Professor Megan Passey
Stream Lead - Tobacco, behaviour change and implementation
The Daffodil Centre
and the University Centre for Rural Health
Professor Passey is a medical graduate trained in epidemiology and public health. She leads the Daffodil Centre research stream on Tobacco Behaviour Change and implementation , having joined the Centre in July 2023. She was previously the Director of Research at the University Centre for Rural Health (UCRH), a rural clinical school of the University of Sydney, providing strategic and operational leadership to the UCRH’s research program, strengthening research capacity and engagement with key stakeholders, and contributing to executive leadership within the Centre. She has worked internationally (Papua New Guinea, Iraq and the USA) and in rural Australia and has experience within government health services in policy development and implementation roles. She blends this understanding of health services and systems with her research expertise to undertake health services research particularly in relation to complex interventions. Her research focuses on reducing health inequities by addressing priority needs of rural and Aboriginal communities.
Prof Passey leads two broad programs of research addressing priority issues for rural and Aboriginal communities – reducing harms from smoking; and strengthening primary health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Her research on reducing harms from smoking focuses on pregnancy and the postpartum period, infancy and early childhood. She is currently leading a large implementation trial of the MOHMQuit program – aimed at improving provision of smoking cessation support to pregnant women, in partnership with NSW Health and others, funded through a NHMRC Partnership grant. She is also developing a postpartum relapse prevention program and exploring use of e-cigarettes (vaping) among pregnant and postpartum women and their families.
Together with Emma Walke, Megan is co-leading the VOICE project which will develop an Indigenous-specific patient reported experience measure – to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care services to gain important feedback from their clients. This project is being undertaken with eight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PHC services across the country, in partnership with AMSANT, QAIHC, AH&MRC, RACGP, ACQSHC and the NT government, with funding from MRFF.
She is also a Chief Investigator on two other NHMRC funded trials to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health – one aims to improve Aboriginal maternal and child health care by increasing engagement with women’s groups in service planning; while the other is improving dementia care for Aboriginal peoples. Prof Passey is a Chief Investigator on the NHMRC-funded CRE-STRIDE, which is a national network of researchers, policy makers and practitioners with a commitment to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health through equitable health care for Indigenous communities by undertaking collaborative implementation research to strengthen primary health care systems.
Prof Passey has supervised seven postgraduate research students to completion, supervised more than 15 clinicians undertaking research projects, as well as supervising a range of other student research projects.
Prof Passey is a Board Member of the international Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT), having been elected as the member representing Africa, Asia, Oceania and Latin America (AAOLA). She is also on the Board of the Oceania chapter of SRNT, and served as secretary/treasurer for 2 years. Prof Passey previously served on the Governing Board of the NSW Bureau of Health Information (2017-2020) and the Board of the Australian Rural Health Research Collaboration (2002-2006; 2012-17), serving as Director of the ARHRC from 2014-17. Prof Passey has served on numerous other advisory groups to both state and national government, particularly in relation to tobacco. She was a member of several Advisory groups for WHO – Specialist Panel on Epidemiological Research (2002-05); Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (1998-2000); and the Regional Advisory Panel for Asia and the Pacific (1997-2000) for the Dept of Reproductive Health and Research at WHO.
Selected publications
Publications
Books
- Passey, M., Barnett, L., Heading, G., Amoroso, C. (2007). The Detection and Management of Pre-diabetes in Rural and Remote General Practice: A study of current practices, capacity and feasibility. Australia: NSW Health Department.
Book Chapters
- Passey, M., Sheldrake, M., Leitch, K. (2010). The Women’s Referral and Access Project: An integrated care model for rural women dependent on illicit drugs. In Ann Larson; David Lyle (Eds.), A Bright Future for Rural Health – Evidence-Based Policy and Practice in Rural and Remote Australian Health Care, (pp. 42-47). Canberra: Australian Rural Health Education Network.
