Alice Cairns
- alice.cairns@jcu.edu.au
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3943-1444- Senior Research Fellow
- MCRRH Research
Projects
12
Publications
49
Awards
0
Biography
Dr Alice Cairns is a Senior Research Fellow with the Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health, James Cook University and the Allied Health Rural Research Lead, Queensland Health. Based in Atherton, she works across Queensland with a focus on North West and Far North Queensland region, particularly the Torres and Cape region where she lived for 6 years until 2020. She graduated as an Occupational Therapist in 2002 and practiced for 12 years, specialising in mental health rehabilitation before moving into academia. Alice was awarded her PhD in 2017 from the Queensland University of Technology, her PhD research focused on youth mental health and factors associated with goal setting, help-seeking and work and study outcomes.
Since 2017, her research interests have broaded to focus on health service research and exploring innovative models of service delivery for remote communities. She is on the leadership team for the Northern Australian Research Network (NARN) and the Centre for Rural, Remote and Tropical Health Systems (JCU). She has a particular interest in partnering with rural clinicians to grow rural research capacity and solve rural and remote health service challenges and regularly facilitates research translation and research development courses.
She is currently supervising 4 PhD student (3 primary). She is open to hearing from any prospective student interested in a rural research career.
Research
Research Interests
- Rural and remote health service improvement
- Allied health and community rehabilitation
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
- Mental health and transition periods
- Impact of cognitive capacity on occupational performance
Projects
Providing kidney care close to home: Evaluating the Cape York Kidney Care model. (Old ID 27763)
02 Aug 2022 - 02 Aug 2024
Evaluation of QAIHC Sexual Health and Wellbeing Project. (Old ID 27405)
22 Oct 2021 - 22 Jan 2023
Economic Assessment of disability models of care in remote communities (Old ID 27272)
11 Jun 2021 - 11 Jun 2022
Evaluation framework for community rehabilitation services in remote northern Australia. (Old ID 26761)
13 Feb 2020 - 30 Jun 2022
Evaluation framework for community rehabilitation services in remote northern Australia (Old ID 26713)
01 Jan 2020 - 31 Dec 2020
Teaching
Research Advisor Accreditation
Advisor Type
Primary
Activities
Associations
Employment
Output
Rothwell, Michelle; Carlisle, Karen; Cairns, Alice; Wallace, Valda; McDermott, Karl (2025) 'Pharmacy practice and First Peoples health equity: A scoping review'. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 21 (11):842-856. [DOI]
Calleja, Luke; Glass, Beverley; Taylor, Selina; Neville, Kisha; Brown, Leanne; Miller, Andrea; Cairns, Alice (2025) 'Sick Day Management Plans for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples With Chronic Kidney Disease on the Cape York Peninsula of Australia: Health Workers' Perspectives'. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 33 (1). [DOI]
Cairns, Alice; Campbell, Narelle; Gray, Malama; Mauger, Debby; Rissel, Chris; Yunupingu, Murphy Dhayirra; Rodda, Danielle; Hince, Chris; O’hara, Amy; Stothers, Kylie (2025) 'Preparing Allied Health Students for Culturally Responsive Interprofessional Practice in Remote Northern Australia'. Student Success, 16 (1):27-37. [DOI]
Cairns, Alice; Barker, Ruth (2025) 'Community Rehabilitation for Rural and Remote Australia: Measuring What Matters Based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF): A Scoping Review'. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 33 (2). [DOI]
Campbell, Narelle; Roseleur, Jackie; Karnon, Jon; Hince, Chris; Cairns, Alice; Stothers, Kylie; Rissel, Chris (2025) 'A Cost Comparison From a Health Service Perspective of Three Allied Health Models of Care for Remote Australia: Student-Assisted Services, Fly-In Fly-Out Services and Services Provided by a Resident Clinician'. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 33 (3). [DOI]
Oribin, Jacky; Fatima, Yaqoot; Seaton, Catherine; Solomon, Shaun; Khan, Maureen; Cairns, Alice (2024) 'Discharge against medical advice in rural and remote emergency departments: views of healthcare providers'. Rural and Remote Health, 24 . [DOI]
Nasal high flow therapy in remote hospitals: Guideline development using a modified Delphi technique
2024
West, Sally; Franklin, Donna; Harvey, Nichole; Cairns, Alice (2024) 'Nasal high flow therapy in remote hospitals: Guideline development using a modified Delphi technique'. Rural and Remote Health, 24 (1). [DOI]
