Rachel Tester

Research Fellow
Email rachel.tester@otago.ac.nz

Background and interests

Rachel joined the department in 2008 as Data Manager for the Applied Research on Communication in Health (ARCH) Group to support the development of the ARCH Corpus, a living multimedia collection of authentic video-recorded health interactions and narrative interviews, for use in research and education. She has a background in psychology (social discursive) and is passionate about the power of story and personal narratives to help improve understanding of the patient perspective and support better health outcomes, especially for those with lived experience of stigmatised health conditions and mental distress.

Teaching activities

Undergraduate medical education

Resource development for the Mental Health / Addiction Medicine module using real-life video recorded experiences of addiction and recovery

Research activities

Rachel has been involved in various research and evaluation projects that focus on patient and whānau experiences of health and illness, communication between health professionals and patients, and health service delivery. She is particularly interested in how health professionals talk to patients about sensitive or stigmatised topics and navigate challenging conversations about lifestyle change. She uses narrative methodologies to translate research findings into evidence-based educational resources that use real life patient experiences, with the aim of raising awareness about the social, cultural and economic drivers of mental distress and supporting health professionals, patients or people with lived experience of stigmatised health conditions and their whānau.

Rachel is also an affiliate member of World of Difference, a lived experience education and research group based in the Department of Psychological Medicine. As Programme Manager from 2018 to 2021 she helped to establish two new anti-stigma and discrimination education programmes for healthcare professionals (medical students and psychiatric registrars) and for the NZ Police. From 2023 to 2025, Rachel was based in Psychological Medicine as the Research Project Manager for a HRC funded project “Enabling supported decision making: Mental Health Advance Preference Statements (MAPS)”, which is now implemented at the two pilot sites Te Whatu Ora Waikato and Lakes.

Currently Rachel is back in her home department working on two key projects: Triple R (respiratory Risk, Resilience and Response) and Diabetes Stories, with the aim of developing two New Zealand based modules of real-life experiences for inclusion in the Health Experiences International website (HEXI, previously DIPEx International). To date it features 14 other countries (including the UK, US, Canada and Australia), soon to be 15 with the launch of New Zealand’s first module on Diabetes Type 2 at the end of 2026.

Publications

Ahir-Knight, S., Monro, H., Arango, J., Clark, S., Huls, T., & Tester, R. (2026). Supporting lived experience teaching academics through co-reflection. Higher Education Research & Development, 45(2), 382-395. doi: 10.1080/07294360.2026.2617285 Journal - Research Article

Cavana, E., Tester, R., Gladman, T., & Stubbe, M. (2025, November). Real world video recorded consultations bringing case-based learning to life. Verbal presentation at the Academic GP conference, Hamilton, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Ahir-Knight, S., Monro, H., Gordon, S., Tester, R., Jenkins, M., Goodstadt, F., Newton-Howes, G., & Every-Palmer, S. (2024). Growing the lived experience voice in psychiatry education and research: An academic department’s journey. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 58(10), 825-828. doi: 10.1177/00048674241274278 Journal - Research Other

Garrett, S. M., Hilder, J., Tester, R., Dunlop, A., Gardiner, T., Dowell, T., … Shippam, M., Tanirau, S., Kenny, N., McBride, C., … Rukuwai, E., Aryan, N., & Stubbe, M. (2024). Young people talk about digital support for mental health: An online survey of 15-30 year olds in New Zealand. Health Expectations, 27, e70001. doi: 10.1111/hex.70001 Journal - Research Article

Dowell, A., Stubbe, M., Dunlop, A., Fedchuk, D., Gardiner, T., Garrett, S., Gordon, S., Hilder, J., Mathieson, F., & Tester, R. (2024). Evaluating success and challenges of a primary care youth mental health programme using complexity, implementation science, and appreciative inquiry. Cureus, 16(4), e58870. doi: 10.7759/cureus.58870 Journal - Research Article

2026

Journal - Research Article

2025

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2024

Journal - Research Article

Journal - Research Other

2023

Journal - Research Article

Mathieson, F., Garrett, S., Stubbe, M., Hilder, J., Tester, R., Fedchuk, D., Dunlop, A., & Dowell, A. (2023). Therapist voices on a youth mental health pilot: Responsiveness to diversity and therapy modality. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 20, 1834. doi: 10.3390/ ijerph20031834

