Overview
Background
Dr Nienke Zomerdijk is a Research Fellow in the Implementing Research for Equitable Access and Care in Health (IREACH) team at the Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland. Her work focuses on psycho-oncology, with expertise in the psychosocial aspects of cancer, treatment decision-making, and improving equitable cancer care. Prior to joining UQ, Nienke held a joint appointment with the University of Melbourne and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance (2019–2023), contributing to both teaching and research. She led a national study on the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on haematology patients and healthcare providers, which informed international policy statements, supported funding for online support services, and was featured in ABC’s Big Ideas. Nienke has served on national advisory groups, including the Psycho-oncology Cooperative Research Group and National Blood Cancer Optimal Care Pathways Working Groups. Her work has been recognised with multiple awards and has resulted in more than 20 peer-reviewed publications. She is currently completing a Master of Social Work, reflecting her commitment to integrating research, clinical practice, and person-centred care in cancer.
Availability
- Dr Nienke Zomerdijk is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Business, Queensland University of Technology
- Graduate Diploma in Psychology, Queensland University of Technology
- Doctor of Philosophy of Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland
Research impacts
Examples of work that directly inform clinical care and improve access to support include:
- Co-developed a treatment decision-making resource for women with early-stage endometrial cancer (with consumers), designed for use in clinical consultations to support awareness of treatment options and values-based decision-making
- Initiated and led a national COVID-19 research program funded by the University of Melbourne, in partnership with the Leukaemia Foundation; findings informed international Blood Cancer Coalition Impact Statements (2022, 2023), contributed to media dissemination (podcast ABC Big Ideas), and secured additional funding for support services
- Volunteered in the Highlands of Western Guatemala, working with a mobile health team to provide healthcare to Indigenous Maya communities
- Developed a psycho-educational resource to support family members considering stem cell donation, available online on the Leukaemia Foundation website
- Led First Nations research programs across major cancer centres in Brisbane, Darwin, Cairns and Townsville
- Secured and managed a commissioned project (Leukaemia Foundation) on blood cancer burden among First Nations Australians, informing national evidence
- Contributed to a Cancer Australia-funded project developing a culturally responsive pancreatic cancer care model for First Nations Australians
- Contributed to development and translation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander radiation therapy talking book
Works
Search Professor Nienke Zomerdijk’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Journal Article
Women’s lived experiences of being diagnosed with early-stage endometrial cancer and making treatment decisions: a systematic review and thematic synthesis
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Janda, Monika, Mulcahy, Ella, Baxter, Eva and Roberts, Natasha (2026). Women’s lived experiences of being diagnosed with early-stage endometrial cancer and making treatment decisions: a systematic review and thematic synthesis. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 36 (6) 104687, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgc.2026.104687
2025
Conference Publication
Rare and rural: how to increase equity in access to supportive cancer care for people with a rare cancer living rurally
Spelten, Evelien, Duijts, Saskia, Hemming, Laura, Farrugia, Tamsin, Yuen, Eva, Cockburn, Christine, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Veresova, Maria and Wilson, Carlene (2025). Rare and rural: how to increase equity in access to supportive cancer care for people with a rare cancer living rurally. COSA's 52nd Annual Scientific Meeting 2025, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 11 - 14 November 2025. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
2024
Journal Article
A systematic review of peer support interventions to improve psychosocial functioning among cancer survivors: Can findings be translated to survivors with a rare cancer living rurally?
Hemming, L., Duijts, S. F.A., Zomerdijk, N., Cockburn, C., Yuen, E., Hardman, R., Van Vuuren, J., Farrugia, T., Wilson, C. and Spelten, E. (2024). A systematic review of peer support interventions to improve psychosocial functioning among cancer survivors: Can findings be translated to survivors with a rare cancer living rurally?. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, 19 (1) 473, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s13023-024-03477-3
2024
Journal Article
Development of psycho-oncology telehealth guidelines: a modified Delphi consensus study
Cooper, Claire, Gilchrist, Jemma, Beatty, Lisa, Kirsten, Laura, Sharpe, Louise, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Grier, Maree, Turner, Jane, Hobbs, Kim, Haydon, Helen M., Dhillon, Haryana, Kelly, Brian and Shaw, Joanne (2024). Development of psycho-oncology telehealth guidelines: a modified Delphi consensus study. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice, 6 (1) 123. doi: 10.1097/or9.0000000000000123
2024
Journal Article
Perspectives in preparedness of family caregivers of patients with cancer providing end-of-life care in the home: a narrative review of qualitative studies
Ongko, Emily, Philip, Jennifer and Zomerdijk, Nienke (2024). Perspectives in preparedness of family caregivers of patients with cancer providing end-of-life care in the home: a narrative review of qualitative studies. Palliative and Supportive Care, 22 (6), 2125-2135. doi: 10.1017/s1478951523001013
2023
Journal Article
The lived experiences of hematology healthcare providers during and beyond the COVID‐19 crisis: a qualitative study
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Jongenelis, Michelle I., Collins, Ben, Short, Camille E., Huntley, Kathryn, Smith, Andrew and Turner, Jane (2023). The lived experiences of hematology healthcare providers during and beyond the COVID‐19 crisis: a qualitative study. Psycho-Oncology, 32 (12), 1939-1947. doi: 10.1002/pon.6250
2023
Journal Article
Enabling psychologists to address the psychological consequences of cancer
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Bryant, Christina and Beatty, Lisa (2023). Enabling psychologists to address the psychological consequences of cancer. Australian Psychologist, 58 (6), 401-410. doi: 10.1080/00050067.2023.2225693
2023
Journal Article
Factors associated with changes in healthy lifestyle behaviors among hematological cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Jongenelis, Michelle I., Collins, Ben, Turner, Jane, Short, Camille E., Smith, Andrew and Huntley, Kathryn (2023). Factors associated with changes in healthy lifestyle behaviors among hematological cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 14 1081397, 1-8. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1081397
2023
Journal Article
Supporting family members requested to donate hematopoietic stem cells to a relative: development and pilot testing of a psycho-educational resource
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane, Gottlieb, David, Barnes, Annette, Butler, Jason P., Markey, Kate A. and Hill, Geoffrey R. (2023). Supporting family members requested to donate hematopoietic stem cells to a relative: development and pilot testing of a psycho-educational resource. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research & Practice, 5 (1), 1-7. doi: 10.1097/or9.0000000000000095
2022
Conference Publication
Development of psycho-oncology telehealth recommendations: A Delphi consensus study
Cooper, Claire, Gilchrist, Jemma, Beatty, Lisa, Kirsten, Laura, Sharpe, Louise, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Grier, Maree, Turner, Jane, Hobbs, Kim, Haydon, Helen, Dhillon, Haryana, Kelly, Brian and Shaw, Joanne (2022). Development of psycho-oncology telehealth recommendations: A Delphi consensus study. HOBOKEN: WILEY.
