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Shane Thomas

PhD, MAPS

Telephone: +61 3 990 24519
Fax: +61 3 8575 2233

Email: Shane.Thomas@monash.edu

Notting Hill Campus
Bldg 1, 270 Ferntree Gully Road
Notting Hill VIC 3168

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Biography

Shane Thomas is Professor and Director of Primary Care Research in the School of Primary Health Care Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. He is also co-Director of the Melbourne Monash Problem Gambling Treatment Research Centre.

Professor Thomas’ previous posts include Research Professor and Director of Research and Innovation in Health Sciences at Sydney University and Professor of Public Health and Research Director of the Australian Institute for Primary Care at La Trobe University.

Professor Thomas has written over 150 refereed publications and 4 books. He has led the development of several high profile measurement systems in national and international use including the Australian Commonwealth Work Ability Tables, the Thomas Post Acute Care Risk Screen and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ Patient Satisfaction Survey Tool and Chinese VPSM. He is a Deputy Editor to the Chinese Hospital Presidents’ Guide and a contributing editor to the Australian Health Review and the Chinese Journal of General Practice. He is currently President and Chair of the Board of the Heart Research Centre.

Professor Thomas’ research interests include:

  • Decision support tools and systems
  • The development of key performance indicators and outcome measurement tools in research and evaluation
  • Hospital and primary care service quality improvement
  • Chronic disease and its clinical and self management
  • Cultural factors in healthy ageing
  • Problem gambling treatment research
  • Research in community and primary care services

Professor Thomas has supervised 30 higher degree students to completion.


Recent publications

Books

2008

Polgar, S., & Thomas, S. A. (2008). Introduction to research in the health sciences (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

2007

Zhu, Z., & Thomas, S. A. (2007). Chinese Hospital President's Guide. Beijing: People's Publishers House.

2006

Browning, C. J., & Thomas, S. A. (2006). Behavioural Change: An evidence based handbook for social and public health. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

Book chapters

2010

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., & Browning, C. J. (2010). Chronic disease management in community health. In Z. X. Li, Y. Zhang & H. Yang (Eds.), Community Health Services Management. Beijing: People's Military Medicine Publisher.

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., & Browning, C. J. (2010). Patient involvement in quality improvement for community health. In Z. X. Li, Y. Zhang & H. Yang (Eds.), Community Health Services Management. Beijing: People's Military Medicine Publisher

2009

Browning, C., Thomas, S., & Yang, H. (2009). Sharing health in community and health self-management. In Z. X. Li, Y. Zhang & H. Yang (Eds.), Community Health Servces Management (pp. 19-25). Beijing: Beijing People's Military Medical Press.

Thomas, S., Browning, C., & Yang, H. (2009). Community health service management in Australia. In Z. X. Li, Y. Zhang & H. Yang (Eds.), Community Health Servce and Community Development (pp. 280-289). Beijing: People's Military Medical Press.

Thomas, S., Browning, C., Yang, H., Li, Z. X., & Zhang, T. (2009). Patient participation in continuous community health service quality improvement: a case of international cooperation. In Z. X. Li, Y. Zhang & H. Yang (Eds.), Community Health Servces Management. Beijing: People's Mlitary Medical Press.

Yang, H., Thomas, S., & Browning, C. (2009). Community health and community development. In Z. X. Li, Y. Zhang & H. Yang (Eds.), Community Health Services Management (pp. 1-4). Beijing: Beijing People's Military Medical Press.

Yang, H., Thomas, S., & Browning, C. (2009). Community health service management in the USA. In Z. X. Li, Y. Zhang & H. Yang (Eds.), Community Health Servces Management (pp. 298-306). Beijing: People's Military Medical Press.

Yang, H., Thomas, S., & Browning, C. (2009). Roles of functional community, government and civil society in community health development. In Z. X. Li, Y. Zhang & H. Yang (Eds.), Community Health Servces Management (pp. 5-12). Beijing: People's Military Medical Press.

Yang, H., Zhang, T., Thomas, S., & Browning, C. (2009). Community health service management in the European Union. In Z. X. Li, Y. Zhang & H. Yang (Eds.), Community Health Servces Management (pp. 307-314). Beijing: People's Military Medical Press.

Yang, H., Zhang, T., Thomas, S., & Browning, C. (2009). Community health management in Japan. In Z. X. Li, Y. Zhang & H. Yang (Eds.), Community Health Servces Management (pp. 290-297). Beijing: People's Military Medical Press.