2022

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Stubbe, M., Garrett, S., Gardiner, T., Hilder, J., Tester, R., Dunlop, A., Dowell, T., & Piki Youth Co-Researcher Group. (2022). "There is no one way": What do young people in Aotearoa-NZ think about digital mental health support? Proceedings of the New Zealand Primary Care Research Colloquium. (pp. 5). Retrieved from https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/fmhs/about-the-faculty/soph/sections-departments-centres/general-practice-and-primary-health-care/research-interests.html

2021

Journal - Research Article

Gordon, S., Dowell, T., Fedchuk, D., Gardiner, T., Garrett, S., Hilder, J., Mathieson, F., Stubbe, M., & Tester, R. (2021). Reflections on allyship in the context of a co-produced evaluation of a youth-integrated therapies mental health intervention. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 18(4), 571-585. doi: 10.1080/14780887.2020.1769240

Davey, S., Gordon, S., & Tester, R. (2021). Addressing police discrimination regarding mental distress using a service user-led and interpersonal contact/education based ‘e-Learning’. Police Practice & Research, 22(1), 426-442. doi: 10.1080/15614263.2019.1689128

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Tester, R. (2021). "Starting to grow like a little flower": The introduction of intentional peer support to Piki (a pilot primary youth mental health service). Proceedings of the New Zealand Primary Health Care, General Practice & Rural Health Research Symposium. Retrieved from https://events.otago.ac.nz/2021-gp-phc-rh

Every-Palmer, S., Gardiner, T., Tester, R., & Gordon, S. (2021). Creating a world of difference: Service user-led education for future psychiatrists in New Zealand. Asia-Pacific Psychiatry, 13(Suppl. 1), SM06-01. doi: 10.1111/appy.12459

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Stubbe, M., Hilder, J., Tester, R., Garrett, S., Dunlop, A., Gardiner, T., Fedchuk, D., Mathieson, F., Gordon, S., & Dowell, A. (2021, April). Transitioning to tele-health talking therapies for youth during the COVID 19 lockdown. Verbal presentation at the International Conference on Communication in Healthcare (ICCH) 2020 Part 2, [Online].

2020

Chapter in Book - Research

Stubbe, M., Macdonald, L., Tester, R., Gray, L., Hilder, J., Dew, K., & Dowell, T. (2020). Talking about diabetes and healthy lifestyle in primary healthcare: Translating research findings into practice. In L. Mullany (Ed.), Professional communication: Consultancy, advocacy, activism. (pp. 129-150). Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-41668-3_7

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Stubbe, M., Hilder, J., McBain, L., Stairmand, J., Dunlop, A., Tester, R., & Morris, C. (2020). We need to talk about polypharmacy: Optimising medication use for older adults [Symposium: From words to action: Engaging patients in communication about medicines]. Proceedings of the International Conference on Communication in Healthcare (ICCH) Online. (pp. 94). Retrieved from https://www.each.eu

2019

Journal - Research Article

Mathieson, F., Stanley, J., Collings, C., Tester, R., & Dowell, A. (2019). Cluster randomised controlled trial of a guided self-help mental health intervention in primary care. BMJ Open, 9(2), e023481. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023481

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Dowell, A., Stubbe, M., Gordon, S., Mathieson, F., Hilder, J., Garrett, S., Tester, R., Fedchuk, D., Gardiner, T., & Stanley, J. (2019). Evaluation of the Piki Pilot: Integrated therapies for 18-25 year olds. Proceedings of the Academic General Practice & Primary Care Research Symposium. (pp. 7). Waikato, New Zealand: University of Waikato. [Abstract]

Tester, R., Every-Palmer, S., Gardiner, T., & Gordon, S. (2019). World of Difference service user-led, recovery and human rights focused education programme to counter healthcare provider discrimination association with mental distress. Proceedings of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) New Zealand Conference. Retrieved from https://www.ranzcp2019.co.nz

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Gordon, S., Tester, R., Kininmonth, L., Tumoana, J., Gardiner, T., & Fedchuk, D. (2019, October). Working alongside consumers in mental health: Elements of service user-led research and co-production explained. Verbal presentation at the Otago Spotlight Series: Mental Health Research, Wellington, New Zealand.

Tester, R. (2019, November). Reflections of working in a service user-led team and implications for recovery. Verbal presentation at the 9th Service User Academia Symposium, Wellington, New Zealand.

