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Health Sciences profile

Associate Professor Sara Filoche

PositionAssociate Professor, Associate Dean (Research) for UOW, Head of Department for Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women’s Health
DepartmentDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women's Health (Wellington)
QualificationsBSc(Hons) MSc PhD PGDip Gen Med (Distn)
Research summaryHealth services research

Research

Sara is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago Wellington. She has a background in biomedical science and is a health services researcher whose work is centered around improving access to healthcare and reducing health inequities. Her work takes an interdisciplinary approach and projects include exploring clinical care pathways and people's experiences of accessing healthcare.

In addition, Sara has a specialist interest in public health genetics and genomics, and in ensuring equitable access to genetic and genomic medicine as these modalities become routine. Sara also co-runs a programme of science learning experiences with local kura kaupapa Māori.

Publications

Dore, M., Faya, N., Filoche, S., & Henry, C. (2023). Transcriptomic identification of differentially expressed genes in Levonorgestrel resistant endometrial cancer cell lines. Molecular Carcinogenesis. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/mc.23544

Ormandy, J., Meikle, A., Filoche, S., Henry, C., & Claricoats, G. (2022). Covid-19 vaccination uptake by hapū māmā: How are we progressing? [Short communication]. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13606

Kanagasabai, P. S., Filoche, S., Grainger, R., Henry, C., & Hay-Smith, J. (2022). Interventions to improve access to care for abnormal uterine bleeding: A systematic scoping review. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.14224

Shelling, A. N., Bicknell, L. S., Bohlander, S. S., Cox, M. P., Filoche, S. K., Fraser, H. G., … Te Aika, B., Purcell, R. V., & Tiller, J. M. (2022). Genomic discrimination in New Zealand health and life insurance: AGenDA: Against Genomic Discrimination in Aotearoa. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1551), 7-12. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Yang, J., Dowell, A., & Filoche, S. (2022). Views of health professionals on the impact of early miscarriage on women's mental health and the accessibility of services and support. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1548), 54-64. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Jass, J., Roberts, S. K., & Lappin-Scott, H. M. (2001). Microbes and enzymes in biofilms. In R. G. Burns & M. Dekker (Eds.), Enzymes in the environment, activity, ecology and application.

Chapter in Book - Research

Dore, M., Faya, N., Filoche, S., & Henry, C. (2023). Transcriptomic identification of differentially expressed genes in Levonorgestrel resistant endometrial cancer cell lines. Molecular Carcinogenesis. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/mc.23544

Journal - Research Article

Lawton, B., MacDonald, E. J., Filoche, S., Stanley, J., Meeks, M., Stone, P., … Geller, S. E. (2022). Examining the potential preventability of adverse fetal/neonatal outcomes associated with severe maternal morbidity. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 62, 71-78. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13404

Journal - Research Article

Yang, J., Dowell, A., & Filoche, S. (2022). Views of health professionals on the impact of early miscarriage on women's mental health and the accessibility of services and support. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1548), 54-64. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Dore, M., Filoche, S., Danielson, K., & Henry, C. (2021). Characterisation of levonorgestrel-resistant endometrial cancer cells. Cancer Management & Research, 13, 7871-7884. doi: 10.2147/CMAR.S327381

Journal - Research Article

Edmonds, L. K., Sibanda, N., Geller, S., Cram, F., Robson, B., Filoche, S., Storey, F., … Lawton, B. (2021). He Tamariki Kokoti Tau: Tackling preterm incidence and outcomes of preterm births by ethnicity in Aotearoa New Zealand 2010-2014. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 155, 239-246. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.13855

Journal - Research Article

Filoche, S., Stubbe, M. H., Grainger, R., Robson, B., Paringatai, K., Wilcox, P., Jefferies, R., & Dowell, A. (2021). How is family health history discussed in routine primary healthcare? A qualitative study of archived family doctor consultations. BMJ Open, 11(10), e049058. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049058

Journal - Research Article

Henry, C. E., Phan, K., Orsman, E. J. O., Kenwright, D., Thunders, M. C., & Filoche, S. K. (2021). Molecular profiling of endometrial cancer: An exploratory study in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Cancers, 13(22), 5641. doi: 10.3390/cancers13225641

