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0423 451 121
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Dr Caitlin Jones
KEY PUBLICATIONS​
B Occ Thy (Hons), PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Dr Caitlin Jones is an early career researcher conducting practice-changing research evaluating treatments for musculoskeletal pain. She has a particular interest in evaluating high-risk treatments to ensure that patients are not exposed to unnecessary harm. Her work has challenges previously held beliefs that opioids are beneficial for certain musculoskeletal conditions in primary care and emergency department settings. This work has been published in top ranked medical journals including The Lancet, BMJ and Annals of Internal Medicine.
Alongside Dr Jones' postdoctoral research work at the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, she works with the international organisation OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology). In this role she co-lead the Fellows program, which is an educational and mentoring program that sets Fellows up for success in their work creating core outcome sets for use in Rheumatology trials and practice globally.
Dr Jones serves on the ANZMUSC ECR committee, the School of Public Health EMCR Advisory committee, and the IASP ECR Education committee. She plays a key role in organising an ECR training opportunities including an upcoming media training and research showcase events.
Dr Jones has been a guest on Triple J Hack, ABC Morning radio, and has provided interviews to numerous media outlets to communicate the findings of her work.
Effectiveness of Opioid Analgesic Medicines Prescribed in or at Discharge From Emergency Departments for Musculoskeletal Pain : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Annals of Internal Medicine
Spinal Cord Stimulators: An Analysis of the Adverse Events Reported to the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration Journal of patient safety
REPAIRS pilot trial
Testing the feasibility and acceptability of a trial to investigate whether a reduced amount of opioids prescribed upon discharge after total hip and knee replacement is as effective as a standard amount
Systematic review of trials investigating lower versus higher amounts of opioids provided at discharge after surgery
Systematic review of default nudge interventions to reduce the use of low value care
Secondary analyses of the OPAL trial – CACE and mediator analysis
OPAL
This project provided the first robust evidence on the effectiveness of opioids in the treatment of acute low back pain and neck pain. The trial results will improve care for patients suffering acute spinal pain. Low back pain and neck pain place an enormous burden on patients and health services, both nationally and internationally. Despite the widespread use and recommendations in clinical guidelines, there are no randomised controlled trials that have assessed the effectiveness of opioids for acute low back and neck pain. OPAL is a clinical trial to find out whether opioid analgesics are effective in reducing low back or neck pain, compared to placebo. The opioid analgesic medication– oxycodone – will be taken for up to six weeks. During these six weeks, the participant will be reviewed weekly by a treating physician. This study is currently recruiting. You may be eligible to participate if you have experienced low back pain and/or neck pain of at least moderate severity within the last 12 weeks, and are considered by your treating doctor as appropriate for opioid analgesia. Principal Investigator: Professor Christine Lin Chief Investigators: Professor Chris Maher, Professor Jane Latimer, Associate Professor Laurent Billot, Professor Andrew McLachlan, Professor Ric Day and Professor Bart Koes. The sponsor of this trial is the George Institute. The study has received ethics approval from the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee. For more information, please contact the OPAL team. e: sph.opal@sydney.edu.au Trial registered on ANZCTR: ACTRN12615000775516