Date: November 23, 2007 (Friday)
Time: 12:30 – 14:00 (sandwich lunch from 12:30 –12:45; seminar begins at 12:45)
Venue: Suen Chi Sun Clinical Skills Training Centre, 2/F, William MW Mong Block, Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

Abstract:
This seminar will provide an overview of the work of Professor Girgis’ Centre for Health Research & Psycho-oncology in the area of supportive care, including results of recently completed research on the psychosocial outcomes of long-term cancer survivors and early findings from a longitudinal study of recently diagnosed cancer survivors. A model for routinely assessing the psychosocial outcomes of cancer patients in the oncology treatment setting will be presented and examples will be given of how working closely with a Cancer Council can facilitate the uptake of research findings.

Bio-sketch:
Professor Afaf Girgis is the Director of the Centre for Health Research & Psycho-oncology (CHeRP), The Cancer Council NSW & The University of Newcastle; and Conjoint Professor in the School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle. Her research team has a proven track record of undertaking behavioural research of the highest quality, reflected by the 228 publications in refereed journals; 6 book chapters; 2,546 citations of CHeRP research in peer-reviewed journal articles; over $11.6 million of external funding, in addition to the $10.9 million of Cancer Council program funding; 26 postgraduate students trained (22 PhD and 4 Masters); and representation on prestigious and strategic local, state and national committees and working groups between 1988 and 2007.

Professor Girgis has extensively researched and published much highly-regarded work in the areas of the unmet needs of cancer patients and their providers; supportive care for cancer patients; the training needs of health care providers; patient-provider interaction; and the communication skills of health professionals. She has considerable experience in the development of needs assessment and screening tools; in developing clinical practice guidelines in line with the NHMRC procedures; as well as training health professionals in communication skills to encourage adherence to such guidelines. She has a strong commitment to translating research into policy and practice; and in training postgraduate students and junior researchers in behavioural and psychosocial research.

Registration:
For registration and enquiries, please call Ms Maggie Cheuk at 2819-2841 or email mhrn@hkusua.hku.hk