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Dr Karen Whitfield
Dr

Karen Whitfield

Email: 

Overview

Background

Associate Professor

Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence Email: karen.whitfield@uq.edu.au

Dr Karen Whitfield is an Associate Professor within the School of Pharmacy and is the Program Lead for the Master of Clinical Pharmacy.https://future-students.uq.edu.au/study/programs/master-clinical-pharmacy-5718

Karen was awarded the Research Excellence Award for Research Support - Metro North Health Service in 2020 and the Australian Clinical Pharmacist awarded by the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia in 2017

Karen has worked at a number of different hospital including Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester General Infirmary, North Staffordshire Hospital Trust (Surgical and Paediatric Directorate Pharmacist), The Townsville Hospital. Most recently she has worked at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (from 2015-2021) holding several positions including, Team Leader Women's and Newborns and Assistant Director Cancer Care Services. She has also held a number of teaching positions including, Sr Lecturer James Cooke University, Teacher Practitioner with Medicines Services Queensland and lecturer with the University of Queensland.

Her specialist interests include Women's Health and Neonatology

She completed a Diploma in Hospital Pharmacy (1991), Masters in Clinical Pharmacy (1996) and completed her PhD at Aston University in 2002 under the supervision of Dr John Marriott and Dr Keith Wilson at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital UK, investigating sedatives in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Karen has presented work Nationally and Internationally at several Seminars and Conferences including, Life Long Learning for Pharmacists Conference (Dublin 2020, Croatia 2016), FIP webinar series ‘Hearing from our Hero’s’ (2020), Monash Pharmacy Education Symposium (2019), MM2018 SHPA Conference Brisbane (2018), Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Conference UK (2015), Society of Obstetric Medicine Australia and New Zealand (Melbourne 2015).

Availability

Dr Karen Whitfield is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Masters (Coursework), Keele University
  • Bachelor of Science, Council for National Academic Awards
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Aston University
  • Postgraduate Diploma, James Cook University

Research interests

  • Medication optimisation in neonates

  • Medication use in pregnancy and breast feeding

  • Research into the impact of resilience training and development

Research impacts

Research Interests

  • The impact of a specialist pharmacist in Women’s and Newborns Health including the ambulatory care setting.
  • Altered pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic handling of medications in premature and term neonates
  • Essential micronutrient levels in blood and human milk, including trace elements and vitamins
  • Altered pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic handling of medications in pregnancy
  • The impact of Resilience training and development in students and health care professionals

Karen invites potential majors and postgraduate students to contact her via email to discuss research opportunities.

Projects currently available for PhD/MPhil research higher degree students include:

Women’s Health and Neonates

  • Investigating essential trace elements in neonates including Zinc, Selenium, Chromium, Manganese and Cobalt
  • Investigating neonatal medicines information needs for parents and carers post discharge.
  • Medication taking behaviour during pregnancy and breast feeding (prescription and non-prescription medications).
  • Drugs levels in breast milk - this will involve investigating specific medications and analysis of levels in breast milk and any clinical implications for the infant.
  • Medication optimisation in the obese patient.

Workforce and Professional Development

  • The development and evaluation of resilience and wellbeing interventions in undergraduate students and postgraduate pharmacists.

Works

Search Professor Karen Whitfield’s works on UQ eSpace

55 works between 2010 and 2024

21 - 40 of 55 works

2021

Journal Article

Gentamicin dosing in neonates with normal renal function: trough and peak levels

O’Connor, Kristin, Davies, Mark W., Koorts, Pieter, Cartwright, David W. and Whitfield, Karen (2021). Gentamicin dosing in neonates with normal renal function: trough and peak levels. European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, 46 (5), 677-684. doi: 10.1007/s13318-021-00708-x

Gentamicin dosing in neonates with normal renal function: trough and peak levels

2021

Journal Article

The impact of an electronic hospital system on therapeutic drug monitoring

Firman, Paul, Whitfield, Karen, Tan, Ken‐Soon, Clavarino, Alexandra and Hay, Karen (2021). The impact of an electronic hospital system on therapeutic drug monitoring. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 46 (6) jcpt.13497, 1613-1621. doi: 10.1111/jcpt.13497