Muller, Jessica; Devine, Sue; Geia, Lynore; Cairns, Alice; Sothers, Kylie; Gibson, Paul; Murray, Donna (2024) 'Audit tools for culturally safe and responsive healthcare practices with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: a scoping review'. BMJ Global Health, 9 . [DOI]
Sarovich, Emma; Lowrie, Daniel; Geia, Lynore; Kris, Sylvia; Cairns, Alice (2024) 'Different meanings… what we want in our lives… a qualitative exploration of the experience of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples in a co-designed community rehabilitation service'. Disability and Rehabilitation, 46 (2):354-361. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Implementation of nasal high flow therapy for infants with bronchiolitis: An integrative review
2024
West, Sally; Cairns, Alice; Campbell, Sandy; Harvey, Nichole (2024) 'Implementation of nasal high flow therapy for infants with bronchiolitis: An integrative review'. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 41 (4). [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Fatima, Khadija; Varela, Sharon; Fatima, Yaqoot; Lindsay, Daniel; Gray, Malama; Cairns, Alice (2024) 'Impact of sleep on educational outcome of Indigenous Australian children: A systematic review'. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 32 (4):672-683. [DOI]
Cairns, Alice; Rodda, Danielle; Wymarra, Frances; Bird, Katrina (2024) 'Healthy ageing in remote Cape York: a co-designed Integrated Allied Health Service Model'. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 30 . [DOI]
Calleja, Luke; Glass, Beverley D.; Cairns, Alice; Taylor, Selina (2023) 'Pharmacist-Led Interventions for Medication Adherence in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Scoping Review'. Pharmacy, 11 (6). [DOI]
Hamilton, Yasuchiyo; Cairns, Alice; Jones, Rhondda (2023) 'Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary care delivery in a remote Aboriginal community'. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 29 (5):416-421. [DOI]
Miller, Andrea; Brown, Leanne; Tamu, Clara; Cairns, Alice (2023) 'Cape York Kidney Care: service description and baseline characteristics of a client-centred multidisciplinary specialist kidney health service in remote Australia'. BMC Health Services Research, 23 . [DOI]
Cairns, Alice; Geia, Lynore; Kris, Sylvia; Armstrong, Elizabeth; O'Hara, Amy; Rodda, Danielle; McDermott, Robyn; Barker, Ruth (2022) 'Developing a community rehabilitation and lifestyle service for a remote Indigenous community'. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44 (16):4266-4274. [DOI]
Taylor, Selina; Cairns, Alice; Glass, Beverley (2022) 'Expanded pharmacy practice implementation: lessons from remote practice'. Pharmacy, 10 (1). [DOI]
Taylor, Selina; Cairns, Alice; Glass, Beverley Dawn (2022) 'Feasibility, accessibility and acceptability a pharmacist-led ear health intervention at rural community pharmacies (LISTEN UP): a mixed-methods study in Queensland, Australia'. BMJ Open, 12 (4). [DOI]
Taylor, Selina; Cairns, Alice; Solomon, Shaun; Glass, Beverley (2021) 'Community pharmacist interventions in ear health: a scoping review'. Primary Health Care Research and Development, 22 . [DOI]
O'sullivan, Belinda; Gurney, Tiana; Cairns, Alice (2021) 'Consensus-based framework for the growth and sustainability of rural health research'. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 29 (4):563-567. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Taylor, Selina; Cairns, Alice; Glass, Beverley (2021) 'Expanded practice in rural community pharmacy in Australia: pharmacists’ perspectives'. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 51 (1):43-53. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Rural pharmacists and stakeholders perspectives of expanded pharmacy practice: a descriptive study
2021
Taylor, Selina Maree; Cairns, Alice; Glass, Beverley D. (2021) 'Rural pharmacists and stakeholders perspectives of expanded pharmacy practice: a descriptive study'. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 29 (3):341-353. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Taylor, Selina; Cairns, Alice; Glass, Beverley (2021) 'Developing an ear health intervention for rural community pharmacy: Application of the precede-proceed model'. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (12). [DOI]
Taylor, Selina; Cairns, Alice; Glass, Beverley (2021) 'Consumer perspectives of expanded practice in rural community pharmacy'. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 17 (2):362-367. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Taylor, Selina; Cairns, Alice; Glass, Beverley (2021) 'Expanded practice in rural community pharmacy: a macro-, meso and micro-level perspective'. Rural and Remote Health, 21 (3).
