
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
Fields of research
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
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Medication optimisation in neonates
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Medication use in pregnancy and breast feeding
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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Master Philosophy
To investigate the impact of a pharmacist medication management across the continuum
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Coombes
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Doctor Philosophy
A study to investigate a Preoperative diabetes optimisation clinic and the pharmacists role.
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Exploration of resilience in pharmacy students and pharmacists
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Karen Luetsch
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Improving oral mucositis management in patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Principal Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Design, validation and testing of a nursing administration assessment and evaluation tool
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Coombes
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Essential Trace Element Analysis of Human Breast Milk
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nick Shaw, Dr Amitha Hewavitharana
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Advanced practice in paediatric pharmacy: what is it, how do you get there, and what does it mean for children?
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Coombes
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Exploration of resilience in pharmacy students and pharmacists.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Karen Luetsch
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Assessment of some clinically important elements in infants and young children from Australia and Bangladesh
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nick Shaw
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Development of an assay for vitamin D in biological samples
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Amitha Hewavitharana, Professor Nick Shaw
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Development of an assay for total vitamin D content in milk and application to study the effect of pasteurisation in breastmilk
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nick Shaw, Dr Amitha Hewavitharana
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Impact of drug warning system on prescriptions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Adam La Caze
Media
Enquiries
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