The impact of an electronic hospital system on therapeutic drug monitoring

2021

Journal Article

Developing a global community of practice for pharmacy workforce resilience—meet GRiT

Whitfield, Karen, Arya, Vibhuti, Austin, Zubin, Bajis, Dalia, Bradley, Catriona, Clark, Bronwyn, Exintaris, Betty, Galbraith, Kirsten, El Hajj, Maguy Saffouh, Hall, Kat, Hughes, Louise, Kirsa, Sue, Langran, Catherine, Mantzourani, Efi, Wilby, Kyle John and Willis, Sarah (2021). Developing a global community of practice for pharmacy workforce resilience—meet GRiT. Pharmacy, 9 (2) 110, 110. doi: 10.3390/pharmacy9020110

Developing a global community of practice for pharmacy workforce resilience—meet GRiT

2021

Journal Article

Developing Grit, Motivation, and Resilience: To Give Up on Giving In

Whitfield, Karen M. and Wilby, Kyle John (2021). Developing Grit, Motivation, and Resilience: To Give Up on Giving In. Pharmacy, 9 (2) 109, 1-8. doi: 10.3390/pharmacy9020109

Developing Grit, Motivation, and Resilience: To Give Up on Giving In

2021

Journal Article

Maintaining and maximising motivation to progress scholarly work during challenges times – reflections from the pandemic

Whitfield, Karen M., Dresser, Jacob D., Magoffin, Rowena and Wilby, Kyle J. (2021). Maintaining and maximising motivation to progress scholarly work during challenges times – reflections from the pandemic. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning, 13 (3), 193-197. doi: 10.1016/j.cptl.2020.10.017

Maintaining and maximising motivation to progress scholarly work during challenges times – reflections from the pandemic

2021

Journal Article

Exploring how postmillennial pharmacy students balance life priorities and avoid situations known to deplete resilience

Dresser, Jacob D., Whitfield, Karen M., Kremer, Lisa J. and Wilby, Kyle J. (2021). Exploring how postmillennial pharmacy students balance life priorities and avoid situations known to deplete resilience. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 85 (4) 8369, 311-316. doi: 10.5688/ajpe8369

Exploring how postmillennial pharmacy students balance life priorities and avoid situations known to deplete resilience

2020

Journal Article

Therapeutic anticoagulation during the postnatal peripartum period: a survey of clinical practice

North, Angela M., Barrett, Helen L., Lust, Karin M. and Whitfield, Karen M. (2020). Therapeutic anticoagulation during the postnatal peripartum period: a survey of clinical practice. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 50 (3), 213-219. doi: 10.1002/jppr.1617

Therapeutic anticoagulation during the postnatal peripartum period: a survey of clinical practice

2020

Journal Article

Development and validation of an ICP-MS method and its application to determine multiple trace elements in small volumes of whole blood and plasma

Tanvir, E. M., Whitfield, Karen M., Ng, Jack C. and Shaw, P. Nicholas (2020). Development and validation of an ICP-MS method and its application to determine multiple trace elements in small volumes of whole blood and plasma. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 44 (9), 1036-1046. doi: 10.1093/jat/bkaa033

Development and validation of an ICP-MS method and its application to determine multiple trace elements in small volumes of whole blood and plasma

2020

Journal Article

Medication administration evaluation and feedback tool: inter-rater reliability in the clinical setting

Davies, Karen M., Coombes, Ian D., Keogh, Samantha, Hay, Karen and Whitfield, Karen M. (2020). Medication administration evaluation and feedback tool: inter-rater reliability in the clinical setting. Collegian, 28 (4), 369-375. doi: 10.1016/j.colegn.2020.10.001

Medication administration evaluation and feedback tool: inter-rater reliability in the clinical setting

2019

Journal Article

Medication administration evaluation and feedback tool: Simulation reliability testing

Davies, Karen M., Coombes, Ian D., Keogh, Samantha, Hay, Karen, Hurst, Cameron and Whitfield, Karen M. (2019). Medication administration evaluation and feedback tool: Simulation reliability testing. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 32, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ecns.2019.03.010

Medication administration evaluation and feedback tool: Simulation reliability testing

