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Social and Behavioural Research Unit staff profile

Associate Professor Richard Egan

PositionAssociate Professor in Health Promotion
DepartmentDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine
QualificationsBA(Hons) PhD DPH(Otago) MPhil(Massey) DipTchg(Wgtn)
Memberships
  • Past Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand Board Member
  • Past President Public Health Association of New Zealand
  • Member International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) Global Working Group on Waiora Planetary Health and Human Wellbeing
  • Honorary Research Consultant, Meaningful Ageing Australia
  • Global Network for Spirituality & Health member
  • Collaboration for Ageing Research Excellence, University of Otago
  • Member Psycho-oncology New Zealand
  • Member Psycho-oncology Cooperative Research Group (Australia / New Zealand)

Research

My research interests include supportive care in cancer; health promotion; aged health care; assisted dying; spirituality; hospice / palliative care; death and dying.

Publications

van der Meer, J., Egan, R., Morrison, H., & Pratt, K. (2023). The importance of supporting students' sense of meaning and purpose as part of supporting the "whole student". Open Journal of Social Sciences, 11, 345-360. doi: 10.4236/jss.2023.111025

Iupati, S., MacLeod, R., Stanley, J., Davies, C., & Egan, R. (2022). Community specialist palliative care services in New Zealand: A survey of Aotearoa hospices. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1566), 36-48. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz/

Dew, R., Heath, L., & Egan, R. (2022). Narratives of loss: The impact of Covid-19 lockdown on experiences of loss, grief, and bereavement. Journal of Primary Health Care. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1071/HC22090

Egan, R., Gross, J., Cameron, C., Hobbs, L., & Patterson, T. (2022). Spirituality: A key component of the Salvation Army's Bridge Programme model of treatment in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of Religion & Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s10943-022-01674-7

Heath, L., Egan, R., Iosua, E., Walker, R., Ross, J., & MacLeod, R. (2022). Palliative and end of life care in undergraduate medical education: A survey of New Zealand medical schools. BMC Medical Education, 22(1), 530. doi: 10.1186/s12909-022-03593-3

Signal, L., Egan, R., & Cook, L. (Eds.). (2009). Reviews of health promotion practice in Aotearoa New Zealand 2007-2008. Auckland, New Zealand: Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand & Health Promotion and Policy Unit, University of Otago, 138p.

Edited Book - Research

Egan, R., Hicks, K., & Dalziel, M. (2015). Healthy homes through Whanau Ora New Zealand. In J. Green, K. Tones, R. Cross & J. Woodall (Eds.), Health promotion: Planning & strategies. (3rd ed.) SAGE. Retrieved from https://live-sagecompanion.gotpantheon.com/sites/default/files/New%20Zealand.pdf

Chapter in Book - Research

Lovell, S., Tunks, M., & Egan, R. (2015). The health promotion workforce: Challenges and opportunities. In L. Signal & M. Ratima (Eds.), Promoting health in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 264-284). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Signal, L., & Egan, R. (2009). Reflections on best practice in health promotion in Aotearoa New Zealand. In L. Signal, R. Egan & L. Cook (Eds.), Reviews of health promotion practice in Aotearoa New Zealand 2007-2008. (pp. 129-135). Auckland, New Zealand: Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand & Health Promotion and Policy Unit, University of Otago.

Chapter in Book - Research

Signal, L., Cook, L., & Egan, R. (2009). Introducing reviews of health promotion practice. In L. Signal, R. Egan & L. Cook (Eds.), Reviews of health promotion practice in Aotearoa New Zealand 2007-2008. (pp. 1-3). Auckland, New Zealand: Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand & Health Promotion and Policy Unit, University of Otago.

Chapter in Book - Research

Egan, R. (2015). Spirituality and cancer: "Not a saccharine additive". In T. Meadowcroft & C. Blyth (Eds.), Spirituality and cancer: Christian encounters. Auckland, New Zealand: Accent.

Chapter in Book - Other

Egan, R. (2012). Psychosocial/spirituality. In R. MacLeod, J. Vella-Brincat & S. MacLeod (Eds.), The palliative care handbook: Guidelines for clinical management and symptom control. (6th ed.) (pp. 66-71). Hospice New Zealand.

