Biography
Professor Jennifer Watts is the Head of School of Health and Social Development. She is a health economist and over the past 20 years she has established a strong record in health economics, in both teaching and research.
Her research is in the economics of chronic disease and includes: cost and quality of life assessment in osteoporosis and Parkinson’s disease; economic evaluation of disease management programs; economic evaluation alongside clinical trials for Parkinson’s disease and acute rehabilitation; and acute care funding policy (for example activity-based funding and vouchers). Her commitment to research in health economics has emphasized policy-important questions that can be translated to the delivery of efficient healthcare programs for people with chronic disease.
Her research has had significant influence in several policy areas including the determination of DRG weights for Victorian funding policy, hospital efficiency, funding for prosthetic devices and has led to practice change in Medibank’s betterhealth chronic disease management program for insured members. She has consulted to government departments on hospital costing, efficiency and productivity measurement, the impact of ageing on hospital costs and participated in the Senate inquiry into public hospital funding. Her work on alternative funding arrangements for health care delivery, hospital efficiency and funding for acute care has been presented at both national and international conferences.
Research interests
Economics of chronic disease
- osteoporosis
- Parkinson disease
- acute rehabilitation
- chronic disease management
- information in chronic disease
Health funding policy
- acute care
- funding models for chronic disease
Affiliations
Australian Health Economics Society (past Treasurer)
International Health Economics Association
Units taught
HSH717 Health Economics 1
HSH763 Fianncing Healthcare
HSH766 Economics and Health Policy Analysis
PHD SUPERVISION (completed)
Natasha Brusco, “Do additional allied health services for rehabilitation reduce patient length of stay without compromising patient outcomes?”, with Prof Nick Taylor (Primary Supervisor) and A/Prof Nora Shields, LaTrobe University.
Renata Morello, “Health services research – exploring the use of alternative methodologies for evaluating health services”, with Prof Just Stoelwinder (Primary Supervisor), and Dr Anna Barker, Monash University.
Professional activities
Advisory roles (committees, conference organization): Treasurer Australian Health Economics Society (2005 - 2015); Organizing Committee, 2013 World Congress on Health Economics; Organizing Committee, Annual Australian Conference of Health Economists, 2004-2015, International Research Alliance between Monash Centre for Health Economics and Newcastle University Business School (Health Economics); Convener and organizer of international workshop on ‘Valuing Health’ 2008-2012; Health Economics Advisor to the National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance for “Evidence-based practice guidelines for the assessment of absolute cardiovascular disease risk”, 2009
Publications
Feasibility of scaling-up a community-based exercise program for young people with disability
N Shields, C Willis, C Imms, G McKenzie, B van Dorsselaer, A Bruder, R Kennedy, Y Bhowon, A Southby, L Prendergast, J Watts, N Taylor
(2022), Vol. 44, pp. 1669-1681, Disability and Rehabilitation, England, C1
J Talevski, K Sanders, J Watts, G Nicholson, E Seeman, S Iuliano, R Prince, L March, T Winzenberg, G Duque, P Ebeling, F Borgström, J Kanis, A Stuart, A Beauchamp, S Brennan-Olsen
(2022), Vol. 33, pp. 67-75, Osteoporosis International, London, Eng., C1
A Driscoll, L Gao, J Watts
(2022), Vol. 22, pp. 1-11, BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, London, England, C1
T Bucknall, J Considine, G Harvey, I Graham, J Rycroft-Malone, I Mitchell, B Saultry, J Watts, M Mohebbi, S Bohingamu Mudiyanselage, M Lotfaliany, A Hutchinson
(2022), pp. 1-12, BMJ Quality and Safety, London, Eng., C1
S Wanni Arachchige Dona, S Bohingamu Mudiyanselage, J Watts, R Sweeney, B Coghlan, I Majmudar, J Abimanyi-Ochom
(2021), Vol. 9, The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, England, C1
