Professor Sarah Dennis
Professor Dennis is in the Discipline of Physiotherapy and Professor of Allied Health in South Western Sydney Local Health District. Her research interests are in the role of allied health in the prevention, diagnosis and management of chronic conditions, especially chronic respiratory conditions, in primary care. The focus of this research is in the context of equity and access in primary health care, integration of care across health sectors and health literacy. She also holds a conjoint position at the Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity at UNSW.
- Prevention, diagnosis and management of chronic conditions with a focus on primary health care and integration of care across health sectors.
- Management of chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD.
- Self-management for chronic conditions.
- Health literacy.
- Health equity and disadvantage.
- Impact and management of multi-morbidity.
- Practice based research networks in primary care including use of practice data for chronic disease management.
- Health systems, health servcie research.
Keywords: chronic disease, prevention, chronic disease management, chronic respiratory disease, multi-morbidity, primary health care, integration, allied health, health literacy, physiotherapy
- She is currently supervising or is co-supervisor for 5 PhD, 1 Masters and 3 Honours students at the University of Sydney. She has successfully supervised or co-supervised 12 PhD, 1 Masters, 8 Honours, and 3 Independent Learning Project (ILP) students at UNSW.
- Research higher degree supervision in the areas of chronic disease prevention and management, including impact of multi-morbidity, allied health, integration of care, health literacy, and primary care.
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MRFF Consumer-Led Research. The Natural helper approach to culturally responsive healthcare 2022 Brady B, Naylor J, Dennis S, Ashton-James C, Tang C, S Sayad, Refshauge K, C Said, M Jennings, B Sidhu, D Lim, J Descallar, G Hassett, B Ikeda, G Williams.
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Arthritis Australia 2021-2022 National Research Program. Creaky knees and exercise beliefs and participation. A mixed-methods study. Thom J, Naylor J, McAuley J, Dennis S, Gibson K, Booth J, Jones M, Mills K, Ram A, Kovats A.
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MRFF PHC Research Initiative. Activating primary care COPD patients with Multi-morbidity (APCOM) study. 2021 Zwar N, Reddel H, Hosseinzadeh H, Halcomb E, Ansari S, Salkeld G, Batterham M, (AI Dennis).
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Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) Mainstream Building Program Grant Round 1: Enhancing Healthcare Access for People with Communication Disabilities. 2020 K Kelly, L Maxey, S McAllister, S Colley, L Togher , S Dennis.
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NHMRC GACD grant 1116081: Implementing evidence into practice to improve chronic lung disease management in Indigenous Australians: the Breathe Easy, Walk Easy - Lungs for Life (BE WELL) project. 2016 Alison J, Jenkins C, Maguire G, Jan S, Shaw T, Dennis S, McKeough Z, Lee V.
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- Australian Association for Academic Primary Care
- Health Service Research Association of Australia and Hew Zealand
- Named Australia's leading primary health care researcher in 2021 and 2022, The Australian.
- Distinguished Service Award from UNSW Medicine South West Sydney Clinical School, 2019
- Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research Excellence in Teaching Award, 2018.