Chapter in Book - Other

van der Meer, J., Egan, R., Morrison, H., & Pratt, K. (2023). The importance of supporting students' sense of meaning and purpose as part of supporting the "whole student". Open Journal of Social Sciences, 11, 345-360. doi: 10.4236/jss.2023.111025

Journal - Research Article

Chambers, T., Egan, R., Maclennan, K., Emery, T., & Derrett, S. (2022). Expert insights on digital contact tracing: interviews with contact tracing policy professionals in New Zealand. Health Promotion International. doi: 10.1093/heapro/daac059

Journal - Research Article

Dew, R., Heath, L., & Egan, R. (2022). Narratives of loss: The impact of Covid-19 lockdown on experiences of loss, grief, and bereavement. Journal of Primary Health Care. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1071/HC22090

Journal - Research Article

Egan, R., Gross, J., Cameron, C., Hobbs, L., & Patterson, T. (2022). Spirituality: A key component of the Salvation Army's Bridge Programme model of treatment in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of Religion & Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s10943-022-01674-7

Journal - Research Article

Heath, L., Egan, R., Iosua, E., Walker, R., Ross, J., & MacLeod, R. (2022). Palliative and end of life care in undergraduate medical education: A survey of New Zealand medical schools. BMC Medical Education, 22(1), 530. doi: 10.1186/s12909-022-03593-3

Journal - Research Article

Iupati, S., MacLeod, R., Stanley, J., Davies, C., & Egan, R. (2022). Community specialist palliative care services in New Zealand: A survey of Aotearoa hospices. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1566), 36-48. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz/

Journal - Research Article

Egan, R., & Blank, M.-L. (2021). A framework for understanding spirituality and healthy ageing: Perspectives from Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 33(2), 112-126. doi: 10.1080/15528030.2020.1843588

Journal - Research Article

Heath, L., Egan, R., Ross, J., Iosua, E., Walker, R., & MacLeod, R. (2021). Preparing nurses for palliative and end of life care: A survey of New Zealand nursing schools. Nurse Education Today, 100, 104822. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2021.104822

Journal - Research Article

Jaye, C., Lomax-Sawyers, I., Young, J., & Egan, R. (2021). The people speak: Social media on euthanasia/assisted dying. Medical Humanities, 47(1), 47-55. doi: 10.1136/medhum-2018-011565

Journal - Research Article

Jaye, C., Young, J., Lomax-Sawyers, I., & Egan, R. (2021). Assisted dying in New Zealand: What is known about the values underpinning citizens’ positions? Mortality, 26(1), 66-82. doi: 10.1080/13576275.2020.1771295

Journal - Research Article

Tu'itahi, S., Watson, H., Egan, R., Parkes, M. W., & Hancock, T. (2021). Waiora: The importance of Indigenous worldviews and spirituality to inspire and inform Planetary Health Promotion in the Anthropocene. Global Health Promotion, 28(4), 73-82. doi: 10.1177/17579759211062261

Journal - Research Article

Young, J. E., Jaye, C., Egan, R., Winters, J., & Egan, T. (2021). The discursive context of medical aid in dying: A paradox of control? Social Science & Medicine, 291, 114501. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114501

Journal - Research Article

Young, J. E., Winters, J., Jaye, C., & Egan, R. (2021). Patients' views on end-of-life practices that hasten death: A qualitative study exploring ethical distinctions. Annals of Palliative Medicine, 10(3), 3563-3574. doi: 10.21037/apm-20-621

Journal - Research Article

Egan, R., Kidd, J., Lawrenson, R., Cassim, S., Black, S., Blundell, R., Bateman, J., & Broughton, J. (2020). Inequalities between Māori and non-Māori men with prostate cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1521), 69-76. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Heath, L., Egan, R., Ross, J., Iosua, E., Walker, R., & MacLeod, R. (2020). Teaching palliative care skills. Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand, 26(10), 16-17.

Journal - Research Article

Lepherd, L., Rogers, C., Egan, R., Towler, H., Graham, C., Nagle, A., & Hampton, I. (2020). Exploring spirituality with older people: (1) rich experiences. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 32(4), 306-340. doi: 10.1080/15528030.2019.1651239

Journal - Research Article

Lepherd, L., Rogers, C., Egan, R., Towler, H., Graham, C., Nagle, A., & Hampton, I. (2020). Exploring spirituality with older people: (2) A rigorous process. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 32(3), 288-304. doi: 10.1080/15528030.2019.1672236

Journal - Research Article

Walker, S., Egan, R., Young, J., Jaye, C., & Jackson, C. (2020). A citizens' jury on euthanasia/assisted dying: Does informed deliberation change people's views? Health Expectations, 23, 388-395. doi: 10.1111/hex.13008