Journals
- Schofield, D., Lim, K., Tanton, R., Veerman, J., Kelly, S., Passey, M., Shrestha, R. (2024). Economic impact of informal caring for a person with arthritis in Australia from 2015 to 2030: a microsimulation approach using national survey data. BMJ Open, 14(5). [More Information]
- Longman, J., Paul, C., Cashmore, A., Twyman, L., Barnes, L., Adams, C., Bonevski, B., Milat, A., Passey, M. (2024). Protocol for the process evaluation of an intervention to improve antenatal smoking cessation support (MOHMQuit) in maternity services in New South Wales, Australia. BMJ Open, 14(3). [More Information]
- Guillaumier, A., Reakes, K., Hastings, P., Bonevski, B., Tzelepis, F., Paul, C., Passey, M., Oldmeadow, C., Handley, T., McCarter, K., et al (2023). Outback Quit Pack: Feasibility trial of outreach smoking cessation for people in rural, regional, and remote Australia. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. [More Information]
Conferences
- Fares, J., Chung, K., Passey, M., Longman, J., Valentijn, P. (2017). Analysing Stakeholder Advice Networks: An Australian Integrated Health Care Project. Project Management Institute Australia Conference (PMIAC 2017), Sydney: UTS ePRESS.
- Pit, S., Shrestha, R., Schofield, D., Passey, M. (2010). Partial and complete retirement due to ill-health among mature age Australians: health problems. 4th Symposium on Work Ability, Tampere: Tampere University Press.
- Pit, S., Shrestha, R., Schofield, D., Passey, M. (2010). Partial and complete retirement due to ill-health among mature age Australians: health problems and rurality. International Federation on Ageing 10th Global Conference 2010, Australia: International Federation on Ageing.
Report
- Tomaska, N., Passey, M. (2005). Evaluation Report. Northern NSW Oral Health Network (NOHN) Call Centre Models..
- Donoghue, D., Passey, M. (2005). Smoke Free Community Visits Training November 2003 to June 2004..
- Holden, L., Passey, M. (2004). Evaluation of the Priority Health Care Program: Patient and Carer Interview Findings.
2024
- Schofield, D., Lim, K., Tanton, R., Veerman, J., Kelly, S., Passey, M., Shrestha, R. (2024). Economic impact of informal caring for a person with arthritis in Australia from 2015 to 2030: a microsimulation approach using national survey data. BMJ Open, 14(5). [More Information]
- Longman, J., Paul, C., Cashmore, A., Twyman, L., Barnes, L., Adams, C., Bonevski, B., Milat, A., Passey, M. (2024). Protocol for the process evaluation of an intervention to improve antenatal smoking cessation support (MOHMQuit) in maternity services in New South Wales, Australia. BMJ Open, 14(3). [More Information]
2023
- Guillaumier, A., Reakes, K., Hastings, P., Bonevski, B., Tzelepis, F., Paul, C., Passey, M., Oldmeadow, C., Handley, T., McCarter, K., et al (2023). Outback Quit Pack: Feasibility trial of outreach smoking cessation for people in rural, regional, and remote Australia. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. [More Information]
- Bailie, J., Matous, P., Bailie, R., Passey, M. (2023). Patterns of collaboration and knowledge generated by an Australian rural research centre over 20 years: a co-authorship network analysis. Health Research Policy and Systems, 21(1), 87. [More Information]
- Pearce, A., Scarfe, J., Jones, M., Cashmore, A., Milat, A., Barnes, L., Passey, M. (2023). Study protocol of an economic evaluation embedded in the Midwives and Obstetricians Helping Mothers to Quit Smoking (MOHMQuit) trial. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1), 939. [More Information]
2022
- Canuto, K., Preston, R., Rannard, S., Felton-Busch, C., Geia, L., Yeomans, L., Turner, N., Thompson, Q., Carlisle, K., Evans, R., Passey, M., et al (2022). How and why do women's groups (WGs) improve the quality of maternal and child health (MCH) care? A systematic review of the literature. BMJ Open, 12(2), e055756-1-e055756-12. [More Information]
- Schofield, D., Zeppel, M., Tanton, R., Veerman, J., Kelly, S., Passey, M., Shrestha, R. (2022). Individual and national financial impacts of informal caring for people with mental illness in Australia, projected to 2030. BJPsych Open, 8(4). [More Information]
