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Sarah Ellis, BA.Psych (Hons) - B.Health, DCP

“CAT NAP” Carers at night in paediatrics: Adapting evidence based interventions to improve sleep in parents of seriously ill children

"My PhD aims to assess the prevalence, predictors and consequences of poor sleep in parents of children with cancer. In response to a clear need for support in this area, we have also developed CAT-NAP (Carers at night in pediatrics), a multi-component, evidence-based intervention, which has been specifically tailored to meet the needs of parents sleeping overnight on the hospital ward. I am incredibly grateful to all of the families, nursing staff, medical professionals and researchers who have helped us to develop this valuable resource, which we are currently in the process of evaluating. I have been very fortunate to have the support from my Primary Supervisors Prof Phyllis Butow and A/Prof Ilona Juraskova from The University of Sydney and my Associate Supervisor Prof Claire Wakefield from the Behavioural Sciences Unit throughout this journey. Despite the challenges of completing a PhD, the combination of wonderful supervision and a fun and encouraging team environment has made this experience both personally and professionally rewarding."​

Selected Publications

  • Ellis, S. J., Fardell, J. E., Wakefield, C. E., Schilstra, C. E., Burns, M. A., Donnan, B., Walwyn, T., Lum, A., Marshall, G., Carter, A., Barton, B., & Cohn, R. J. Are we meeting the training needs of healthcare and education professionals supporting children with cancer in their return to school? [Letter to the editor]. Pediatric Blood and Cancer. Accepted for publication 16 November, 2018.
  • Ellis S.J., Wakefield C.E., Antill, G., Burns, M., Patterson, P. (2017). Supporting children facing a parent’s cancer diagnosis: a systematic review of children’s psychosocial needs and existing interventions. European Journal of Cancer Care, 26(1): e12432.
  • Ellis, S.J., Wakefield, C.E., McLoone, J.K., Robertson, E.G., & Cohn, R.J. (2016). Fertility concerns among child and adolescent cancer survivors and their parents: A qualitative analysis. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 34, 347-362. 
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