacy degree holders’ job preferences through the lens of motivation-hygiene theory. Social Science & Medicine, 348 116832, 116832. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116832
Spinks, Jean, Nancarrow, Susan, McAvoy, Sue and Nissen, Lisa (2024). Does Medicare Support Multidisciplinary Teams Working to the Top of Their Ticket?. Australian Economic Review, 57 (2), 179-186. doi: 10.1111/1467-8462.12557
Collins, Jack C., Hu, Jie, McMillan, Sara S., O’Reilly, Claire L., El-Den, Sarira, Kelly, Fiona, Spinks, Jean, Riley, Toni and Wheeler, Amanda J. (2023). Medication-related problems identified by community pharmacists: a descriptive case study of two Australian populations. Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, 16 (1) 133, 1-12. doi: 10.1186/s40545-023-00637-x
Spinks, Jean, Violette, Richard, Boyle, Douglas I.R., Petrie, Dennis, Fanning, Laura, Hall, Kerry K., Kelly, Fiona, Wheeler, Amanda J., Ware, Robert S., Byrnes, Joshua, Chen, Esa, Donald, Andrew, Ellis, Nicolette, DelDot, Megan and Nissen, Lisa (2023). Activating pharmacists to reduce the frequency of medication‐related problems (ACTMed): a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial. Medical Journal of Australia, 219 (7), 325-331. doi: 10.5694/mja2.52073
Thai, Thao, Bliemer, Michiel, Chen, Gang, Spinks, Jean, de New, Sonja and Lancsar, Emily (2023). Comparison of a full and partial choice set design in a labeled discrete choice experiment. Health Economics, 32 (6), 1284-1304. doi: 10.1002/hec.4666
Hong Thai, Thao Thi, Chen, Gang, Lancsar, Emily, de New, Sonja, Banwell, Cathy, Freeman, Christopher and Spinks, Jean (2022). Beyond dispensing: better integration of pharmacists within the Australian primary healthcare system. SSM - Qualitative Research in Health, 2 100109, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100109
Violette, Richard, Spinks, Jean, Kelly, Fiona and Wheeler, Amanda (2021). Role of Indigenous health workers in the delivery of comprehensive primary health care in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand: a scoping review protocol. JBI Evidence Synthesis, 19 (11), 3174-3182. doi: 10.11124/JBIES-20-00476
Spinks, Jean, Nghiem, Son and Byrnes, Joshua (2021). Risky business, healthy lives: how risk perception, risk preferences and information influence consumer’s risky health choices. The European Journal of Health Economics, 22 (5), 811-831. doi: 10.1007/s10198-021-01291-3
Spinks, Jean, Birch, Stephen, Wheeler, Amanda J., Nissen, Lisa, Freeman, Christopher, Thai, Thao and Byrnes, Joshua (2020). Provision of home medicines reviews in Australia: linking population need with service provision and available pharmacist workforce. Australian Health Review, 44 (6), 973-982. doi: 10.1071/ah19207
Spinks, Jean, Bettington, Emilie, Downes, Martin, Nissen, Lisa and Wheeler, Amanda (2020). Does policy change to allow pharmacist provision of influenza vaccination increase population uptake? A systematic review. Australian Health Review, 44 (4), 582-589. doi: 10.1071/AH19196
Spinks, Jean Marie, Kalisch Ellett, Lisa M, Spurling, Geoffrey, Theodoros, Theo, Williamson, Daniel and Wheeler, Amanda J (2019). Adaptation of potentially preventable medication-related hospitalisation indicators for indigenous populations in Australia using a modified Delphi technique. BMJ Open, 9 (11) e031369, e031369. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031369
Wheeler, Amanda J., Spinks, Jean, Kelly, Fiona, Ware, Robert S., Vowles, Erica, Stephens, Mike, Scuffham, Paul A. and Miller, Adrian (2018). Protocol for a feasibility study of an Indigenous Medication Review Service (IMeRSe) in Australia. BMJ Open, 8 (11) 026462, e026462. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026462
Kelly, Fiona, McMillan, Sara, Spinks, Jean, Bettington, Emilie and Wheeler, Amanda J. (2018). 'You don't throw these things out:' an exploration of medicines retention and disposal practices in Australian homes. BMC Public Health, 18 (1) 1026. doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5753-6