- Bailie, J., Cunningham, F., Abimbola, F., Laycock, A., Bainbridge, R., Bailie, R., Conte, K., Passey, M., Peiris, D. (2022). Methodological pluralism for better evaluations of complex interventions: lessons from evaluating an innovation platform in Australia. Health Research Policy and Systems, 20(1), 14. [More Information]
2021
- Bailie, J., Potts, B., Laycock, A., Abimbola, F., Bailie, R., Cunningham, F., Matthews, V., Bainbridge, R., Conte, K., Passey, M., Peiris, D. (2021). Collaboration and knowledge generation in an 18-year quality improvement research programme in Australian Indigenous primary healthcare: A coauthorship network analysis. BMJ Open, 11(5), e045101. [More Information]
- Longman, J., Adams, C., Paul, C., McLennan, J., Passey, M. (2021). Improving clinicians' implementation of guidelines to help women stop smoking in pregnancy: Developing evidence-based print and video materials. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(19), 10522. [More Information]
- Passey, M., Adams, C., Paul, C., Atkins, L., Longman, J. (2021). Improving implementation of smoking cessation guidelines in pregnancy care: development of an intervention to address system, maternity service leader and clinician factors. Implementation Science Communications, 2(1), 128. [More Information]
2020
- Matthews, V., Longman, J., Bennett-Levy, J., Braddon, M., Passey, M., Bailie, R., Berry, H. (2020). Belonging and inclusivity make a resilient future for all: A cross-sectional analysis of post-flood social capital in a diverse Australian rural community. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(20), 1-30. [More Information]
- King, J., Longman, J., Matthews, V., Bennett-Levy, J., Bailie, R., Carrig, S., Passey, M. (2020). Disruptions and mental health outcomes following Cyclone Debbie. Australian Journal of Emergency Management, 35(3), 62-70. [More Information]
- Hall, C., Robertson, D., Rolfe, M., Pascoe, S., Passey, M., Pit, S. (2020). Do cognitive aids reduce error rates in resuscitation team performance? Trial of emergency medicine protocols in simulation training (TEMPIST) in Australia. Human Resources for Health, 18(1), 1. [More Information]
2019
- Matthews, V., Longman, J., Berry, H., Passey, M., Bennett-Levy, J., Morgan, G., Pit, S., Rolfe, M., Bailie, R. (2019). Differential Mental Health Impact Six Months After Extensive River Flooding in Rural Australia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Through an Equity Lens. Frontiers in Public Health, 7, 1-10. [More Information]
- Schofield, D., Shrestha, R., Zeppel, M., Cunich, M., Tanton, R., Veerman, L., Kelly, S., Passey, M. (2019). Economic costs of informal care for people with chronic diseases in the community: Lost income, extra welfare payments, and reduced taxes in Australia in 2015-2030. Health and Social Care in the Community, 27(2), 493-501. [More Information]
- Fares, J., Chung, K., Passey, M., Longman, J., Valentijn, P. (2019). Exploring the psychometric properties of the Rainbow Model of Integrated Care measurement tool for care providers in Australia. BMJ Open, 9(12), 1-8. [More Information]
2018
- Longman, J., Rix, E., Johnston, J., Passey, M. (2018). Ambulatory care sensitive chronic conditions: What can we learn from patients about the role of primary health care in preventing admissions? Australian Journal of Primary Health, 24(4), 304-310. [More Information]
- Dewi, C., Barclay, L., Wilson, S., Passey, M. (2018). An asset-based intervention with tuberculosis groups in rural Indonesia villages: overview and lessons learned. Community Development Journal, 53(2), 340-357. [More Information]
- Kildea, S., Hickey, S., Nelson, C., Currie, J., Carson, A., Reynolds, M., Wilson, K., Kruske, S., Passey, M., Roe, Y., Tracy, S., et al (2018). Birthing on Country (in Our Community): a case study of engaging stakeholders and developing a best-practice Indigenous maternity service in an urban setting. Australian Health Review, 42(2), 230-238. [More Information]
2017
- Koenen, M., Passey, M., Rolfe, M. (2017). "Keeping them Warm"-A Randomized Controlled Trial of Two Passive Perioperative Warming Methods. Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, 32(3), 188-198. [More Information]
- Fares, J., Chung, K., Passey, M., Longman, J., Valentijn, P. (2017). Analysing Stakeholder Advice Networks: An Australian Integrated Health Care Project. Project Management Institute Australia Conference (PMIAC 2017), Sydney: UTS ePRESS.