Journal - Research Article

Henry, C., Ekeroma, A., Dowell, A., & Filoche, S. (2021). 'The horror stories put me off!': Exploring women's acceptability of the Levonorgestrel IntraUterine System (LNG-IUS) for endometrial protection. Journal of Primary Health Care, 13(1), 55-62. doi: 10.1071/HC20105

Journal - Research Article

Kanagasabai, P., Filoche, S., Ekeroma, A., Grainger, R., Dowell, A., & Paterson, H. (2021). Relevance of Otago University postgraduate programmes in women's health to general practice: A case study. Journal of Primary Health Care, 13(4), 323-333. doi: 10.1071/HC20113

Journal - Research Article

Filoche, S., Stone, P., Cram, F., Bacharach, S., Dowell, A., Sika-Paotonu, D., … Ormandy, J., … Thunders, M., & Dew, K. (2020). Uncovering social structures and informational prejudices to reduce inequity in delivery and uptake of new molecular technologies. Journal of Medical Ethics, 46, 763-767. doi: 10.1136/medethics-2019-105734

Journal - Research Article

Henry, C., Ekeroma, A., & Filoche, S. (2020). Barriers to seeking consultation for abnormal uterine bleeding: Systematic review of qualitative research. BMC Women's Health, 20, 123. doi: 10.1186/s12905-020-00986-8

Journal - Research Article

Henry, C., Jefferies, R., Ekeroma, A., & Filoche, S. (2020). Beyond the numbers-understanding women's experiences of accessing care for abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB): A qualitative study. BMJ Open, 10, e041853. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041853

Journal - Research Article

Lawton, B., Filoche, S., MacDonald, E. J., Stanley, J., Meeks, M., Stone, P., Storey, F., & Geller, S. E. (2020). Examining adverse fetal/neonatal outcomes associated with severe maternal morbidity. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 60, 865-870. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13163

Journal - Research Article

Stevenson, K., Cram, F., Filoche, S., & Lawton, B. (2020). Impact on whānau wellbeing of transfer to secondary or tertiary hospitals after a disruption to the birthing journey. MAI Journal, 9(2), 121-132. doi: 10.20507/MAIJournal.2020.9.2.3

Journal - Research Article

Stevenson, K., Filoche, S., Cram, F., & Lawton, B. (2020). Te Hā o Whānau: A culturally responsive framework of maternity care. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1517), 66-72. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Crabbe, R. E. S., Stone, P., & Filoche, S. K. (2019). What are women saying about non-invasive prenatal testing? An analysis of online pregnancy discussion forums. Prenatal Diagnosis, 39(10), 890-895. doi: 10.1002/pd.5500

Journal - Research Article

Furniss, M., Conroy, M., Filoche, S., MacDonald, E. J., Geller, S. E., & Lawton, B. (2018). Information, support, and follow-up offered to women who experienced severe maternal morbidity. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 141(3), 384-388. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.12454

Journal - Research Article

Filoche, S. K., Lawton, B., Beard, A., & Stone, P. (2017). Views of the obstetric profession on non-invasive prenatal testing in Aotearoa New Zealand: A national survey. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 57(6), 617-623. doi: 10.1111/ajo.12656

Journal - Research Article

Filoche, S. K., Snook, S., & Lawton, B. A. (2017). Exploring access to vasectomy services: A case study of funding in counties Manukau. Journal of Primary Health Care, 9(1), 85-89. doi: 10.1071/HC16033

Journal - Research Article

Filoche, S. K., Lawton, B., & Stanley, J. (2016). Access to secondary mental health services in a cohort of New Zealand mothers. Community Mental Health Journal, 52(8), 964-971. doi: 10.1007/s10597-016-0042-2

Journal - Research Article

Lawton, B., Filoche, S., Geller, S. E., Garrett, S., & Stanley, J. (2016). A retrospective cohort study of the association between midwifery experience and perinatal mortality. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 132(1), 94-99. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.07.003

