Professor Emeritus Kim Oates
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Professor Emeritus Kim Oates

AO
Emeritus Professor Kim Oates AO MD, DSc, MHP, FRACP, FRCP, FAFPHM, FRACMA, DCH, Discipline, Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School Clinical, Consultant, NSW Clinical Excellence Commission
Phone
+61 2 9036 3163
Fax
+61 2 9036 3343
Professor Emeritus Kim Oates

Kim Oates joined Sydney University in 1985 as the Foundation Douglas Burrows Chair of Paediatrics and Child Health, a position he held simultaneously with Chair, Division of Medicine at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children at Camperdown.

He has a 50-year career in paediatrics. Prior to joining the University he established, in 1974, Australia’s first community paediatric unit with emphasis on caring for children with developmental disabilities in a way that brought teaching hospital clinical care, community support and services, family partnerships and special needs education under a single banner.

A general paediatrician, he has long-standing clinical and research interests in child development, child behaviour and child abuse. He is internationally recognised as a child advocate, particularly with regard to his pioneering research in child protection and as a clinician, researcher, teacher and administrator.

He has held various positions at the Children’s Hospital (first at Camperdown and then at Westmead) including Head of Community Paediatrics, Head of Child Protection, Head of Child Development, Head of Children's Assessment Centre, Director of Medical Services and Chief Executive.

His research in child protection commenced at a time when it was a taboo subject with almost no academic interest in the topic. His studies on the longer-term effects of various forms of child abuse were influential at an international level in understanding the seriousness of this problem. It has been recognised by 2 research doctorates from Sydney University (MD and DSc). His research into the deleterious effects on the brain of deep hypothermia for cardiac surgery in children was influential in the reduction in the use of this technique. In the last 10 years his research has been on medical education and patient safety. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers, written or edited 15 books, written 62 chapters in other books as well as numerous reports, reviews, editorials and opinion pieces.

At an international level he has had numerous roles including President of the International Society for Child Abuse and Neglect, Councillor for Defence for Children International, the Children’s Hospitals International Executive Forum and the New Zealand National Children’s Health Research Foundation. Throughout 1993 he was Director of the Kempe National Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect in the USA. He continues to serve on the editorial boards of several international journals. He has had numerous state and national roles including the inaugural chair of the National Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, Board Chair of the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN), inaugural Chair of the NSW Child Death Review Team, President of Children’s Hospitals Australasia as well as many community service roles.

In 1997 he moved from Sydney University to become Chief Executive of the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, a position he held until 2006 when he went back to the university in a part time capacity and with Professor Kerry Goulston undertook a total review of the Graduate Medical Program, followed by various other reviews for the medical school, including Admission Policy, Masters Degrees and medical education in the Dental degree. From 2010 to 2018 he co-led a program in Vietnam for developing future Vitenamese health leaders and currently teaches regularly in that program.

He consults for the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) where he developed a program for patient safety education for undergraduates to show how doctors can work more safely to reduce patient harm and has taught this course in five medical schools as well as schools of nursing and allied health. From 2008-2018 he was Director of Undergraduate Quality and Safety Education at the CEC and has published on the evaluation of teaching in this area.

In addition to advocacy for children, throughout his career he has placed emphasis on identifying, and encouraging future leaders in academic, clinical and administrative positions. He established and led the Australian Academy for Emerging Leaders in Patient Safety from 2016-2019, with a focus on finding and nurturing future Australian health leaders.

He has received numerous national and international awards and named lectureships, including the Godfrey Lectureship (2001), New College Lecturer and Medal (2006), the Howard Williams Oration (2007), the Henry Kempe International Lectureship for significant contributions to the field of child abuse and neglect prevention (2014) and the Beveridge Oration (2015).

Awards for research and for services to children include the Nathalie Masse International Prize for “Research into Childhood” (1983), the Distinguished Service Award from the Malaysian Council of Social Welfare (1990), the Brandt Steele Award (1994) and the Kempe Award for “Outstanding contributions to the community on behalf of children”(2000) (the only time these two awards have been given to non US citizens), Member of the Order of Australia (1996), Life Member, Financial Markets Foundation for Children (1997), Distinguished Service Award, International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect ((1998), Australian Rotary Award for Vocational Excellence (1998), Centenary Medal (2003), NSW Finalist , Australian of the Year (2007), Sydney University Alumni Award for community service (2006), The Howard Williams Medal for “Outstanding contributions to Paediatrics and Child Health in Australasia” (2007), Every Kids Hero Award from Good Beginnings Australia (2008), naming of the Kim Oates Australian Paediatric Simulation Centre (2008), Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) University of Western Sydney (2013), Honorary Life Member Neurodevelopmental and Behavioural Society of Australia (2016), The People’s Health Medal for Significant Contributions to Health in Vietnam (Government of Vietnam 2018), Chairman's Award, Hoc Mai Foundation (2019) and election as one of 30 Foundation Membes of the Intenational Academy of Quality and Safety in Healthcarer (2018). He holds professorial positions at three Australian Universities as well as in China and Vietnam.

In 2020 he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia.

Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health, Lifespan

Selected publications

Publications

Books

  • Oates, K. (2014). 20 Tips for Parents. Sydney: Finch Publishing.
  • Goulston, K., Oates, K. (2012). Review of Masters Coursework Degrees in Sydney Medical School. Sydney, Australia: University of Sydney.
  • Goulston, K., Oates, K. (2007). Review of the University of Sydney Medical Program. Sydney: University of Sydney.

Book Chapters

  • Oates, K. (2019). Child Protection Systems in Australia. In Lisa Merkel-Holguin, John D. Fluke, Richard D. Krugman (Eds.), National Systems of Child Protection: Understanding the International Variability and Context for Developing Policy and Practice, (pp. 7-26). Cham: Springer. [More Information]
  • Oates, K. (2018). Confessions. In Anne Gunderson, Tracy Granzyk, David Mayer (Eds.), Shattering The Wall, (pp. 68-82). North Carolina: Lulu Press.
  • Oates, K., Dubowitz, H. (2018). The State of Child Maltreatment and Child Protection Worldwide. In J. Bart Klika, Jon R. Conte (Eds.), The APSAC Handbook on Child Maltreatment (Fourth Edition), (pp. 65-78). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

Journals

  • Oates, K. (2023). Fatal injuries in Australian children. Acta Paediatrica. [More Information]
  • Oates, K., Burgess, A., Clark, T. (2022). An interdisciplinary program for emerging leaders in patient safety. The Clinical Teacher, 19(4), 323-332. [More Information]
  • Oates, K., Burgess, A., Dalton, S., Sammut, J., Mayer, D. (2020). The Academy for Emerging Leaders in Patient Safety: developing a community of practice. The Clinical Teacher, 17(5), 508-514. [More Information]

2023

  • Oates, K. (2023). Fatal injuries in Australian children. Acta Paediatrica. [More Information]

2022

  • Oates, K., Burgess, A., Clark, T. (2022). An interdisciplinary program for emerging leaders in patient safety. The Clinical Teacher, 19(4), 323-332. [More Information]

2020

  • Oates, K., Burgess, A., Dalton, S., Sammut, J., Mayer, D. (2020). The Academy for Emerging Leaders in Patient Safety: developing a community of practice. The Clinical Teacher, 17(5), 508-514. [More Information]

2019

  • Oates, K. (2019). Child Protection Systems in Australia. In Lisa Merkel-Holguin, John D. Fluke, Richard D. Krugman (Eds.), National Systems of Child Protection: Understanding the International Variability and Context for Developing Policy and Practice, (pp. 7-26). Cham: Springer. [More Information]

2018

  • Burgess, A., Oates, K., Goulston, K., Ha, P. (2018). Advanced Course in Medical Education and Research: a Leadership Program for Outstanding Graduates. South East Asian Journal of Medical Education, 12(1), 7-12. [More Information]
  • Oates, K. (2018). Always say something positive about the child' T Berry Brazelton 1918-2018. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 54(8), 828-829. [More Information]
  • Oates, K., Wilson, I., Hu, W., Walker, B., Nagle, A., Wiley, J. (2018). Changing medical student attitudes to patient safety: A multicentre study. BMC Medical Education, 18(1), 1-7. [More Information]

2017

  • Oates, K., Vinters, C., Cass-Verco, J., Fletcher, M., Kaur, N., Mherekumombe, M., Tang, A. (2017). A pilot programme of clinical practice improvement for future consultant doctors. The Clinical Teacher, 14(2), 108-113. [More Information]
  • Oates, K., Castaldi, P., Barclay, A., Passlow, J. (2017). Reflections 60 years of Medicine Today. Medicine Today, 18(9), 7-9.
  • Oates, K. (2017). Ten tips for young (and old) doctors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 53(9), 918. [More Information]

2016

  • Oates, K. (2016). Fifty Years of Child Abuse: Milestones, Misconceptions, and Moving On. In Sibnath Deb (Eds.), Child Safety, Welfare and Well-Being: Issues and Challenges, (pp. 15-24). New Delhi: Springer. [More Information]
  • Burgess, A., Oates, K., Goulston, K. (2016). Role modelling in medical education: the importance of teaching skills. The Clinical Teacher, 13(2), 134-137. [More Information]

2015

  • Burgess, A., Goulston, K., Oates, K. (2015). Role modelling of clinical tutors: a focus group study among medical students. BMC Medical Education, 15(17), 1-9. [More Information]
  • Oates, K. (2015). Some reflections from the past and some ideas for the future: The 2014 Kempe Oration. Child Abuse and Neglect, 43, 1-7. [More Information]
  • Stephens, A., Oates, K. (2015). The Placement of Children Following Non-Accidental Head Injuries: Are They Protected From Further Harm? Child Abuse Review, 24, 67-76. [More Information]

2014

  • Oates, K. (2014). 20 Tips for Parents. Sydney: Finch Publishing.
  • Burgess, A., Oates, K., Goulston, K., Mellis, C. (2014). First year clinical tutorials: students' learning experience. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 5, 451-456. [More Information]
  • Oates, K. (2014). Kindness and compassion: Part of professionalism. Medicine Today, 15(8), 66-68.