- Postgraduate Research Supervisor Award, UNSW Graduate Research School, 2017
- 2010 AFP best paper award for Jeremy Bunker, Oshana Hermiz, Nicholas Zwar, Sarah M Dennis, Sanjyot Vagholkar, Alan Crockett, et al. Feasibility and efficacy of COPD case finding by practice nurses. Australian Family Physician. 2009;38(10):826-30
- Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute (APHCRI) Travelling Fellowship, 2007
(University of British Columbia) Dr Sue Mills, "Realist synthesis of self-management interventions for disadvantaged populations with chronic conditions." |
Project title | Research student |
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Improving health literacy and digital health education for people with osteoarthritis and other comorbidities | Jennifer NGUYEN |
Publications
Journals
- Dale, M., Wootton (nee Watts), S., Alison, J., McNamara, R., Leung, R., Spencer, L., Colman, Z., McAnulty, A., King, M., Dennis, S., Chan, A., McKeough, Z., et al (2025). Development and evaluation of text messages designed for people with COPD on the mobile pulmonary rehabilitation (m-PR™) platform. Physiotherapy, 127, 101455. [More Information]
- Rutherford, H., Dale, M., Wootton (nee Watts), S., Pithavadian, R., Dennis, S., Brown, S., Alison, J., Chan, A., Yang, I., McKeough, Z. (2025). Experiences of Home-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation With mHealth and Centre-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation in People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Qualitative Study. Health Expectations, 28(2). [More Information]
- Cheng, S., Guan, C., Dennis, S., Alison, J., Stamatakis, E., McKeough, Z. (2024). A behaviour change intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a qualitative study. Physiotherapy, 124, 9-20. [More Information]
Conferences
- Al Lawati, M., Dennis, S., Short, S. (2017). Patient safety culture in primary care in Muscat, Oman. 3rd Annual Congress & Medicare Expo on Primary Healthcare, Clinical & Medical Case Reports, USA: Omics Publishing Group. [More Information]
Research Reports
- Liaw, S., Kearns, R., Taggart, J., Frank, O., Lane, R., Tam, M., Dennis, S., Yu, H., Walker, C., Russell, G., et al (2015). eHealth Initiatives and Health Care Integration in GP Super Clinics: A mixed methods case study, (pp. 4 - 84). Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute.
- McDonald, J., Lane, R., Kearns, R., Ward, B., Powell Davies, G., Fuller, J., Dennis, S., Spooner, C., Walker, C., Russell, G. (2015). Emerging models of integrated primary health care centres: How they optimise access and integration and the influence of characteristics and organisational factors, (pp. 1 - 119). Sydney, Australia: Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute.
- Dennis, S., Harris, M., Lloyd, J., Powell Davies, G., Faruqi, N., Zwar, N. (2011). Telephone coaching models to support chronic disease management in multi-morbid and vulnerable populations: a rapid review, (pp. 5 - 114). Haymarket, Sydney, Australia: The Sax Institute.
2025
- Dale, M., Wootton (nee Watts), S., Alison, J., McNamara, R., Leung, R., Spencer, L., Colman, Z., McAnulty, A., King, M., Dennis, S., Chan, A., McKeough, Z., et al (2025). Development and evaluation of text messages designed for people with COPD on the mobile pulmonary rehabilitation (m-PR™) platform. Physiotherapy, 127, 101455. [More Information]
- Rutherford, H., Dale, M., Wootton (nee Watts), S., Pithavadian, R., Dennis, S., Brown, S., Alison, J., Chan, A., Yang, I., McKeough, Z. (2025). Experiences of Home-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation With mHealth and Centre-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation in People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Qualitative Study. Health Expectations, 28(2). [More Information]
2024
- Cheng, S., Guan, C., Dennis, S., Alison, J., Stamatakis, E., McKeough, Z. (2024). A behaviour change intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a qualitative study. Physiotherapy, 124, 9-20. [More Information]
