Qualifications
1998 - 2003 Awarded combined degree Master of Psychology / Doctor of Philosophy
1994 - 1997 Awarded Bachelor of Arts with Class I Honours in Psychology
Current Appointments
Lecturer in Health Psychology, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney
Cancer Institute NSW Early Career Development Fellow, Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making, School of Psychology (CeMPED), The University of Sydney
Deputy Director (Psychology), Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), The University of Sydney
Consultant Research Psychologist, Sydney Gynaecological Oncology Group, Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Honorary Research Associate, Graduate Program in Sexual Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sydney
Current Teaching
Undergraduate Psychology
- 3rd Year Health Psychology Course
- Honours Special Fields: Health Psychology
Postgraduate Psychology
- Masters of Health Psychology
- Coping and Adjustment to Illness
- Current Developments in Health Psychology
Faculty of Medicine
- Guest Lecturer; Graduate Diploma in Medicine (Year 2): Lecture Series - Oncology
- Patient Expectations and Outcomes
- Patient Needs and Satisfaction
- Facilitator; Graduate Diploma in Medicine (Year 1 & 2): Patient-Doctor Communication Skills Module
- Dealing with Bad News (Year 1; Haematology Block)
- Aversive Procedures (Year 2; Oncology Block)
Research Interests
I have a broad base of research interests within the field of Health Psychology. These include: doctor-patient communication, medical decision-making and risk communication, treatment outcomes (psycho-sexual adjustment in particular), HPV vaccination, and evaluation of health services. My specific research interest lies within the discipline of Psycho-Oncology.
Research Supervision
I have supervised 12 undergraduate and postgraduate students to completion, and am currently supervising the following students:
Current students
| F. Lubotzky | Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), The University of Sydney Improving communication and decision making about rehabilitation options following radiation treatment for cervical and endometrial cancer: The development, pilot & RCT of a Decision Aid |
| R. Zordan* | Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), The University of Sydney A randomised controlled trial to evaluate minimal versus intense interventions to support leaders of cancer support groups |
| A. Lopez* | Doctor of Clinical Psychology / Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Sydney Unmet needs of young women with gynaecological cancer |
| N. D'Abrew* | Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing), The University of Sydney The male perspective on the impact of breast cancer on their partner's sexuality and body image and their relationship. |
| K. Mok* | Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine), The University of New South Wales OVERcome (Olive oil Vaginal Exercise and Replens): An intervention study to improve sexual function in women with breast cancer. |
| J. Klante | Doctor of Clinical Psychology, The University of Sydney Improving communication about vulvar pre-invasive lesions |
| N. Hanly* | Master of Applied Science (Biomedical Science), The University of Sydney Development of a model of sexual function and self-perception following prostate cancer |
| L. Bui | Master of Applied Science (Health Psychology), The University of Sydney Graphical format of quantitative health risk information: Perceptions of adults with lower and higher literacy levels |
| R. Powell | Bachelor of Science (Honours), The University of Sydney Exploring HPV Vaccine Uptake: An Application and Extension of the Social Cognitive Theory and Executive Function. |
* Associate Supervisor |
|
Awards & Grants
| Awards | |
| 2008 | British Council: The Researcher Exchange Programme Award |
| 2001 - 2002 | School of Psychology PhD Completion Scholarship |
| 1998 - 2001 | Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) |
Travel Grants |
|
| 2007 | Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG) Travel Grant |
| 2006 | Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA) Travel Grant |
| 2006 | Susan G KOMEN for the Cure (USA): International Travel Scholarship |
| 2001 | Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA) Travel Grant |
Research Grants |
|
| 2009 - 2010 | Cancer Australia (Co-Chief Investigator): Development of an interactive training module for Health Professionals to address the psycho-sexual care of women affected by gynaecological cancers. ($341,000) |
| 2009 - 2010 | Cancer Australia & Beyond Blue (Co-Chief Investigator): Effect of a nurse led psychosocial intervention with peer support to reduce psychosocial needs in women with gynaecological cancer. ($232,600) |
