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Dr Sean Docking

2021 Deeble Institute Scholar 

Research Fellow, Monash Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Cabrini Insititute

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My journey to the Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research began with the same aim that all health researchers have; hoping that our research leads to improving patient outcomes and the health sector. Affecting health policy decisions is one example of how we can achieve this goal. The Deeble Summer Research Scholarship has provided an opportunity to discuss my research with policy-makers; an experience that I did not think I would have early in my career.

When I started my PhD investigating tendon injuries with ultrasound imaging in race horses, health policy was not a focus for me at this stage. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to work with elite football players and apply the imaging techniques that I had learnt. This was an unique environment for me to understand the role and value of diagnostic imaging for tendon injuries and other musculoskeletal conditions. The main finding from my PhD found that damaged Achilles tendons adapt by getting thicker and building healthy tissue to compensate for the injured area. People are often incorrectly told that their tendon is torn, creating the idea that their injured tendon is a rope that is hanging on by a thread that could rupture at any time. This error in diagnosis can lead to patients choosing ineffective and costly treatments.

My work with the Deeble Institute is focused on diagnostic errors related to medical imaging. The three main policy focuses of my Issues brief are the lack of data on the extent of diagnostic errors, referring practices for medical imaging that increase the risk of diagnostic errors, and improving communication of imaging findings between health practitioners. This scholarship, coinciding with my completion of a Masters of Health Economics, has been instrumental in understanding key health system and policy issues. My current post-doctoral position at the Monash Department of Clinical Epidemiology at the Cabrini Institute is focusing on the clinical use and value of diagnostic imaging for musculoskeletal conditions.

Working with the Deeble Institute and having the opportunity to discuss my work with policy-makers has been an invaluable experience that has provided a strong foundation for me to continue to advance the field through future research. As an early career researcher that wishes to have an impact through health policy, this scholarship has been one of the best experiences I have undertaken in recent years.

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More information on the scholarships program can be found here

The Deeble Summer Scholarship is supported by HESTA.