- Lehmann, D., Kirarock, W., van den Biggelaar, A., Passey, M., Jacoby, P., Saleu, G., Masiria, G., Nivio, B., Greenhill, A., Orami, T., et al (2017). Rationale and methods of a randomized controlled trial of immunogenicity, safety and impact on carriage of pneumococcal conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines in infants in Papua New Guinea. Pneumonia, 9, 1-15. [More Information]
2016
- Kirby, S., Barlow, V., Saurman, E., Lyle, D., Passey, M., Currow, D. (2016). Are rural and remote patients, families and caregivers needs in life-limiting illness different from those of urban dwellers? A narrative synthesis of the evidence. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 24(5), 289-299. [More Information]
- Schofield, D., Shrestha, R., Cunich, M., Tanton, R., Veerman, L., Kelly, S., Passey, M. (2016). Economic costs of chronic disease through lost productive life years (PLYs) among Australians aged 45-64 years from 2015 to 2030: results from a microsimulation model. BMJ Open, 6(9), 1-9. [More Information]
- Dewi, C., Barclay, L., Passey, M., Wilson, S. (2016). Improving knowledge and behaviours related to the cause, transmission and prevention of Tuberculosis and early case detection: A descriptive study of community led Tuberculosis program in Flores, Indonesia. BMC Public Health, 16(1), 1-12. [More Information]
2015
- Longman, J., Passey, M., Ewald, D., Rix, E., Morgan, G. (2015). Admissions for chronic ambulatory care sensitive conditions - a useful measure of potentially preventable admission? BMC Health Services Research, 16(1), 472. [More Information]
- Schofield, D., Callander, E., Shrestha, R., Passey, M., Kelly, S., Percival, R. (2015). Back problems, comorbidities, and their association with wealth. Spine Journal, 15(1), 34-41. [More Information]
- Veerman, J., Shrestha, R., Mihalopoulos, C., Passey, M., Kelly, S., Tanton, R., Callander, E., Schofield, D. (2015). Depression prevention, labour force participation and income of older working aged Australians: A microsimulation economic analysis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 49(5), 430-436. [More Information]
2014
- Bryant, J., Passey, M., Hall, A., Sanson-Fisher, R. (2014). A systematic review of the quality of reporting in published smoking cessation trials for pregnant women: an explanation for the evidence-practice gap? Implementation Science, 9, 1-10. [More Information]
- Mitchell, E., Veitch, C., Passey, M. (2014). Efficacy of leisure intervention groups in rehabilitation of people with an acquired brain injury. Disability and Rehabilitation, 36(17), 1474-1482. [More Information]
- Schofield, D., Shrestha, R., Kelly, S., Veerman, L., Tanton, R., Passey, M., Vos, T., Cunich, M., Callander, E. (2014). Health&WealthMOD2030: A Microsimulation Model of the Long Term Economic Impacts of Disease Leading to Premature Retirements of Australians Aged 45-64 Years Old. International Journal of Microsimulation, 7(2), 94-118.
