Dr Judith Coombes
Adjunct Senior Lecturer
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Researcher biography
Judith Coombes has graduated with a BPharm, a PhD and Graduate Certificate in Higher Education from the University of Queensland. She has also completed a Master of Science in Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Brighton(UK). Her PhD is titled "A conversation about medications after a stroke".
She has held an adjunct senior lecturer appointment with the School of pharmacy, University of Queensland since 2024. She held a Conjoint appointment as a lecturer with the School of Pharmacy at the University of Queensland since 1996 until 2024. She has been an Advanced Pharmacist for Education at Princess Alexandra Hospital since from 1996 until 2024.
Judith maintains an interest in quality use of medicine (QUM), medication taking behaviour by patients and practitioner development.
Journal Articles
Wickramasinghe, Dilmi, Lynch, Catherine, Coombes, Judith, Jayamanne, Shaluka and De Silva, Shamila (2024). Improving Drug- and Disease-related Knowledge of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Randomized Controlled Trial from a Sri Lankan Outpatient Clinic. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Health Care, 16 (2), 208-215. doi: 10.4103/ajprhc.ajprhc_36_24
Mamunuwa, N., Jayamanne, S., Wijekoon, N., Coombes, J., Perera, D., Shanika, T., Mohamed, F., Lynch, C., De Silva, A. and Dawson, A. (2023). Duplication errors due to brand name confusion; It is not always the name—Short case series. Clinical Case Reports, 11 (9) e7795, 1-3. doi: 10.1002/ccr3.7795
Van Der Vliet, Tara, Coombes, Judith, Lloyd, Jess and Winckel, Karl (2022). Beyond 'voluntourism'. GRIT, 5 (4), 170-177.
George, Christopher, Barras, Michael, Coombes, Judith and Winckel, Karl (2020). Unfractionated heparin dosing in obese patients. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 42 (2), 462-473. doi: 10.1007/s11096-020-01004-5
Coombes, I., Coombes, J., Hough, J. E., Cope, J. H., O’Brien, B., Thilakarathne, A. P. and Mohamed, F. (2020). Assessing limitations and solutions in developing clinical pharmacy services in Sri Lankan government hospitals: a report from a hospital pharmacists’ workshop. Pharmaceutical Journal of Sri Lanka, 9 (1), 52-61. doi: 10.4038/pjsl.v9i1.47
Coombes, Judith A., Rowett, Debra, Whitty, Jennifer A. and Cottrell, Neil W. (2019). Using a structured, patient-centred, educational exchange to facilitate a shared conversation about stroke prevention medications. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 26 (2) jep.13263, 635-644. doi: 10.1111/jep.13263
Coombes, Judith Ann, Rowett, Debra, Whitty, Jennifer A. and Cottrell, W. Neil (2018). Use of a patient-centred educational exchange (PCEE) to improve patient’s self-management of medicines after a stroke: a randomised controlled trial study protocol. BMJ Open, 8 (8) e022225, e022225. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022225
Shanika, Lelwala Guruge Thushani, Jayamanne, Shaluka, Wijekoon, Chandrani Nirmala, Coombes, Judith and Perera, Dhineli (2018). Correction: Ward-based clinical pharmacists and hospital readmission: a non-randomized controlled trial in Sri Lanka (vol 96, pg 155, 2018). Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 96 (5), 368-368. doi: 10.2471/BLT.18.100518
Shanika, Lelwala Guruge Thushani, Jayamanne, Shaluka, Wijekoon, Chandrani Nirmala, Coombes, Judith, Perera, Dhineli, Mohamed, Fahim, Coombes, Ian, De Silva, Hithanadura Asita and Dawson, Andrew Hamilton (2018). Ward-based clinical pharmacists and hospital readmission: a nonrandomized controlled trial in Sri Lanka. Bulletin of World Health Organisation, 96 (3), 155-164. doi: 10.2471/BLT.17.198366
Baatiema, Leonard, Otim, Michael E., Mnatzaganian, George, Aikins, Ama de-Graft, Coombes, Judith and Somerset, Shawn (2017). Health professionals' views on the barriers and enablers to evidence-based practice for acute stroke care: a systematic review. Implementation Science, 12 (1) 74, 74. doi: 10.1186/s13012-017-0599-3