2007

Yang, H., & Thomas, S. A. (2007). Measuring patient satisfaction in hospital. In Z. Zhu & S. A. Thomas (Eds.), Chinese Hospital President Guidebook. Beijing: People's Publishers House.

Yang, H., & Thomas, S. A. (2007). Project design for hospital management. In Z. Zhu & S. A. Thomas (Eds.), Chinese Hospital President Guidebook Beijing: People's Publishers House.

Yang, H., & Thomas, S. A. (2007). Project evaluation for hospital management. In Z. Zhu & S. A. Thomas (Eds.), Chinese Hospital President Guidebook Beijng: People's Publishers House.

Reports

2008

Thomas, S. A., & Jackson, A. C. (2008). Problem gambling and depression: a prevalence study. Retrieved from http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=6.718.

2007

Jackson, A. C., Goode, L., Smith, S., Anderson, C., & Thomas, S. A. (2007). Problem gambling: A guide for Victorian schools. Retrieved from http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/DOJ+Internet/Home/Gambling+and+Racing/Problem+Gambling/JUSTICE+-+Problem+Gambling+-+A+Guide+For+Victorian+Schools+-+PDF.

2006

Thomas, S. A., Nay, R., Moore, K., Fonda, D., & Hawthorne, G. (2006). Continence Outcomes Measurement Suite: A project of the National Continence Management Strategy. Retrieved from http://www.bladderbowel.gov.au/ncms/projects/information/outcomemeasure.htm.

Journal articles

2011

Anderson, C., Cowlishaw, S., Dowling, N., Jackson, A., Lorains, F., Merkouris, S., Misso, M. L., Radermacher, H., & Thomas, S. (2011). Psychological interventions for the treatment of pathological and problem gambling (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(1). doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008936.

Anderson, C., Cowlishaw, S., Dowling, N., Jackson, A., Lorains, F., Merkouris, S., Misso, M. L., Radermacher, H., & Thomas, S. (2011). Pharmacological interventions for the treatment of pathological and problem gambling (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(1). doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008936.

Browning, C., Chapman, A., Cowlishaw, S., Li, Z., Thomas, S., Yang, H., & Zhang, T. (2011). The Happy Life ClubTM study protocol: A cluster randomised controlled trial of a type 2 diabetes health coach intervention. BMC Public Health, 11(90).

Considine, J., Botti, M., & Thomas, S. A. (2011). Emergency department management of exacerbation of COPD: Audit of compliance with evidence-based guidelines. Internal Medicine Journal, 41(1A), 48-54. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2009.02065.x

Lorains, F., Cowlishaw, S., & Thomas, S. A. (2011). Prevalence of Comorbid Disorders in Problem and Pathological Gambling: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Population Surveys. Addiction, 106(3), 490-498. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03300.x

2010

Bird, S. R., Radermacher, H., Sims, J., Feldman, S., Browning, C., & Thomas, S. (2010). Factors affecting walking activity of older people from culturally diverse groups: An Australian experience. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 13(4), 417-423.

Browning, C., Thomas, S., Yang, H., Chapman, A., Zhang, T., & Li, Z. (2010). Happy Life ClubTM: the rationale and protocol. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 14(1A), 1-5.

Jackson, A. C., Wynne, H., Dowling, N., Tomnay, J. E., & Thomas, S. A. (2010). Using the CPGI to Determine Problem Gambling Prevalence in Australia: Measurement Issues. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 8(4), 570-582. doi: 10.1007/s11469-009-9238-9

Kendig, H., Browning, C., Pedlow, R., Wells, Y., & Thomas, S. (2010). Health, social and lifestyle factors in entrey to residential aged care: An Australian longitudinal analysis. Age and Ageing, 39(3), 342-349.

Yang, H., Thomas, S., & Browning, C. (2010). Public Participation in Medical Service Quality Improvement: International Experience and Chinese Perspective. Chinese Health Quality Management, 17(2), 108-112.

2009

Bird, S., Kurowski, W., Feldman, S., Browning, C., Lau, R., Radermacher, H., Thomas, S., & Sims, J. (2009). The influence of the built environment and other factors on the physical activity of older women from different ethnic communities. Journal of Women and Aging, 21(1), 33-47.

Browning, C., Thomas, S., Sims, J., Lindner, H., & Kelly, J. (2009). Promoting long term behaviour change in older people with type 2 Diabetes: The Good Life Club self-management program. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 12(12A), 2099-2104.