Journal - Research Article

Patterson, T., Macleod, E., Hobbs, L., Egan, R., Cameron, C., & Gross, J. (2019). Measuring both primary and secondary outcomes when evaluating treatment effectiveness in alcohol and drug treatment programmes. Clinical Psychologist, 23(2), 152-164. doi: 10.1111/cp.12156

Journal - Research Article

Sligo, J., Jones, B., Davies, C., Egan, R., Ingham, T., Hancox, B., & Richards, R. (2019). The experiences of young people with chronic illness in New Zealand: A qualitative study. Child: Care, Health & Development, 45(5), 660-669. doi: 10.1111/cch.12696

Journal - Research Article

Young, J., Egan, R., Walker, S., Graham-DeMello, A., & Jackson, C. (2019). The euthanasia debate: Synthesising the evidence on New Zealander's attitudes. Kōtuitui, 14(1), 1-21. doi: 10.1080/1177083X.2018.1532915

Journal - Research Article

Blank, M.-L., Wood, S., & Egan, R. (2018). Layers of engagement: Staff perceptions of spiritual care in residential aged care. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 30(1), 78-98. doi: 10.1080/15528030.2017.1301844

Journal - Research Article

Egan, R., Graham-DeMello, A., Ramage, S., & Keane, B. (2018). Spiritual care: What do cancer patients and their family members want? A co-design project. Journal for the Study of Spirituality, 8(2), 142-159. doi: 10.1080/20440243.2018.1523073

Journal - Research Article

Jaye, C., Young, J., Egan, R., Llewellyn, R., Cunningham, W., & Radue, P. (2018). The healthy lifestyle in longevity narratives. Social Theory & Health, 16(4), 361-378. doi: 10.1057/s41285-018-0062-9

Journal - Research Article

Lilley, R., Jaye, C., Davie, G., Keeling, S., Waters, D., & Egan, R. (2018). Age-related patterns in work-related injury claims from older New Zealanders, 2009–2013: Implications of injury for an aging workforce. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 110, 86-92. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2017.10.022

Journal - Research Article

Ramage, S., Keane, B., & Egan, R. (2018). "Spirituality matters": Reflections on a chaplaincy championed spiritual care initiative in a New Zealand cancer ward. Health & Social Care Chaplaincy, 6(1), 62-81. doi: 10.1558/hscc.32493

Journal - Research Article

Richards, R., McNoe, B., Iosua, E., Reeder, A., Egan, R., Marsh, L., Robertson, L., Maclennan, B., Dawson, A., Quigg, R., & Petersen, A.-C. (2018). Cancer information seeking among adult New Zealanders: A national cross-sectional study. Journal of Cancer Education, 33(3), 610-614. doi: 10.1007/s13187-016-1136-9

Journal - Research Article

Selman, L. E., Brighton, L. J., Sinclair, S., Karvinen, I., Egan, R., Speck, P., … the InSpirit Collaborative. (2018). Patients' and caregivers' needs, experiences, preferences and research priorities in spiritual care: A focus group study across nine countries. Palliative Medicine, 31(1), 216-230. doi: 10.1177/0269216317734954

Journal - Research Article

Austin, P., MacLeod, R., Siddall, P., McSherry, W., & Egan, R. (2017). Spiritual care training is needed for clinical and non-clinical staff to manage patients’ spiritual needs. Journal for the Study of Spirituality, 7(1), 50-63. doi: 10.1080/20440243.2017.1290031

Journal - Research Article

Egan, R., Llewellyn, R., Cox, B., MacLeod, R., McSherry, W., & Austin, P. (2017). New Zealand nurses' perceptions of spirituality and spiritual care: Qualitative findings from a national survey. Religions, 8(5), 79. doi: 10.3390/rel8050079

Journal - Research Article

Egan, R., MacLeod, R., Jaye, C., McGee, R., Baxter, J., Herbison, P., & Wood, S. (2017). Spiritual beliefs, practices, and needs at the end of life: Results from a New Zealand national hospice study. Palliative & Supportive Care, 15(2), 223-230. doi: 10.1017/s147895151600064x

Journal - Research Article

Llewellyn, R., Cunningham, W., Jaye, C., Young, J., Egan, R., & Radue, P. (2017). 'Why worry about something you can't control?': Negotiated risk, longevity and health behaviours. Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness & Medicine, 21(3), 259-277. doi: 10.1177/1363459317695869

Journal - Research Article

Llewellyn, R., Jaye, C., Egan, R., Cunningham, W., Young, J., & Radue, P. (2017). Employing imaginative rationality: Using metaphor when discussing death [Brief report]. Journal of Medical Humanities, 43(1), 71-72. doi: 10.1136/medhum-2016-011014

