Medical School

Dr Suzanne McDonald

Research Fellow - General Practice Clinical Unit,
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Researcher biography

Dr Suzanne McDonald is a Research Fellow at the General Practice Clinical Unit within the Greater Brisbane Clinical School at The University of Queensland. Her research focuses on the development and application of digital N-of-1 trials in medicine, working across multiple clinical and research specialties. Her work spans chronic and complex conditions, including neurological conditions (e.g. multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease), post-viral conditions (e.g. long COVID), and metabolic and rare genetic disorders (e.g. phenylketonuria, Kleefstra syndrome).

Dr McDonald also contributes to the RELEASE (Redressing long-term antidepressant use) research program, focusing on health outcomes associated with long-term (>12 months) antidepressant use and the application of N-of-1 longitudinal approaches to understand antidepressant withdrawal symptoms during tapering.

Dr McDonald chairs the International Network for N-of-1 Trials and Single-Case Designs (www.nof1sced.org), a global network of over 800 academics, researchers and clinicians interested in N-of-1 trials and other single-case designs across 49 countries.

Dr McDonald regularly supervises medical students. Medical students at the University of Queensland who are interested in N-of-1 trials and Bayesian statistical approaches are encouraged to contact her to discuss potential opportunities.

Current Research Programs

Current Appointments

  • Research Fellow, General Practice Clinical Unit, The University of Queensland
  • Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University
  • Adjunct Researcher, Monash University  

Qualifications

  • PhD Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, UK (2016)
  • Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology, British Psychological Society, UK (2016) 
  • Master of Science in Health Psychology, Northumbria University, UK (2013)
  • Master of Science in Public Health & Health Services Research, Newcastle University, UK (2011)
  • Master of Research in Psychology, University of Aberdeen, UK (2010)
  • Master of Arts (Honours) Psychology, University of Aberdeen, UK (2009)

Field of Research

  • HEALTH SCIENCES | Health services and systems | General practice (420304) 
  • HEALTH SCIENCES | Health services and systems | Implementation science and evaluation (420312) 
  • PSYCHOLOGY | Clinical and health psychology | Health psychology (520304)

Keywords: N-of-1 trials, clinical trials, digital health, data science, Bayesian statistics, research methods, general practice, primary care, health services research, chronic disease, health psychology, behavioural medicine, implementation science, health behaviour, complex interventions. 

Scopus ID: 50761228500

Featured projects Duration
Exploring general practitioners' perspectives about using N-of-1 trials in general practice: A theory-based interview study
Optimising RELEASE resources for patients
 2021–2022
Exploring psychologists' perspectives about using single-case designs in clinical practice: A theory-based interview study
Making it Personal: Identifying personalised triggers of fatigue in multiple sclerosis using N-of-1 studies
Making it Personal: Understanding symptom exacerbations in myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome
Patients' Views on Taking Part in N-of-1 Trials for Chronic Pain: An Online Survey
Parents’ views on taking part in N-of-1 trials and single-case experiments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Publications

Book Chapters (2)
Journal Articles (27)
Conference Papers (7)

Book Chapters

McDonald, Suzanne and Sniehotta, Falko (2019). Health beliefs, motivation and behaviour. Psychology and sociology applied to medicine: an illustrated colour text. (pp. 70-71) edited by Edwin Roland van Teijlingen and Gerald M Humphris. Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom: Elsevier.
McDonald, Suzanne and Sniehotta, Falko (2019). Helping people to act on their intentions. Psychology and sociology applied to medicine: an illustrated colour text. (pp. 74-75) edited by Edwin Roland van Teijlingen and Gerald M Humphris. Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom: Elsevier.