Considine, J., Thomas, S. A., & Potter, R. (2009). Predictors of critical care admission in emergency department patients triaged as low to moderate urgency. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(4), 818-827.

Jackson, A. C., Enderby, K., O'Toole, M., Thomas, S. A., Ashley, D., Rosenfield, J. V., Simos, E., Tokatlion, N., & Gedye, R. (2009). The Role of Social Support in Families Coping with Childhood Brain Tumour. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 27(1), 1-24.

Thomas, S., Chen, N., Browning, C., & Yang, H. (2009). International research on adverse drug events and implications for Chinese hospital quality improvement. Chinese Health Quality Management, 16(6), 84-88.

Thomas, S. A., Browning, C. J., Yang, H., Zhang, T., & Li, Z. X. (2009). Breaking the bottleneck of behavior change: Experiences of Australia's Good Life Club and their implications for Chinese community health Journal of Chinese General Practice, 12(8A), 1396-1399.

Yang, H., Thomas, S., & Browning, C. (2009). Enhancing discharge service quality to improve continuity of medical service. Chinese Health Quality Management, 16(3), 119-123.

Yang, H., & Thomas, S. A. (2009). Referral documents - a key indicator of general practice quality Journal of Chinese General Practice, 12(3A), 359-360.

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., & Browning, C. J. (2009). Textbook quality factors for effective general practice training. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 12(8A), 1364-1367.

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., & Browning, C. J. (2009). Patient journeys and referral behavior: An Australian story and its implications for China Journal of Chinese General Practice, 12(1A), 3-10.

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., & Browning, C. J. (2009). Improving the quality of general practice educators. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 12(9A), 1567-1569.

2008

Chen, N., Yang, H., Browning, C., & Thomas, S. A. (2008). Evolution of Nursing Practice in Australia 2: An Historical Perspective and Implications for Developing Community Nursing. Journal of General Practice, 11(5A), 723-726.

Dowling, N., Jackson, A. C., & Thomas, S. A. (2008). Behavioural Interventions in the Treatment of Pathological Gambling: A review of activity scheduling and desensitisation. Journal of Behavioural Consultation and Therapy, 4(2), 172-187.

Gao, W., Yang, H., Ying, L. P., & Thomas, S. A. (2008). Value of PKU-VPSM tools in comprehensive and continuing quality improvement of medical services. Chinese Hospital Management, 28(10), 21-24.

Jackson, A. C., Dowling, N., Thomas, S. A., Bond, L., & Patton, G. (2008). Adolescent Gambling Behaviour and Attitudes: A Prevalence Study and Correlates in an Australian Population. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 6(3), 325-352.

Jackson, A. C., Dowling, N., Thomas, S. A., & Holt, T. (2008). Treatment Careers in Problem Gambling: Factors Associated with First Treatment and Treatment Re-entry. Addiction Research and Theory, 16(6), 618-632.

Kui, T., Ji, X., Yang, H., Guan, J., Xing, M., Thomas, S. A., & Li, P. (2008). Inpatient Satisfaction Monitoring and Health Care Continuous Quality Improvement In Beijing Cancer Hospital. Chinese Cancer Bulletin, 17(3), 189-192.

Kui, T., Yang, H., Guan, J., Ji, X., Yu, X., Liu, J., & Thomas, S. A. (2008). Monitoring Patient Experience and Satisfaction for Improving Quality of Care in the Beijing Cancer Hospital Chinese Hospital Management. Chinese Hospital Management, 28(3), 34-37.

Ma, X. M., Yang, H., Gao, W., & Thomas, S. A. (2008). Patient experience and satisfaction monitoring in three major general hospitals in Beijing: A mission for continuing quality improvement. Chinese Hospital Management, 28(10), 13-16.

Thomas, S. A., Piterman, L., & Jackson, A. C. (2008). Problem gambling: what do general practitioners need to know and do about it? The Medical Journal of Australia, 189(3), 135-136.

Westphal, J., Jackson, A. C., Thomas, S. A., & Blaszczynski, A. (2008). A Review of Pharmacological Approaches to Intervention in Pathological Gambling. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 8(2), 192-207.

Yang, H., Feng, L., Zhang, T., Thomas, S. A., & Browning, C. (2008). Prevention of Violence in Healthcare Settings: Australian experiences and perspectives for China. Chinese Hospital Management, 28(5), 35-37.