N Taylor, P O'Halloran, J Watts, R Morris, C Peiris, J Porter, L Prendergast, K Harding, D Snowdon, C Ekegren, R Hau, S Mudiyanselage, M Rimayanti, K Noeske, M Snowdon, D Kim, N Shields
(2021), Vol. 11, BMJ Open, England, C1
D Snowdon, K Harding, N Taylor, S Leggat, B Kent, A Lewis, J Watts
(2021), Vol. 11, BMJ Open, England, C1
A Mikocka-Walus, M Druitt, M O'Shea, D Skvarc, J Watts, A Esterman, J Tsaltas, S Knowles, J Harris, C Dowding, E Parigi, S Evans
(2021), Vol. 11, BMJ Open, England, C1
S Wanni Arachchige Dona, M Angeles, N Hall, J Watts, A Peeters, M Hensher
(2021), Vol. 21, BMC Health Services Research, England, C1
Casey Peiris, Nicholas Taylor, Jennifer Watts, Nora Shields, Natasha Brusco, Duncan Mortimer
(2020), Vol. 42, pp. 3024-3032, Disability and rehabilitation, Abingdon, Eng., C1
N Shields, C Willis, C Imms, L Prendergast, J Watts, B Van Dorsselaer, G McKenzie, A Bruder, N Taylor
(2020), Vol. 10, BMJ Open, England, C1
S Bohingamu Mudiyanselage, J Stevens, J Watts, J Toscano, M Kotowicz, C Steinfort, J Bell, J Byrnes, S Bruce, S Carter, C Hunter, C Barrand, R Hayles
(2019), Vol. 25, pp. 343-352, Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, England, C1
The Cost of Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, and Associated Fractures in Australia in 2017
G Tatangelo, J Watts, K Lim, C Connaughton, J Abimanyi-Ochom, F Borgström, G Nicholson, C Shore-Lorenti, A Stuart, S Iuliano-Burns, E Seeman, R Prince, L March, M Cross, T Winzenberg, L Laslett, G Duque, P Ebeling, K Sanders
(2019), Vol. 34, pp. 616-625, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, United States, C1
K Harding, D Snowdon, A Lewis, S Leggat, B Kent, J Watts, N Taylor
(2019), Vol. 19, BMC Health Services Research, England, C1
Strategies to reduce diagnostic errors: A systematic review
J Abimanyi-Ochom, S Bohingamu Mudiyanselage, M Catchpool, M Firipis, S Wanni Arachchige Dona, J Watts
(2019), Vol. 19, BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, England, C1
K Harding, N Robertson, D Snowdon, J Watts, L Karimi, M O'reilly, M Kotis, N Taylor
(2018), Vol. 42, pp. 93-99, Australian Health Review, Clayton, Vic., C1-1
C Peiris, N Shields, N Brusco, J Watts, N Taylor
(2018), Vol. 99, pp. 2299-2312, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, United States, C1
M Yates, J Watts, K Bail, M Mohebbi, S Macdermott, J Jebramek, H Brodaty
(2018), Vol. 15, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Switzerland, C1
K Harding, S Leggat, J Watts, B Kent, L Prendergast, M Kotis, M O'Reilly, L Karimi, A Lewis, D Snowdon, N Taylor
(2018), Vol. 16, BMC Medicine, England, C1
J Watts, Morello, R Morris, K Hill, T Haines, G Arendts, J Redfern, C Etherton-Beer, J Lowthian, C Brand, D Liew, A Barker
(2017), Vol. 23, pp. 124-130, Injury prevention, London, Eng., C1
M Morris, N Taylor, J Watts, A Evans, M Horne, P Kempster, M Danoudis, J McGinley, C Martin, H Menz
(2017), Vol. 63, pp. 94-100, Journal of Physiotherapy, Netherlands, C1
Cost of Living with Parkinson's Disease over 12 Months in Australia: A Prospective Cohort Study
S Bohingamu Mudiyanselage, J Watts, J Abimanyi-Ochom, L Lane, A Murphy, M Morris, R Iansek
(2017), Vol. 2017, Parkinson's Disease, United States, C1
T Bucknall, G Harvey, J Considine, I Mitchell, J Rycroft-Malone, I Graham, M Mohebbi, J Watts, A Hutchinson
(2017), Vol. 12, Implementation Science, England, C1
R Morello, A Barker, J Watts, M Bohensky, A Forbes, J Stoelwinder
(2016), Vol. 19, pp. 187-195, Population Health Management, United States, C1
Health-related quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease receiving comprehensive care
S-E Soh, M Morris, J Watts, J McGinley, R Iansek
(2016), Vol. 40, pp. 613-618, Australian health review, Clayton, Vic., C1
C English, N Shields, N Brusco, N Taylor, J Watts, C Peiris, J Bernhardt, M Crotty, A Esterman, L Segal, S Hillier
(2016), Vol. 62, pp. 124-129, Journal of Physiotherapy, Netherlands, C1
K Harding, J Watts, L Karimi, M O'Reilly, B Kent, M Kotis, S Leggat, J Kearney, N Taylor
(2016), Vol. 16, BMC Health Services Research, England, C1
A Randomized Controlled Trial to Reduce Falls in People With Parkinson's Disease.