| 2008 - 2010 | Cancer Institute NSW Early Career Development Fellowship (Chief Investigator): Improving treatment decision making in ovarian cancer: The role of decision aids. ($592,733) |
| 2008 | National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre / National Breast Cancer Foundation (Co-Chief Investigator): Improving informed consent: A randomised controlled trial of a decision aid for women invited to participate in IBIS-II. ($79,500) |
| 2007 - 2008 | Sydney Cancer Centre Foundation Research Grant (Co-Chief Investigator): Improving communication and decision making about treatment options for asymptomatic ovarian cancer patients with rising CA-125: The development & pilot of a Decision Aid. ($50,000) |
| 2006 - 2007 | The Susan G KOMEN Breast Cancer Foundation, USA (Co-Chief Investigator): OVERcome (Olive oil, Vaginal Exercise and Replens): An intervention study to improve sexual function in women with breast cancer. ($155,789) |
| 2005 - 2007 | The Susan G KOMEN Breast Cancer Foundation, USA (Co-Chief Investigator): Improving informed consent: A randomised controlled trial of a decision aid for women invited to participate in IBIS-II. ($264,990) |
| 2005 - 2007 | The Cancer Council Multi-state Research Grant (Co-Chief Investigator): Quality of life and psychosocial predictors of outcome in a population based study of ovarian cancer. ($533,574) |
| 2005 - 2007 | Australian Research Council Project-Linkage Grant (Co-Associate Investigator): Meeting the needs of cancer support group leaders. ($261,406) |
Memberships
Professional
1999 - present NSW Psychologists Registration Board
2001 - present Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA)
2003 - present International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS)
2006 - present Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group (ANZ BCTG)
2005 - present Psycho-oncology Co-operative Group (PoCoG)
Other
2000 - present Psychologists in Oncology Group
2005 - present Qualitative Health Research Collaboration (QHeRC)
Selected Publications
Book
Juraskova I. (2009). Quality of LIFE / Quality of SEX: Psycho-sexual adjustment following gynaecological cancer. Saarbrücken, Germany: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller.
Peer Reviewed Articles
Butow P, Juraskova I, Henry S, Lopez A. Coding oncology consultations: A comparison of shared decision making (SDM) coding systems. Patient Education and Counselling (accepted June 2009)
Butow P, Beeney L, Juraskova I, Ussher J, Zordan R. The Gains and Pains of being a Cancer Support Group Leader: a qualitative survey of the rewards and challenges. Social Work in Health Care (Accepted March 2009)
Hersch J, Juraskova I, Price M, Mullan B, Butow P. (2009) Psychosocial interventions and quality of life in gynaecological cancer patients: A systematic review. Psycho-Oncology, 18: 795-810.
Harrison J, Juraskova I, Anderson C, Lopez A, Nattress K, J Carter. CA-125 Monitoring for Women with Ovarian Cancer: Prospective Measurement of Preferences. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 19: 1037-1046.
Juraskova I, Chapman J, Butow PN, Jolan A, Zordan R, Kirsten LT, Sedgwick C. (2008) The Needs, Challenges, Rewards and Psychological Wellbeing of Multiple Sclerosis Support Group Facilitators. International Journal of MS Care, 10(3):85-93
Mok K, Juraskova I, Friedlander M. (2008) The impact of aromatase inhibitors on sexual functioning: Current status and future research directions. The Breast, 17(5): 436-440.
Juraskova I, Butow P, Lopez A, Seccombe M, Boyle F, McCarthy N, Reaby L, Forbes JF. (2008) Improving informed consent: A pilot of a decision aid for women invited to participate in a breast cancer prevention trial (IBIS-II). Health Expectations, 11:252-262.
Juraskova I, Butow P, Lopez A, Seccombe M, Boyle F, McCarthy N, Forbes JF. (2007) Improving informed consent to clinical trials: Successful piloting of a decision aid [letter]. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 25(11)1443-1444.
Juraskova I, Butow P, Sharpe L, Campion M. (2007) "What does it mean?" Uncertainty, trust and communication following treatment for pre-cancerous cervical abnormalities. Psycho-Oncology, 16:525-533.
McCaffery KJ, Shepherd HL, Trevena L, Juraskova I, Barratt A, Butow PN, Hazell KC, Tattersall MHN. (2007) Shared decision making in Australia. Zeitschrift fur Arztliche Fortbildung und Qualitatssicherung [German Journal for Evidence and Quality in Health Care], 4(101):205-211.
Juraskova I, Butow P, Robertson R, Sharpe L, McLeod C, & Hacker N. (2003). Post-treatment sexual adjustment following cervical and endometrial cancer: A qualitative insight. Psycho-Oncology, 12:267-279.
Schofield PE, Juraskova I, Butow PN (2003). How oncologists discuss complementary therapy use with their patients: An audio-tape audit. Supportive Care in Cancer, 113:48-355.
