Health Sciences

School of Public Health

Higher Degree Research Students/Profiles

Pat Dobson

Pat Dobson has completed the course work for a Doctor of Public Health and has commenced work on her thesis topic: "The development of a cancer support group network across Victoria, 1986-1998". Pat is a Radiographer, Radiation Therapist and Planner with over 50 years experience in oncology. Experience gained as an executive officer on three school councils consecutively, over a 10 year period, fired Pat's interest in models of professional/consumer partnerships in both health and education. In 1981, Pat completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Educational Administration while Secretary of the Education Reform Association. Her current retrospective study aims to capture the key elements involved in maintaining and networking the local, consumer initiated support groups, established during the 12 years that Pat was the Cancer Council of Victoria's first Coordinator of Cancer Support Groups. This study will be both quantitative and qualitative, using extensive records of the period to map the development of the network of 160 groups. Pat will then conduct group interviews with participating consumers and local professionals to gain their perspective on the key issues that arose, and their view on what makes a group and network sustainable and effective.