2013

  • Oates, K., Sammut, J., Kennedy, P. (2013). A multi-tiered approach to safety education. The Clinical Teacher, 10(4), 214-218. [More Information]
  • Dent, O., Goulston, K., Oates, K., Dang, V., Nguyen, D. (2013). A Short Course in Advanced Medical Teaching for Talented Hanoi Medical University Graduates. South East Asian Journal of Medical Education, 7(2), 2-5.
  • Oates, K. (2013). Child Abuse as an International Issue: Cross-Cultural Perspectives. In Richard D. Krugman and Jill E. Korbin (Eds.), C. Henry Kempe: A 50 year Legacy to the Field of Child Abuse and Neglect, (pp. 231-237). New York: Springer. [More Information]

2012

  • Parkinson, P., Oates, K., Jayakody, A. (2012). Child Sexual Abuse in the Anglican Church of Australia. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 21(5), 553-570. [More Information]
  • Oates, K., Goulston, K. (2012). How to select the doctors of the future. Internal Medicine Journal, 42(4), 364-369. [More Information]
  • Goulston, K., Oates, K., Shinfield, S., Robinson, B. (2012). Medical student education: what it costs and how it is funded. Internal Medicine Journal, 42(10), 1149-1152. [More Information]

2011

  • Oates, K. (2011). Physical punishment of children: can we continue to accept the status quo? Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 47(8), 505-507. [More Information]

2010

  • Parkinson, P., Oates, K., Jayakody, A. (2010). Breaking the Long Silence: Reports of Child Sexual Abuse in the Anglican Church of Australia. Ecclesiology: the journal for ministry, mission and unity, 6(2), 183-200. [More Information]

2008

  • Goulston, K., Oates, K. (2008). Changes to the University of Sydney medical curriculum. Medical Journal of Australia, 188(8), 461-463. [More Information]

2007

  • Oates, K. (2007). Can we believe what children tell us? Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 43(12), 843-847. [More Information]
  • Oates, K. (2007). Child Abuse in Australia. In Furuhashi E (Eds.), Kazoku no Hen-you to Bouryoku no Kokusaihikaku: Family violence and the transformation of international comparison, (pp. 205-216). Japan: Akashi Publisher.
  • Oates, K., Mian, M., Cairns, J., Wheeer, P. (2007). International child death review teams: Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In Alexander Randell (Eds.), Child fatality review: interdisciplinary guide and photographic reference, (pp. 391-427). United States of America: G.W. Medical Publishing Inc. United States.

2004

  • Parkinson, P., Shrimpton, S., Oates, K., Swanston, H., O'Toole, B. (2004). Nonsex Offences Committed By Child Molesters: Findings From A Longitudinal Study. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 48(1), 28-39. [More Information]

2003

  • Oates, K. (2003). Developmental assessment and screening. In Henry Kilham & David Isaacs (Eds.), The Childrens Hospital at Westmead Handbook: Clinical practice guidelines for paediatrics, (pp. 404-409). Sydney: McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Swanston, H., Parkinson, P., O'Toole, B., Plunkett-Cole, M., Shrimpton, S., Oates, K. (2003). Juvenile crime, aggression and deliquency after sexual abuse: a longitudinal study. The British Journal of Criminology, 43(4), 729-749. [More Information]
  • Swanston, H., Plunkett-Cole, M., O'Toole, B., Shrimpton, S., Parkinson, P., Oates, K. (2003). Nine years after child sexual abuse. Child Abuse and Neglect, 27(8), 967-984. [More Information]

2002

  • Swanston, H., Parkinson, P., Oates, K., O'Toole, B., Plunkett, A., Shrimpton, S. (2002). Further abuse of sexually abused children. Child Abuse and Neglect, 26(2), 115-127. [More Information]
  • Parkinson, P., Shrimpton, S., Swanston, H., O'Toole, B., Oates, K. (2002). The Process of Attrition in Child Sexual Assault Cases: A Case Flow Analysis of Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology, 35(3), 347-362. [More Information]

2001

  • Oates, K., Field, S. (2001). Sport and recreation activities and opportunities for children with spina bifida and cystic fibrosis. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 4, 71-76. [More Information]
  • Swanston, H., Parkinson, P., Shrimpton, S., O'Toole, B., Oates, K. (2001). Statutory compensation for victims of child sexual assault: examining the efficacy of a discretionary system. International Review of Victimology, 8, 37-62.
  • Parkinson, P., Swanston, H., Shrimpton, S., Oates, K., O'Toole,, B. (2001). Stautory Compensation for Victims of Child Sexual Assault: Examining the efficacy of a discretionary system. International Review of Victimology, 8, 37-62.

Selected Grants

2014

  • Advanced Course in Medical Education and Research for Vietnam, Glasson R, Goulston K, Oates K, Australian Aid/Australian Leadership Awards Fellowships

2007

  • Ear health, hearing, speech and language development in urban Aboriginal children, Eades S, McIntyre P, Oates K, Daniels J, Woolfenden S, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)/Project Grants