Journal - Research Article

Llewellyn, R., Jaye, C., Egan, R., Cunningham, W., Young, J., & Radue, P. (2017). Living into death: A case for an iterative, fortified and cross-sector approach to advance care planning. Anthropology & Medicine, 24(3), 350-365. doi: 10.1080/13648470.2017.1285000

Journal - Research Article

Richards, R., McNoe, B., Iosua, E., Reeder, A. I., Egan, R., Marsh, L., Robertson, L., Maclennan, B., Dawson, A., Quigg, R., & Petersen, A.-C. (2017). Changes in awareness of cancer risk factors among adult New Zealanders (CAANZ): 2001 to 2015. Health Education Research, 32(2), 153-162. doi: 10.1093/her/cyx036

Journal - Research Article

Richards, R., McNoe, B., Iosua, E., Reeder, A. I., Egan, R., Marsh, L., Robertson, L., Maclennan, B., Latu, A. T. F., Quigg, R., & Petersen, A.-C. (2017). Cancer mortality, early detection and treatment among adult New Zealanders: Changes in perceptions between 2001 and 2014/5. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 18(12), 3401-3406. doi: 10.22034/APJCP.2017.18.12.3401

Journal - Research Article

Richards, R., McNoe, B., Iosua, E., Reeder, A. I., Egan, R., Marsh, L., Robertson, L., Maclennan, B., Latu, A. T. F., Quigg, R., & Petersen, A.-C. (2017). Knowledge of evidence-based cancer risk factors remains low among New Zealand adults: Findings from two cross-sectional studies, 2001 and 2015. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 18(11), 2931-2936. doi: 10.22034/apjcp.2017.18.11.2931

Journal - Research Article

Richards, R., McNoe, B., Iosua, E., Reeder, A., Egan, R., Marsh, L., Robertson, L., Maclennan, B., Dawson, A., Quigg, R., & Petersen, A.-C. (2017). Cancer Awareness in Aotearoa New Zealand (CAANZ), 2001 and 2015: Study protocols. Journal of Cancer Education, 32(4), 745-748. doi: 10.1007/s13187-016-1050-1

Journal - Research Article

Austin, P. D., MacLeod, R., Siddall, P. J., McSherry, W., & Egan, R. (2016). The ability of hospital staff to recognise and meet patients' spiritual needs: A pilot study. Journal for the Study of Spirituality, 6(1), 20-37. doi: 10.1080/20440243.2016.1158453

Journal - Research Article

Egan, R., Llewellyn, R., Wood, S., Doherty, J., Albert, T., Walsh, C., … Kerslake, P. (2016). The Cancer Stories Project: Narratives of encounters with cancer in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Psycho-Oncology, 25(3), 300-307. doi: 10.1002/pon.3914

Journal - Research Article

Hill, E., Egan, R., Llewellyn, R., & McBride, D. (2016). New Zealand Defence Forces and spirituality: What does it mean? What are their spiritual needs? How is spiritual health care practised? Health & Social Care Chaplaincy, 4(1), 71-90. doi: 10.1558/hscc.v4i1.28488

Journal - Research Article

Kane, P., Jasperse, M., Egan, R., McBain, L., McKinlay, E., Pullon, S., & Herst, P. (2016). Continuity of cancer patient care in New Zealand: The general practitioner perspective. New Zealand Medical Journal, 129(1440), 55-63. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Llewellyn, R., Jaye, C., Egan, R., Cunningham, W., Young, J., & Radue, P. (2016). Cracking open death: Death conversations in primary care. Journal of Primary Health Care, 8(4), 303-311. doi: 10.1071/HC15058

Journal - Research Article

Angelo, J., & Egan, R. (2015). Family caregivers voice their needs: A photovoice study. Palliative & Supportive Care, 13(3), 701-712. doi: 10.1017/s1478951514000522

Journal - Research Article

Egan, R., Wood, S., MacLeod, R., & Walker, R. (2015). Spirituality in renal supportive care: A thematic review. Healthcare, 3(4), 1174-1193. doi: 10.3390/healthcare3041174

Journal - Research Article

Lambie, D., Egan, R., Walker, S., & MacLeod, R. (2015). How spirituality is understood and taught in New Zealand medical schools. Palliative & Supportive Care, 13, 53-58. doi: 10.1017/S147895151300062X

Journal - Research Article

Lovell, S. A., Egan, R., Robertson, L., & Hicks, K. (2015). Health promotion funding, workforce recruitment and turnover in New Zealand. Journal of Primary Health Care, 7(2), 153-157.

