Overview
Background
My research focuses on the engagement of stakeholders and the development of interventions to improve the health outcomes of cancer patients, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and patients with chronic pain. These projects involved co-designing and delivering training programs for healthcare providers and consumers and assessing the clinical and public health outcomes.
Availability
- Dr Christina Maresch Bernardes is:
- Available for supervision
Research interests
-
Public health
My public health research focuses on mental health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, cancer and chronic disease, with strong emphasis on equity, communication, and culturally safe approaches. Drawing on experience across university, health service and community settings, I examine how social, cultural, and service contexts shape health experiences and outcomes, and how public health research can strengthen engagement, prevention and support communities experiencing barriers to care.
-
Health services research
My health services research uses mixed methods, qualitative inquiry, evaluation, and evidence synthesis to understand and improve health service delivery and implementation. My work spans communication training for mental health professionals, MyMedicare implementation in Community Controlled Health Services, and pancreatic cancer early detection. I translate findings into practical recommendations, reports, and advocacy outputs that support responsive, equitable, and culturally safe health services.
Works
Search Professor Christina Maresch Bernardes’s works on UQ eSpace
2015
Journal Article
Use of traditional Indigenous medicine and complementary medicine among Indigenous cancer patients in Queensland, Australia
Adams, Jon, Valery, Patricia C., Sibbritt, David, Bernardes, Christina M., Broom, Alex and Garvey, Gail (2015). Use of traditional Indigenous medicine and complementary medicine among Indigenous cancer patients in Queensland, Australia. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 14 (4), 359-365. doi: 10.1177/1534735415583555
2014
Conference Publication
Indigenous Patient Navigator: Lessons Learned From a Pilot Study in Queensland, Australia
Bernardes, Christina M., Walpole, Euan, Kitchener, Tanya, Cowburn, Gary, Cole, Phillipa, Martin, Jennifer H., Garvey, Gail and Valery, Patricia C. (2014). Indigenous Patient Navigator: Lessons Learned From a Pilot Study in Queensland, Australia. 2014 World Cancer Congress, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 3–6 December 2014. Hoboken, NJ United States: Wiley-Blackwell.
2014
Conference Publication
A cross-sectional study assessing the association of unmet supportive care needs and comorbidity among indigenous cancer patients in Queensland, Australia
Diaz, Abbey, Bernardes, Christina M., Garvey, Gail, Baade, Peter, Condon, John R. and Valery, Patricia C. (2014). A cross-sectional study assessing the association of unmet supportive care needs and comorbidity among indigenous cancer patients in Queensland, Australia. World Congress, Melbourne, Australia, 3-6 December 2014. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2014
Conference Publication
Impact of comorbidities on supportive care needs amongst Indigenous Australian cancer patients
Bernardes, Christina M., Diaz, Abbey, Garvey, Gail, Baade, Peter, Condon, John and Valery, Patricia C. (2014). Impact of comorbidities on supportive care needs amongst Indigenous Australian cancer patients. Unknown, Unknown, Unknown. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.
2014
Journal Article
Exploring the cancer risk perception and interest in genetic services among Indigenous people in Queensland, Australia
Bernardes, Christina M., Valery, Patricia C. and Garvey, Gail (2014). Exploring the cancer risk perception and interest in genetic services among Indigenous people in Queensland, Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 38 (4), 344-348. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12256
2014
Conference Publication
Are Indigenous Cancer Patients Treated According to Clinical Guidelines?
Whop, Lisa J., Bernardes, Christina, Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan, Srinivas, Darshan, Deepak, Chetty, Naven, Moore, Suzanne P., Garvey, Gail and Valery, Patricia C. (2014). Are Indigenous Cancer Patients Treated According to Clinical Guidelines?. COSA's 41st Annual Scientific Meeting. Joining Forces - Accelerating Progress, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 2-4 December 2014. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/ajco.12304
2013
Conference Publication
Traditional Indigenous Medicine and Complementary Medicine Use Amongst Indigenous Cancer Patients in Queensland, Australia
Adams, Jon, Garvey, Gaill, Sibbritt, David, Bernardes, Christina, Broom, Alex and Valery, Patricia (2013). Traditional Indigenous Medicine and Complementary Medicine Use Amongst Indigenous Cancer Patients in Queensland, Australia. 40th Annual Scientific Meeting. Cancer Care Coming of Age, Adelaide, SA Australia, 12 - 14 November 2013. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/ajco.12145
2012
Journal Article
Genetic research in Indigenous health: Significant progress, substantial challenges
Garvey, Gail and Bernardes, Christina M. (2012). Genetic research in Indigenous health: Significant progress, substantial challenges. Medical Journal of Australia, 197 (7), 383-384. doi: 10.5694/mja12.11075
2012
Journal Article
Health service utilization by Indigenous cancer patients in Queensland: A descriptive study
Bernardes, Christina M., Whop, Lisa J., Garvey, Gail and Valery, Patricia C. (2012). Health service utilization by Indigenous cancer patients in Queensland: A descriptive study. International Journal for Equity in Health, 11 (1) 57. doi: 10.1186/1475-9276-11-57
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Christina Maresch Bernardes is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Dr Christina Maresch Bernardes's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: