Overview
Background
Dr Rebecca Packer is a Senior Lecturer in Speech Pathology at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. Dr Packer has attracted over 2.2M in research funding and published over 40 research articles and book chapters with her main focus on the impacts of swallowing disorders in head and neck cancer on survivors and their families.
Availability
- Dr Rebecca Packer is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
- Postgraduate Diploma, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Swallowing disorders
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International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)
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Third-Party Disability
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Family-Centred Care
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Psychosocial Impact of Swallowing Disorders
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Psychosocial Interventions for Swallowing Disorders
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Head and neck cancer
Research impacts
Dr Packer is an emerging leader in the psychosocial impacts of swallowing disorders following head and neck cancer. She has been invited to present at both national and international conferences regarding her work on understanding survivor and family members perspectives of living with swallowing disorders post head and neck cancer treatment.
Works
Search Professor Rebecca Packer’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Living with dysphagia and dysarthria: a qualitative exploration of the perspectives of people with motor neuron disease and their caregivers
Packer, Rebecca, Rumbach, Anna, Farrell, Anna, Hutchinson, Nicole, Verner-Wren, Stacey, Henderson, Robert and McCombe, Pamela (2025). Living with dysphagia and dysarthria: a qualitative exploration of the perspectives of people with motor neuron disease and their caregivers. Healthcare, 13 (18) 2306, 1. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13182306
2025
Journal Article
Experiences and insights from parents of children with temporary feeding tubes
Reilly, Claire, Marshall, Jeanne, Packer, Rebecca, Thapar, Nikhil, Syrmis, Maryanne, Frederiksen, Nadine and Bell, Kristie L. (2025). Experiences and insights from parents of children with temporary feeding tubes. Journal of Child Health Care 13674935251370415, 13674935251370415. doi: 10.1177/13674935251370415
2025
Journal Article
“It's just us”: families' experiences with temporary tube feeding
Reilly, Claire, Marshall, Jeanne, Foley, Jasmine, Thapar, Nikhil and Packer, Rebecca (2025). “It's just us”: families' experiences with temporary tube feeding. Nutrition in Clinical Practice ncp.70019. doi: 10.1002/ncp.70019
2025
Journal Article
“I like to accommodate as much as possible”: a survey of food service professionals’ awareness of dysphagia and experiences in dietary modifications
Packer, Rebecca L., Howells, Simone, Lim, Esther Kay Ying, Hutchison, Alana, Rumbach, Anna, Wishart, Laurelie and Brown, Bena (2025). “I like to accommodate as much as possible”: a survey of food service professionals’ awareness of dysphagia and experiences in dietary modifications. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/17549507.2025.2544738
2025
Journal Article
Current Practices and Recommendations for Children with Food Allergies and Feeding Behaviours: Insights from a Survey Among Australian Health Professionals
Kefford, Jennifer, Packer, Rebecca L., Netting, Merryn, Ward, Elizabeth C. and Marshall, Jeanne (2025). Current Practices and Recommendations for Children with Food Allergies and Feeding Behaviours: Insights from a Survey Among Australian Health Professionals. Children, 12 (7) 905, 905-7. doi: 10.3390/children12070905
2025
Journal Article
First Nations Australians and head and neck cancer: health professionals’ priorities for improving the pathway of care
Ng, Stephanie, Ward, Elizabeth C., Garvey, Gail, Butler, Tamara, Tesiram, Joanne, Brown, Bena, Foley, Jasmine, Packer, Rebecca and Hansen, Aaron (2025). First Nations Australians and head and neck cancer: health professionals’ priorities for improving the pathway of care. Supportive Care in Cancer, 33 (7) 624, 1-12. doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09651-y