Taylor, Selina; Cairns, Alice; Glass, Beverley (2020) 'Health professional perspectives of expanded practice in rural community pharmacy in Australia'. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 28 (5):458-465. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Taylor, Selina; Cairns, Alice; Glass, Beverley (2020) 'Role theory: a framework to explore health professional perceptions of expanding rural community pharmacists’ role'. Pharmacy, 8 (3). [DOI]
O'Sullivan, Belinda G.; Cairns, Alice; Gurney, Tiana M. (2020) 'Understanding the field of rural health academic research: a national qualitative, interview-based study'. Rural and Remote Health, 20 (3). [DOI]
O'Sullivan, Belinda; Cairns, Alice; Gurney, Tiana (2020) 'Exploring how to sustain 'place-based' rural health academic research for informing rural health systems: a qualitative investigation'. Health Research Policy and Systems, 18 . [DOI]
Taylor, Selina; Cairns, Alice; Glass, Beverley (2019) 'Systematic review of expanded practice in rural community pharmacy'. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 49 (6):585-600. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Cairns, Alice J.; Kavanagh, David J.; Dark, Frances; McPhail, Steven M. (2019) 'Goal setting improves retention in youth mental health: a cross-sectional analysis'. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 13 . [DOI]
Cairns, Alice J.; Kavanagh, David J.; Dark, Frances; McPhail, Steven M.; (2018) 'Comparing predictors of part-time and no vocational engagement in youth primary mental health services: a brief report'. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 12 (4):726-729. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Fatima, Yaqoot; Cairns, Alice; Skinner, Isabelle (2018) 'Prenatal and early life origins of adolescence sleep problems: evidence from a birth cohort'. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 33 (1). [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Cairns, Alice J.; Kavanagh, David J.; Dark, Frances; McPhail, Steven M. (2017) 'Prediction of vocational participation and global role functioning in help-seeking young adults, from neurocognitive, demographic and clinical variables'. Journal of Affective Disorders, 221 :158-164. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Dark, Frances; Newman, Ellie; Harris, Meredith; Cairns, Alice; Simpson, Michael; Gore-Jones, Victoria; Whiteford, Harvey; Harvey, Caroline; Crompton, David (2016) 'Implementing cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) in a mental health service: staff training'. Australasian Psychiatry, 24 (2):185-189. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Cairns, Alice; Kavanagh, David; Dark, Frances; McPhail, Steven (2015) 'Setting measurable goals with young people: qualitative feedback from the Goal Attainment Scale in youth mental health'. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78 (4):253-259. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Cairns, Alice; Dark, Frances; Kavanagh, David; McPhail, Steven (2015) 'Exploring functional concerns in help‐seeking youth: a qualitative study'. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 9 (3):228-233. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Cairns, Alice; Dark, Frances; Batts, Megan (2013) 'Implementing cognitive remediation therapy: lessons from two public mental health services'. Australiasian Psychiatry, 21 (5):476-480. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Cairns, Alice; Hill, Cathy; Dark, Frances; McPhail, Steven; Gray, Marion (2013) 'The Large Allen Cognitive Level Screen as an indicator for medication adherence among adults accessing community mental health services'. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76 (3):137-143. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Bird, Katrina; Cairns, Alice; Seaton, Catherine; Debenham, James (2026) 'Towards a Shared Language for Rural Health Service-Learning Placements' Australian Journal of Rural Health, 34 (3) . [DOI]
Cairns, Alice; Kylie Stothers, K. S.; Gibson, Paul; Debenham, James; Topp, Stephanie; Campbell, Narelle; Toll, Lauren; Malcolm, Heather; Stephen, Jena (2025) 'Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Allied Health Co-Workers: A Possible Role in Advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Well-Being' Australian Journal of Rural Health, 33 (5) . [DOI]
Journal Contribution
ResearchOnline@JCU
Rothwell, Michelle; Carlisle, Karen; Cairns, Alice; Wallace, Valda; McDermott, Karl; Topp, Stephanie (2024) 'Pharmacy practice and First Peoples health equity: A scoping review protocol' JBI Evidence Synthesis, 22 (5) :913-924. [DOI]
Hays, Richard B.; Barker, Ruth N.; Cairns, Alice; Sparke, Vanessa L.; Stewart, Ruth N.; Varela, Sharon; Collins, Bonnie E.; Maloney, Catherine; Omond, Rodney; Sen Gupta, Tarun; Chalmers, Sarah; Chong, Hwee Sin; McKenna, Kylie; Forrest, Kristie; West, Erica; Matthews, Jennie; Ballard, Rosalie; Sabatino, Gabrielle; Turvey, Jodie; Symons, Jo; Quabba, Andrew; Brown, Jodi (2024) 'The Murtupuni Statement on rural generalist professional practice in Australia' Rural and Remote Health, 24 (4) . [DOI]
Taylor, Selina; Cairns, Alice; Glass, Beverley D. (2022) 'Expanded practice for rural community pharmacy: what are we waiting for?' International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 30 (1) :86-88. [DOI]
Journal Contribution
ResearchOnline@JCU
Taylor, Selina Maree; Cairns, Alice; Mantzourani, Efi; Glass, Beverley D. (2021) 'LISTEN UP (Locally Integrated Screening and Testing Ear aNd aUral Programme): a feasibility study protocol for a community pharmacy-based ear health intervention' Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 7 (1) . [DOI]
Cambell, Narelle; Stothers, Kylie; Swain, Lindy; Cairns, Alice; Dunsford, Ella; Barker, Ruth (2020) 'Allied health service–learning student placements in remote northern Australia during COVID-19' Australian Journal of Rural Health, 28 (5) :514-520. [DOI]
Journal Contribution
ResearchOnline@JCU
Campbell, Narelle; Stothers, Kylie; Swain, Lindy; Cairns, Alice; Dunsford, Ella; Rissel, Chris; Barker, Ruth (2020) 'Health services in northern Australia depend on student placements post COVID-19' Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 44 (6) :521-522. [DOI]
Miller, Andrea; Cairns, Alice; Richardson, Annah; Lawrence, Jill (2020) 'Supporting holistic care for patients with tuberculosis in a remote Indigenous community: a case report' Rural and Remote Health, 20 (1) . [DOI]
Dark, Frances; Cairns, Alice; Harris, Anthony (2013) 'Cognitive remediation: the foundation of psychosocial treatment of schizophrenia' Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 47 (6) :505-507. [DOI]
Journal Contribution
ResearchOnline@JCU