2013
- McKenzie, S., Jayasinghe, U., Fanaian, M., Passey, M., Harris, M. (2013). Analysis of the psychological impact of a vascular risk factor intervention: results from a cluster randomized controlled trial in Australian general practice. BMC Family Practice, 14, 1-8. [More Information]
- Longman, J., Passey, M. (2013). Children, smoking households and exposure to second-hand smoke in the home in rural Australia: analysis of a national cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open, 3(7), 1-8. [More Information]
- Laws, R., Fanaian, M., Jayasinghe, U., McKenzie, S., Passey, M., Powell-Davies, G., Lyle, D., Harris, M. (2013). Factors influencing participation in a vascular disease prevention lifestyle program among participants in a cluster randomized trial. BMC Health Services Research, 13, 1-12. [More Information]
2012
- Harris, M., Fanaian, M., Jayasinghe, U., Passey, M., McKenzie, S., Davies, G., Lyle, D., Laws, R., Schutze, H., Wan, Q. (2012). A cluster randomised controlled trial of vascular risk factor management in general practice. Medical Journal of Australia, 197(7), 387-393. [More Information]
- Fuller, J., Hermeston, W., Passey, M., Fallon, T., Muyambi, K. (2012). Acceptability of participatory social network analysis for problem-solving in Australian Aboriginal health service partnerships. BMC Health Services Research, 12(1), 1-11. [More Information]
- Schofield, D., Callander, E., Shrestha, R., Passey, M., Percival, R., Kelly, S. (2012). Association between co-morbidities and labour force participation amongst persons with back problems. Pain, 153(10), 2068-2072. [More Information]
2011
- Passey, M., Gale, J., Sanson-Fisher, R. (2011). "It's almost expected": rural Australian Aboriginal women's reflections on smoking initiation and maintenance: a qualitative study. BMC Women's Health, 11(55), 1-12. [More Information]
- Longman, J., Singer, J., Gao, Y., Barclay, L., Passey, M., Pirotta, J., Heathcote, K., Ewald, D., Saberi, V., Corben, P., Morgan, G. (2011). Community based service providers' perspectives on frequent and/or avoidable admission of older people with chronic disease in rural NSW: a qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research, 11(265), 1-11. [More Information]
- Schofield, D., Shrestha, R., Percival, R., Passey, M., Kelly, S., Callander, E. (2011). Economic impacts of illness in older workers: quantifying the impact of illness on income, tax revenue and government spending. BMC Public Health, 11(418), 1-7. [More Information]
2010
- Passey, M., Fanaian, M., Lyle, D., Harris, M. (2010). Assessment and management of lifestyle risk factors in rural and urban general practices in Australia. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 16(1), 81-86. [More Information]
- Schofield, D., Shrestha, R., Percival, R., Callander, E., Kelly, S., Passey, M. (2010). Early retirement and the financial assets of individuals with back problems. European Spine Journal, 20(5), 731-736. [More Information]
- Fanaian, M., Laws, R., Passey, M., McKenzie, S., Wan, Q., Powell Davies, G., Lyle, D., Harris, M. (2010). Health improvement and prevention study (HIPS) - evaluation of an intervention to prevent vascular disease in general practice. BMC Family Practice, 11(57), 1-10. [More Information]
2009
- Daly, M., Passey, M., Harvey, A. (2009). Another opportunity for prevention: assessing alcohol use by women attending breast screening services in Lismore, NSW. NSW Public Health Bulletin, 20(5-6), 90-92. [More Information]
- Passey, M., Earnest, A., Percival, R., Kelly, S., Shrestha, R., Fletcher, S. (2009). Health&WealthMOD: A Microsimulation Model Of The Economic Impacts Of Diseases On Older Workers. International Journal of Microsimulation, 2(2), 58-63.
- Fuller, J., Passey, M., Hermeston, W., Fallon, T. (2009). Research tools for managers to improve primary health care partnerships. 10th National Rural Health Conference, Canberra, ACT, Australia: National Rural Health Alliance Inc.
2008
- Passey, M. (2008). Ageing Workforce and 'Retirement Prevention'. 3rd Annual Occupational Health & Wellbeing Conference 2008, Online: Informa Healthcare.
- Passey, M. (2008). Building research capacity by "Walking Through Research". Aboriginal Health Research Conference 2008, Sydney: Aboriginal Health Research Conference.