M Morris, H Menz, J McGinley, J Watts, F Huxham, A Murphy, M Danoudis, R Iansek
(2015), Vol. 29, pp. 777-785, Neurorehabilitation and neural repair, London, Eng., C1
J Abimanyi-Ochom, J Watts, F Borgström, G Nicholson, C Shore-Lorenti, A Stuart, Y Zhang, S Iuliano, E Seeman, R Prince, L March, M Cross, T Winzenberg, L Laslett, G Duque, P Ebeling, K Sanders
(2015), Vol. 26, pp. 1781-1790, Osteoporosis International, England, C1
N Brusco, J Watts, N Shields, N Taylor
(2015), Vol. 15, pp. 1-15, BMC health services research, London, Eng., C1
Empirical evidence of recall bias for primary health care visits
N Brusco, J Watts
(2015), Vol. 15, pp. 1-8, BMC health services research, London, Eng., C1
The health profile of people living with Parkinson's Disease managed in a comprehensive care setting
M Morris, A Murphy, J Watts, D Jolley, D Campbell, S Soh, C Said, R Iansek
(2015), Vol. 3, pp. 1-7, Journal of aging science, Los Angeles, Calif., C1
The extra resource burden of in-hospital falls: a cost of falls study
R Morello, A Barker, J Watts, T Haines, S Zavarsek, K Hill, C Brand, C Sherrington, R Wolfe, M Bohensky, J Stoelwinder
(2015), Vol. 203, pp. 367-375, Medical journal of Australia, Sydney, N.S.W., C1
N Brusco, N Taylor, J Watts, N Shields
(2014), Vol. 95, pp. 94-116, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
N Brusco, J Watts, N Shields, N Taylor
(2014), Vol. 12, pp. 1-11, BMC Medicine, London, England, C1
N Brusco, J Watts, N Shields, S Chan, N Taylor
(2014), Vol. 28, pp. 754-761, Clinical rehabilitation, London, England, C1
Determinants of health-related quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease: a path analysis
S Soh, J McGinley, J Watts, R Iansek, A Murphy, H Menz, F Huxham, M Morris
(2013), Vol. 22, pp. 1543-1553, Quality of life research, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, C1-1
C Peiris, N Shields, N Brusco, J Watts, N Taylor
(2013), Vol. 11, pp. 1-11, BMC Medicine, London, England, C1
In-hospital falls and fall-related injuries: a protocol for a cost of fall study
R Morello, A Barker, T Haines, S Zavarsek, J Watts, K Hill, C Brand, C Sherrington, R Wolfe, M Bohensky, J Stoelwinder
(2013), Vol. 19, pp. 1-6, Injury prevention, London, England, C1-1
M Morris, C Martin, J McGinley, F Huxham, H Menz, N Taylor, M Danoudis, J Watts, S Soe, A Evans, M Horne, P Kempster
(2012), Vol. 12, pp. 1-7, BMC neurology, London, England, C1-1
D Kelly, J McGinley, F Huxham, H Menz, J Watts, R Iansek, A Murphy, M Danoudis, B Adair, M Morris
(2012), Vol. 12, pp. 1-7, BMC neurology, London, England, C1-1
Rural living and health-related quality of life in Australians with Parkinson's disease
S Soh, J McGinley, J Watts, R Iansek, M Morris
(2012), Vol. 12, pp. 1-9, Rural and remote health, Cairns, Qld., C1-1
R Morello, A Barker, S Zavarsek, J Watts, T Haines, K Hill, C Sherrington, C Brand, D Jolley, J Stoelwinder
(2012), Vol. 18, pp. 1-6, Injury prevention, London, England, C1-1
J Watts, D Jolley, J Wainer, R Athchison
(2012), Vol. 15, pp. 331-337, Population health management, New Rochelle, N.Y., C1-1
S Soh, J McGinley, J Watts, R Iansek, M Morris
(2012), Vol. 64, pp. 338-346, Physiotherapy Canada, Toronto, Canada, C1-1
J McGinley, C Martin, F Huxham, H Menz, M Danoudis, A Murphy, J Watts, R Iansek, M Morris
(2012), Vol. 2012, pp. 1-9, Parkinson's disease, New York, N.Y., C1-1
Falls and mobility in Parkinson's disease : protocol for a randomised controlled clinical trial
M Morris, H Menz, J McGinley, F Huxham, A Murphy, R Iansek, M Danoudis, S Soh, D Kelly, J Watts
(2011), Vol. 2011, pp. 1-8, BMC neurology, London, England, C1-1
D Mortimer, J Li, J Watts, A Harris
(2011), Vol. 2011, pp. 509-527, Health economics, policy and law, Cambridge, England, C1-1
N Taylor, N Brusco, J Watts, N Shields, C Peiris, N Sullivan, G Kennedy, K Cheng, A Farley, K Lockwood, C Radia-George
(2010), Vol. 10, pp. 1-7, BMC health services research, London, England, C1-1
Loss and grief in the workplace. What can we learn from the literature?
