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Dr Meryl Lovarini

PhD, MHSc (Health Informatics), Grad Dip Safety Science, Grad Dip OT, BSc.
Lecturer, Discipline of Occupational Therapy

C43J - J Block Cumberland Campus
The University of Sydney

Telephone +61 2 9351 9373

Website Participation, Safety & Ageing

Biographical details

Dr Meryl Lovarini is a researcher and educator in occupational therapy. Her research interests include ageing, falls prevention among older people and the translation of evidence into practice. Meryl recently completed her PhD titled ‘Sustainability of a community-based falls prevention program: A grounded theory’. She was the recipient of scholarships from the Australian Government and The University of Sydney to complete her PhD research. She has several peer-reviewed publications focussing on evidence-based practice and occupational therapy.

Meryl has extensive clinical experience in adult rehabilitation and injury prevention in both the public and private health sectors and has worked on a number of research projects aimed at enhancing the use of research evidence by occupational therapists. As a private consultant, she has provided training and consultancy services in the skills of evidence-based practice to a variety of organisations.

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Teaching and supervision

Meryl teaches in the graduate and undergraduate occupational therapy programs on ageing, evidence-based practice and injury management.

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Associations

Meryl is an Advisory Board Member with the Critically Appraised Papers (CAPs) Team at the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal and has published eight critically appraised papers.
She is also a member of the Participation, Safety and Ageing Team within the Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit at The University of Sydney.

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Selected publications

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Journals

  • Lovarini, M. (2011). A group-based cognitive-behavioural treatment program conducted over 12 weeks, can reduce anxiety in children from Chinese cultural backgrounds. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 58, 458-461.
  • Lovarini, M. (2010). A home-based intervention resulted in lower mortality rates for up to two years in community-dwelling older people. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 57(5), 349-349.
  • Lovarini, M. (2010). Falls prevention education delivered via digital video disc results in greater confidence and motivation to engage in falls prevention strategies by hospitalised older people when compared with education delivered in written format. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 57(5), 351-351.
  • Lovarini, M. (2009). No implementation strategy can yet be recommended to improve clinical guideline implementation by allied health professionals. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 56(5), 361-361.
  • McCluskey, A., Lovarini, M., Bennett, S., McKenna, K., Tooth, L., Hoffmann, T. (2006). How and why do occupational therapists use the OTseeker evidence database? Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 53, 188-195.
  • Lovarini, M., McCluskey, A., Curtin, M. (2006). Limited high-quality research on the effectiveness of assistive technology. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 53(1), 50-50.
  • Lovarini, M., Wallen, M., Imms, C. (2006). Searching for Evidence in Pediatric Occupational Therapy Using Free versus Subscription Databases: A Comparison of Outcomes. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 26(3), 19-38.
  • Tooth, L., Bennett, S., McCluskey, A., Hoffmann, T., McKenna, K., Lovarini, M. (2005). Appraising the quality of randomized controlled trials: inter-rater reliability for the OTseeker evidence database. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 11(6), 547-555.
  • Lovarini, M. (2005). Five screening and three assessment tools are recommended for measuring unilateral spatial neglect poststroke. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 52(4), 370-371.
  • McCluskey, A., Lovarini, M. (2005). Providing education on evidence-based practice improved knowledge but did not change behaviour: a before and after study. BMC Medical Education, 5, 40 - 1-40 - 12.
  • McCluskey, A., Lovarini, M., Bennett, S., McKenna, K., Tooth, L., Hoffmann, T. (2005). The extent and quality of evidence on the effectiveness of injury prevention and management: An analysis of the OTseeker database. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(10), 1-10.
  • Lovarini, M. (2005). Use of a multisensory environment (Snoezelen) in a palliative day-care setting resulted in a small immediate reduction in reported anxiety, but had no effect on quality of life. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 52(2), 171-172.
  • McCluskey, A., Lovarini, M., Bennett, S., McKenna, K., Tooth, L., Hoffmann, T. (2005). What Evidence Exists for Work-Related Injury Prevention and Management? Analysis of an Occupational Therapy Evidence Database (OTseeker). British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(10), 447-456.
  • Lovarini, M. (2004). Higher return to work rates can be achieved for workers with musculoskeletal pain who have a medium or poor prognosis for return to work if they receive light or multidisciplinary treatments. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 51, 53-53.
  • Batchelor, J., Shores, E., Marosszeky, J., Sandanam, J., Lovarini, M. (1988). Cognitive rehabilitation of severely closed-head-injured patients using computer assisted and non-computerised treatment techniques. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 3(3), 78-85.

