Overview
Background
Associate Professor Meredith Harris is a researcher in the field of mental health services research and evaluation. She is a Principal Research Fellow with the School of Public Health at the University of Queensland, based at the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research.
Meredith holds qualifications in psychology, policy and applied social research, and public health. She has over 25 years of experience in the management and administration of research projects, including systematic literature reviews, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, studies based on epidemiological survey data, and evaluations of health programs and interventions using observational, quasi-experimental and experimental research designs.
Meredith's current role is with the Analysis and Reporting Component of the Australian Mental Health Outcomes and Classification Network (AMHOCN), which leads the design, analysis and reporting of the National Outcomes and Casemix Collection (http://www.amhocn.org/). In this role, she is leading a range of projects designed to improve the measurement of patient- and service-level outcomes in Australia's specialised public sector mental health services.
Availability
- Associate Professor Meredith Harris is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Arts, Macquarie University
- Masters (Coursework), Macquarie University
- Masters (Coursework) of Public Health, University of Sydney
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Investigating clinical and psychosocial outcomes of mental health treatment services and models
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Evaluating primary mental health care reforms
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Understanding population patterns of health service utilisation for mental health problems
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Using epidemiological and policy analyses to inform mental health service planning decisions
Research impacts
Meredith has led several major research projects that have directly informed mental health policy and service planning. For example, she undertook two empirical mental health planning studies that developed service planning targets for public sector mental health services and community support services funded by the Queensland government. The recommendations from these studies were taken up directly in the subsequent Queensland Mental Health Plan 2007-17 and informed the Queensland Department of Communities’ Supporting Recovery: Mental Health Community Services Plan 2011-2017.
She has led or contributed to a number of projects related to initiatives implemented under the National Mental Health Strategy. For example, she was an investigator on several components of a government-funded evaluation of the Better Access initiative; particularly, she led Component B which involved an in-depth analysis of patterns of use of mental health services delivered subsidised via the Medicare Benefits Schedule. The evaluation contributed evidence that has been widely used in ongoing national debate about access, equity and outcomes associated with this major national mental health reform, and informed refinements to the program guidelines.
Meredith’s research has involved novel applications of epidemiological survey data to answer policy-relevant questions about the performance of Australia’s mental health system. Using these data, for example, she published the first study to quantify minimally adequate treatment for affective and anxiety disorders in the Australian mental health system, the first published independent evaluation of a major primary mental health care initiative (the Better Access program), and the first study to examine the match between practice guideline recommendations and treatment of subthreshold depression in Australian primary care settings. Collectively, these studies have contributed to ongoing debates and efforts to understand the impact of policy and service impacts of measures of disease burden related to mental disorders.
Works
Search Professor Meredith Harris’s works on UQ eSpace
2009
Book Chapter
Using research and evaluation to inform the development of early-psychosis service models: International examples
Harris, Meredith, Zipursky, Robert E., Addington, Donald, Nordentoft, Merete and Power, Paddy (2009). Using research and evaluation to inform the development of early-psychosis service models: International examples. The recognition and management of early psychosis. (pp. 385-404) edited by Henry J. Jackson and Patrick D. McGorry. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/CBO9780511576287.022
2009
Journal Article
Development and preliminary evaluation of an employment resource for mental health service consumers, carers, and clinicians
Harris, Meredith, Cleary, Catherine, King, Joanne and Waghorn, Geoffrey (2009). Development and preliminary evaluation of an employment resource for mental health service consumers, carers, and clinicians. Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health (AeJAMH), 8 (1), 80-94. doi: 10.5172/jamh.8.1.80
2009
Book Chapter
Clinical characteristics of first-episode schizophrenia
Henry, Lisa P., McGorry, Patrick D., Harris, Meredith and Amminger, Paul (2009). Clinical characteristics of first-episode schizophrenia. Schizophrenia: Biopsychosocial Approaches and Current Challenges. (pp. 39-51) edited by Siegfried Kasper and George N. Papadimitriou. London , UK: Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.3109/9781420080063-7
2009
Journal Article
Patterns of HIV/AIDS, STI, substance abuse and hepatitis risk among selected samples of Latino and African-American youth in Washington, DC
Edberg, Mark C., Collins, Elizabeth, Harris, Meredith, McLendon, Hedda and Santucci, Patricia (2009). Patterns of HIV/AIDS, STI, substance abuse and hepatitis risk among selected samples of Latino and African-American youth in Washington, DC. Journal of Youth Studies, 12 (6), 685-709. doi: 10.1080/13676260902897400
2009
Book
Buiding a career of your choice
Waghorn, Geoffrey, Harris, Meredith, Cleary, Catherine, King, Joanne and Lloyd, Christine A. (2009). Buiding a career of your choice. Australia: JobAccess - Australian Government.
