Overview
Background
I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Digital Health and Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) interested in the prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases, especially obesity, across the lifecourse.
Through research, I aim to add health to life and equity to health by changing policies and practices to reduce the impact of obesity.
My research program aims to forge a new nexus across dietetics, digital health and public health to improve healthy weight. In my Postdoctoral Fellowship, I have established a new evidence base that supports precision public health approaches to the prevention and management of obesity, including innovate methods of public health surveillance that can use data from sources such as electronic medical records. I trained as a Paediatric Dietitian and have experience as a clinician-researcher working in Queensland's healthcare system, specifically in preventing and managing childhood obesity via clinical, community, and public health programs.
I have used epidemiology, public health informatics, action research, co-design, and ethnographic methods to generate new knowledge in obesity and digital health. I was awarded my PhD (UQ) in November 2020, which developed and validated i-PATHWAY, a clinical model to predict childhood obesity from the first 1,000 days to help guide its prevention. This research was the first of its kind in Australia and uncovered new evidence for risk factors for childhood obesity that are evident from the early years.
At The University of Queensland (UQ), I am a member of the Queensland Digital Health Centre, located within the Centre for Health Services Research (Faculty of Medicine). I established and currently Co-Chair the UQ Digital Health HDR Cohort, which provides research mentorship and support to ~20 PhD, MPhil and Honours research students.
Our team partners closely with multiple healthcare and research organisations across Australia to innovate and translate obesity research into practice, including Health and Wellbeing Queensland (public health and prevention of chronic diseases), Queensland Health (healthcare system) and the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (digital health research). I hold an Honorary Appointment with Health and Wellbeing Queensland, and an Affiliate Research Fellow position with the Faculty of Medicine (UQ) to help bridge the gap between obesity research and practice.
Availability
- Dr Oliver Canfell is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland
- Masters (Coursework) of Dietetics Studies, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Obesity
Clinical prevention, health promotion
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Digital health
Artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, digital hospitals, digital transformation
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Precision public health
Public health surveillance of noncommunicable diseases
Works
Search Professor Oliver Canfell’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2022
Journal Article
Precision public health for non-communicable diseases: an emerging strategic roadmap and multinational use cases
Canfell, Oliver J., Davidson, Kamila, Woods, Leanna, Sullivan, Clair, Cocoros, Noelle M., Klompas, Michael, Zambarano, Bob, Eakin, Elizabeth, Littlewood, Robyn and Burton-Jones, Andrew (2022). Precision public health for non-communicable diseases: an emerging strategic roadmap and multinational use cases. Frontiers in Public Health, 10 854525, 1-10. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.854525
Featured
2021
Journal Article
i‐PATHWAY : Development and validation of a prediction model for childhood obesity in an Australian prospective birth cohort
Canfell, Oliver J., Littlewood, Robyn, Wright, Olivia R. L. and Walker, Jacqueline L. (2021). i‐PATHWAY : Development and validation of a prediction model for childhood obesity in an Australian prospective birth cohort. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 57 (8), 1250-1258. doi: 10.1111/jpc.15436
2024
Journal Article
“An excellent servant but a terrible master”: understanding the value of wearables for self-management in people with cystic fibrosis and their healthcare providers – a qualitative study
Mattison, Graeme, Canfell, Oliver J., Smith, Daniel, Forrester, Doug, Reid, David, Töyräs, Juha and Dobbins, Chelsea (2024). “An excellent servant but a terrible master”: understanding the value of wearables for self-management in people with cystic fibrosis and their healthcare providers – a qualitative study. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 189 105532, 105532. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2024.105532
2024
Journal Article
Implementing AI in Hospitals to Achieve a Learning Health System: Systematic Review of Current Enablers and Barriers
Kamel Rahimi, Amir, Pienaar, Oliver, Ghadimi, Moji, Canfell, Oliver J., Pole, Jason D., Shrapnel, Sally, van der Vegt, Anton H. and Sullivan, Clair (2024). Implementing AI in Hospitals to Achieve a Learning Health System: Systematic Review of Current Enablers and Barriers. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26 e49655, 1-29. doi: 10.2196/49655
2024
Book Chapter
Applied clinical informatics
Woods, Leanna, Canfell, Oliver and Sullivan, Clair (2024). Applied clinical informatics. Digital health: a transformative approach. (pp. 143-176) edited by Helen Almond and Carey Mather. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Elsevier.