Conferences

  • Vrantsidis, F., Hill, K., Clemson, L., Lovarini, M., Russell, M., Day, L. (2012). A trial of community-based falls prevention program sustainability guidelines and training program. 5th Australian and New Zealand Falls Prevention Society Conference, Adelaide.
  • Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Dean, C. (2011). Sustainability of Community-based Falls Prevention Programs: A Systematic Review. 10th National Emerging Researchers in Ageing Conference (ERA 2011), Sydney, Australia: Emerging Researchers in Ageing.
  • Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Matthews, M., Dean, C. (2010). Achieving program sustainability in falls prevention. International Federation on Ageing 10th Global Conference 2010, Australia: International Federation on Ageing.
  • Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Matthews, M., Dean, C. (2010). Conditions necessary for achieving program sustainability in falls prevention: A grounded theory. 4th Australian & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society Conference ANZFPS 2010, New Zealand: Australian & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society.
  • Vrantsidis, F., Hill, K., Clemson, L., Lovarini, M., Russell, M., Day, L. (2010). Development and evaluation of a falls prevention program sustainability guidelines and training program. 4th Australian & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society Conference ANZFPS 2010, New Zealand: Australian & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society.
  • Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Matthews, M., Dean, C. (2010). Sustainability of community-based falls prevention interventions: A systematic review. 4th Australian & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society Conference ANZFPS 2010, New Zealand: Australian & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society.
  • Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Matthews, M., Dean, C. (2010). Sustaining the Stepping On program: Major influences and critical factors. Australian Association of Gerontology NSW Division Rural Conference, Ballina.
  • Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Matthews, M., Dean, C. (2008). Prevention in the community: Partnerships for sustainability including crossing sectorial boundaries and organisational/network supports. Sustainability and Health Forum, Sydney.
  • Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Matthews, M., Dean, C. (2008). Translating research into practice: Sustainability of a community-based falls prevention program. 3rd Australian New Zealand Falls Prevention Conference, Melbourne.
  • Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Matthews, M., Dean, C. (2007). Sustainability and Health Impact of a Community-Based Falls Prevention Program in Minority Communities. Health Impact Assessment Conference 2007, Sydney.
  • McCluskey, A., Bennett, S., McKenna, K., Lovarini, M., Hoffmann, T., Tooth, L. (2006). Integrating evidence from OTseeker into practice. World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) 2006.
  • Lovarini, M., Imms, C., Wallen, M. (2004). Searching for evidence in paediatric occupational therapy using free versus subscription databases: A comparison of outcomes. OT Australia NSW Conference 2004, Australia: OT Australia NSW.
  • Lovarini, M. (2003). Does training in workplace adjustment and posture prevent occupational overuse syndrome in workplace based computer users?. Increasing the Use of Research Evidence by Occupational Therapists in NSW 2001 – 2003, Sydney: University of Western Sydney.
  • Lovarini, M. (2003). Outreach Support: Common problems encountered by occupational therapists learning to implement EBP. Increasing the Use of Research Evidence by Occupational Therapists in NSW 2001 – 2003, Sydney: University of Western Sydney.
  • Lovarini, M. (2003). Searching for evidence using a decision tree and free internet resources. OT Australia NSW Injury and Safety Management Conference 2003. OT Australia NSW.
  • Lovarini, M. (2003). Searching for evidence using free and subscription databases: A comparison of outcomes. OT Australia National Conference 2003, Melbourne: OT Australia.
  • McCluskey, A., McKenna, K., Bennett, S., Tooth, L., Strong, J., Hoffmann, T., Lovarini, M. (2003). The extent and quality of evidence on the effectiveness of injury prevention and management: An analysis of the OTseeker database. OT Australia NSW Injury and Safety Management Conference 2003. OT Australia NSW.
  • McCluskey, A., Lovarini, M. (2002). Evidence Based Practice: An educational intervention plus outreach support aims to change clinician behaviour. OT Australia NSW Conference 2002, Sydney: OT Australia NSW.