M O'Connor, J Watts, M Bloomer, K Larkins
(2010), Vol. 3, pp. 131-142, International journal of workplace health management, Bingley, England, C1-1
Evaluation of the Medibank betterhealth on call program for chronic disease management
J Wainer, J Watts, D Jolley, A Kelly, D Campbell, K Owada
(2010), A6-1
Market failure, policy failure and other distortions in chronic disease markets
J Watts, L Segal
(2009), Vol. 9, pp. 1-6, BMC health services research, London, England, C1-1
M Morris, J Watts, R Iansek, D Jolley, D Campbell, A Murphy, C Martin
(2009), Vol. 9, pp. 1-6, BMC geriatrics, London, England, C1-1
J Watts, J McGinley, F Huxham, H Menz, R Iansek, A Murphy, E Waller, M Morris
(2008), Vol. 8, pp. 1-8, BMC geriatrics, London, England, C1-1
Vouchers for chronic disease care
J Watts, L Segal
(2008), Vol. 32, pp. 451-458, Australian health review, Collingwood, Vic., C1-1
K Sanders, G Nicholson, J Watts, J Pasco, M Henry, M Kotowicz, E Seeman
(2006), Vol. 38, pp. 694-700, Bone, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Australian Competitive Grants
Do additional allied health service for rehabilitation reduce length of stay without compromising patient outcomes?
Prof Nick Taylor, Mrs Natasha Brusco, Prof Jennifer Watts
NHMRC - Partnership Project
- 2013: $16,266
Improving access for community health and sub-acute outpatient services
Prof Nick Taylor, Dr Katherine Harding, Dr Sandra Leggat, Prof Jennifer Watts, Prof Brigid Kent, Dr Leila Karimi
NHMRC - Partnership Project
- 2018: $5,000
- 2017: $5,000
- 2016: $5,000
- 2015: $5,000
Prioritising Responses of Nurses To deteriorating patient Observations (PRONTO)
Prof Tracey Bucknall, Prof Alison Hutchinson, Prof Gillian Harvey, Prof Julie Considine, Prof Imogen Mitchell, Prof Jo Rycroft-Malone, Prof Ian Graham, Dr Mohammadreza Mohebbi, Prof Jennifer Watts
NHMRC - Partnership Project
- 2018: $81,475
- 2017: $241,576
- 2016: $148,287
Integrated solutions for healthy birth, growth, and development: A cluster-randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a mixed nutrition intervention package in reducing child
Prof Andre Renzaho, Prof Michael Toole, Dr Kingsley Agho, Dr Sengchanh Kounnavong, Prof Jennifer Watts, Dr Md Billah, Dr Ben Coghlan
NHMRC Project Grant
- 2019: $25,044
- 2018: $10,278
- 2017: $12,050
- 2016: $22,328
FitSkills: a community-university partnership to increase participation in exercise among youth with disability
Dr Nora Shields, Prof Nick Taylor, Prof Christine Imms, Prof Jennifer Watts, A/Prof Luke Prendergast
NHMRC - Partnership Project
- 2019: $44,815
- 2018: $29,876
- 2017: $29,876
Motivational Interviewing to increase walking in community-dwelling older adults after hip fracture
Prof Jennifer Watts, Prof Nick Taylor
NHMRC Project Grant
- 2022: $17,460
- 2021: $6,984
- 2020: $6,984
- 2019: $20,952
Improving muscle strength in young people with Prader-Willi syndrome
Dr Nora Shields, A/Prof Kim Bennell, A/Prof Tania Markovic, Prof Jennifer Watts
MRFF (NHMRC) Clinical Trials Activity: Rare Cancers, Rare Diseases and Unmet Need Grant
- 2022: $23,039
- 2021: $15,359
- 2020: $7,679
- 2019: $7,679
A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Yoga, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Education to Improve Quality of Life and Reduce Healthcare Costs in Endometriosis
A/Prof Subhadra Evans, Prof Antonina Mikocka-Walus, Prof Jennifer Watts, Prof Adrian Esterman, Dr David Skvarc
MRFF EPCDRI Endometriosis Research Grant
- 2022: $112,481
- 2021: $128,688
- 2020: $148,985
TeleFFIT - A personalized, telehealth exercise and lifestyle risk factor management program to reduce falls and fracture risk in older adults: A 12-month hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial
Prof Robin Daly, A/Prof Kim Bennell, A/Prof David Scott, Prof Peter Ebeling, Prof Andrea Maier, Prof Lora Giangregorio, Prof Rana Hinman, Prof Jennifer Watts, Dr Harriet Koorts, Prof Sarah McNaughton, Dr Catherine Milte
MRFF (NHMRC) Preventive and Public Health Research Grant
- 2021: $490,652
- 2020: $902,851
Other Public Sector Funding
Osteoporosis Hospital Micro-Costing Study
Prof Jennifer Watts, Dr Julie Abimanyi-Ochom, Mrs Kerrie Sanders
Western Health
- 2014: $32,400
Embedding Simulation in Clinical training
Emeritus Professor Rob Carter, Prof Jennifer Watts, Dr Julie Abimanyi-Ochom
Health Workforce Australia - Clinical Supervision Support Program, DHA Grant - Research - Department of Health and Ageing
- 2017: $73,184
- 2014: $11,150
Cost effectiveness of Hospital in the Home (HITH) as a substitute for inpatient care for the management of DVT/PE
Prof Jennifer Watts, Emeritus Professor Rob Carter
DH VIC - Grants Department of Health Victoria
- 2014: $17,500
Prioritising Responses of Nurses To deteriorating patient Observations (PRONTO)
Prof Tracey Bucknall, Prof Alison Hutchinson, Prof Gillian Harvey, Prof Julie Considine, Prof Imogen Mitchell, Prof Jo Rycroft-Malone, Prof Ian Graham, Dr Mohammadreza Mohebbi, Prof Jennifer Watts
Alfred Health, Eastern Health, ACSQHC Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, Monash Health
- 2017: $45,000
- 2016: $68,400
Economic Analysis of Barwon Health Personalised Health Care Pilot Study
Prof Jennifer Watts
Barwon Health Grant - Research
- 2015: $51,000
National Evaluation of the Dementia Care in Hospitals Program
Prof Jennifer Watts, Emeritus Professor Rob Carter, A/Prof Mark Yates
Ballarat Health Services
- 2017: $41,054
- 2016: $67,858
- 2015: $82,108
Literature Review-Safer Diagnosis
Dr Julie Abimanyi-Ochom, Prof Jennifer Watts, Miss Shalika Bohingamu Mudiyanselage, Mr Max Catchpool
VIC Managed Insurance Authority
- 2017: $44,529
Implementation of a Symptom and Urgent Review Clinic (SURC) - An economic assessment.
Dr Sophy Shih, Prof Marj Moodie, Prof Jennifer Watts
Department of Health and Human Services - Victoria
- 2019: $27,860
- 2018: $15,240
National assessment of existing CT screening infrastructure to inform the early design of a potential Lung Cancer Screening program.
A/Prof Anna Ugalde, Prof Vicki White, Prof Trish Livingston, Prof Jennifer Watts, Dr Lan Gao, Miss Hannah Jongebloed
Cancer Australia
- 2022: $154,323
Workforce impact modelling for the early design and feasibility of a potential Lung Cancer Screening program.
A/Prof Anna Ugalde, Prof Vicki White, Prof Trish Livingston, Prof Jennifer Watts, Dr Lan Gao, Miss Hannah Jongebloed
Cancer Australia
- 2022: $118,090
Industry and Other Funding
Osteoporosis Burden of Disease in Australia
Prof Jennifer Watts, Dr Julie Abimanyi-Ochom
Osteoporosis Aust Grant - Research
- 2013: $39,906
Evaluation of Map of Medicine at South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network
A/Prof Kevin Mc Namara, Prof Jennifer Watts
South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network
- 2016: $40,140
Avoidable hospitalisation for people living with dementia: identifying patterns and barriers
Dr Frances Batchelor, Dr Anita Panayiotou, Dr Lidia Engel, Prof Jennifer Watts
State Trustees Australia Foundation Dementia Care Research Grants Program
- 2019: $33,507
Review of GMHBA's chronic disease prevention and health promotion programs.
Prof Anna Peeters, Prof Jennifer Watts, A/Prof Martin Hensher
GMHBA
- 2019: $20,000
Kids Plus Foundation Senior Research Fellow
Prof Jennifer Watts, Prof Sharon Brennan-Olsen, A/Prof Angela Dew, A/Prof Genevieve Pepin
Kids Plus Foundation
- 2022: $35,751
Supervisions
Dao Nguyet Ha Le
Thesis entitled: The economic impact of low language skills from early childhood to adolescence
Doctor of Philosophy (Health & Social Development), School of Health and Social Development