2018

Journal - Research Article

Gray, L., Stubbe, M., Macdonald, L., Tester, R., Hilder, J., & Dowell, A. C. (2018). A taboo topic? How general practitioners talk about overweight and obesity in New Zealand. Journal of Primary Health Care, 10(2), 150-158. doi: 10.1071/HC17075

Dowell, A., Stubbe, M., Macdonald, L., Tester, R., Gray, L., Vernall, S., … Dew, K. (2018). A longitudinal study of interactions between health professionals and people with newly diagnosed diabetes. Annals of Family Medicine, 16(1), 37-44. doi: 10.1370/afm.2144

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Stubbe, M., Tester, R., Macdonald, L., Hilder, J., Dowell, A., & Dew, K. (2018). Archiving and re-‐using heath interaction data in the ARCH Corpus: Challenges and solutions. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Conversation Analysis (ICCA). Retrieved from http://www.icca2018.org

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Tester, R. (2018, November). Service user-led development, delivery and evaluation of a contact-based mental health training programme for the Police. Verbal presentation at the 8th Service User Academia Symposium, Melbourne, Australia.

Dowell, T., Hilder, J., Tester, R., MacDonald, L., Abels, P., & Stubbe, M. (2018, September). Observing communication about 'risk': The curious case of ante-natal care (aka Learning about research from other disciplines). Verbal presentation at the General Practice and Primary Care Research Weekend, Hanmer Springs, New Zealand.

2017

Chapter in Book - Research

Gray, B., Hilder, J., Macdonald, L., Tester, R., Dowell, A., & Stubbe, M. (2017). A New Zealand perspective on providing healthcare for patients with limited English proficiency. In E. A. Jacobs & L. C. Diamond (Eds.), Providing health care in the context of language barriers. (pp. 189-209). Bristol, UK: Multilingual Matters.

Journal - Research Article

Hilder, J., Gray, B., Dowell, A., Macdonald, L., Tester, R., & Stubbe, M. (2017). ‘It depends on the consultation’: Revisiting use of family members as interpreters for general practice consultations – when and why? Australian Journal of Primary Health, 23, 257-262. doi: 10.1071/PY16053

Gray, B., Hilder, J., Macdonald, L., Tester, R., Dowell, A., & Stubbe, M. (2017). Are research ethics guidelines culturally competent? Research Ethics, 13(1), 23-41. doi: 10.1177/1747016116650235

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Stubbe, M., Macdonald, L., Tester, R., & Dowell, T. (2017). Diabetes stories: What can we learn from patient experiences of communications with health providers? Proceedings of the Primary Health Care and General Practice Research Weekend. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/wellington/departments/primaryhealthcaregeneralpractice/research/

Tester, R. (2017). Service user narratives as a tool for raising consciousness on addiction recovery. Proceedings of the 7th Service User Academia Symposium. (pp. 19-20). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/wellington/departments/psychologicalmedicine/suas/

Stubbe, M., Macdonald, L., Tester, R., & Dowell, T. (2017). Diabetes patients' experiences of communication with health providers: Empowerment, agency and mental wellbeing. Proceedings of the 7th Service User Academia Symposium. (pp. 13). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/wellington/departments/psychologicalmedicine/suas/

2016

Journal - Research Article

Newton-Howes, G., Levack, W. M. M., McBride, S., Gilmore, M., & Tester, R. (2016). Non-physiological mechanisms influencing disulfiram treatment of alcohol use disorder: A grounded theory study. Drug & Alcohol Dependence, 165, 126-131. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.05.027

Barton, J., Dew, K., Dowell, A., Sheridan, N., Kenealy, T., Macdonald, L., Tester, R., … Gray, L., & Stubbe, M. (2016). Patient resistance as a resource: Candidate obstacles in diabetes consultations. Sociology of Health & Illness, 38(7), 1151-1166. doi: 10.1111/1467-9566.12447

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Gray, B., Stubbe, M., Hilder, J., Tester, R., & Dowell, A. (2016, May). Culturally competent research ethics and research on "vulnerable" people. Verbal presentation at the 27th Annual Canadian Bioethics Society Conference: Achieving Better Health: The Roles of Bioethics Education, Engagement and Exploration, Toronto, Canada.

