Stewart Dunn

Biography

 Professor Stewart Dunn is a medical psychologist specialising in the psychological care of cancer patients and their families and an academic with research and teaching interests in the psychology of medical illness, and doctor-patient communication. He has published widely on these subjects. His early research in the 1980s (with Professor John Turtle) debunked many long-held myths about diabetes patients. He developed the extensively-cited Diabetes ATT39 scale measuring emotional adjustment in diabetic patients, which has been translated into several languages. His later (ongoing) research on psychological issues faced by cancer patients (in collaboration with Professors Martin Tattersall, Alan Coates and Phyllis Butow) has been instrumental in building the evidence base for patient-centred consultations. Additionally, as Associate Dean (Admissions) he helps tailor Sydney Medical School’s student intake toward evidence-based communication needs of the medical profession. Professor Dunn is founder and Director of the Pam McLean Centre, a not-for-profit educational organisation and a leading provider of evidence-based Communications Skills Training for medical students, and medical, nursing and allied health staff in Australasia. Using actor-based workshops underpinned by rigorous research, the Centre delivers training to health professionals across Australia, New Zealand and Europe, on diverse subjects such as breaking bad news, dealing with bad news, open disclosure around medical errors, etc about which health professionals are often ill-prepared. “I am passionate about translational research and teaching”, says Professor Dunn. “I conduct research that aims to improve patients’ wellbeing and we use our results along with other researchers’ findings, to develop training programs that equip medical professionals with the skills to tackle difficult real world issues while delivering the best possible patient care”. Additionally, recognising the inextricable link between doctors’ psychological wellbeing and optimal patient care, Professor Dunn provides psychological counselling to medical staff. His achievements have seen him receive nine research travel awards and seven teaching awards.

Research Interest

 Professor Dunn has conducted pioneering studies (in collaboration with Professors Martin Tattersall, Alan Coates and Phyllis Butow) on doctor-patient communication, especially in cancer patients and their families. He also studies the psychology of medical illness. Studies have included testing strategies to improve patient recall of information received during consultations, e.g. providing prompt sheets to patients and having the doctor address the questions on the sheets at the start of the consultation, doubled the rates of patient recall and shortened the consultation time. Professor Dunn's past research also has explored psychological interventions to improve survival and quality of life in melanoma patients and the role of psychosocial variables in the diagnosis and outcome of breast cancer. Additionally, the team has evaluated communication strategies to help promote realistic optimism in cancer patients. His work has had a strong impact on clinical practice, contributing to the body of evidence enabling medical professionals to better meet the psychological needs of cancer patients and their families. E.g. one study showed tape-recorded consultations with oncologists help facilitate family discussion, particularly with a spouse/partner reluctant to discuss cancer and its impact on the family. Professor Dunn’s research on the factors that contribute to patient distress helped drive a major change in the tone of the doctor-patient therapeutic relationship, promoting the formation of strong human relationships while providing patients with the information needed to make decisions best suited to their circumstances. More recent studies have explored stress and coping responses in doctors breaking bad news. He has collaborated in a randomised controlled trial of structured Intervention to facilitate end-of-life decisions in patients with advanced cancer, and conducted studies aimed at understanding and managing doctors’ delivery style when breaking bad news. The results of this research are used to help develop training programs for medical students, doctors and other health care professionals. Professor Dunn also supervises research projects relating to the process of medical student admissions and the use of simulation in medical education.