2024
Journal Article
Advancing the decadal plan for the science of nutrition: progressing a framework for implementation
Truby, Helen, Allman‐Farinelli, Margaret, Beck, Eleanor J., Beckett, Emma L., Bondonno, Catherine, Dordevic, Aimee L., Livingstone, Katherine M., Willcox, Jane, Wilkinson, Shelley A., the National Committee for Nutrition and its working groups, Hwang, Liang-Dar, McNaughton, Sarah, Padayachee, Anneline, Roura, Eugeni, Gidley, Mike and Canfell, Oliver (2024). Advancing the decadal plan for the science of nutrition: progressing a framework for implementation. Nutrition and Dietetics, 81 (2), 133-148. doi: 10.1111/1747-0080.12876
2024
Journal Article
The impact of digital hospitals on patient and clinician experience: systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis
Canfell, Oliver J., Woods, Leanna, Meshkat, Yasaman, Krivit, Jenna, Gunashanhar, Brinda, Slade, Christine, Burton-Jones, Andrew and Sullivan, Clair (2024). The impact of digital hospitals on patient and clinician experience: systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26 (1) e47715, 1-24. doi: 10.2196/47715
2023
Journal Article
How do Twitter users feel about telehealth? A mixed-methods analysis of experiences, perceptions and expectations
Sazon, Hannah, de Camargo Catapan, Soraia, Rahimi, Afshin, Canfell, Oliver J. and Kelly, Jaimon (2023). How do Twitter users feel about telehealth? A mixed-methods analysis of experiences, perceptions and expectations. Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy, 27 (1) e13927, 1-11. doi: 10.1111/hex.13927
2023
Conference Publication
Trust and confidence in using telehealth in people with chronic kidney disease: A cross-sectional study
De Camargo Catapan, Soraia, Haydon, Helen, Hickman, Ingrid, Webb, Lindsey, Isbel, Nicole, Johnson, David, Campbell, Katrina, Mayr, Hannah, Canfell, Oliver, Scuffham, Paul, Caffery, Liam, Smith, Anthony and Kelly, Jaimon (2023). Trust and confidence in using telehealth in people with chronic kidney disease: A cross-sectional study. 23rd Conference on Successes and Failures in Telehealth, Adelaide, SA Australia, 27 - 29 November 2023. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
2023
Conference Publication
Trust and confidence in using telehealth by phone and video in people with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study
de Camargo Catapan, Soraia, Haydon, Helen, Hickman, Ingrid, Webb, Lindsey, Isbel, Nicole, Johnson, David, Campbell, Katrina, Mayr, Hannah, Canfell, Oliver, Scuffham, Paul, Caffery, Liam, Smith, Anthony and Kelly, Jaimon (2023). Trust and confidence in using telehealth by phone and video in people with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study. 23rd Conference on Successes and Failures in Telehealth, Adelaide, SA Australia, 27 - 29 November 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Development and validation of a survey instrument to measure patients’ trust and confidence in using telehealth
De Camargo Catapan, Soraia, Haydon, Helen, Hickman, Ingrid, Webb, Lindsey, Isbel, Nicole, Johnson, David, Campbell, Katrina, Mayr, Hannah, Canfell, Oliver, Scuffham, Paul, Caffery, Liam, Smith, Anthony and Kelly, Jaimon (2023). Development and validation of a survey instrument to measure patients’ trust and confidence in using telehealth. 23rd Conference on Successes and Failures in Telehealth, Adelaide, SA Australia, 27 - 29 November 2023. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
2023
Conference Publication
How do people truly feel about telehealth? A mixed-methods analysis of experiences, perceptions, and expectations on Twitter
Sazon, Hannah, de Camargo Catapan, Soraia, Rahimi, Afshin, Canfell, Oliver and Kelly, Jaimon (2023). How do people truly feel about telehealth? A mixed-methods analysis of experiences, perceptions, and expectations on Twitter. 23rd Conference on Successes and Failures in Telehealth, Adelaide, SA Australia, 27 - 29 November 2023.