Bettington, Emilie, Spinks, Jean, Kelly, Fiona and Wheeler, Amanda J. (2018). Returning unwanted medicines to pharmacies: Prescribing to reduce waste. Australian Prescriber, 41 (3), 78-81. doi: 10.18773/austprescr.2018.015
Bettington, Emilie, Spinks, Jean, Kelly, Fiona, Gallardo-Godoy, Alejandra, Nghiem, Son and Wheeler, Amanda J. (2018). When is a medicine unwanted, how is it disposed, and how might safe disposal be promoted?: insights from the Australian population. Australian Health Review, 42 (6), 709-717. doi: 10.1071/AH16296
Whitty, Jennifer A., Spinks, Jean, Bucknall, Tracey, Tobiano, Georgia and Chaboyer, Wendy (2017). Patient and nurse preferences for implementation of bedside handover: do they agree? Findings from a discrete choice experiment. Health Expectations, 20 (4), 742-750. doi: 10.1111/hex.12513
Spinks, Jean, Jackson, John, Kirkpatrick, Carl M. and Wheeler, Amanda J. (2017). Disruptive innovation in community pharmacy – Impact of automation on the pharmacist workforce. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 13 (2), 394-397. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2016.04.009
Wheeler, Amanda J., Spinks, Jean, Bettington, Emilie and Kelly, Fiona (2017). Evaluation of the national return of unwanted medicines (Rum) program in australia: A study protocol. Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, 10 (1) 38, 1-10. doi: 10.1186/s40545-017-0126-6
Spinks, Jean and Mortimer, Duncan (2016). Lost in the crowd? Using eye-tracking to investigate the effect of complexity on attribute non-attendance in discrete choice experiments Clinical decision-making, knowledge support systems, and theory. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 16 (1) 14. doi: 10.1186/s12911-016-0251-1
Spinks, Jean, Janda, Monika, Soyer, H. Peter and Whitty, Jennifer A. (2016). Consumer preferences for teledermoscopy screening to detect melanoma early. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 22 (1), 39-46. doi: 10.1177/1357633X15586701
Spinks, Jean, Chaboyer, Wendy, Bucknall, Tracey, Tobiano, Georgia and Whitty, Jennifer A. (2015). Patient and nurse preferences for nurse handover-using preferences to inform policy: a discrete choice experiment protocol. BMJ Open, 5 (11) e008941, e008941.1-e008941.8. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008941
Spinks, Jean and Mortimer, Duncan (2015). The effect of traffic lights and regulatory statements on the choice between complementary and conventional medicines in Australia: Results from a discrete choice experiment. Social Science and Medicine, 124, 257-265. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.11.049
Au, Nicole, Hollingsworth, Bruce and Spinks, Jean (2014). Measuring the Efficiency of Health Services in Lower-income Countries: The Case of Papua New Guinea. Development Policy Review, 32 (2), 259-272. doi: 10.1111/dpr.12054
Spinks, Jean, Johnston, David and Hollingsworth, Bruce (2014). Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and quality of life in people with type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 22 (1), 107-115. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2013.11.007
Spinks, Jean, Hollingsworth, Bruce, Manderson, Lenore, Lin, Vivian and Canaway, Rachel (2013). Costs and drivers of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in people with type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 5 (1), 44-53. doi: 10.1016/j.eujim.2012.08.003
Spinks, Jean, Chen, Gang and Donovan, Lara (2013). Does generic entry lower the prices paid for pharmaceuticals in Australia A comparison before and after the introduction of the mandatory price-reduction policy. Australian Health Review, 37 (5), 675-681. doi: 10.1071/AH13024
Manderson, Lenore, Oldenburg, Brian, Lin, Vivian, Hollingsworth, Bruce, de Courten, Maximilian, Canaway, Rachel and Spinks, Jean (2012). Care seeking, complementary therapy and herbal medicine use among people with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease CAMELOT Phase II: Surveying for diversity. Australian Journal of Herbal Medicine, 24 (2), 46-55.