- Meharg, D., Rambaldini, B., Lee, V., McCowen, D., Newman, J., Longbottom, H., Eades, S., Alison, J., Dennis, S., McNab, J., Shaw, T., McKeough, Z., et al (2024). A Qualitative Study of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health Care Experiences With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Qualitative Health Research. [More Information]
- Naylor, J., Gibson, K., Mills, K., Schabrun, S., Livings, R., Dennis, S., Thom, J. (2024). A snapshot of primary care physiotherapy management of knee osteoarthritis in an Australian setting: does it align with evidence-based guidelines? Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 40(2), 347-356. [More Information]
2023
- Randall, S., White, D., Dennis, S. (2023). A collaborative primary health care model for children and young people in rural Australia: explorations of cross-sectoral leader action. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 29(6), 566-574. [More Information]
- Meharg, D., Dennis, S., McNab, J., Gwynne, K., Jenkins, C., Maguire, G., Jan, S., Shaw, T., McKeough, Z., Rambaldini, B., Lee, V., Alison, J., et al (2023). A mixed methods study of Aboriginal health workers’ and exercise physiologists’ experiences of co-designing chronic lung disease ‘yarning’ education resources. BMC Public Health, 23(1). [More Information]
- Drum, E., Kovats, A., Jones, M., Dennis, S., Naylor, J., Mills, K., Thom, J. (2023). Creaky knees: Is there a reason for concern? A qualitative study of the perspectives of people with knee crepitus. Musculoskeletal Care, 21(4), 1114-1124. [More Information]
2022
- Sanford, C., Saurman, E., Dennis, S., Lyle, D. (2022). 'What is this about? Let's play this out': The experience of integrating primary health care registered nurses with school learning and support teams. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 28(4), 321-329. [More Information]
- Pagano, L., McKeough, Z., Wootton, S., Zwar, N., Dennis, S. (2022). Accuracy of the COPD diagnostic questionnaire as a screening tool in primary care. BMC Primary Care, 23(1), 78. [More Information]
- Hobbs, K., Muscat, D., Ceprnja, D., Gibson, J., Blumenthal, C., Milad, R., Burns, C., Dennis, S., Lau, T., Flood, V. (2022). Assessing health literacy among adult outpatients attending allied health clinics in western sydney: A cross-sectional survey using a multidimensional instrument. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 33(1), 83-90. [More Information]
2021
- Sanford, C., Saurman, E., Dennis, S., Lyle, D. (2021). 'We're definitely that link': The role of school-based primary health care registered nurses in a rural community. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 27(2), 76-82. [More Information]
- Brady, B., Andary, T., Pang, S., Dennis, S., Liamputtong, P., Boland, R., Tcharkhedian, E., Jennings, M., Pavlovic, N., Zind, M., Middleton, P., et al (2021). A Mixed-Methods Investigation into Patients' Decisions to Attend an Emergency Department for Chronic Pain. Pain Medicine, 22(10), 2191-2206. [More Information]
- Dennis, S., Ball, L., Harris, M., Refshauge, K. (2021). Allied health are key to improving health for people with chronic disease: But where are the outcomes and where is the strategy? Australian Journal of Primary Health, 27(6), 437-441. [More Information]
2020
- Ansari, S., Hosseinzadeh, H., Dennis, S., Zwar, N. (2020). Activating primary care COPD patients with multi-morbidity through tailored self-management support. NPJ Primary Care Respiratory Medicine, 30(1), 12. [More Information]
- Livings, R., Naylor, J., Gibson, K., Dennis, S., Thom, J., Mills, K., Schabrun, S. (2020). Implementation of a community-based, physiotherapy-led, multidisciplinary model of care for the management of knee osteoarthritis: Protocol for a feasibility study. BMJ Open, 10(7), e039152. [More Information]
- Cheng, S., Alison, J., Stamatakis, E., Dennis, S., McKeough, Z. (2020). Patterns and Correlates of Sedentary Behaviour Accumulation and Physical Activity in People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study. COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 17(2), 156-164. [More Information]
2019
