Prof Elizabeth Sturgiss

Research interests

Prof Liz Sturgiss is a clinical general practitioner and primary care researcher in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine at Bond University, Queensland. Liz leads an emerging research program on complex and chronic disease management in primary care that focuses on the translation of guidelines into real-world practice and the implementation of innovative interventions. Her research is based on theoretical principles from behaviour change and implementation science.

Prof Sturgiss led the development and implementation of an approach to alcohol brief interventions in general practice. Brief interventions are recognised by the WHO as a cost-effective and efficient strategy for reducing the harms of alcohol in communities. The REACH project (Reducing Alcohol-related Harm in General Practice) pioneered an effective practice-based strategy for increasing the uptake of brief interventions in general practice. The results of the mixed-methods implementation trial were published in BJGP Multifaceted intervention to increase the delivery of alcohol brief interventions in primary care: a mixed-methods process analysis | British Journal of General Practice

Consensus Reporting Items for Studies in Primary Care (CRISP) is the first research reporting guide developed specifically for the unique needs of the primary care research community. Prof Sturgiss co-covened this initiative alongside Prof Bill Phillips (USA). The CRISP checklist was published in the Annals of Family Medicine in 2024 and has been endorsed by two global organisations, WONCA and NAPCRG. Details of the CRISP initiative can be found online.

Prof Sturgiss is a specialist general practitioner in the Gold Coast and has previous clinical experience in forensic medicine and sexual health. Liz has been co-Editor-in-Chief of the Australian Journal of Primary Health since 2023 following four years as an Associate Editor.