Boakes RA, Juraskova I (2001). The role of drinking in the suppression of food intake by recent activity. Behavioural Neuroscience, 115(3):718-730.
Decision Aid Booklets
Juraskova I, Butow P, Lopez A, Seccombe M, Boyle F, Coates A, McCarthy N, Forbes JF. Deciding whether to join the IBIS-II PREVENTION study: A decision aid for women at increased risk of breast cancer
Juraskova I, Butow P, Lopez A, Seccombe M, Boyle F, Coates A, McCarthy N, Forbes JF. Deciding whether to join the IBIS-II DCIS study: A decision aid for women with DCIS
Juraskova I, Anderson C, Harrison J, Carter J et al. Deciding whether or not to have treatment: A decision aid for women with rising CA-125 after initial treatment for ovarian cancer
Juraskova I, Anderson C, Butow P, Campbell I, Stockler M et al. Deciding whether to join the SNAC-2 (Sentinel Node biopsy versus Axillary Clearance) trial: A Decision Aid for Women with a Probable Diagnosis of Early Breast Cancer
Juraskova I, Anderson C, Briegleb C., Heruc G., Bonner C. Making choices: A Decision Aid for women with refractory and resistant ovarian cancer
Recent Conference Presentations (selection)
2009
I Juraskova, P Butow, B Smith, M Seccombe, A Coates, F Boyle, N McCarthy, L Reaby, & J Forbes. Improving informed consent to PREVENTION clinical trials: A randomised controlled trial of a decision aid for women invited to participate in IBIS-II. The 36th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), Gold Coast, November 2009 (Paper - short listed for the Best of the Best Oral Presentation Award)
I Juraskova, C Bonner, G Heruc, C Anderson, K Nattress, & J Carter. To treat or not to treat: A new RCT helping asymptomatic ovarian cancer patients with rising CA-125 levels to understand and choose their preferred treatment option. The 36th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), Gold Coast, November 2009 (Poster)
F Lubotzky, I Juraskova, P Butow, K Natress, S Philp, & J Carter. "Recovering after pelvic radiation therapy": A pilot of an information booklet for women with gynaecological cancer. The 36th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), Gold Coast, November 2009 (Poster)
R Zordan, P Butow, L Kirsten, I Juraskova, M Charles, K Sundquist, & J Ussher. Supporting the Supporters: A randomised controlled trial of interventions to aid cancer support group leaders. The 36th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), Gold Coast, November 2009 (Paper - short listed for the Best of the Best Oral Presentation Award)
I Juraskova. Helping patients make decisions: Novel strategies to improve informed consent to clinical trials. The University of Sydney Cancer Research Symposium; "Succeeding in Research Translation", Sydney, July 2009 (Paper - invited speaker)
N D'Abrew, K White, I Juraskova, M Ryan. Optimising Sexuality Outcomes For Women Following Breast And Gynaecological Cancer: The Partner's Experience. Supportive Care in Cancer, MASCC/ISOO International Symposium, Rome, Italy, June 2009 (Poster)
J Bernhard, P Butow, J Aldridge, K Ribi, I Juraskova, R Brown. An International Randomized Trial of Skills Training for Oncologists Concerning Communication About Standard Treatment Options and Clinical Trials with Patients With Early Breast Cancer The 11th World Congress of the International Psycho-Oncological Society (IPOS), Vienna, June 2009 (Paper)
P Butow, J Ussher, L Kirsten, G Wain, K Hobbs, R Zordan, Mirjana Sandoval, K Smith, A Stenlake, M Price, I Juraskova. Cancer Support Group Research: An example of collaborative work in Australia. The 11th World Congress of the International Psycho-Oncological Society (IPOS), Vienna, June 2009 (Symposium Paper)
I Juraskova, K Nattress, C Anderson, Lubotzky L, J Carter. The good, the bad and the dilator: Information needs and acceptance of vaginal dilators following radiation for gynaecological cancer. The Australia New Zealand Gynecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) and Australian Society of Gynaecological Oncologists (ASGO): Inaugural Joint Conference, Noosa, April 2009 (Paper)
C Anderson, I Juraskova, J Harrison, P Beale, K Nattress, S Philp, J Carter. When there is no evidence to guide: The development and pilot of a Decision Aid to improve communication and decision making about treatment options for asymptomatic ovarian cancer patients with rising CA-125. The Australia New Zealand Gynecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) and Australian Society of Gynaecological Oncologists (ASGO): Inaugural Joint Conference, Noosa, April 2009 (Paper)
2008
