Professor Kate White
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Professor Kate White

RN, PhD Sydney MN ACU CertOnc CertPall, FRCNA FCN(NSW)
Professor Cancer Nursing
Cancer Nursing Research Unit (CNRU) / Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery / Sydney Nursing School
The Daffodil Centre
Faculty of Medicine and Health
Phone
+61 2 8627 1567
Fax
+61 2 8627 1500
Professor Kate White

Kate White has worked in clinical, education and research areas specialising in cancer and palliative care throughout her career. Her major research interests are in areas of supportive care in cancer and palliative care, psychosocial and quality of life issues in cancer, the translation of research evidence into clinical cancer nursing practice and models of care with an emphasis in rural health. She has conducted a number of studies in these areas and serves on advisory boards, committees and working groups of government and non-government organisations in cancer and palliative care. She participated in the development and implantation of clinical guidelines, and is a member of the International Guideline Network. Kat has supervised over 20 research students to the successful completion of their degrees.

In 2011, Kate was awarded the prestigious Churchill Fellowship to visit the Royal Marsden Hospital in London and the world's first nurse-led clinic for sexual dysfunction in cancer patients. She is currently working on adapting this model for the Australian context.

Areas of teaching

Kate has supervised over 20 students in the successful completion of their research degree (honours, master's and doctoral programs). Four students have been recipients of medals, all honours students to date have received a first class pass. Three students have been recipients of NHMRC scholarships, and two an APA, eight have been recipients of funding from other sources to support their research.

Current students

  • Principal Supervisor, Elisha McLaren, Health promotion in the context of endometrial cancer. PhD in progress
  • Principal Supervisor, Thilli Chengodu, 'Clinical trials nurses and their role in the informed consent process' PhD in progress
  • Principal Supervisor, Olivia Hill, 'Development, Implementation and Evaluation of a Decision Aid and Information Tool for women who may choose breast reconstruction following mastectomy for breast cancer' PhD in progress
  • Principal Supervisor, Jennie King, 'The experience and impact of severe hypoglycaemia for adults with type 1 diabetes and their significant other' PhD in progress
  • Principal Supervisor, Nickolas Yu, 'The impact of coaching on nurses' PhD in progress
  • Principal Supervisor, Helen Gooden 'Identify the unmet needs for psychosocial support for people affected by pancreatic cancer; patients, partners and caregivers' PhD in progress (Upgrade from MPhil)
  • Principal Supervisor, Mary Heindriech 'Chinese Australian Carers Experience of Caring in Community Palliative Care' MN Hons in progress

Community work

Kate serves as a member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Palliative Care Nursing and the European Journal of Oncology Nursing and am subeditor for Cancer Nursing and Supportive Care in Cancer. She also serves as a reviewer for a number of national and international journals, including the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Journal of Clinical Nursing, Cancer Forum and International Journal of Palliative Care.

Kate is a member of several boards, committees and working groups for professional organisations. She is the former president and a founding member of the Association of Palliative Care Nurses. Her current roles and service include (full list available on request):

  • Member, Steering Committee, Review and update psychosocial clinical practice guidelines (Cancer Australia)
  • Member, Sexual Wellbeing Reference Group, Breast Cancer Network Australia
  • Deputy Chair, Clinical Services Advisory Committee (Cancer Institute of NSW)
  • Chair, Joint Psychosocial and Supportive Care Working Group (Cancer Institute of NSW/NSW Cancer Council)
  • Invited Research Committee Member, NSW Cancer Council
  • Chair, Education and Workforce Committee (Cancer Institute of NSW)
  • Chair, Nurse Practitioner Review Panels (NSW Nurses Registration Board)
Project titleResearch student
Overseas trained nurses’ characteristics, attitudes, and cultural beliefs: Impact to care approaches in cancer careJay BALANTE
The experiences and the support needs of caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer in Australia: a qualitative studySu HTET HTET AUNG
Assessing care needs for individuals and their families at post-lung cancer diagnosis.Harry LI
Assessing Health related quality of life in patients accessing medicinal cannabisMargaret-ann TAIT

Selected publications

Publications

Download citations: PDF; RTF; Endnote

Selected Grants

2022

  • Pilot study to characterise sleep disturbances in those receiving steroids for the treatment of multiple myeloma, King T, Melehan K, White K, THE SYDNEY BLOOD CANCER RESEARCH INSTITUTE/Research Grant

2021

  • Development of a targeted discharge intervention for patients at risk of making a hospital readmission within 30-days post-colorectal cancer surgery, White K, Sydney Local Health District/Cancer and Palliative Care Clinical Trials

In the media

(2014) Talking to kids about the dreaded ‘c’ word. The Australian. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/talking-to-kids-about-cancer. Article by Leah McLennan.

When Mum or Dad has cancer: Some straightforward advice for parents with the disease can help them make things just a little more bearable for their young ones. Nursing Review, (10), October 2014, pp16-17. Article by Amie Larter.