- Gu, Y., Dennis, S., Kiernan, M., Harmer, A. (2019). Aerobic exercise training may improve nerve function in type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes: A systematic review. Diabetes - Metabolism: Research and Reviews, 35(2), 1-16. [More Information]
- Al Lawati, M., Short, S., Abdulhadi, N., Panchatcharam, S., Dennis, S. (2019). Assessment of patient safety culture in primary health care in Muscat, Oman: a questionnaire -based survey. BMC Family Practice, 20(1), 1-8. [More Information]
- Paul, S., Gardner, T., Hubbard, A., Johnson, J., Canning, C., Leaver, A., Raymond, J., Dennis, S. (2019). Feasibility of the PHYZ X 2U program: a mobile and cloud-based outreach service to improve chronic disease outcomes in underserviced rural communities. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 25(6), 539-546. [More Information]
2018
- Lloyd, J., Song, H., Dennis, S., Dunbar, N., Harris, E., Harris, M. (2018). A paucity of strategies for developing health literate organisations: A systematic review. PloS One, 13(4), 1-17. [More Information]
- Reynolds, R., Dennis, S., Hasan, I., Slewa, J., Chen, W., Tian, D., Bobba, S., Zwar, N. (2018). A systematic review of chronic disease management interventions in primary care. BMC Family Practice, 19(1), 1-13. [More Information]
- Cheng, S., McKeough, Z., Alison, J., Dennis, S., Hamer, M., Stamatakis, E. (2018). Associations of total and type-specific physical activity with mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a population-based cohort study. BMC Public Health, 18(1). [More Information]
2017
- Cheng, S., Alison, J., Dennis, S., Stamatakis, E., Spencer, L., McNamara, R., Sims, S., McKeough, Z. (2017). A behaviour change intervention to reduce sedentary time in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Journal of Physiotherapy, 63(3), 182-182. [More Information]
- Ansari, S., Hosseinzadeh, H., Dennis, S., Zwar, N. (2017). Activating primary care COPD patients with multi-morbidity (APCOM) pilot project: study protocol. NPJ Primary Care Respiratory Medicine, 27(12), 1-5. [More Information]
- Gu, Y., Dennis, S. (2017). Are falls prevention programs effective at reducing the risk factors for falls in people with type-2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review with narrative synthesis. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, 31(2), 504-516. [More Information]
2016
- Dutton, S., Dennis, S., Zwar, N., Harris, M. (2016). An explorative qualitative study on acceptability of physical activity assessment instruments among primary care professionals in southern Sydney. BMC Family Practice, 17(1), 1-12. [More Information]
- McNamara, R., McKeough, Z., Mo, L., Dallimore, J., Dennis, S. (2016). Community-based exercise training for people with chronic respiratory and chronic cardiac disease: a mixed-methods evaluation. International Journal of COPD, 11(1), 2839-2850. [More Information]
- Zwar, N., Bunker, J., Reddel, H., Dennis, S., Middleton, S., Van Schayck, O., Crockett, A., Hasan, I., Hermiz, O., Vagholkar, S., Marks, G., et al (2016). Early intervention for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by practice nurse and GP teams: a cluster randomized trial. Family Practice, 33(6), 663-670. [More Information]
2015
- Lau, A., Arguel, A., Dennis, S., Liaw, S., Coiera, E. (2015). "Why Didn't it Work? Lessons From a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Web-based Personally Controlled Health Management System for Adults with Asthma. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 17(12), 1-13. [More Information]
- Dennis, S., Hetherington, S., Borodzicz, J., Hermiz, O., Zwar, N. (2015). Challenges to establishing successful partnerships in community health promotion programs: Local experiences from the national implementation of healthy eating activity and lifestyle (HEAL) program. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 26(1), 45-51. [More Information]
- Liaw, S., Kearns, R., Taggart, J., Frank, O., Lane, R., Tam, M., Dennis, S., Yu, H., Walker, C., Russell, G., et al (2015). eHealth Initiatives and Health Care Integration in GP Super Clinics: A mixed methods case study, (pp. 4 - 84). Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute.