2008
Conference Publication
Education and labour force activity: a 7.5 year follow-up of a first-episode psychosis cohort
Harris, M. G., Waghorn, G., Harrigan, S., Henry, L. P., Jackson, H., Schwartz, O., Farrelly, S., Prosser, A. and McGorry, P. D. (2008). Education and labour force activity: a 7.5 year follow-up of a first-episode psychosis cohort. WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC.
2008
Journal Article
Early Psychosis: Treatment Issues and the Role of Occupational Therapy
Lloyd, Christine A., Waghorn, Geoffrey, Williams, Philip Lee, Harris, Meredith and Capra, Carina (2008). Early Psychosis: Treatment Issues and the Role of Occupational Therapy. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71 (7), 297-304. doi: 10.1177/030802260807100708
2008
Journal Article
Impact of a specialized early psychosis treatment programme on suicide. Retrospective cohort study
Harris, Meredith G., Burgess, Philip M., Chant, David C., Pirkis, Jane E. and McGorry, Patrick D. (2008). Impact of a specialized early psychosis treatment programme on suicide. Retrospective cohort study. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 2 (1), 11-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-7893.2007.00050.x
2008
Conference Publication
The EPPIC long term follow-up study of first episode psychosis: Baseline predictors of the deficit syndrome at the long-term outcome
Henry, Lisa, Amminger, Paul, Yuen, Hok Pan, Prosser, Amy, Schwartz, Orly, Farrelly, Simone, Herrman, Helen, McGorry, Patrick and Harris, Meredith (2008). The EPPIC long term follow-up study of first episode psychosis: Baseline predictors of the deficit syndrome at the long-term outcome. 1st Schizophrenia International Research Society Conference, Venice, Italy, 21-25 June, 2008. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0920-9964(08)70643-1
2008
Conference Publication
Earning or learning among young people with psychiatric disorders: a population level analysis
Waghorn, G., Chant, D., Harris, M. and Lloyd, C. (2008). Earning or learning among young people with psychiatric disorders: a population level analysis. 6th International Conference on Early Psychosis, Melbourne, Australia, 20-22 October 2008. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell.
2007
Journal Article
Prevalence and correlates of comorbidity 8 years after a first psychotic episode
Farrelly, S., Harris, Meredith, Henry, L. P., Purcell, R., Prosser, A., Schwarts, O., Jackson, H. and McGrooy, P. D. (2007). Prevalence and correlates of comorbidity 8 years after a first psychotic episode. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 116 (1), 62-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2006.00922.x
2007
Journal Article
International planning directions for provision of mental health services
Pirkis, Jane, Harris, Meredith, Buckingham, William, Whiteford, Harvey and Townsend-White, Clare (2007). International planning directions for provision of mental health services. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 34 (4), 377-387. doi: 10.1007/s10488-007-0116-0
2007
Journal Article
What's in a name? Is accurate recognition and labelling of mental disorders by young people associated with better help-seeking and treatment preferences?
Wright. A., Jorm, A. F., Harris, M. and McGorry, P. D. (2007). What's in a name? Is accurate recognition and labelling of mental disorders by young people associated with better help-seeking and treatment preferences?. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 42 (3), 244-250. doi: 10.1007/s00127-006-0156-x
2007
Journal Article
Early psychosis prevention and intervention centre long-term follow-up study of first-episode psychosis: methodology and baseline characteristics
Henry, L.P., Harris, M., Arminger, P., Yuen, H. P., Harrigan, S. M., Lambert, M., Conus, P., Schwarts, O., Prosser, A., Farrelly, S., Purcell, R., Herrman, H., Jackson, H. J. and McGorry, P. . (2007). Early psychosis prevention and intervention centre long-term follow-up study of first-episode psychosis: methodology and baseline characteristics. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 1 (1), 49-60. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-7893.2007.00008.x
2007
Conference Publication
Are the short-term cost savings and benefits of an early psychosis program maintained at 8-year follow-up?