I Juraskova, R Bari, M O'Brien, K McCaffery. Should we mention the war(ts)? The effect of information-framing on intention to receive HPV vaccination. The 35th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), Sydney, November (Poster - short listed for the Best of the Best Poster Award)
T Paris, I Juraskova, K McCaffery. Perception of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination from Male Perspective. The 35th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), Sydney, November (Paper - short listed for the Best of the Best Oral Presentation Award)
N Hanly, I Juraskova, P Weerakoon. Sexual Function And Self Perception In Men Following Prostate Cancer. The 35th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), Sydney, November (Poster)
I Juraskova, J Harrison, K Nattress, C Anderson, AL Lopez, P Beale, J Carter. Rising CA 125 in asymptomatic women: a clinical dilemma, but what would women want to do? The 12th Biennial Meeting of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society, Bangkok, Thailand, October 2008 (Paper)
I Juraskova, P Butow, B Smith, M Seccombe, F Boyle, A Coates, N McCarthy, L Reaby, JF Forbes. Improving informed consent to clinical trials: A randomised controlled trial of a decision aid for women invited to participate in the breast cancer prevention trial (IBIS-II). The Bi-annual Scientific Meeting of the European Association for Communication In Healthcare (EACH), Oslo, Norway, September 2008 (Poster)
I Juraskova, C Anderson, J Harrison, J Carter et al. Improving communication and decision making about treatment options for asymptomatic ovarian cancer patients with rising CA-125: The development and pilot of a Decision Aid. The Bi-annual Scientific Meeting of the European Association for Communication In Healthcare (EACH), Oslo, Norway, September 2008 (Paper)
I Juraskova, M O'Brien, R Bari, K McCaffery. HPV vaccination and the effect of stigmatised versus non-stigmatised information framing on behavioural intentions: An implication of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Moral Norm. The Bi-annual Scientific Meeting of the European Association for Communication In Healthcare (EACH), Oslo, Norway, September 2008 (Paper)
I Juraskova, P Butow, S Henry, B Smith, C Miguel, A Lopez. Coding oncology consultations: Sharing decisions or managing emotions - which influence patient outcomes the most? The Bi-annual Scientific Meeting of the European Association for Communication In Healthcare (EACH), Oslo, Norway, September 2008 (Symposium Paper)
I Juraskova, P Butow, B Smith, M Seccombe, F Boyle, A Coates, N McCarthy, L Reaby, JF Forbes. Improving informed consent to clinical trials: A randomised controlled trial of a decision aid for women invited to participate in a breast cancer prevention trial (IBIS-II). The inaugural Sydney Cancer Conference 2008 (SCC2008), Sydney, July, 2008 (Paper)
R Zordan, I Juraskova, P Butow, L Kirsten, C Sedgwick, J Chapman, A Jolan, G Batt, K Sundquist, & J Ussher. Challenges, Rewards, and Psychological Wellbeing of Cancer Support Group Leaders: Does gender matter? The inaugural Sydney Cancer Conference 2008 (SCC2008), Sydney, July, 2008 (Poster)
Juraskova I, Butow P, Smith B. The IBIS-II Decision Aid Study: Progress & Barriers. The 29th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group (ANZ BCTG), Wellington, New Zealand, July 2008 (Paper)
N D'Abrew, K White, I Juraskova. Exploring the impact of breast and gynaecological cancer in relation to body image and sexuality: Male partner's perspective. The 15th International Conference on Cancer Nursing (ICCN), Singapore 2008 (Paper)
I Juraskova, C Anderson, J Harrison, J Carter et al. Improving communication and decision making about treatment options for asymptomatic ovarian cancer patients with rising CA-125: The development and pilot of a Decision Aid. The 10th World Congress of the International Psycho-Oncological Society (IPOS), Madrid, June 2008 (Poster)
Butow P, Juraskova I. Patient consent. The 17th Annual Scientific meeting of the Australasian Health and Research Data Manager's Association (AHRDMA): "Planning and Building Quality and Excellence in Clinical Research", Canberra, March 2008 (Workshop co-facilitator)
Other Publications
Juraskova I. The role of decision aids in improving informed consent to clinical trials. Interview with an editor of the US Institutional Review Board (IRB), Suzanne Koziatek, published in the IRB Advisor, October 2007.
Juraskova I. Helping cancer patients through treatment and survival. Interview in the Cancer Institute NSW Research Achievement Report 2009.