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sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au
Sydney Health Literacy Lab
@sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au
370 followers 320 following 21 posts
A research group in the School of Public Health at The University of Sydney. Investigating health literacy to improve health outcomes for all.
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sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au
Sydney Health Literacy Lab @sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au · Dec 13
Hi Bluesky!

We're a research group at the University of Sydney's School of Public Health. 🛟

We research #healthliteracy & #healthcommunication using behavioural & social science methods.

Follow us for the latest updates on all the exciting projects we're working on!
Photo of Sydney Health Literacy Lab research group
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jolynhersch.bsky.social
Jolyn Hersch PhD @jolynhersch.bsky.social · 11d
Shared decision making for screening

Screening & risk assessment for health conditions may entail an array of benefits & harms. This overview of SDM uses cancer & CVD risk as examples of organized vs opportunistic screening.

doi.org/10.1093/med/...

@tuftejet.bsky.social @carissabonner.bsky.social
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jolynhersch.bsky.social
Jolyn Hersch PhD @jolynhersch.bsky.social · 18d
Quick follow-up post confirming it's out!

Oxford Textbook of Shared Decision Making in Healthcare
4th Edition

including...
Chapter 42: SDM for screening! - by me, Rikke Nicoline Stokholm, @tuftejet.bsky.social & @carissabonner.bsky.social

global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Available in print / e-book
jolynhersch.bsky.social
Jolyn Hersch PhD @jolynhersch.bsky.social · Aug 24
New edition of important Shared Decision Making textbook out very soon!

global.oup.com/academic/pro...

@tuftejet.bsky.social @carissabonner.bsky.social @julieayre.bsky.social @kirstenmccaffery.bsky.social @tammyh.bsky.social @anikgiguere.bsky.social @mcpoliti.bsky.social @hilarybekker.bsky.social
njosephwilliams.bsky.social
Natalie Joseph-Williams @njosephwilliams.bsky.social · Aug 2
I'm delighted to announce our forthcoming Oxford Textbook of Shared Decision Making in Healthcare (4th Edition).

Glyn Elwyn
Adrian Edwards

Publication date - late August 2025. Pre-order available now. Further updates to follow.

📖 global.oup.com/academic/pro...

#shareddecisionmaking
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isdmsociety.bsky.social
International Shared Decision Making Society @isdmsociety.bsky.social · 11d
2026 ISDM Conference Registration & Abstracts Submissions are OPEN! 🎉
📅 July 7–10, 2026 | 📍 Dartmouth College, NH + Online

Register Now: sites.dartmouth.edu/isdm2026/reg...
Submit Abstract: sites.dartmouth.edu/isdm2026/cal...

Enquiry: [email protected]

#ISDM2026 #ISDMConference
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jolynhersch.bsky.social
Jolyn Hersch PhD @jolynhersch.bsky.social · 21d
How to Report Research on the Communication of Health-Related Numbers: The Research on Communicating Numbers (ReCoN) Guidelines
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
@smdm.bsky.social @bzikmund.bsky.social @sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au
How to Report Research on the Communication of Health-Related Numbers: The Research on Communicating Numbers (ReCoN) Guidelines - Natalie C. Benda, Brian J. Zikmund-Fisher, Jessica S. Ancker, 2025
Background Research with lay audiences (e.g., patients, the public) can inform the communication of health-related numerical information. However, a recent syst...
journals.sagepub.com
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jolynhersch.bsky.social
Jolyn Hersch PhD @jolynhersch.bsky.social · 18d
My @sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au @wiserhealthcare.bsky.social @sydney.edu.au colleague @jenna-smith.bsky.social is doing this fellowship in Berlin right now, and it sounds fantastic! Check it out!
wiko-berlin.bsky.social
Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin @wiko-berlin.bsky.social · 18d
Apply online by November 1st! Wiko Early Career Call for fellowships 2026/27 in the #NaturalSciences and #LifeSciences. Gain time to think during a 3–5 month #fellowship at the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin – Institute for Advanced Study: wiko-berlin.de/fellow-werde... #cfa
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jolynhersch.bsky.social
Jolyn Hersch PhD @jolynhersch.bsky.social · Sep 12
doi.org/10.1016/j.pe...