2014
- Kirby, S., Mutimbe, M., Vagholkar, S., Bunker, J., Dennis, S., Liaw, S. (2014). How integrated are services for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? Perceptions of patients and health care providers. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 20(2), 158-161. [More Information]
- Maneze, D., Dennis, S., Chen, H., Taggart, J., Vagholkar, S., Bunker, J., Liaw, S. (2014). Multidisciplinary care: experience of patients with complex needs. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 20(1), 20-26. [More Information]
- Ansari, S., Hosseinzadeh, H., Dennis, S., Zwar, N. (2014). Patients' perspectives on the impact of a new COPD diagnosis in the face of multimorbidity: A qualitative study. NPJ Primary Care Respiratory Medicine, 24, 1-6. [More Information]
2013
- Kirby, S., Dennis, S., Bazeley, P., Harris, M. (2013). Activating patients with chronic disease for self-management: comparison of self-managing patients with those managing by frequent readmissions to hospital. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 19(3), 198-206. [More Information]
- Arguel, A., Lau, A., Dennis, S., Liaw, S., Coiera, E. (2013). An Internet Intervention to Improve Asthma Management: Rationale and Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2(2), 1-10. [More Information]
- Dennis, S., Harris, M., Lloyd, J., Powell Davies, G., Faruqi, N., Zwar, N. (2013). Do people with existing chronic conditions benefit from telephone coaching? A rapid review. Australian Health Review, 37(3), 381-388. [More Information]
2012
- Bunker, J., Reddel, H., Dennis, S., Middleton, S., vanSchayck, C., Crockett, A., Hasan, I., Hermiz, O., Vagholkar, S., Marks, G., et al (2012). A pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial of early intervention for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by practice nurse-general practitioner teams: Study Protocol. Implementation Science, 7(1), 1-10. [More Information]
- Taggart, J., Williams, A., Dennis, S., Newall, A., Shortus, T., Zwar, N., Denney-Wilson, E., Harris, M. (2012). A systematic review of interventions in primary care to improve health literacy for chronic disease behavioral risk factors. BMC Family Practice, 13, 49. [More Information]
- Liaw, S., Chen, H., Maneze, D., Taggart, J., Dennis, S., Vagholkar, S., Bunker, J. (2012). Health reform: Is routinely collected electronic information fit for purpose? EMA - Emergency Medicine Australasia, 24(1), 57-63. [More Information]
2011
- Kirby, S., Dennis, S., Jayasinghe, U., Harris, M. (2011). Frequent emergency attenders: is there a better way? Australian Health Review, 35(4), 462-467. [More Information]
- Williams, A., Dennis, S., Harris, M. (2011). How effective are the linkages between self-management programmes and primary care providers, especially for disadvantaged patients? Chronic Illness, 7(1), 20-30. [More Information]
- Dennis, S., Harris, M., Lloyd, J., Powell Davies, G., Faruqi, N., Zwar, N. (2011). Telephone coaching models to support chronic disease management in multi-morbid and vulnerable populations: a rapid review, (pp. 5 - 114). Haymarket, Sydney, Australia: The Sax Institute.
2010
- Dennis, S., Zwar, N., Marks, G. (2010). Diagnosing asthma in adults in primary care: a qualitative study of Australian GPs' experiences. Primary Care Respiratory Journal, 19(1), 52-56. [More Information]
- Liaw, S., Lau, A., Dennis, S. (2010). Engaging the online social networking revolution. Australian Family Physician, 39(11), 1-2.
- Kirby, S., Dennis, S., Jayasinghe, U., Harris, M. (2010). Patient related factors in frequent readmissions: the influence of condition, access to services and patient choice. BMC Health Services Research, 10, 1-8. [More Information]
2009
- Tang, G., Dennis, S., Comino, E., Zwar, N. (2009). Anxiety and depression in Chinese patients attending an Australian GP clinic. Australian Family Physician, 38(7), 552-555.
- Harris, M., Chan, B., Dennis, S. (2009). Coordination of care for patients with chronic disease. Medical Journal of Australia, 191(2), 85-86.
- Harris, M., Chan, B., Dennis, S. (2009). Coordination of care for patients with chronic disease (In Reply to Letter). Medical Journal of Australia, 191(8), 471-472.
Selected Grants
2024
- National Multidisciplinary Primary Care Research, Policy and Advocacy Consortium, Dennis S, Department of Health and Aged Care (Federal - administered by NHMRC)/MRFF - EPCDRI & PHCRI - Multidisciplinary Models of Primary Care Grant Opportunity
2023
- Rewarding Research 2024, Dennis S, Faculty of Medicine and Health/FMH Rewarding Research Success
- Charting the course of Parkinson's disease and referral to allied health: Insights from people with Parkinson's disease, Wong C, Paul S, Dennis S, Allen N, Physiotherapy Research Foundation/Seeding Grant