Jean Spinks

Position: Research Fellow and PhD candidate

Email: jean.spinks@monash.edu

Qualifications: Bachelor of Pharmacy (Sydney University); Master of Public Health (Monash University); Master of Health Sciences (Public Health Practice) (La Trobe University); Grad Dip Languages (Indonesian) (Monash University)

Supervisors: Prof Bruce Hollingsworth; Associate Prof Duncan Mortimer

Jean's PhD thesis focuses on the economic implications of complementary and alternative medicine use, particulalry in people with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This forms part of a larger project known as CAMelot (Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Economics, Lifestyle and Other Therapeutic approaches for chronic conditions).

http://www.med.monash.edu.au/spppm/research/sshr/camelot/thestudy.html

Prior to beginning her PhD, Jean was working at CHE, undertaking economic evaluations of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) submissions.  Her research interests also include health system design and evaluation, with a special interest in pharmaceutical systems. Her international experience includes work in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Tonga.

Recent Publications:

Spinks J, Hollingsworth B (2011). Policy implications of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in Australia: data from the National Health Survey. J Altern Comp Med, forthcoming.

Spinks J, Richardson J (2011). Paying the right price for pharmaceuticals: A case study of why the comparator matters. Australian Health Review, forthcoming.

Spinks J, Hollingsworth B (2009). Are the economics of complementary and alternative medicine different to conventional medicine? Expert Rev Pharmacoeconomics Outcomes Res 9(1): 1-4.

Spinks J, Hollingsworth B (2009). Cross-country comparisons of technical efficiency of health production: a demonstration of pitfalls. Applied Economics, 41(4): 417-427.

Inder B, Spinks J, Srivastava P, Sweeny R (2009). Modelling costs and efficiency of primary health care services in Papua New Guinea. Asian Development Bank (ADB), Technical Assistance program TA4882, Manila.

Recent Presentations:

Spinks J, Hollingsworth B. The relationship between use of complementary & alternative medicine & conventional medicines for people with type 2 diabetes & cardiovascular disease. American Society of Health Economists Conference, Ithaca NY, June 20-23, 2010.

Spinks J, Srivastava P. The relationship between use of complementary & alternative medicine & conventional medicines for people with type 2 diabetes & cardiovascular disease. European Conference on Health Economics, Helsinki, Finland, 7-10 July 2010.