Report

  • Lovarini, M. (2012). Sustainability of a Community-Based Falls Prevention Program: A Grounded Theory.
  • Hill, K., Vrantsidis, F., Clemson, L., Lovarini, M., Russel, M. (2011). Community falls prevention program sustainability guidelines.
  • Clemson, L., Mathews, R., Dean, C., Lovarini, M., Alam, M. (2008). Translating research into practice: Sustainability of a community-based falls prevention program in minority communities.

2012

  • Vrantsidis, F., Hill, K., Clemson, L., Lovarini, M., Russell, M., Day, L. (2012). A trial of community-based falls prevention program sustainability guidelines and training program. 5th Australian and New Zealand Falls Prevention Society Conference, Adelaide.
  • Lovarini, M. (2012). Sustainability of a Community-Based Falls Prevention Program: A Grounded Theory.

2011

  • Lovarini, M. (2011). A group-based cognitive-behavioural treatment program conducted over 12 weeks, can reduce anxiety in children from Chinese cultural backgrounds. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 58, 458-461.
  • Hill, K., Vrantsidis, F., Clemson, L., Lovarini, M., Russel, M. (2011). Community falls prevention program sustainability guidelines.
  • Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Dean, C. (2011). Sustainability of Community-based Falls Prevention Programs: A Systematic Review. 10th National Emerging Researchers in Ageing Conference (ERA 2011), Sydney, Australia: Emerging Researchers in Ageing.

2010

  • Lovarini, M. (2010). A home-based intervention resulted in lower mortality rates for up to two years in community-dwelling older people. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 57(5), 349-349.
  • Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Matthews, M., Dean, C. (2010). Achieving program sustainability in falls prevention. International Federation on Ageing 10th Global Conference 2010, Australia: International Federation on Ageing.
  • Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Matthews, M., Dean, C. (2010). Conditions necessary for achieving program sustainability in falls prevention: A grounded theory. 4th Australian & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society Conference ANZFPS 2010, New Zealand: Australian & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society.
  • Vrantsidis, F., Hill, K., Clemson, L., Lovarini, M., Russell, M., Day, L. (2010). Development and evaluation of a falls prevention program sustainability guidelines and training program. 4th Australian & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society Conference ANZFPS 2010, New Zealand: Australian & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society.
  • Lovarini, M. (2010). Falls prevention education delivered via digital video disc results in greater confidence and motivation to engage in falls prevention strategies by hospitalised older people when compared with education delivered in written format. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 57(5), 351-351.
  • Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Matthews, M., Dean, C. (2010). Sustainability of community-based falls prevention interventions: A systematic review. 4th Australian & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society Conference ANZFPS 2010, New Zealand: Australian & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society.
  • Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Matthews, M., Dean, C. (2010). Sustaining the Stepping On program: Major influences and critical factors. Australian Association of Gerontology NSW Division Rural Conference, Ballina.

2009

  • Lovarini, M. (2009). No implementation strategy can yet be recommended to improve clinical guideline implementation by allied health professionals. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 56(5), 361-361.

2008

  • Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Matthews, M., Dean, C. (2008). Prevention in the community: Partnerships for sustainability including crossing sectorial boundaries and organisational/network supports. Sustainability and Health Forum, Sydney.
  • Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Matthews, M., Dean, C. (2008). Translating research into practice: Sustainability of a community-based falls prevention program. 3rd Australian New Zealand Falls Prevention Conference, Melbourne.
  • Clemson, L., Mathews, R., Dean, C., Lovarini, M., Alam, M. (2008). Translating research into practice: Sustainability of a community-based falls prevention program in minority communities.

2007

  • Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Matthews, M., Dean, C. (2007). Sustainability and Health Impact of a Community-Based Falls Prevention Program in Minority Communities. Health Impact Assessment Conference 2007, Sydney.