2022
Journal Article
Palliative care facilitates the preparedness of caregivers for thoracic cancer patients
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Panozzo, Stacey, Mileshkin, Linda, Yoong, Jaclyn, Nowak, Anna K., Stockler, Martin R. and Philip, Jennifer (2022). Palliative care facilitates the preparedness of caregivers for thoracic cancer patients. European Journal of Cancer Care, 31 (6) e13716, e13716. doi: 10.1111/ecc.13716
2022
Journal Article
Telehealth access among hematology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: a cross-sectional survey
Zomerdijk, Nienke, I Jongenelis, Michelle, Turner, Jane, Huntley, Kathryn, Smith, Andrew and Short, Camille E. (2022). Telehealth access among hematology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: a cross-sectional survey. Leukemia and Lymphoma, 63 (6), 1-4. doi: 10.1080/10428194.2021.2023743
2021
Journal Article
To be mortal is human: Professional consensus around the need for more psychology in palliative care
Sansom-Daly, Ursula M., Lobb, Elizabeth A., Evans, Holly E., Breen, Lauren J., Ugalde, Anna, Best, Megan, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Beasley, Elizabeth A., Taylor, Keryn L., Clayton, Josephine, Sharpe, Louise, Bartula, Iris and Olver, Ian (2021). To be mortal is human: Professional consensus around the need for more psychology in palliative care. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 (4), 401-403. doi: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-002884
2021
Journal Article
Experiences and needs of people with haematological cancers during the COVID‐19 pandemic: a qualitative study
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Jongenelis, Michelle, Yuen, Eva, Turner, Jane, Huntley, Kathryn, Smith, Andrew, McIntosh, Megan and Short, Camille E. (2021). Experiences and needs of people with haematological cancers during the COVID‐19 pandemic: a qualitative study. Psycho-Oncology, 31 (3) pon.5819, 416-424. doi: 10.1002/pon.5819
2021
Journal Article
Prevalence and correlates of psychological distress, unmet supportive care needs, and fear of cancer recurrence among haematological cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Jongenelis, Michelle, Short, Camille E., Smith, Andrew, Turner, Jane and Huntley, Kathryn (2021). Prevalence and correlates of psychological distress, unmet supportive care needs, and fear of cancer recurrence among haematological cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29 (12), 7755-7764. doi: 10.1007/s00520-021-06369-5
2021
Book Chapter
Psychological issues and care of cancer survivors
Zomerdijk, Nienke and Turner, Jane (2021). Psychological issues and care of cancer survivors. Survivorship Care for Cancer Patients: A Clinician’s Handbook. (pp. 345-370) edited by Stefan Rauh. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-78648-9_17
2020
Journal Article
Experiences and unmet needs of family members requested to donate haematopoietic stem cells to an ill relative: findings from a prospective multi-centre study
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane, Hill, Geoffrey R. and Gottlieb, David (2020). Experiences and unmet needs of family members requested to donate haematopoietic stem cells to an ill relative: findings from a prospective multi-centre study. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29 (2), 635-644. doi: 10.1007/s00520-020-05520-y
2019
Other Outputs
The psychosocial impact of haematopoietic stem cell donation on adult related donors
Zomerdijk, Nienke (2019). The psychosocial impact of haematopoietic stem cell donation on adult related donors. PhD Thesis, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2020.9
2019
Journal Article
Iodine status of non-pregnant women and availability of food vehicles for fortification with iodine in a remote community in Gulf province, Papua New Guinea
Goris, Janny M., Temple, Victor J., Sumbis, Joan, Zomerdijk, Nienke and Codling, Karen (2019). Iodine status of non-pregnant women and availability of food vehicles for fortification with iodine in a remote community in Gulf province, Papua New Guinea. PLoS One, 14 (11) e0224229, e0224229. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224229
2019
Journal Article
Adult related haematopoietic stem cell donor care: views of transplant nurses
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane, Hill, Geoffrey R. and Gottlieb, David (2019). Adult related haematopoietic stem cell donor care: views of transplant nurses. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 41, 56-63. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2019.05.012
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Nienke Zomerdijk is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Nienke Zomerdijk directly for media enquiries about:
- Blood cancer
- Cancer
- COVID-19
- First Nations Australians
- Haematology
- Hematology
- Psycho-Oncology
- Stem cell transplant
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