2015

Journal - Research Article

Coombs, M., Fulbrook, P., Donovan, S., Tester, R., & deVries, K. (2015). Certainty and uncertainty about end of life care nursing practices in New Zealand Intensive Care Units: A mixed methods study. Australian Critical Care, 28, 82-86. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2015.03.002

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Tester, R., Moriarty, H., & Stubbe, M. (2015). A comparison of service user and service provider perspectives on addiction recovery. Proceedings of the 6th Addiction Research Symposium. Retrieved from http://www.matuaraki.org.nz/resources/presentations-from-the-6th-addiction-research-symposium/643

Newton-Howes, G., Levack, W., Tester, R., Gilmour, M., & McBride, S. (2015). Non-physiological mechanisms influencing disulfiram treatment for alcohol use disorder: A grounded theory study. Proceedings of the 6th Addiction Research Symposium. Retrieved from http://www.matuaraki.org.nz/resources/presentations-from-the-6th-addiction-research-symposium/643

Stubbe, M., Dowell, T., Macdonald, L., Kenealy, T., Sheridan, N., Dew, K., Tester, R., Docherty, B., Hall, D.-A., Gray, L., & Vernall, S. (2015). 'I understand what it is but I didn't expect to get it': Justifications in the accounts of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients. In J. Young (Ed.), Proceedings of the Annual General Practice and Primary Care Research Weekend. (pp. 8-9). Dunedin, New Zealand: Department of General Practice and Rural Health, University of Otago. [Abstract]

2014

Journal - Research Article

Claridge, R., Gray, L., Stubbe, M., Macdonald, L., Tester, R., & Dowell, A. C. (2014). General practitioner opinion of weight management interventions in New Zealand. Journal of Primary Health Care, 6(3), 212-220.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Stubbe, M., Hilder, J., MacDonald, L., Tester, R., Dowell, T., & Gray, B. (2014). Negotiating role boundaries and shifts in interpreter-mediated consultations. Proceedings of the 9th Australasian Institute of Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis (AIEMCA) Conference. (pp. 21-22). Retrieved from http://aiemca.net/

Stubbe, M., MacDonald, L., Gray, B., Hilder, J., Tester, R., & Dowell, A. (2014). Negotiating role boundaries in interpreter-mediated consultations: Processes and perceptions. Proceedings of the European Association for Communication in Healthcare (EACH) International Conference. (pp. 70-71). Retrieved from http://www.each-conference.com/

Tester, R., Moriarty, H., & Stubbe, M. (2014). Demystifying addiction recovery: Areas of tension. Drug & Alcohol Review, 33(Suppl. 1), (pp. 67). doi: 10.1111/dar.12222

Gray, L., Dowell, T., Macdonald, L., Tester, R., & Stubbe, M. (2014). Getting TabOO issues on the table: Talking about overweight and obesity in New Zealand General Practice. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, 8(Suppl. 1), (pp. 41-42). doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2014.10.075

Tester, R., Moriarty, H., & Stubbe, M. (2014). Understanding service provider perspectives of recovery. Proceedings of the 19th Cutting Edge Conference. Retrieved from http://cuttingedge.org.nz/

Gray, B., Hilder, J., Stubbe, M., Tester, R., Macdonald, L., & Dowell, T. (2014). Communication in interpreted consultations. Proceedings of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) Conference for General Practice: Making Connections: Are You Plugged In? Retrieved from http://www.conference.co.nz/gp14/programme

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Tester, R., Moriarty, H., & Stubbe, M. (2014, December). A co-produced approach to understanding service provider perspectives of addiction recovery. Verbal presentation at the Service User Academia Symposium, Wellington, New Zealand.

2013

Journal - Research Article

Macdonald, L., Stubbe, M., Tester, R., Vernall, S., Dowell, T., Dew, K., Kenealy, T., Sheridan, N., Docherty, B., Gray, L., & Raphael, D. (2013). Nurse-patient communication in primary care diabetes management: An exploratory study. BMC Nursing, 12(20). doi: 10.1186/1472-6955-12-20

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Stubbe, M., MacDonald, L., Hilder, J., Tester, R., Gray, B., & Dowell, T. (2013). Negotiating role boundaries and alignment in interpreter-mediated general practice consultations. Proceedings of the 4th New Zealand Discourse Conference. Retrieved from http://www.aut.ac.nz/research/research-institutes/icdc/conferences/NZDC4

Tester, R., Moriarty, H., & Stubbe, M. (2013). Demystifying addiction through personal stories: An online educational resource. Proceedings of the Eleventh Communication, Medicine and Ethics (COMET) Interdisciplinary Conference. Retrieved from http://www.comet2013.unimelb.edu.au/