Perera, Dhineli Michelle Patricia, Coombes, Judith Ann, Shanika, Lelwala Guruge Thushani, Dawson, Andrew, Lynch, Catherine, Mohamed, Fahim, De Silva, Hithanadura Asita, Jayamanne, Shaluka Francis, Peters, Nimali Buddhima, Myers, Brooke and Coombes, Ian David (2017). Opportunities for pharmacists to optimise quality use of medicines in a Sri Lankan hospital: an observational, prospective, cohort study. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 47 (2), 121-130. doi: 10.1002/jppr.1302
Baatiema, Leonard, Otim, Michael, Mnatzaganian, George, Aikins, Ama De-Graft, Coombes, Judith and Somerset, Shawn (2017). Towards best practice in acute stroke care in Ghana: a survey of hospital services. BMC Health Services Research, 17 (1) 108, 108. doi: 10.1186/s12913-017-2061-2
Shanika, Lelwala Guruge Thushani, Wijekoon, Chandrani Nirmala, Jayamanne, Shaluka, Coombes, Judith, Coombes, Ian, Mamunuwa, Nilani, Dawson, Andrew Hamilton and De Silva, Hithanadura Asita (2017). Acceptance and attitudes of healthcare staff towards the introduction of clinical pharmacy service: a descriptive cross-sectional study from a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka. BMC Health Services Research, 17 (1) 46, 46-46. doi: 10.1186/s12913-017-2001-1
Coombes, Ian, Coombes, Judith and Dawson, Andrew (2015). Clinical pharmacy in Sri Lanka: translating training into practice. Journal of Pharmacy and Practice Research, 45 (4), 392-393. doi: 10.1002/jppr.1161
Hale, Andrew, Martin, Jennifer H, Coombes, Ian, McDougall, David, Coombes, Judith and Nissen, Lisa (2014). A pilot study to assess the appropriateness of prescribing from a randomised controlled trial of collaborative prescribing in a surgical pre admission clinic. Journal of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems, 1 (3), 1-6.
Coombes, I. D., Fernando, G., Wickramaratne, M., Peters, N. B., Lynch, C. B., Lum, E. and Coombes, J. A. (2013). Collaborating to develop clinical pharmacy teaching in Sri Lanka. Pharmacy Education, 13 (1), 29-35.
Coombes, Ian, Avent, Minyon, Cardiff, Lynda, Bettenay, Karen, Coombes, Judith, Whitfield, Karen, Stokes, Julie, Davies, Graham and Bates, Ian (2010). Improvement in pharmacist's performance facilitated by an adapted competency-based general level framework. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 40 (2), 111-118. doi: 10.1002/j.2055-2335.2010.tb00517.x
Pulver, Lisa K., Tett, Susan E. and Coombes, Judith (2009). The Queensland experience of participation in a national drug use evaluation project - Community-Acquired Pneumonia-Towards Improving Outcomes Nationally (CAPTION). BMC Pulmonary Medicine, 9 (1) 38, 1-6. doi: 10.1186/1471-2466-9-38
Coombes, I. D., Stowasser, D. A., Coombes, J. A. and Mitchell, C. A. (2008). Why do interns make prescribing errors? A qualitative study. Medical Journal of Australia, 188 (2), 89-94. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2008.tb01529.x
McKauge, L. and Coombes, J. (2005). Quality use of medicine experiential placements for fourth year pharmacy students. Pharmacy Education, 5 (2), 137-142. doi: 10.1080/15602210500193409
Coombes, J., Davies, G., Fleming, G., Harrhy, K., McGuire, T. and McRobbie, D. (2003). Piloting an objective structured clinical examination to evaluate the clinical competency of pre-registeration pharmacists. Journal of Pharmacy Practice & Research, 33 (3), 194-198. doi: 10.1002/jppr2003333194
Cardiff, L. M., Coombes, J., Matthews, J., Poulier, M. V. and Tett, S.E. (2001). Drug use evaluation of ipratropium bromide at two tertiary referral hospitals in Brisbane.. Australian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 31 (4), 279-283. doi: 10.1002/jppr2001314279
Leditschke, IA and Coombes, JA (2000). Concordance between use of proton pump inhibitors and prescribing guidelines. Medical Journal of Australia, 172 (11), 564-564. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2000.tb124110.x
Collins, D., Coombes, J., Staatz, C. E., Stowasser, D. and Stowasser, M. (2000). Identifying Drug-Related Readmissions: Is There a Better Way of Assessing the Contribution of Adverse Medication Events?. Australian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 30 (2), 47-52.
