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
2007
Conference Publication
Variance components model predicting outcome in a multi-site, multilevel study of early psychosis treatment
Catts, Stanley, Carr, V.C., O'Toole, B.I., Lewin, T.J., Harris, M.G., Neil, A.L., Evans, R.W., Schaefer, B.R., Eadie, K. and Frost, A.D. (2007). Variance components model predicting outcome in a multi-site, multilevel study of early psychosis treatment. 11th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 28 March - 1 April, 2007. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford Journals.
2007
Conference Publication
The Melbourne first-episode medium term follow-up study: Decline in attentional set-shifting, but not spatial working memory after the onset of psychosis
Pantelis, C., Proffitt, T. M., Wood, S. J., O'Brien, C. L., Henry, L. P., Harris, M. G., Velakoulis, D., Brewer, W. J. and McGorry, P. D. (2007). The Melbourne first-episode medium term follow-up study: Decline in attentional set-shifting, but not spatial working memory after the onset of psychosis. 11th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research, Colorado Springs, USA, 28 March-1 April, 2007. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford Journals. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbm004
2007
Conference Publication
Can specialized early psychosis programs reduce suicide rates in first episode psychosis?
Harris, Meredith, Burgess, Philip M., Chant, David C., Pirkis, J. and McGorry, P.D. (2007). Can specialized early psychosis programs reduce suicide rates in first episode psychosis?. International Congress on Schizophrenia Research, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 27 March -1 April, 2007. Dallas, U.S.A.: International Congress on Schizophrenia Research.
2007
Conference Publication
What predicts shorter duration of (initially) untreated psychosis?
Catts, Stanley, Harris, Meredith, O'Toole, Brian, Carr, Vaughan, Neil, Amanda, Frost, Aaron, Schaefer, Belinda, Eadie, Kathryn and Evans, Russell (2007). What predicts shorter duration of (initially) untreated psychosis?. Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research (ASPR) Annual Conference, Melbourne, Vic, Australia, 29-30 November, 2007. Abingdon, United Kingdom: Informa Healthcare.
2007
Conference Publication
The EPPIC long-term follow-up study: Vocational functioning 7.5 years after a first psychotic episode
Schwarts, O. S., Harris, M. G., Henry, L. P., Waghorn, G., Harrigan, S. M., Prosser, A. L., Farrelly, S. F., Jackson, H. J. and McGorry, P. D. (2007). The EPPIC long-term follow-up study: Vocational functioning 7.5 years after a first psychotic episode. 11th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 28 March - 1 April 2007. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford Journals. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbm004
2007
Conference Publication
Olfactory identification deficits remain stable following a first episode of psychosis: Data from the EPPIC-long term follow-up study
Brewer, W.J., O'Brien, C.L., Wood, S.J., Henry, L.P., Harris, M.G., Pantelis, C. and McGorry, P.D. (2007). Olfactory identification deficits remain stable following a first episode 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, U.K.: Oxford Journals. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbm004
2006
Journal Article
Treated incidence of first-episode psychosis in the catchment area of EPPIC between 1997 and 2000
Amminger, G. P., Harris, M. G., Conus, P., Lambert, M., Elkins, K. S., Yuen, H.-P. and McGorry, P. D. (2006). Treated incidence of first-episode psychosis in the catchment area of EPPIC between 1997 and 2000. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 114 (5), 337-345. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2006.00790.x
2006
Journal Article
Belief in dealing with depression alone: Results from community surveys of adolescents and adults
Jorm, Anthony F., Kelly, Claire M., Wright, Annemarie, Parslow, Ruth A., Harris, Meredith G. and McGorry, Patrick D. (2006). Belief in dealing with depression alone: Results from community surveys of adolescents and adults. Journal of Affective Disorders, 96 (1-2), 59-65. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2006.05.018
2006
Conference Publication
Results from a multisite effectiveness evaluation of Early Psychosis treatment: Applying hierarchical linear modeling
Frost, A. D. J., Catts, S. V., Carr, V. J., O'Toole, B. I., Lewin, T., Neil, A. and Harris, M. (2006). Results from a multisite effectiveness evaluation of Early Psychosis treatment: Applying hierarchical linear modeling. OXFORD: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING.
