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Dr Oliver Canfell
Dr

Oliver Canfell

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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

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

  • Obesity

    Clinical prevention, health promotion

  • Digital health

    Artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, digital hospitals, digital transformation

  • Precision public health

    Public health surveillance of noncommunicable diseases

Works

Search Professor Oliver Canfell’s works on UQ eSpace

34 works between 2018 and 2024

1 - 20 of 34 works

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

Precision public health for non-communicable diseases: an emerging strategic roadmap and multinational use cases

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

i‐PATHWAY : Development and validation of a prediction model for childhood obesity in an Australian prospective birth cohort

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

“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

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

Implementing AI in Hospitals to Achieve a Learning Health System: Systematic Review of Current Enablers and Barriers

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.

Applied clinical informatics

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

Advancing the decadal plan for the science of nutrition: progressing a framework for implementation

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

The impact of digital hospitals on patient and clinician experience: systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis

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

How do Twitter users feel about telehealth? A mixed-methods analysis of experiences, perceptions and expectations

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.

Trust and confidence in using telehealth in people with chronic kidney disease: A cross-sectional study

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.

Trust and confidence in using telehealth by phone and video in people with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study

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.

Development and validation of a survey instrument to measure patients’ trust and confidence in using telehealth

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.

How do people truly feel about telehealth? A mixed-methods analysis of experiences, perceptions, and expectations on Twitter

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

Trust and confidence in using telehealth in people with chronic kidney disease: A cross-sectional study

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

Machine learning clinical prediction models for acute kidney injury: the impact of baseline creatinine on prediction efficacy

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

Healthier Together: Implementation and evaluation of a co-designed, culturally tailored childhood obesity community prevention program for Māori and Pacific Islander children and families

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

A step in the right direction: the potential role of smartwatches to support chronic disease prevention in health care

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

Show me the money: how do we justify spending health care dollars on digital health?

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

Real-world data for precision public health of noncommunicable diseases: a scoping review

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

PREVIDE: A Qualitative Study to Develop a Decision-Making Framework (PREVention decIDE) for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention in Healthcare Organisations

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

Understanding the digital disruption of health care: an ethnographic study of real-time multidisciplinary clinical behavior in a new digital hospital

Funding

Past funding

  • 2023
    Digital public health to transform obesity prevention in Queensland
    UQ Knowledge Exchange & Translation Fund
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    SMART Project - Towards Systematic Maturation of Analytics and System Redesign to Transform (SMART) Healthcare and Public Health Research
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    A mixed-methods study to evaluate the trust and confidence in telehealth in chronic kidney disease
    University of Queensland In-kind/Indirect Funding
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Oliver Canfell is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Dr Oliver Canfell directly for media enquiries about:

  • childhood obesity
  • digital health
  • nutrition
  • obesity
  • public health

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au