Journal Articles

Modersitzki, Nick, Phan, Le Vy, McDonald, Suzanne, Wright, Aidan GC and Renner, Karl-Heinz (2025). Personality psychology is getting personal: Advancing the field through personalization. European Journal of Personality. doi: 10.1177/08902070251316915
McDonald, Suzanne, Wallis, Katharine Ann, Horowitz, Mark, Mann, Esther, Le, Vilany and Donald, Maria (2024). Acceptability and optimisation of resources to support antidepressant cessation: a qualitative think-aloud study with patients. British Journal of General Practice, 74 (739), e113-e119. doi: 10.3399/bjgp.2023.0269
Coulby, Graham, Clear, Adrian K., Jones, Oliver, McDonald, Suzanne and Godfrey, Alan (2022). A protocol for longitudinal monitoring of individual building occupants and their environments. PLoS one, 17 (9) e0274015, 1-14. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274015
McDonald, Suzanne, Tan, Samuel X., Banu, Shamima, van Driel, Mieke, McGree, James M., Mitchell, Geoffrey and Nikles, Jane (2021). Correction to: Exploring symptom fluctuations and triggers in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome using novel patient-centred N-of-1 observational designs: A protocol for a feasibility and acceptability study. The Patient - Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, 15 (2), 267-267. doi: 10.1007/s40271-021-00549-5
Nikles, Jane, Onghena, Patrick, Vlaeyen, Johan W.S., Wicksell, Rikard K., Simons, Laura E., McGree, James M. and McDonald, Suzanne (2021). Establishment of an international collaborative network for N-of-1 trials and single-case designs. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 23 100826, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2021.100826
McDonald, Suzanne, Tan, Samuel X., Banu, Shamima, van Driel, Mieke, McGree, James M., Mitchell, Geoffrey and Nikles, Jane (2021). Exploring symptom fluctuations and triggers in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome using novel patient-centred N-of-1 observational designs: a protocol for a feasibility and acceptability study. The Patient - Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, 15 (2), 197-206. doi: 10.1007/s40271-021-00540-0
Oluboyede, Yemi, Hill, Sarah R., McDonald, Suzanne and Henderson, Emily (2021). Implementing a weight-specific quality-of-life tool for young people in primary health care: a qualitative study. BJGP Open, 5 (4) 0052, 1-9. doi: 10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0052
McDonald, Suzanne and Nikles, Jane (2021). N-of-1 trials in healthcare. Healthcare, 9 (3) 330, 330. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9030330
Nikles, Jane, Daza, Eric J., McDonald, Suzanne, Hekler, Eric and Schork, Nicholas J. (2021). Editorial: creating evidence from real world patient digital data. Frontiers in Computer Science, 2 636996. doi: 10.3389/fcomp.2020.636996
Holliday, Richard, McColl, Elaine, Bauld, Linda, Preshaw, Philip M., Sniehotta, Falko F. and McDonald, Suzanne (2020). Perceived influences on smoking behaviour and perceptions of dentist-delivered smoking cessation advice: a qualitative interview study. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 48 (5) cdoe.12556, 433-439. doi: 10.1111/cdoe.12556
Chan, Raymond Javan, Chan, Raymond Javan, Teleni, Laisa, McDonald, Suzanne, Kelly, Jaimon, Mahony, Jane, Ernst, Kerryn, Patford, Kerry, Townsend, James, Singh, Manisha, Yates, Patsy and Chan, Raymond Javan (2020). Breast cancer nursing interventions and clinical effectiveness: a systematic review. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, 10 (3), 1-11. doi: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-002120
McDonald, Suzanne, Vieira, Rute and Johnston, Derek W. (2020). Analysing N-of-1 observational data in health psychology and behavioural medicine: a 10-step SPSS tutorial for beginners. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 8 (1), 32-54. doi: 10.1080/21642850.2019.1711096
Ralph, Nicholas, Green, Anna, Sara, Sally, McDonald, Suzanne, Norris, Philip, Terry, Victoria, Dunn, Jeffrey C. and Chambers, Suzanne K. (2020). Prostate cancer survivorship priorities for men and their partners: Delphi consensus from a nurse specialist cohort. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 29 (1-2), 265-273. doi: 10.1111/jocn.15096
McDonald, S., Yates, D., Durrand, J. W., Kothmann, E., Sniehotta, F. F., Habgood, A., Colling, K., Hollingsworth, A. and Danjoux, G. (2019). Exploring patient attitudes to behaviour change before surgery to reduce peri-operative risk: preferences for short- vs. long-term behaviour change. Anaesthesia, 74 (12), 1580-1588. doi: 10.1111/anae.14826
Blackston, J. Walker, Chapple, Andrew G., McGree, James M., McDonald, Suzanne and Nikles, Jane (2019). Comparison of aggregated N-of-1 trials with parallel and crossover randomized controlled trials using simulation studies. Healthcare, 7 (4), 137-13. doi: 10.3390/healthcare7040137
Holliday, Richard, Preshaw, Philip M., Ryan, Vicky, Sniehotta, Falko F., McDonald, Suzanne, Bauld, Linda and McColl, Elaine (2019). A feasibility study with embedded pilot randomised controlled trial and process evaluation of electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation in patients with periodontitis. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 5 (1) 74, 74. doi: 10.1186/s40814-019-0451-4
McDonald, Suzanne, McGree, James and Bazzano, Lydia (2019). Finding benefit in n-of-1 trials. JAMA Internal Medicine, 179 (3), 454-455. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.8382
McDonald, Suzanne, Vieira, Rute, Godfrey, Alan, O'Brien, Nicola, White, Martin and Sniehotta, Falko F. (2017). Changes in physical activity during the retirement transition: A series of novel n-of-1 natural experiments. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14 (1) 167, 167. doi: 10.1186/s12966-017-0623-7
Darragh, L., Robb, A., Hardie, C. M., McDonald, S., Valand, P. and O'Donoghue, J. M. (2017). Corrigendum to “Reducing implant loss rates in immediate breast reconstructions”. Breast, 36, 106-106. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2017.08.009
McDonald, Suzanne, Quinn, Francis, Vieira, Rute, O’Brien, Nicola, White, Martin, Johnston, Derek W. and Sniehotta, Falko F. (2017). The state of the art and future opportunities for using longitudinal n-of-1 methods in health behaviour research: a systematic literature overview. Health Psychology Review, 11 (4), 307-323. doi: 10.1080/17437199.2017.1316672
Vieira, Rute, McDonald, Suzanne, Araújo-Soares, Vera, Sniehotta, Falko F. and Henderson, Robin (2017). Dynamic modelling of n-of-1 data: powerful and flexible data analytics applied to individualised studies. Health Psychology Review, 11 (3), 222-234. doi: 10.1080/17437199.2017.1343680
Darragh, L., Robb, A., Hardie, C. M., McDonald, S., Valand, P. and O'Donoghue, J. M. (2017). Reducing implant loss rates in immediate breast reconstructions. Breast, 31, 208-213. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2016.11.015
McDonald, Suzanne, Araújo-Soares, Vera and Sniehotta, Falko F. (2016). N-of-1 randomised controlled trials in health psychology and behavioural medicine: A commentary on Nyman et al., 2016. Psychology and Health, 31 (3), 331-333. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2016.1145221
Hickey, A., Newham, J., Slawinska, M. M., Kwasnicka, D., McDonald, S., Del Din, S., Sniehotta, F. F., Davis, P. A. and Godfrey, A. (2016). Estimating cut points: a simple method for new wearables. Maturitas, 83, 78-82. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2015.10.003
McDonald, Suzanne, O'Brien, Nicola, White, Martin and Sniehotta, Falko F. (2015). Changes in physical activity during the retirement transition: a theory-based, qualitative interview study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 12 (1) 25. doi: 10.1186/s12966-015-0186-4
O’Brien, Nicola, McDonald, Suzanne, Araújo-Soares, Vera, Lara, Jose, Errington, Linda, Godfrey, Alan, Meyer, Thomas D., Rochester, Lynn, Mathers, John C., White, Martin and Sniehotta, Falko F. (2015). The features of interventions associated with long-term effectiveness of physical activity interventions in adults aged 55–70 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Psychology Review, 9 (4), 417-433. doi: 10.1080/17437199.2015.1012177
Sniehotta, Falko F., Dombrowski, Stephan U., Avenell, Alison, Johnston, Marie, McDonald, Suzanne, Murchie, Peter, Ramsay, Craig R., Robertson, Kim and Araujo-Soares, Vera (2011). Randomised controlled feasibility trial of an evidence-informed behavioural intervention for obese adults with additional risk factors. PLoS ONE, 6 (8) e23040, e23040. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023040