2006
Journal Article
Routine outcome assessment and feedback for clinicians: A pilot in an early psychosis service
Wong, Lisa, Harris, Meredith, Cotton, Sue and Edwards, Jane (2006). Routine outcome assessment and feedback for clinicians: A pilot in an early psychosis service. Journal of Mental Health, 15 (3), 279-288. doi: 10.1080/09638230600714285
2006
Journal Article
Stakeholder concerns about Australia's mental health care system
Townsend, Clare E., Pirkis, Jane E., Pham, An T. N., Harris, Meredith G. and Whiteford, Harvey A. (2006). Stakeholder concerns about Australia's mental health care system. Australian Health Review, 30 (2), 158-163. doi: 10.1071/AH060158
2006
Conference Publication
Suicide attempt in previous first-episode psychosis: A medium term-follow-up study
Robinson, J., Harris, M.G., Henry, L.P., Yuen, H.P., Farrelly, S., Schwartz, O., Prosser, A., Jackson, H. and McGorry, P.D. (2006). Suicide attempt in previous first-episode psychosis: A medium term-follow-up study. 5th International Conference on Early Psychosis, International Convention Centre, Birmingham, UK, 4-6 October, 2006. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0920-9964(06)70172-4
2006
Other Outputs
International Planning Models for Mental Health
Pirkis, J., Buckingham, B., Harris, M G and Whiteford, H (2006). International Planning Models for Mental Health. Melbourne: The University of Melbourne.
2006
Conference Publication
Cognitive change after a first psychotic episode: A data from the EPPIC medium-term follow-up study
Wood, Stephen J., O’Brien, Casey L., Brewer, Warrick, Henry, Lisa P., Harris, Meredith G., McGorry, Patrick D., Velakoulis, Dennis and Pantelis, Christos (2006). Cognitive change after a first psychotic episode: A data from the EPPIC medium-term follow-up study. Sixty-First Annual Convention and Scientific Program, Toronto, Canada, 18-20 May 2006. St. Louis, MO, United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.03.007
2006
Journal Article
Treatment for the initial acute phase of first-episode psychosis in a real-world setting
Wade, D., Harrigan, S., Harris, M G, Edwards, J.E. and McGorry, P. (2006). Treatment for the initial acute phase of first-episode psychosis in a real-world setting. Psychiatric Bulletin, 30 (4), 127-131. doi: 10.1192/pb.30.4.127
2006
Journal Article
Development and evaluation of a youth mental health community awareness campaign - The Compass Strategy
Wright, A, McGorry, PD, Harris, MG, Jorm, AF and Pennell, K (2006). Development and evaluation of a youth mental health community awareness campaign - The Compass Strategy. Bmc Public Health, 6 (3) 215. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-6-215
2006
Conference Publication
Results from a multisite effectiveness evaluation of early psychosis treatment: Applying hierarchical linear modeling
Frost, A. D. J., Catts, S. V., Carr, V. J., O'Toole, B. I., Lewin, T., Neil, A and Harris, M. (2006). Results from a multisite effectiveness evaluation of early psychosis treatment: Applying hierarchical linear modeling. ASC 2006, Fremantle, W.A., 21-23 August 2006. U.K.: Informa Healthcare.
2006
Conference Publication
Spatial working memory and attentional set-shifting after the onset of psychosis: Data from the EPPIC medium term follow-up study
Pantelis, C., Proffitt, T.M., Wood, S.J., O'Brien, C.L., Henry, L.P., Harris, M.G, Velakoulis, D., Brewer, W.J. and McGorry, P.D. (2006). Spatial working memory and attentional set-shifting after the onset of psychosis: Data from the EPPIC medium term follow-up study. XIIIth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia Research, Davos, Switzerland, 04-10 February, 2006. AMSTERDAM: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2006.01.006
2006
Conference Publication
Intensive case management (ICM) for high suicide risk: Evaluating a unique model of care for poorly engaged clients with first episode psychosis
Brewer, W. J., Murphy, B., Lambert, T., Harris, M. G., Staude, G., Briggs, S. and McGorry, P. D. (2006). Intensive case management (ICM) for high suicide risk: Evaluating a unique model of care for poorly engaged clients with first episode psychosis. XIIIth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia Research, Davos, Switzerland, 4-10 February, 2006. Amsterdam, Holland: Elsevier Science Bv. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2006.01.006
2006
Conference Publication
Impact of specialised first-episode psychosis treatment on suicide following initial presentation to mental health services: Retrospective cohort study
Harris, M. G., Burgess, P. M., Chant, D. C., Pirkis, J. E. and McGorry, P. D. (2006). Impact of specialised first-episode psychosis treatment on suicide following initial presentation to mental health services: Retrospective cohort study. XIIIth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia Research, Davos, Switzerland, 4-10 February 2006. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier Science.
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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