Mihalopoulos, C., Harris, M., Henry, L.P., Harrigan, S.M., Farrelly, S.F., Schwartz, O.S., Prosser, A.L., Jackson, H.J. and McGorry, P.D. (2007). Are the short-term cost savings and benefits of an early psychosis program maintained at 8-year follow-up?. 11th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research, Colorado Springs, USA, 28 March-1 April, 2007. Rockville, U.S.A.: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbm004
2007
Conference Publication
Early detection and optimal treatment may improve outcome in early-onset schizophrenia: Evidence from the EPPIC medium-term follow-up study of first episode psychosis
Harrigan, S., Amminger, G.P., Henry, L.P., Harris, M.G., Prosser, A., Jackson, H. and McGorry, P.D. (2007). Early detection and optimal treatment may improve outcome in early-onset schizophrenia: Evidence from the EPPIC medium-term follow-up study of first episode psychosis. 11th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research In Schizophrenia Bulletin, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 28 March - 1 April, 2007. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford Journals. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbm004
2007
Conference Publication
Visuospatial associative memory declines following a first episode of psychosis: Data from the EPPIC longterm follow-up study
Wood, S., Proffitt, T. M., O'Brien, C., Harris, M.G., Henry, L. P., Velakoulis, D., Brewer, W.J., McGorry, P.D. and Pantelis, C. (2007). Visuospatial associative memory declines following a first episode of psychosis: Data from the EPPIC longterm follow-up study. 11th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research 2007, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 28 March – 1 April, 2007. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford Journals. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbm004
2007
Conference Publication
Stability in intellectual, memory and attention deficits 5-10 years after the onset of psychosis: Data from the EPPIC long term follow-up study
Proffitt, T., Wood, S. J., O'Brien. C. L., Henry, L. P., Harris, M.G, Brewer, W. J., Velakoulis, D., McGorry, P. D. and Pantelis, C. (2007). Stability in intellectual, memory and attention deficits 5-10 years after the onset of psychosis: Data from the EPPIC long term follow-up study. 11th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research, Colorado Springs, U.S.A., 28 March - 1 April, 2007. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford Journals. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbm004
2007
Conference Publication
The EPPIC long term follow-up study of first episode psychosis: Clinical and functional outcomes at 7.5 years
Henry, L. P., Harris, M. G., Amminger, G. P., Jackson, H. J., Yuen, H. P., Harrigan, S. M. and McGorry, P. D. (2007). The EPPIC long term follow-up study of first episode psychosis: Clinical and functional outcomes at 7.5 years. The 11th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 28 March – 01 April 2007. Rockville, Md.: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbm004
2007
Conference Publication
The EPPIC long term follow-up study of first episode psychosis: Clinical and functional outcomes at 7.5 years
Henry, L.P., Harris, M.G, Amminger, G.P., Jackson, H.J., Yuen, H.P., Harrigan, S.M. and McGorry, P.D. (2007). The EPPIC long term follow-up study of first episode psychosis: Clinical and functional outcomes at 7.5 years. 11th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, March 28 - April 2, 2007. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford Journals. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbm004
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Meredith Harris is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Mental Health Service Planning in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Harvey Whiteford, Dr Sandra Diminic
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Australian Mental Health Court Liaison Services: developing an approach to performance measurement
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Philip Burgess
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the characteristics and service needs of carers for adults with mental illness to inform mental health service planning
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Dan Siskind, Professor Harvey Whiteford
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Who receives what, from whom, and to what effect at clinically operated, community-based residential mental health rehabilitation for Severe and Persistent Mental Illness in Australia?
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Dan Siskind, Professor Harvey Whiteford
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Decision-analytic modelling to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of interventions to reduce the burden of major depression in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Harvey Whiteford
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Cognitive remediation and social cognition interaction training:implementation and dessimination in a clinical setting
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Neal Ashkanasy, Dr Damian Santomauro, Professor Harvey Whiteford
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS): The performance of a major Australian primary mental health initiative
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Harvey Whiteford
Media
Enquiries
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