Stowasser, Danielle A., Staatz, Christine E., Stowasser, Michael, Coombes, Judith A. and Collins, David M. (2000). Identifying Drug-Related Readmissions: Is There a Better Way of Assessing the Contribution of Adverse Medication Events?. Australian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 30 (2), 47-53. doi: 10.1002/jppr200030247
Leditschke, I. A. and Coombes, J. A. (2000). Inappropriately prolonged acid suppression therapy. Medical Journal of Australia, 172 (11), 564-564.
Conference Papers
Hayman, Samuel, Winckel, Karl, Coombes, Judith and De Guzman, Keshia (2023). Diabetes and thalassaemia: when the bloods don’t match the BGL'S. SHPA Medicines Management 2023, Cairns, QLD Australia, 2-4 November 2023.
Hayman, Samuel, Winckel, Karl and Coombes, Judith (2023). Pain and pregab: a medicine use audit of pregabalin prescribing. SHPA Medicines Management 2023, Cairns, QLD Australia, 2-4 November 2023.
Kimpton, Natalie, Washbourne, Madeleine, Winckel, Karl and Coombes, Judith (2023). A case report to wisper about: what is superior in pulmonary arterial hypertension?. SHPA Medicines Management 2024, Cairns, QLD Australia, 2-4 November 2023.
Li, Catherine, Coombes, Judith A., Rowett, Debra, Whitty, Jennifer, Shah, Darshan and Cottrell, William N. (2019). STROKE SURVIVORS' MEDICATION BELIEFS AND ADHERENCE TO MEDICATIONS FOR SECONDARY PREVENTION OF STROKE. NEW YORK: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC.
Woodruff, Gemma, Hendy, Anna, Coombes, Judith, Winckel, Karl, Hale, Andrew, Coombes, Ian and Barras, Michael (2019). Final foundation residency portfolio reviews – Feedback from a two-site review process. APSA 2019, Melbourne, Australia, 1-4 December 2019.
George, C., Winckel, K., Barras, M., Coombes, J. and Cottrell, N. (2018). Dosing of Unfractionated Heparin in obese patients at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Translational Research Institute Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, August 2018.
Coombes, J. A., Cottrell, N., Whitty, J. and Rowett, D. (2016). A Conversation About Stroke Medications: Using Patient Perceptions to Personalise Educational Messages. Asia Pacific Stroke Conference 2016, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 14-17 July 2016. BASEL: Karger. doi: 10.1159/000447732
Coombes, Judith and Scott, I. (2013). Use of the STOPP/START tool to assess medication use in a cohort of older patients. 39th SHPA National Conference, Cairns, Australia, 19-22 September 2013.
Lo, Andy, Murphy, Kathleen and Coombes, Judith (2013). Medications prescribed for stroke prevention: a challenge to meet the guidelines. 39th SHPA National Conference, Cairns, Australia, 19-22 September 2013.
Currey, Elizabeth, Mehta, Abhishek, Winckel, Karl and Coombes, Judith (2013). Assessing the impact of a 13-week trial of extending clinical pharmacy services to the emergency department. 39th SHPA National Conference, Cairns, Australia, 19-22 September 2013.
Smith, Alesha, Pulver, Lisa, Coombes, Judith and Tett, Susan E. (2012). Visualising communication networks to improve use of medicines in elderly residents across care sites. National Medicines Symposium 2012, Sydneay, Australia, 24-25 May 2012.