Spinks, Jean and Hollingsworth, Bruce (2012). Policy implications of complementary and alternative medicine use in Australia: Data from the National Health Survey. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18 (4), 371-378. doi: 10.1089/acm.2010.0817
Spinks, Jean M. and Richardson, Jeff R. J. (2011). Paying the right price for pharmaceuticals: A case study of why the comparator matters. Australian Health Review, 35 (3), 267-272. doi: 10.1071/AH10930
Spinks, Jean and Hollingsworth, Bruce (2009). Cross-country comparisons of technical efficiency of health production: A demonstration of pitfalls. Applied Economics, 41 (4), 417-427. doi: 10.1080/00036840701604354
Spinks, Jean and Hollingsworth, Bruce (2009). Are the economics of complementary and alternative medicine different to conventional medicine?. Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, 9 (1), 1-4. doi: 10.1586/14737167.9.1.1
Owen, Alice J., Spinks, J., Meehan, A., Robb, T., Hardy, M., Kwasha, D., Wlodarczyk, J. and Reid, C. M. (2008). A new model to evaluate the long-term cost effectiveness of orphan and highly specialised drugs following listing on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme: The Bosentan Patient Registry. Journal of Medical Economics, 11 (2), 235-243. doi: 10.3111/13696990802034525
Spinks, Jean, Phillips, Suzanne, Robinson, Priscilla and Van Buynder, Paul (2006). Bushfires and tank rainwater quality: A cause for concern?. Journal of Water and Health, 4 (1), 21-28. doi: 10.2166/wh.2005.059
Osborne, Richard H., Spinks, Jean M. and Wicks, Ian P. (2004). Patient education and self-management programs in arthritis. Medical Journal of Australia, 180 (5 SUPPL.). doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2004.tb05909.x
Jackson, John K., Sweidan, Michelle, Spinks, Jean M., Snell, Beverley and Duncan, Gregory J. (2004). Public health - Recognising the role of Australian pharmacists. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 34 (4), 290-292. doi: 10.1002/jppr2004344290
Data Collection
Thao Thai, Gang Chen, Emily Lancsar and Jean Spinks (2023). Pharmacy in Australia: Measuring Employment, Labour decisions and Activity (PAMELA) Survey. ADA Dataverse. (Dataset) doi: 10.26193/JHA8JM
Department Technical Report
Spinks, Jean, Byrnes, Joshua, Kelly, Fiona, Ware, Rob, Scuffham, Paul, Miller, Adrian and Wheeler, Amanda (2022). Improved medication management for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Feasibility Study (IMeRSe Feasibility Study). 1679. Medical Services Advisory Commitee.
Working Paper
Inder, Brett, Spinks, Jean, Srivastava, Pratima and Sweeney, Rohan (2011). Papua New Guinea: Modeling costs and efficiency of primary health care services in Papua New Guinea. Research Paper 2011 (70). 70. Centre for Health Economics, Monash University, Melbourne.
Research Reports
Beilby, Hannah, Spinks, Jean and Cruwys, Tegan (2023). Neighbour Day cost effectiveness evaluation. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Relationships Australia.
Thai, Thao, Spinks, Jean, Chen, Gang, Lancsar, Emily, Freeman, Chris, Campbell, Chris, Domberelli, Amber and Nissen, Lisa (2023). Pharmacy in Australia: Measuring Employment, Labour Decisions and Activity - the PAMELA survey. Canberra, ACT Australia: Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
Nissen, Lisa, Lau, Esther and Spinks, Jean (2023). The management of urinary tract infections by community pharmacists: A state-wide trial: Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot - Queensland. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Queensland University of Technology.
Wheeler, Amanda, Spinks, Jean, Kelly, Fiona, Ware, Rob, Byrnes, Joshua, Scuffham, Paul and Miller, Adrian (2020). A feasibility study of an Indigenous Medication Review Service (IMeRSe) in Australia: Final report. Canberra, ACT Australia: Griffith University.
Wheeler, Amanda, Kelly, Fiona, Spinks, Jean and Bettington, Emilie (2016). National Return and Disposal of Unwanted Medicines Project Audit 2016. Canberra, ACT Australia: Griffith University.
Johnston, David, Lee, Wang-Sheng, Shah, Chandra, Shields, Michael and Spinks, Jean (2014). Are neighbourhood characteristics important in predicting the post-school destinations of young Australians?. Adelaide, SA Australia: National Vocational Education and Training Research Program (NCVER).