Journal - Research Article

Morgan, A., MacLeod, R., Schumacher, M., & Egan, R. (2015). Delivering spiritual care: A resource to train hospice staff in New Zealand. European Journal of Palliative Care, 22(3), 130-132.

Journal - Research Article

Perkins, C., Egan, R., Llewellyn, R., & Peterken, B. (2015). Still living, loving, and laughing: Spiritual life in the dementia unit. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 27(4), 270-287. doi: 10.1080/15528030.2015.1037532

Journal - Research Article

Robertson, L., Marsh, L., Hoek, J., McGee, R., & Egan, R. (2015). Regulating the sale of tobacco in New Zealand: A qualitative analysis of retailers’ views and implications for advocacy. International Journal of Drug Policy, 26(12), 1222-1230. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.08.015

Journal - Research Article

Egan, R., MacLeod, R., Jaye, C., McGee, R., Baxter, J., & Herbison, P. (2014). The spiritual environment in New Zealand hospice care: Identifying organisational commitment to spiritual care. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 4, 299-302. doi: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2013-000632

Journal - Research Article

Egan, R., MacLeod, R., Tiatia, R., Wood, S., Mountier, J., & Walker, R. (2014). Spiritual care and kidney disease in NZ: A qualitative study with New Zealand renal specialists. Nephrology, 19(11), 708-713. doi: 10.1111/nep.12323

Journal - Research Article

Fieldwick, D., Paterson, H., Stephen, M., Cameron, A., Egan, R., McFadden, S., Pienaar, J., Sinclair, C., Struthers, T., Taplin, K., & Watson, C. (2014). Management of excess weight in pregnancy in Otago, New Zealand: A qualitative study with lead maternity carers. New Zealand Medical Journal, 127(1392). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Angelo, J. K., Egan, R., & Reid, K. (2013). Essential knowledge for family caregivers: A qualitative study. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 19(8), 383-388.

Journal - Research Article

Egan, R., McKechnie, R., Jopson, J., Herbison, P., & Richards, R. (2013). Perspectives on psychosocial and spiritual cancer support services in New Zealand. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 31(6), 659-674. doi: 10.1080/07347332.2013.835017

Journal - Research Article

Robertson, L., Richards, R., Egan, R., & Szymlek-Gay, E. A. (2013). Promotion and support of physical activity among cancer survivors: A service provider perspective. Psycho-Oncology, 22(2), 441-446. doi: 10.1002/pon.3032

Journal - Research Article

Egan, R., MacLeod, R., Jaye, C., McGee, R., Baxter, J., & Herbison, P. (2011). What is spirituality? Evidence from a New Zealand hospice study. Mortality, 16(4), 307-324. doi: 10.1080/13576275.2011.613267

Journal - Research Article

Szymlek-Gay, E. A., Richards, R., & Egan, R. (2011). Physical activity among cancer survivors: A literature review. New Zealand Medical Journal, 124(1337). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/124-1337/4746/content.pdf

Journal - Research Article

Young, J. E., Winters, J., Snelling, J., White, B., Gavaghan, C., Geddis, A., & Egan, R. (2021). The End of Life Choice Act: A proposed implementation and research agenda. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1544), 145-158. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Other

DeMello, A., Egan, R., & Drew, J. (2020). Resilience-building by community health organizations: A guiding model for practice. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 50(4), 552-571. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2020.1772324

Journal - Research Other

Kidd, J., Raphael, D., Cassim, S., Black, S., Blundell, R., & Egan, R. (2019). Health service provider responses to indigenous peoples with cancer: An integrative review. European Journal of Cancer Care, 28, e12975. doi: 10.1111/ecc.12975

Journal - Research Other

Richards, R., & Egan, R. (2018). Reflections: Spirituality and cancer researchers. Journal of Cancer Education, 33(1), 245-247. doi: 10.1007/s13187-016-1072-8

Journal - Research Other

Timmins, F., Egan, R., Flanagan, B., Muldowney, Y., OBoyle, C., Brady, V., … McSherry, W. (2017). Special issue "International Conference of Spirituality in Healthcare: Nurturing the Spirit”: Trinity College Dublin 2016. Religions, 8, 204. doi: 10.3390/rel8100204

Journal - Research Other

Egan, R. (2010). Health promotion and spirituality: Making the implicit explicit. Keeping Up to Date, 34, I-IV.

Journal - Research Other

Egan, R. (2008). [Commentary on Death: A reflection]. New Zealand Family Physician, 35(5), 338.

Journal - Research Other

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