McKauge, Leigh, Coombes, Judith and Cottrell, Neil (2010). Student learning gains from the final year Pharmacy student Quality Use of medicine (QUM) experiential placements. ANZAME10: Overcoming BARRIERS, RE(E)Forming professional practice, Townsville, QLD, Australia, 13-16 July 2010.
Coombes, J. A., Pulver, L. K., Taylor, D. R. and Tett, S. E. (2008). Involvement in a national multicentre DUE: An evaluation by participating Queensland hospitals. 2008 National Medicines Symposium, Canberra, Australia, 14-16 May 2008.
Poulsen, L., Coombes, J. and Nissen, L. (2007). Supporting the “Sole”. Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia 28th Federal Conference, Sydney, Australia, 8 - 11 November 2007.
Cardiff, L., Coombes, I. and Coombes, J. (2007). Self-reflection And Evaluation: A Partnership For Improving Pharmaceutical Review. SHPA 28th Federal Conference 2007, Sydney NSW Australia, 8 - 11 November 2007.
Coombes, I., Mitchell, C., Coombes, J. and Stowasser, D. (2007). Why Do Interns Make Mistakes? Explanations and Solutions. SHPA 28th Federal Conference 2007, Convention Centre, Sydney Australia, 8-11 November 2007.
Wai, A., Horn, F., Mackson, J. M., Maxwell, D. J., Kaye, K. I., McIntosh, K. A., Robertson, M. B., Stanton, L. A., Peterson, G. M., Marwood, A. C., Dollman, W. B., Pulver, L. K., Tett, S. E., Coombes, J., Petrie, A. and Weekes, L. (2006). National quality improvement initiatives - CAPTION and beyond. 4th Australasian Conference on Safety and Quality in Health Care, Melbourne, Australia, 21st - 23rd August, 2006.
Pulver, L., Coombes, J., Petrie, A. F. and Tett, S. E. (2006). Spin-offs and bonanzas from Queensland participating in CAPTION. Quality Use of Medicines: Balancing Beliefs, Benefits and Harms, Canberra / National Convention Centre, 7-9 June 2006. Canberra: National Prescribing Service Limited.
Maxwell, D., Kaye, K. I., McIntosh, K., Robertson, M. B., Stanton, L .A., Peterson, G. M., Marwood, A. C., Dollman, W. B., Pulver, L., Tett, S. E., Coombes, J., Petrie, A. F., Wai, A., Horn, F., Mackson, J. and Weekes, L. M. (2006). Community-acquired pneumonia: Towards improving outcomes nationally. A national quality improvement initiative 'Down Under'. The 23rd International Conference of the International Society for Quality in Health Care, London / QE11 Centre, 22-25 October 2006. UK: ISQua.
McKauge, L. M. and Coombes, J. (2003). Quality use of medicine experiential placements for fourth year pharmacy students. Effective Teaching and Learning Conference 2003, Griffith University, Brisbane, 6-7 November, 2003. Brisbane: Griffith University.
Coombes, J. and McKauge, L. M. (2003). Quality use of medicines (QUM) placements for 4th year pharmacy students. SHPA 26th Federal Conference, Canberra, 13-16 Nov. 2003. Melbourne: SHPA.
Coombes, J., Davies, J. G., Harrhy, K., McGuire, T., McPherson, G. and McRobbie, D. (1999). Outcomes of hospital pre-registration training: Assessing clinical competence. SHPA 24th Federal Conference, Perth, WA, 25-28 Nov. 1999. Perth, WA: SHPA.
Thesis
Coombes, Judith (2020). A patient-centred educational exchange to support medication taking behaviour after a minor stroke: a conversation about medications after a stroke. PhD Thesis, School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/457e6a3
Research Reports
Tett, Susan, Coombes, Judith and Pulver, Lisa (2011). Multicentre drug use evaluation in hospitals. QUM in hospitals: Queensland. St. Lucia, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
Tett, Susan, Coombes, Judith, Pulver, Lisa and Taylor, Donna (2009). Discharge management of acute coronary syndromes project (DMACS) Queensland Arm. St. Lucia, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.