- Holden, L., Sitruk-Ware, R., Passey, M. (2008). Characteristics of nonparticipants differed based on reason for nonparticipation: a study involving the chronically ill. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 61(7), 728-732. [More Information]
2007
- Schofield, D., Passey, M., Earnest, A., Gloor, I., Shrestha, R. (2007). Are We Getting Healthier As We Grow Older? Implications for baby boomer labour force participation. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1114, 230-240. [More Information]
- Suarkia, D., Mgone, C., Lehmann, D., Passey, M., Lupiwa, T., Paniu, M., Kono, J., Kakazo, M., Yeka, W., Alpers, M. (2007). Chlamydia trachomatis infection and distribution of serovars in the Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea Medical Journal, 50(3-4), 134-144. [More Information]
- Passey, M., Sheldrake, M., Leitch, K., Gilmore, V. (2007). Impact of case management on rural women's quality of life and substance use. Rural and Remote Health, 7(3), 1-15. [More Information]
2006
- Schofield, D., Passey, M., Earnest, A., Gloor, I., Shrestha, R. (2006). Are We Getting Healthier As We Grow Older? Implications for baby boomer labour force participation. 3rd International Conference on Healthy Ageing & Longevity, New York: Research Centre for Healthy Ageing & Longevity (IRCHAL).
- Passey, M., Flaherty, B., Didcott, P. (2006). The Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) Pilot Program: a descriptive analysis of a court diversion program in rural Australia. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 38(4), 521-529. [More Information]
2005
- Tomaska, N., Passey, M. (2005). Evaluation Report. Northern NSW Oral Health Network (NOHN) Call Centre Models..
- Combs, B., Passey, M., Michael, A., Pang, T., Lightfoot, D., Alpers, M. (2005). Ribotyping of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi isolates from Papua New Guinea over the period 1977 to 1996. Papua New Guinea Medical Journal, 48(3-4), 158-167.
- Donoghue, D., Passey, M. (2005). Smoke Free Community Visits Training November 2003 to June 2004..
2004
- Holden, L., Passey, M. (2004). Evaluation of the Priority Health Care Program: Patient and Carer Interview Findings.
- Holden, L., Passey, M. (2004). Evaluation of the Priority Health Care Program: Service Provider Perspectives. Final Report.
- Sheldrake, M., Passey, M. (2004). Qualitative Evaluation of the Aboriginal Antenatal Outreach Program in the Northern Rivers: Women and Service Provider Perspectives.
2003
- Passey, M., Patete, S., Bird, G., Bolt, S., Brooks, L., Lavender, K., Scott, D., Sloan, K., Spooner, C., Vail, J. (2003). Evaluation of the Lismore MERIT Pilot Program.
- Sheldrake, M., Passey, M. (2003). Evaluation of Women's Referral and Access Project (WRAP): A Rural Integrated Care Trial for Women Dependent on Illicit Drugs.
2002
- atkins, D., Passey, M. (2002). Evaluation Report on the Ballina Dementia Project: Better Practice Model for the Hospital Care of People with Dementia.
- Mgone, C., Passey, M., Anang, J., Peter, W., Lupiwa, T., Russell, D., Babona, D., Alpers, M. (2002). Human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in two major cities in Papua New Guinea. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 29(5), 265-270.
- Thong, K., Goh, Y., Yasin, R., Lau, M., Passey, M., Winston, G., Yoannes, M., Pang, T., Reeder, J. (2002). Increasing genetic diversity of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi isolates from Papua New Guinea over the period from 1992 to 1999. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 40(11), 4156-4160.
Selected Grants
2024
- The HeLP-R trial: Adaptation and implementation of an effective lifestyle program for with musculoskeletal pain in rural populations, Davidson S, Williams C, Flood V, Kamper S, Tiedemann A, Williams K, Passey M, Department of Health and Aged Care (Federal - administered by NHMRC)/MRFF PPHRI 2023 Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles Grant Opportunity
2023
- Rewarding Research 2024, Passey M, Faculty of Medicine and Health/FMH Rewarding Research Success