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.