Journal - Research Article

Lawton, B., Stanley, J., Filoche, S., Garrett, S., Rose, S. B., Robson, B., & Elley, C. R. (2016). Exploring the maternal and infant continuum: Ethnic disparities in infant hospital admissions for respiratory disease. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 40(5), 430-435. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12505

Journal - Research Article

Stevenson, K., Filoche, S., Cram, F., & Lawton, B. (2016). Lived realities: Birthing experiences of Māori women under 20 years of age. AlterNative, 12(2), 124-137. doi: 10.20507/AlterNative.2016.12.2.2

Journal - Research Article

Lawton, B., Filoche, S. K., Rose, S. B., Stanley, J., Garrett, S., Robson, B., Brown, S., & Sykes, P. (2014). Uterine cancer: Exploring access to services in the public health system. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 54(5), 457-461. doi: 10.1111/ajo.12237

Journal - Research Article

Lawton, B. A., Rose, S. B., Pullon, S., Stanley, J., Garrett, S., Sykes, P., Cormack, D., Robson, B., Langdana, F., Cooper, A., & Filoche, S. K. (2012). The impact of outpatient booking systems on waiting times for investigation of suspected cancer: The case of post-menopausal bleeding. Clinical Ovarian & Other Gynecologic Cancer, 5(2), 87-93. doi: 10.1016/j.cogc.2013.06.001

Journal - Research Article

Filoche, S. K., Cornford, E., Gaude, W., Wong, M., Heasman, P., & Thomson, W. M. (2010). Smoking, chronic periodontitis and smoking cessation support: Reviewing the role of dental professionals. New Zealand Dental Journal, 106(2), 74-77.

Journal - Research Article

Filoche, S., Wong, L., & Sissons, C. H. (2010). Oral biofilms: Emerging concepts in microbial ecology. Journal of Dental Research, 89(1), 8-18. doi: 10.1177/0022034509351812

Journal - Research Article

Jatrana, S., Crampton, P., & Filoche, S. (2009). The case for integrating oral health into primary health care. New Zealand Medical Journal, 122(1301). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/122-1301/3751/content.pdf

Journal - Research Article

Filoche, S. K., Soma, D., van Bekkum, M., & Sissons, C. H. (2008). Plaques from different individuals yield different microbiota responses to oral-antiseptic treatment. FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology, 54(1), 27-36. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-695X.2008.00443.x

Journal - Research Article

Filoche, S. K., Coleman, M. J., Angker, L., & Sissons, C. H. (2007). A fluorescence assay to determine the viable biomass of microcosm dental plaque biofilms. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 69(3), 489-496.

Journal - Research Article

Filoche, S. K., Soma, K. J., & Sissons, C. H. (2007). Caries-related plaque microcosm biofilms developed in microplates. Oral Microbiology & Immunology, 22(2), 73-79.

Journal - Research Article

Sladek, R. E. J., Filoche, S. K., Sissons, C. H., & Stoffels, E. (2007). Treatment of Streptococcus mumtans biofilms with a nonthermal atmospheric plasma. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 45, 318-323.

Journal - Research Article

Filoche, S. K., Soma, K., & Sissons, C. H. (2005). Antimicrobial effects of essential oils in combination with chlorhexidine digluconate. Oral Microbiology & Immunology, 20, 221-225.

Journal - Research Article

Filoche, S. K., Anderson, S. A., & Sissons, C. H. (2004). Biofilm growth of Lactobacillus species is promoted by Actinomyces species and Streptococcus mutans. Oral Microbiology & Immunology, 19(5), 322-326.

Journal - Research Article

Filoche, S. K., Zhu, M., & Wu, C. D. (2004). In situ biofilm formation by multispecies oral bacteria under flowing and anaerobic conditions. Journal of Dental Research, 83(10), 802-806.

Journal - Research Article

Hwang, B. Y., Roberts, S. K., Chadwick, L. R., Wu, C. D., & Kinghorn, A. D. (2003). Antimicrobial constituents from goldenseal (the Rhizomes of Hydrastis canadensis) against selected oral pathogens. Planta Medica, 69(7), 623-627.