2025
Journal Article
Assessment of the “MND-Prism” smartphone application as a tool for self-management
Neville, Sally, Ziser, Laura, Henders, Anjali, Milne, Jane, Ngo, Shyuan T., Packer, Rebecca and Steyn, Frederik J. (2025). Assessment of the “MND-Prism” smartphone application as a tool for self-management. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-10. doi: 10.1080/21678421.2025.2511119
2025
Journal Article
Implementing a nurse-enabled, integrated, shared-care model involving specialists and general practitioners in early breast cancer post-treatment follow-up (EMINENT): a single-centre, open-label, phase 2, parallel-group, pilot, randomised, controlled trial
Chan, Raymond J., Crawford-Williams, Fiona, Han, Chad Yixian, Jones, Lee, Chan, Alexandre, McKavanagh, Daniel, Ryan, Marissa, Carrington, Christine, Packer, Rebecca L., Crichton, Megan, Hart, Nicolas H., McKinnell, Emma, Gosper, Melissa, Ryan, Juanita, Crowe, Bethany, Joseph, Ria, Ee, Carolyn, Lee, Jane, McPhail, Steven M., Cuff, Katharine, Teleni, Laisa and Emery, Jon (2025). Implementing a nurse-enabled, integrated, shared-care model involving specialists and general practitioners in early breast cancer post-treatment follow-up (EMINENT): a single-centre, open-label, phase 2, parallel-group, pilot, randomised, controlled trial. eClinicalMedicine, 81 103090, 103090-81. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.103090
2024
Journal Article
Patient Reported Outcome Measures in cancer care: a hybrid effectiveness-Implementation trial to optimise Symptom control and health service Experience (PROMISE)–protocol for a randomised controlled trial of electronic self-reporting of symptoms versus usual care during and following treatment in patients with cancer
Webb, Penelope M, Brown, Amy, Brown, Bena, Collins, Louisa G, Crawford Williams, Fiona, Doupain, Kerrie, Eastgate, Melissa, Fennelly, Vicki, Girgis, Afaf, Hartel, Gunter, Ladwa, Rahul, Martin, Karen, Mason, Robert, McGuire, Peter, Miller, Elizabeth, O’Brien, Suzanne, Packer, Rebecca, Pinkham, Mark B, Sabesan, Sabe, Sanmugarajah, Jasotha, Slapp, Georgia, Tapsall, Doreen, White, Jeanie, Wishart, Laurelie R, Wyld, David and Chan, Raymond J (2024). Patient Reported Outcome Measures in cancer care: a hybrid effectiveness-Implementation trial to optimise Symptom control and health service Experience (PROMISE)–protocol for a randomised controlled trial of electronic self-reporting of symptoms versus usual care during and following treatment in patients with cancer. BMJ Open, 14 (11) e090836, 1-10. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-090836
2024
Journal Article
Navigating childhood hearing loss: the experiences of parents, grandparents and siblings
Loh, Denise Siying, Packer, Rebecca L. and Scarinci, Nerina A. (2024). Navigating childhood hearing loss: the experiences of parents, grandparents and siblings. Disability and Rehabilitation, 47 (11), 2846-2857. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2403723
2024
Conference Publication
Crossed wires: aligning clinical practice with family experiences in paediatric temporary tube feeding
Reilly, Claire, Marshall, Jeanne, Packer, Rebecca, Foley, Jasmine and Thapar, Nikhil (2024). Crossed wires: aligning clinical practice with family experiences in paediatric temporary tube feeding. Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) Australian Gastroenterology Week (AGW) 2024, Adelaide, SA Australia, 14-16 September 2024. Richmond, VIC Australia: John Wiley & Sons.
2024
Book Chapter
Understanding evidence from qualitative research: examples of assessment of quality (critical appraisal) from different health professions
Haas, Romi, Bennett, Sally, Abell, Bridget, Bennett, John, Bogossian, Fiona, Causby, Ryan, Devenish, Anthony Scott, Ee, Carolyn, Forbes, Roma, Packer, Rebecca and Wilkinson, Shelly (2024). Understanding evidence from qualitative research: examples of assessment of quality (critical appraisal) from different health professions. Evidence-based practice across the health professions. (pp. 206-252) edited by Tammy Hoffmann, Sally Bennett and Chris Del Mar. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier.