Conference Papers

Nikles, J., Mitchell, G. K., Smith, S. S., McGree, J. M., McDonald, S., Poli, N., Senior, H., Tan, S., Dissanyaka, N., Ritchie, A. and O'Sullivan, J. D. (2021). Using N-of-1 tests to identify responders to melatonin for sleep disturbance in Parkinson’s Disease. Australian Clinical Trials Alliance conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia, November 2021.
McDonald, S., Pickering, G., McGree, J., Mitchell, G. and Nikles, J. (2021). Identified Personalised Patterns and Triggers of Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis using Insights from Patient-Centred N-of-1 Observational Studies: A Protocol. Progress in MS Research Scientific Conference, Hobart, TAS, Australia, November 2021.
McDonald, S. and Nikles, J. (2020). The Value of N-of-1 Clinical Trials and Single-Case Designs in Clinical Research. Herston Health Precinct Symposium, Brisbane, Australia, December 2020.
McDonald, S. and Nikles, J. (2019). N-of-1 Trials in Clinical Research: Opportunities and Challenges. ACTA International Clinical Trials Conference, Sydney, Australia, October 2019.
McDonald, S., Tan, S., Banu, S., McGree, J., Mitchell, G. and Nikles, J. (2019). Understanding Symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome using Scientific Insights from N-of-1 Studies. Division of Health Psychology Annual conference, Manchester, United Kingdom, July 2019.
McDonald, S., Tan, S., Banu, S., McGree, J., Mitchell, G. and Nikles, J. (2019). Using N-of-1 methods to identify patterns and predictors of ME/CFS symptom exacerbations. ME/CFS International Research Symposium., Geelong, VIC, Australia, March 2019.
Tan, S., McDonald, S., McGree, J., Mitchell, G. and Nikles, J. (2018). Managing symptoms of ME/CFS using scientific insights from N-of-1 studies. CFS/ME International Conference , Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 2018.

Areas of research

Evidence into practice
N-of 1 trials