Journal - Research Article

Roberts, S. K., Wei, G. X., & Wu, C. D. (2002). Evaluating biofilm growth of two oral pathogens. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 35, 552-556.

Journal - Research Article

Kanagasabai, P. S., Filoche, S., Grainger, R., Henry, C., & Hay-Smith, J. (2022). Interventions to improve access to care for abnormal uterine bleeding: A systematic scoping review. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.14224

Journal - Research Other

Ormandy, J., Meikle, A., Filoche, S., Henry, C., & Claricoats, G. (2022). Covid-19 vaccination uptake by hapū māmā: How are we progressing? [Short communication]. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13606

Journal - Research Other

Shelling, A. N., Bicknell, L. S., Bohlander, S. S., Cox, M. P., Filoche, S. K., Fraser, H. G., … Te Aika, B., Purcell, R. V., & Tiller, J. M. (2022). Genomic discrimination in New Zealand health and life insurance: AGenDA: Against Genomic Discrimination in Aotearoa. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1551), 7-12. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Other

Clarricoats, G., Ormandy, J., Henry, C., Meikle, A., & Filoche, S. (2021). COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy: Time to act, time to advocate. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 61(6), E30. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13461

Journal - Research Other

Dore, M., Filoche, S., Danielson, K., & Henry, C. (2021). Efficacy of the LNG-IUS for treatment of endometrial hyperplasia and early stage endometrial cancer: Can biomarkers predict response? Gynecologic Oncology Reports, 36, 100732. doi: 10.1016/j.gore.2021.100732

Journal - Research Other

Filoche, S., & Cornwall, J. (2021). DNA information: Access, use and implications for healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1528), 107-110. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Other

van der Woude, H., Krebs, J., Filoche, S., & Gasser, O. (2020). Innate-like T cells in the context of metabolic disease and novel therapeutic targets. Immunometabolism, 4(3), e200031. doi: 10.20900/immunometab20200031

Journal - Research Other

Henry, C., Filoche, S., Thunders, M., Kenwright, D., & Ekeroma, A. (2019). Reflection on the current status of endometrial cancer in New Zealand. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 59, 874-876. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13057

Journal - Research Other

Filoche, S., Cram, F., Beard, A., Sim, D., Geller, S., Edmonds, L., Robson, B., & Lawton, B. (2018). He Tamariki Kokoti Tau-Tackling preterm: A data-linkage methodology to explore the clinical care pathway in preterm deliveries. BMC Health Services Research, 18, 374. doi: 10.1186/s12913-018-3179-6

Journal - Research Other

Filoche, S., Dew, K., & Dowell, A. (2018). Gnome medicine: What does genomic medicine mean to our patients and us? New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1473), 92-93. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Other

Filoche, S., Cram, F., Lawton, B., Beard, A., & Stone, P. (2017). Implementing non-invasive prenatal testing into publicly funded antenatal screening services for Down syndrome and other conditions in Aotearoa New Zealand. BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth, 17, 344. doi: 10.1186/s12884-017-1535-x

Journal - Research Other

Filoche, S., Lawton, B., Beard, A., Dowell, A., & Stone, P. (2017). New screen on the block: Non-invasive prenatal testing for fetal chromosomal abnormalities. Journal of Primary Health Care, 9(4), 248-253. doi: 10.1071/HC16055

Journal - Research Other

Lawton, B., Filoche, S., Geller, S. E., & Stanley, J. (2016). The association between midwifery experience and perinatal mortality: Authors’ reply. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 133, 252-253. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2016.02.008

Journal - Research Other

Filoche, S., Garrett, S., Stanley, J., Rose, S., Robson, B., Elley, C. R., & Lawton, B. (2013). Wāhine hauora: Linking local hospital and national health information datasets to explore maternal risk factors and obstetric outcomes of New Zealand Māori and non-Māori women in relation to infant respiratory admissions and timely immunisations. BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth, 13, 145. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-13-145

Journal - Research Other

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