2006

  • McCluskey, A., Lovarini, M., Bennett, S., McKenna, K., Tooth, L., Hoffmann, T. (2006). How and why do occupational therapists use the OTseeker evidence database? Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 53, 188-195.
  • McCluskey, A., Bennett, S., McKenna, K., Lovarini, M., Hoffmann, T., Tooth, L. (2006). Integrating evidence from OTseeker into practice. World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) 2006.
  • Lovarini, M., McCluskey, A., Curtin, M. (2006). Limited high-quality research on the effectiveness of assistive technology. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 53(1), 50-50.
  • Lovarini, M., Wallen, M., Imms, C. (2006). Searching for Evidence in Pediatric Occupational Therapy Using Free versus Subscription Databases: A Comparison of Outcomes. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 26(3), 19-38.

2005

  • Tooth, L., Bennett, S., McCluskey, A., Hoffmann, T., McKenna, K., Lovarini, M. (2005). Appraising the quality of randomized controlled trials: inter-rater reliability for the OTseeker evidence database. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 11(6), 547-555.
  • Lovarini, M. (2005). Five screening and three assessment tools are recommended for measuring unilateral spatial neglect poststroke. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 52(4), 370-371.
  • McCluskey, A., Lovarini, M. (2005). Providing education on evidence-based practice improved knowledge but did not change behaviour: a before and after study. BMC Medical Education, 5, 40 - 1-40 - 12.
  • McCluskey, A., Lovarini, M., Bennett, S., McKenna, K., Tooth, L., Hoffmann, T. (2005). The extent and quality of evidence on the effectiveness of injury prevention and management: An analysis of the OTseeker database. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(10), 1-10.
  • Lovarini, M. (2005). Use of a multisensory environment (Snoezelen) in a palliative day-care setting resulted in a small immediate reduction in reported anxiety, but had no effect on quality of life. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 52(2), 171-172.
  • McCluskey, A., Lovarini, M., Bennett, S., McKenna, K., Tooth, L., Hoffmann, T. (2005). What Evidence Exists for Work-Related Injury Prevention and Management? Analysis of an Occupational Therapy Evidence Database (OTseeker). British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(10), 447-456.

2004

  • Lovarini, M. (2004). Higher return to work rates can be achieved for workers with musculoskeletal pain who have a medium or poor prognosis for return to work if they receive light or multidisciplinary treatments. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 51, 53-53.
  • Lovarini, M., Imms, C., Wallen, M. (2004). Searching for evidence in paediatric occupational therapy using free versus subscription databases: A comparison of outcomes. OT Australia NSW Conference 2004, Australia: OT Australia NSW.

2003

  • Lovarini, M. (2003). Does training in workplace adjustment and posture prevent occupational overuse syndrome in workplace based computer users?. Increasing the Use of Research Evidence by Occupational Therapists in NSW 2001 – 2003, Sydney: University of Western Sydney.
  • Lovarini, M. (2003). Outreach Support: Common problems encountered by occupational therapists learning to implement EBP. Increasing the Use of Research Evidence by Occupational Therapists in NSW 2001 – 2003, Sydney: University of Western Sydney.
  • Lovarini, M. (2003). Searching for evidence using a decision tree and free internet resources. OT Australia NSW Injury and Safety Management Conference 2003. OT Australia NSW.
  • Lovarini, M. (2003). Searching for evidence using free and subscription databases: A comparison of outcomes. OT Australia National Conference 2003, Melbourne: OT Australia.
  • McCluskey, A., McKenna, K., Bennett, S., Tooth, L., Strong, J., Hoffmann, T., Lovarini, M. (2003). The extent and quality of evidence on the effectiveness of injury prevention and management: An analysis of the OTseeker database. OT Australia NSW Injury and Safety Management Conference 2003. OT Australia NSW.

2002

  • McCluskey, A., Lovarini, M. (2002). Evidence Based Practice: An educational intervention plus outreach support aims to change clinician behaviour. OT Australia NSW Conference 2002, Sydney: OT Australia NSW.

1988

  • Batchelor, J., Shores, E., Marosszeky, J., Sandanam, J., Lovarini, M. (1988). Cognitive rehabilitation of severely closed-head-injured patients using computer assisted and non-computerised treatment techniques. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 3(3), 78-85.
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