Review highlights existing resources for patients considering health research participation; synthesises key principles for developers. Most tools target decisions re cancer clinical trials; future ones should address other clinical settings & study designs + emerging areas.
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jolynhersch.bsky.social
Jolyn Hersch PhD @jolynhersch.bsky.social · Sep 12
doi.org/10.1016/j.pe...

18 studies.
In 7, intervention targeted a specific clinical study; 11 covered trials generally. 8 print; 10 digital. 4 addressed cultural diversity. 13 cited theory/framework informing intervention. Interventions generally increased knowledge; little effect on participation.
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jolynhersch.bsky.social
Jolyn Hersch PhD @jolynhersch.bsky.social · Sep 12
doi.org/10.1016/j.pe...

We included studies (up to 2025) on intervention development/evaluation with data on acceptability/efficacy. Interventions aimed to improve decisions about research participation by enabling adult patients to address info needs or incorporate values into decision making.
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jolynhersch.bsky.social
Jolyn Hersch PhD @jolynhersch.bsky.social · Sep 12
doi.org/10.1016/j.pe...

An important albeit challenging aspect of conducting clinical research is achieving informed consent. We systematically reviewed the literature to characterise existing interventions designed to support communication & decision making about participating in health research.
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jolynhersch.bsky.social
Jolyn Hersch PhD @jolynhersch.bsky.social · Sep 12
doi.org/10.1016/j.pe...

• Communication/decision tools may help patients considering joining a study
• Review included 18 interventions, mostly re cancer clinical trials
• Interventions improved knowledge, tended not to change uptake
• Future work should address more diverse populations & settings
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jolynhersch.bsky.social
Jolyn Hersch PhD @jolynhersch.bsky.social · Sep 12
*New publication*

Interventions to support patient decision making about taking part in health research: A systematic review

doi.org/10.1016/j.pe...

Just out in Patient Education & Counseling

@sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au @katiegillies.bsky.social
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carissabonner.bsky.social
A/Prof Carissa Bonner @carissabonner.bsky.social · Aug 29
Should we deliver longer supplies of #hypertension medication by post, to reduce barriers to taking medication consistently? Our survey of >2000 people taking blood pressure medication suggests preferences are price sensitive: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.5694/... @mja.com.au @sydney.edu.au
Medication delivery and dispensing interval preferences of people who use antihypertensive medications in Australia: a survey study
Click on the article title to read more.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
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jolynhersch.bsky.social
Jolyn Hersch PhD @jolynhersch.bsky.social · Aug 26
Improving Ethnic Diversity in Cancer Trials Through Healthcare Interpreter Training: 2-phase quality improvement project by @suzannejgrant.bsky.social et al to build workforce capacity for interpreters in cancer clinical trials @sydneyhealthlitlab.bsky.social

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Improving Ethnic Diversity in Cancer Trials Through Healthcare Interpreter Training
In a survey of healthcare interpreters (HCI) about cancer clinical trials, key knowledge and skills gaps were identified. Training was developed and delivered for interpreters, improving knowledge an...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
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melodytaba.bsky.social
Dr Melody Taba @melodytaba.bsky.social · Jul 28
#PhDone!

Super excited to announce I’ve been awarded my PhD with no emendations!

Excited for the next chapter at the Sydney Health Literacy Lab where I’ll continue researching young people
and digital health literacy as a postdoc 💫

@sydney.edu.au
@sydneyfmh-emcr.bsky.social
#AcademicSky
Melody standing in front of a University of Sydney building holding thesis
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Jolyn Hersch PhD @jolynhersch.bsky.social · Aug 5
Effectiveness of interpreters and other strategies for mitigating language barriers: A systematic review
by @lizavl.bsky.social et al in PEC
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S073839912500134X
Digital translation tools were only sufficient in a few situations

@sydneyhealthlitlab.bsky.social
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carissabonner.bsky.social
A/Prof Carissa Bonner @carissabonner.bsky.social · Aug 20
New paper on our Heart Yarning Tool! Summarising how we codesigned shared decision making support for Heart Health Checks with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... @sydney.edu.au @sydneyhealthlitlab.bsky.social @isdmsociety.bsky.social
The Heart Health Yarning Tool: Co‐Designing a Shared Decision‐Making Tool With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Risk Management
Introduction Due to the ongoing impact of colonisation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live with a greater burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than non-Indigenous Australians. Share...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
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anzjph.bsky.social
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health @anzjph.bsky.social · Jul 28
🆕 New in ANZJPH: This letter outlines 4 key priorities to improve youth health and wellbeing from @publichealthaus.bsky.social's new Position Statement.

