Pippy Walker is a Research Fellow (Health Policy and Economics) at the Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data, University of Sydney and has over a decade of experience in public health research. Prior to this Pippy worked as an exercise physiologist and dietitian in the primary care setting. Applying mixed methods, Pippy’s research is focused on health systems and services, specifically on identifying and supporting the implementation of evidence-based models of care, policies and clinical practices.
De Morgan S, Walker P, Blyth FM, Daly A, Burke AL, Nicholas MK. A technology-enabled collaborative learning model (Project ECHO) to upskill primary care providers in best practice pain care. Australian Journal of Primary Health. 2024 Dec 19;30(6).
This study evaluated the South Australian Chronic Pain ECHO Network and found that the ECHO Network model was an acceptable and effective interdisciplinary education model for upskilling primary care providers in best practice pain care aligned to a patient-centred, biopsychosocial approach to pain management. However, the study also found that participants perceived barriers to translating this knowledge into practice at the clinical, service and system levels.
De Morgan S, Walker P, Blyth FM, Nicholas M, Wilson A. Community-based pain programs commissioned by primary health networks: key findings from an online survey and consultation with program managers. Australian journal of primary health. 2022 Mar 22;28(4):303-14.
This study described current Primary Health Network (PHN) community-based pain programs; assessed their alignment to key elements and implementation enablers of pain programs identified by an expert consensus process; and described PHN pain program adaptations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Walker P, De Morgan S, Wilson A, Blyth FM. Establishing consensus on key elements and implementation enablers of community-based pain programs to support primary health network decision making: an eDelphi study. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 2021. 28(1) 56-62.
To establish consensus and support Primary Health Network decision making regarding the commissioning of community-based pain programs, a panel of experts were engaged to participate in a three round eDelphi process. This research resulted in a list of 18 best practice key elements and 14 program implementation enablers for community-based pain programs.
Walker P, Cornell S, De Morgan S, Bonner C, Blyth FM. Chronic pain and cardiovascular disease prevention in primary care: a review of Australian primary health network needs assessments. Australian Health Review. 2021 Oct 12;46(1):70-7.
This study reviewed Primary Health Network needs assessments across Australia (N=31) and found that prevention-related issues were frequently identified for cardiovascular disease but not for chronic pain and highlights missed opportunities for earlier intervention for chronic pain.
Walker P, De Morgan S, Sanders D, Nicholas M, Blyth FM. Primary care initiatives focused on the prevention and management of chronic pain: a scoping review of the Australian literature. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 2020; 26(4):273-280.
A comprehensive review of the literature to identify initiatives being implemented in Australia to support the prevention and management of chronic pain in the primary care setting. This research identified 84 initiatives and uncovered gaps including initiatives supporting the secondary prevention of chronic pain, those targeting vulnerable and regional populations, health professional capacity building initiatives for all primary health care providers and quality improvement and system support initiatives.