Yang, H., & Thomas, S. A. (2008). The Challenges of Climate and Environmental Change for the Australian Health System and implications for China. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 11(3A), 367-368.

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., & Browning, C. (2008). Community-based Intervention Strategy: A policy analysis of dementia management. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 11(8A), 1323-1325.

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., Browning, C., Feng, L., Cheng, Y., & Tiefu, K. (2008). Gender Analysis in Patient's Evaluation of Hospital Service Quality and Management. Chinese Health Quality Management, 15(1), 36-41.

Ying, L. P., Thomas, S. A., Ma, X. M., & Yang, H. (2008). Exploring the value of patient experience and satisfaction monitoring. Chinese Hospital Management, 28(10), 17-20.

2007

Browning, C., Qiu, Z., Zhang, T., Sharifian, F., Yang, H., & Thomas, S. A. (2007). How the elderly conceptualise successful and healthy aging. Journal of General Practice, 10(15), 1226-1228.

Browning, C., Zeqi, C., Zhang, T., Sharifian, F., Yang, H., & Thomas, S. A. (2007). Cross cultural conceptualisations of successful and healthy ageing: Australia and China. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 10, 1226-1231.

Cheng, Y., Liu, F., Thomas, S. A., Yang, H., & Zhang, T. (2007). Comparison of Patient Satisfaction and Experience Survey through VPSM in Two Hospitals in Beijing. Journal of Chinese Health Quality Management, 14(4), 42-46.

Considine, J., Botti, M., & Thomas, S. (2007). The effects of education on hypothetical and actual oxygen administration decisions. Nurse Education Today, 27(6), 651-660.

Considine, J., Botti, M., & Thomas, S. A. (2007). Do knowledge and experience have specific roles in triage decision-making? Academic Emergency Medicine, 14(8), 722-726.

Li, X. X., Zhang, T., Lui, L., X.F, L., Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., & Browning, C. (2007). Implications for community health quality management: Lessons from patient experience and satisfaction surveys of general practice quality. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 21, 1769-1771.

Ren, Y., Zhang, T., Thomas, S. A., Browning, C., & Yang, H. (2007). An investigation of patient experiences of community health services in Beijing. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 21, 1764-1767.

Thomas, S. A. (2007). Using patient satisfaction surveys to improve quality of community health. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 10(16), 1315-1316.

Thomas, S. A. (2007). Patient Satisfaction Measurement Tool for Improving Community Health Services. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 10(16), 1315-1316.

Thomas, S. A., Yang, H., Browning, C., Zhang, T., X.F., L., Ren, Y., & Li, X. X. (2007). Quality of care in different community health facilities in China: From the patients' point of view. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 21, 1760-1764.

Unsworth, C., Wells, Y., Browning, C., Thomas, S. A., & Kendig, H. (2007). To continue, modify or relinquish driving:  Findings from a longitudinal study of healthy ageing. Gerontology, 53, 423-431.

Yang, H., Browning, C., Thomas, S. A., & Sharifian, F. (2007). How to Find their Beliefs through Metaphor Analysis in Community Health Service Research. Journal of General Practice, 10(20), 1700-1703.

Yang, H., & Thomas, S. A. (2007). Political process of Australian universal health insurance. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 10(5), 345-348.

Yang, H., & Thomas, S. A. (2007). Civil society participation in governance of community health services. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 10(3), 174-178.

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., Browning, C., & Spike, N. (2007). General Practice Education and Training: Could China Adopt Australian Apprenticing Model? . Journal of Chinese General Practice, 10(13), 1046-1051.

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., Browning, C., Xiuhua, G., & Aimin, G. (2007). New Perspectives of Measurement Tool Development: General Practice Satisfaction Questionnaire as an Example. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 10(8), 603-606.

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., Browning, C., & Zhang, T. (2007). Lessons Learned from the History of General Practice Development. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 10(11), 863-867.

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., Ma, X., & Ying, L. (2007). Patient Experience and Satisfaction Monitor on Hospital Inpatient Services. Chinese Medical Innovation, 10, 28-33.

Zhang, T., Ren, Y., Li, Z., Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., & Browning, C. (2007). Improving Measurement Tool of Monitoring Patient Experience and Satisfaction on Community Health Care: Issues and Suggestions. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 10(21), 1767-1769.

2006

Browning, C., Kendig, H., Thomas, S. A., & Yang, H. (2006). Healthy ageing in Australia: Policy responses and research opportunities. Chinese General Practice, 19, 1575-1578.