🔗 doi.org/10.1016/j.an...
#YouthHealth #HealthEquity #PublicHealth
In the background is a photo of a group of teenagers putting their hands on top of one another in a circle. Text reads "Public Health Association of Australia advocacy to promote youth health and wellbeing" "Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health"
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julieayre.bsky.social
Julie Ayre @julieayre.bsky.social · Jul 27
IN PRESS!
Collaborative project with Dr Alana Fisher on #healthliteracy of ppl using unguided #iCBT for #depression/#anxiety.

Despite diverse literacy challenges - esp. in often underserved groups - users engaged & benefited.

👉 www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

@sydneyhealthlitlab.bsky.social
www.tandfonline.com
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wiserhealthcare.bsky.social
Wiser Healthcare @wiserhealthcare.bsky.social · Jul 20
New paper: One-Page Patient Fact Sheets for Low Back Pain in Primary Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial

What is the comparative effectiveness of 2 different fact sheets in preparing patients with low back pain for shared decision-making?
wiserhealthcare.org.au/publications...
#WiserHealthcare
One-page patient fact sheets for low back pain in primary care: A randomized clinical trial. — Wiser Healthcare
Christian Longtin, Jeremy R. Chang, Jolyn Hersch, Sweekriti Sharma, Michael C. Ferraro, Rodrigo R. N. Rizzo, Jennifer McBride, Arnold Y. L. Wong, Chris G. Maher, Michelle Guppy, James H. McAuley &...
wiserhealthcare.org.au
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carissabonner.bsky.social
A/Prof Carissa Bonner @carissabonner.bsky.social · Jul 14
Our new review of #CVD knowledge scales is just published - there's a lot of options! globalheartjournal.com/articles/10....
Quality of Available Cardiovascular Disease Knowledge Tools: A Systematic Review | Global Heart
globalheartjournal.com
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melissasweetdr.bsky.social
Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · Jul 17
Better ways to communicate health messages to young people – five recommendations, by Dr Melody Taba

www.croakey.org/better-ways-...
Better ways to communicate health messages to young people
Introduction by Croakey: Social media is the main source of news for young people, according to the 2025 Australian Digital News Report,
www.croakey.org
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publichealthaus.bsky.social
Public Health Association of Australia @publichealthaus.bsky.social · Jul 17
Thank you @croakeynews.bsky.social & Dr @melissasweetdr.bsky.social for showcasing Dr @melodytaba.bsky.social's expertise ⤵️ #PublicHealth
melissasweetdr.bsky.social
Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · Jul 17
Better ways to communicate health messages to young people – five recommendations, by Dr Melody Taba

www.croakey.org/better-ways-...
Better ways to communicate health messages to young people
Introduction by Croakey: Social media is the main source of news for young people, according to the 2025 Australian Digital News Report,
www.croakey.org
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croakeynews.bsky.social
Croakey Health Media @croakeynews.bsky.social · Jul 16
Better ways to communicate health messages to young people www.croakey.org/better-ways-... #publichealth
Better ways to communicate health messages to young people
www.croakey.org
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sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au
Sydney Health Literacy Lab @sydneyhealthliteracylab.org.au · Jul 15
🗣️ Now recruiting!

Are you an adult and speak a language other than English at home?

We want know how you find information about your health, both online and from other places.

Study involves a 45 min interview (online or in person).

More info here: sydney.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
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jolynhersch.bsky.social
Jolyn Hersch PhD @jolynhersch.bsky.social · Jul 14
Decide Together About Mammograms www.decidetogether.info
mammography conversation aid for Drs & women 75+
@maraschonberg.bsky.social @vmontori.bsky.social et al
Nice seeing our overdetection work used overseas @kirstenmccaffery.bsky.social @wiserhealthcare.bsky.social @sydneyhealthlitlab.bsky.social
OVERDETECTION EXAMPLE: Imagine a woman called Susan who develops a small, slow-growing breast cancer at age 75. The picture shows 2 possible scenarios that could happen to Susan... Susan's life span is the same, whether or not she has mammograms. So if she has mammograms, she experiences overdetection (a diagnosis and treatment she does not need).
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