2024
Journal Article
Feeding characteristics in children with food allergies: a scoping review
Kefford, Jennifer, Marshall, Jeanne, Packer, Rebecca L. and Ward, Elizabeth C. (2024). Feeding characteristics in children with food allergies: a scoping review. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 67 (1), 132-148. doi: 10.1044/2023_jslhr-23-00303
2024
Journal Article
Early detection and intervention services for children with hearing loss in Western and South Asian developing countries: a scoping review
Al Babtain, Jumanah, Packer, Rebecca L., Nickbakht, Mansoureh and Scarinci, Nerina A. (2024). Early detection and intervention services for children with hearing loss in Western and South Asian developing countries: a scoping review. Speech, Language and Hearing, 27 (1), 20-31. doi: 10.1080/2050571X.2023.2220544
2024
Book Chapter
Survivorship
Brown, Bena, Packer, Rebecca L., Bickford, Jane and Ward, Elizabeth C. (2024). Survivorship. Head and neck cancer: treatment, rehabilitation, and outcomes. (pp. 557-578) edited by Elizabeth C. Ward and Corina J. van As-Brooks. San Diego, CA, United States: Plural Publishing.
2023
Journal Article
Do we do what we say? Temporary tube feeding management in children
Reilly, Claire, Marshall, Jeanne, Packer, Rebecca and Thapar, Nikhil (2023). Do we do what we say? Temporary tube feeding management in children. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 58, 756-756. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.10.026
2023
Journal Article
Exploring the impact of remoteness on people with head and neck cancer: Utilisation of a state‐wide dataset
Foley, Jasmine, Wishart, Laurelie R., Ward, Elizabeth C., Burns, Clare L., Packer, Rebecca L., Philpot, Shoni, Kenny, Lizbeth M. and Stevens, Maurice (2023). Exploring the impact of remoteness on people with head and neck cancer: Utilisation of a state‐wide dataset. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 31 (4), 726-743. doi: 10.1111/ajr.13005
2023
Conference Publication
Families’ and Professionals' Perspectives of Early Intervention Services for Children with Hearing Loss in Kuwait
AlBabtain, Jumanah, Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Packer, Rebecca and Scarinci, Nerina (2023). Families’ and Professionals' Perspectives of Early Intervention Services for Children with Hearing Loss in Kuwait. 2023 ASHA Convention, Boston, MA, United States, 16-18 November 2023.
2023
Journal Article
The health care experiences of people with head and neck cancer: a scoping review
Checklin, Martin, O'Halloran, Robyn, Foster, Abby M., Hutchison, Alana, Wilson, Thomas, Bowen, Alanna, Vat, Laura, Lawson, Nadine, Lenne, Priscilla and Packer, Rebecca L. (2023). The health care experiences of people with head and neck cancer: a scoping review. Head and Neck, 46 (1), 74-85. doi: 10.1002/hed.27558
2022
Conference Publication
Enhancing access to speech pathology services for rural patients with Head and Neck Cancer
Foley, Jasmine, Ward, Elizabeth C., Wishart, Laurelie, Burns, Clare, Nund, Rebecca, Graham, Nicky, Patterson, Corey, Ashley, Amy, Fink, Julie, Tiavaasue, Emily and Comben, Wendy (2022). Enhancing access to speech pathology services for rural patients with Head and Neck Cancer. COSA's 49th Annual Scientific Meeting Equitable cancer care for all: Gender, identity, culture, geography, and disease should not matter, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 2 - 4 November 2022. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Rebecca Packer is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Measuring the impact of swallowing disorders on family members
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Psychosocial support for people with swallowing disorders following head and neck cancer and their families
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Development of a core set of outcome measures for dysphagia in HNC
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the interplay among frailty, sarcopenia, and dysphagia in the head and neck cancer population
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Ward
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Doctor Philosophy
Feeding Behaviours of Young Children with Food Allergy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Ward, Dr Jeanne Marshall
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Master Philosophy
Establishing Quality Indicators for Mealtime Management Plans in Adult Dysphagia Care: A Multi-Method Study
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Ward
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Doctor Philosophy
The Clinical-Family Interface: Professional Perspectives and Family Experiences in Paediatric Temporary Feeding Tube Management
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jeanne Marshall
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Doctor Philosophy
Beyond Diagnosis: Understanding Experiences in Motor Neurone Disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shyuan Ngo, Associate Professor Taylor Dick, Associate Professor Frederik Steyn
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Early intervention services for children with hearing loss in Kuwait
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mansoureh Nickbakht, Professor Nerina Scarinci
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing the Understanding of, and Access to, Speech Pathology Head and Neck Cancer Services in Rural Areas
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Laurelie Wishart, Professor Elizabeth Ward
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
A year in the life: The impact of dysarthria for people with MND
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Anna Rumbach, Professor Nerina Scarinci
Media
Enquiries
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