2019

Conference Publication

4CPS-282 Preconception counselling – the role of the clinical pharmacist

Whitfield, K and Keegan, L (2019). 4CPS-282 Preconception counselling – the role of the clinical pharmacist. doi: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2019-eahpconf.431

4CPS-282 Preconception counselling – the role of the clinical pharmacist

2019

Conference Publication

4CPS-283 Investigating medication safety resources in pregnancy and breastfeeding for consumers and health professionals

Whitfield, K and Sukumar, L (2019). 4CPS-283 Investigating medication safety resources in pregnancy and breastfeeding for consumers and health professionals. doi: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2019-eahpconf.432

4CPS-283 Investigating medication safety resources in pregnancy and breastfeeding for consumers and health professionals

2019

Journal Article

Medication administration evaluation tool design: an expert panel review

Davies, Karen M., Coombes, Ian D., Keogh, Samantha and Whitfield, Karen M. (2019). Medication administration evaluation tool design: an expert panel review. Collegian, 26 (1), 118-124. doi: 10.1016/j.colegn.2018.05.001

Medication administration evaluation tool design: an expert panel review

2018

Journal Article

Psychotropic medication use during pregnancy

Niethe, Miranda and Whitfield, Karen (2018). Psychotropic medication use during pregnancy. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 48 (4), 384-391. doi: 10.1002/jppr.1483

Psychotropic medication use during pregnancy

2018

Journal Article

Therapeutic heparin during the peripartum period – challenges associated with safe use

North, Angela M., Barrett, Helen L., Lust, Karin M. and Whitfield, Karen M. (2018). Therapeutic heparin during the peripartum period – challenges associated with safe use. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 48 (4), 314-319. doi: 10.1002/jppr.1399

Therapeutic heparin during the peripartum period – challenges associated with safe use

2018

Journal Article

The SHPA Australian Clinical Pharmacy Award 2017 Oration

Whitfield, Karen (2018). The SHPA Australian Clinical Pharmacy Award 2017 Oration. Pharmacy Growth, Research, Innovation and Training, 2 (1). doi: 10.24080/grit.1084

The SHPA Australian Clinical Pharmacy Award 2017 Oration

2017

Journal Article

The emerging role of the women's and newborns' pharmacist

Whitfield, Karen (2017). The emerging role of the women's and newborns' pharmacist. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 47 (4), 254-255. doi: 10.1002/jppr.1372

The emerging role of the women's and newborns' pharmacist

2016

Journal Article

To investigate the effect of the pasteurisation process on trace elements in donor breast milk

Taufek, Nor Mohd, Cartwright, David, Hewavitharana, Amitha, Koorts, Pieter, McConachy, Helen, Shaw, Nick, Whitfield, Karen and Davies, Mark (2016). To investigate the effect of the pasteurisation process on trace elements in donor breast milk. e ADC, 101 (9), A13-A14. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2016-311535.27

To investigate the effect of the pasteurisation process on trace elements in donor breast milk

2016

Conference Publication

Effect of pasteurisation on the concentrations of vitamin D compounds in donor breast milk

Gomes, Fabio, Shaw, Nick, Whitfield, Karen, Koorts, Pieter, McConachy, Helen and Hewavitharana, Amitha (2016). Effect of pasteurisation on the concentrations of vitamin D compounds in donor breast milk. Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG) 21st Annual Conference, London, United Kingdom, 6–8 November 2015. London, United Kingdom: BMJ Group. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2016-311535.26

Effect of pasteurisation on the concentrations of vitamin D compounds in donor breast milk

2016

Conference Publication

Changing prescribing culture - a focus on codeine postpartum

Al-Adhami, Noor, Whitfield, Karen and North, Angela (2016). Changing prescribing culture - a focus on codeine postpartum. Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG) 21st Annual Conference, London, United Kingdom, 6–8 November 2015. London, United Kingdom: BMJ Group. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2016-311535.2

Changing prescribing culture - a focus on codeine postpartum

Supervision

Availability

Dr Karen Whitfield is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Master Philosophy

    To investigate the impact of a pharmacist medication management across the continuum

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ian Coombes

  • Doctor Philosophy

    A study to investigate a Preoperative diabetes optimisation clinic and the pharmacists role.

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Exploration of resilience in pharmacy students and pharmacists

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karen Luetsch

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Dr Karen Whitfield's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au