Stubbe, M., Macdonald, L., Gray, B., Hilder, J., Tester, R., & Dowell, T. (2013). Negotiating role boundaries in interpreter-mediated consultations. Proceedings of the Eleventh Communication, Medicine and Ethics (COMET) Interdisciplinary Conference. Retrieved from http://www.comet2013.unimelb.edu.au/

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Tester, R., Moriarty, H., & Stubbe, M. (2013, November). Demystifying addiction through personal stories: An online educational resource. Verbal presentation at the Service User Academia Symposium: Taking Charge of Change, Melbourne, Australia.

Gray, L., Stubbe, M., Macdonald, L., Tester, R., & Dowell, T. (2013, August). Taboo: Talking about overweight & obesity. Verbal presentation at the 21st International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) World Conference: Best Investments for Health, Pattaya, Thailand.

Other Research Output

Tester, R., Moriarty, H. & Stubbe, M. (2013). Demystifying addiction through personal stories: An online educational resource. Ako Aotearoa. Retrieved from https://ako.ac.nz/knowledge-centre/demystifying-addiction-through-personal-stories-an-online-educational-resource

2012

Journal - Research Article

Moriarty, H. J., Stubbe, M. H., Chen, L., Tester, R. M., Macdonald, L. M., Dowell, A. C., & Dew, K. P. (2012). Challenges to alcohol and other drug discussions in the general practice consultation. Family Practice, 29(2), 213-222. doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmr082

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Huthwaite, M., Moriarty, H., Rogan, C., Tester, R., & Kean, L. (2012). The pregnancy and alcohol cessation toolkit (PACT): An educational resource. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 16(Suppl. 1), (pp. S124). doi: 10.1007/s00737-013-0355-x

Tester, R., Moriarty, H., & Stubbe, M. (2012). Demystifying addiction through personal stories: An online educational resource. Proceedings of the 3rd National Addiction Research Symposium. (pp. 11). Retrieved from http://www.matuaraki.org.nz/library/matuaraki/3rd-national-addiction-research-symposium-2012-presentations

Tester, R., Moriarty, H., & Stubbe, M. (2012). Demystifying addiction through personal stories: An online educational resource. Proceedings of the Cutting Edge National Alcohol and Addiction Treatment Conference: 20/20: Both the Vision and the Thinking for Planning Our Services in 2020. Retrieved from http://www.cuttingedge.org.nz/

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Huthwaite, M., Moriarty, H., Rogan, C., Tester, R., & Kean, L. (2012, October). The pregnancy and alcohol cessation toolkit (PACT): An educational resource. Verbal presentation at the International Biennial Congress of the Marcé Society, Paris, France.

Tester, R., Moriarty, H., & Stubbe, M. (2012, August). Demystifying addiction through personal stories: An online educational resource. Verbal presentation at the Primary Care and General Practice Research Weekend, Martinborough, New Zealand.

Gray, L., Stubbe, M., Macdonald, L., Tester, R., & Dowell, T. (2012, August). TAbOO: Getting 'fat' on the table (brief intervention pilot). Verbal presentation at the Primary Care and General Practice Research Weekend, Martinborough, New Zealand.

2011

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Stubbe, M., Tester, R., Macdonald, L., Dew, K., & Dowell, T. (2011, June-July). Evolution by design: Creating a multimedia corpus for health interaction research. The ARCH Corpus of Health Interactions [Colloquium]. Verbal presentation at the Ninth Interdisciplinary Communication, Medicine & Ethics (COMET) Conference, Nottingham, UK.

2010

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Stubbe, M., Tester, R., & Macdonald, L. (2010, November). Evolution by design: Creating a multimedia corpus for health interaction research. Verbal presentation at the GP Research Weekend, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Stubbe, M., Tester, R., & Macdonald, L. (2010, November). Evolution by design: Creating a multimedia corpus for health interaction research. Verbal presentation at the 12th New Zealand Language and Society Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.

Background and interests

Teaching activities

Undergraduate medical education

Research activities

Publications

2026

Journal - Research Article

2025

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2024

Journal - Research Article

Journal - Research Other

2023

Journal - Research Article

2022

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2021

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2020

Chapter in Book - Research

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2019

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2018

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2017

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2016

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2015

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2014

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2013

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Other Research Output

2012

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2011

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2010

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

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