2023
Journal Article
Trust and confidence in using telehealth in people with chronic kidney disease: A cross-sectional study
Catapan, Soraia de Camargo, Haydon, Helen M., Hickman, Ingrid J., Webb, Lindsey, Isbel, Nicole, Johnson, David, Campbell, Katrina L., Mayr, Hannah L., Canfell, Oliver, Scuffham, Paul, Burton, Nicola, Caffery, Liam J., Smith, Anthony C. and Kelly, Jaimon T. (2023). Trust and confidence in using telehealth in people with chronic kidney disease: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 29 (10_suppl), 16S-23S. doi: 10.1177/1357633x231202275
2023
Journal Article
Machine learning clinical prediction models for acute kidney injury: the impact of baseline creatinine on prediction efficacy
Kamel Rahimi, Amir, Ghadimi, Moji, van der Vegt, Anton H., Canfell, Oliver J., Pole, Jason D., Sullivan, Clair and Shrapnel, Sally (2023). Machine learning clinical prediction models for acute kidney injury: the impact of baseline creatinine on prediction efficacy. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 23 (1) 207, 1-14. doi: 10.1186/s12911-023-02306-0
2023
Journal Article
Healthier Together: Implementation and evaluation of a co-designed, culturally tailored childhood obesity community prevention program for Māori and Pacific Islander children and families
Hardt, Jessica, Canfell, Oliver J., Walker, Jacqueline L., Webb, Kerri-Lyn, Brignano, Sebastien, Kira, Kirstine, Peu, Tevita, Santos, Daphne, Bernard, Anne and Littlewood, Robyn (2023). Healthier Together: Implementation and evaluation of a co-designed, culturally tailored childhood obesity community prevention program for Māori and Pacific Islander children and families. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 35 (3), 1-16. doi: 10.1002/hpja.803
2023
Journal Article
A step in the right direction: the potential role of smartwatches to support chronic disease prevention in health care
Mattison, Graeme, Canfell, Oliver J., Forrester, Doug, Dobbins, Chelsea, Smith, Daniel, Reid, David and Sullivan, Clair (2023). A step in the right direction: the potential role of smartwatches to support chronic disease prevention in health care. Medical Journal of Australia, 218 (9), 1-5. doi: 10.5694/mja2.51920
2023
Journal Article
Show me the money: how do we justify spending health care dollars on digital health?
Woods, Leanna, Eden, Rebekah, Canfell, Oliver J., Nguyen, Kim‐Huong, Comans, Tracy and Sullivan, Clair (2023). Show me the money: how do we justify spending health care dollars on digital health?. Medical Journal of Australia, 218 (2), 53-57. doi: 10.5694/mja2.51799
2022
Journal Article
Real-world data for precision public health of noncommunicable diseases: a scoping review
Canfell, Oliver J., Kodiyattu, Zack, Eakin, Elizabeth, Burton-Jones, Andrew, Wong, Ides, Macaulay, Caroline and Sullivan, Clair (2022). Real-world data for precision public health of noncommunicable diseases: a scoping review. BMC Public Health, 22 (1) 2166, 2166. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14452-7
2022
Journal Article
PREVIDE: A Qualitative Study to Develop a Decision-Making Framework (PREVention decIDE) for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention in Healthcare Organisations
Canfell, Oliver J., Davidson, Kamila, Sullivan, Clair, Eakin, Elizabeth E. and Burton-Jones, Andrew (2022). PREVIDE: A Qualitative Study to Develop a Decision-Making Framework (PREVention decIDE) for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention in Healthcare Organisations. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (22) 15285, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192215285
2022
Journal Article
Understanding the digital disruption of health care: an ethnographic study of real-time multidisciplinary clinical behavior in a new digital hospital
Canfell, Oliver J, Meshkat, Yasaman, Kodiyattu, Zack, Engstrom, Teyl, Chan, Wilkin, Mifsud, Jayden, Pole, Jason D., Byrne, Martin, Raders, Ella Van and Sullivan, Clair (2022). Understanding the digital disruption of health care: an ethnographic study of real-time multidisciplinary clinical behavior in a new digital hospital. Applied Clinical Informatics, 13 (5), 1079-1091. doi: 10.1055/s-0042-1758482
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Oliver Canfell is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Utilising data in digital technology to improve health services for patients with under-recognised gynaecology conditions.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lee Woods
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Doctor Philosophy
Artificial Intelligence to Improve Clinical Outcomes in Hospitals
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Clair Sullivan, Professor Jason Pole, Associate Professor Sally Shrapnel
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Oliver Canfell directly for media enquiries about:
- childhood obesity
- digital health
- nutrition
- obesity
- public health
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