Considine, J., Botti, M., & Thomas, S. A. (2006). The effect of specific educational preparation on emergency nurses' clinical decisions regarding supplemental oxygen administration. Nursing and Health Sciences, 8(2), 73-80.

Liu, F., Yang, H., Zhang, T., & Thomas, S. A. (2006). Patient Satisfaction and Experience in a Hospital of Beijing - A New Measurement Tool and Comparative Results Chinese Hospital Management, 26(1), 61-64.

Malliaris, P., Cook, J., Ptasznik, R., & Thomas, S. A. (2006). Prospective study of change in patellar tendon abnormality on imaging and pain over a volleyball season. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 40, 272-274.

Yang, H., Anderson, C., & Thomas, S. A. (2006). Community Health Service in Australia: Concept and Background. Chinese Journal of General Practice, 9(21), 1776-1777.

Yang, H., Anderson, C., & Thomas, S. A. (2006). Frameworks and approaches to service quality in Australian general practice. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 9(11), 869-874.

Yang, H., Anderson, C., & Thomas, S. A. (2006). Roles of Australian government and professional bodies in improving quality of general practice. Journal of Chinese General Practice, 9(11), 875-877, 890.

Yang, H., Browning, C., & Thomas, S. A. (2006). Healthy, active and productive ageing: Strategic themes for policy and community services in Australia. Chinese General Practice, 19, 1571-1575.

Yang, H., Liu, C., & Thomas, S. A. (2006). The roles of Australian Governments and professional bodies in improving the quality of General Practice. Chinese General Practice, 9(11), 875-877.

Yang, H., Liu, C., & Thomas, S. A. (2006). Frameworks and approaches to service quality in Australian General Practice. Chinese General Practice, 9(11), 869-874.

Yang, H., & Thomas, S. A. (2006). Patients' experience and satisfaction survey in General Practice. Chinese General Practice, 9(11), 878-880.

Yang, H., & Thomas, S. A. (2006). What is Quality of Community Health Care? Chinese Journal of General Practice, 9(14), 1135-1138.

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., Legge, D., Zhang, T., & Liu, F. (2006). Theories and experiences of health service quality management in Australia. Journal of Chinese Health Quality Management, 13(4), 4-7.

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., Zhang, T., & Feng, L. (2006). Understanding social and political foundations of quality management of health services in Australia. Journal of Chinese Health Quality Management, 13(4), 1-4.

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., Zhang, T., & Feng, L. (2006). Lessons from Australian Patient Satisfaction Monitoring. Journal of Chinese Health Quality Management, 13(4), 8-10.

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., Zhang, T., & Feng, L. (2006). Values of Australian patient satisfaction monitoring on political and technical perspectives. Journal of Chinese Health Quality Management, 13(4), 11-13.

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., Zhang, T., & Feng, L. (2006). Methodology of Victorian patient satisfaction monitoring of inpatient services. Journal of Chinese Health Quality Management, 13(4), 14-18.

Yang, H., Thomas, S. A., Zhang, T., & Feng, L. (2006). Selecting and developing measurement tools for hospital quality management. Journal of Chinese Health Quality Management, 13(4), 18-21.

2005

Considine, J., Botti, M., & Thomas, S. (2005). The effect of a self directed learning package on emergency nurses' knowledge of respiratory physiology, assessment of oxygenation and use of supplemental oxygen. Nursing and Health Sciences, 7(3), 199-208.

Considine, J., Botti, M., & Thomas, S. A. (2005). Design format validity and reliability of multiple choice questions for use in nursing research. Collegian, 12(1), 19-24.

Jackson, A. C., & Thomas, S. A. (2005). Clients' perspectives of, and experiences with, selected Australian problem gambling services. Journal of Gambling Issues, 14, published on-line at <http://www.camh.net/egambling/index.html>.

Jackson, A. C., Thomas, S. A., Holt, T., & Thomason, N. (2005). Change and continuity in help-seeking problem gambling population: A five-year record. Journal of Gambling Issues, 13, (published on-line at <http://www.camh.net/egambling/index.html>).

Unsworth, C., Lovell, R. K., Terrington, N. S., & Thomas, S. A. (2005). Review of tests contributing to the OT off-road driver assessment. Australian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 52(1), 57-74.

Yang, H., Liu, F., Zhang, T., & Thomas, S. A. (2005). Problems with patient satisfaction surveys and suggestions. Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration, 21(7), 437-441.