Rate My Professor Michelle MacDonald

Michelle MacDonald has contributed to research examining aggression incidents and mental health harms in addiction treatment and substance use contexts, often in collaboration with the University of Otago's Department of Psychological Medicine. Her publications address critical issues faced by clinicians and patients in New Zealand's healthcare system. In 2021, she co-authored 'Aggression towards clinicians within Opiate Substitution Treatment Settings,' a study analyzing self-reported aggression data from clinicians working in opiate substitution treatment clinics across New Zealand. This research was funded by the James Hume Memorial Fund from the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Otago Medical School and highlighted the prevalence and nature of aggressive behaviors in these settings.

MacDonald has also published on the psychiatric impacts of synthetic cannabinoids. A 2015 article in the New Zealand Medical Journal, 'Implementation of the 2013 Psychoactive Substances Act and mental health harms from synthetic cannabinoids,' reported increased mental health presentations following the introduction of temporary class drug notices for synthetic cannabinoids, involving co-authors from Southern District Health Board and the University of Otago. Additional work includes analysis of adverse events reported to the New Zealand Pharmacovigilance Centre related to synthetic cannabis use, as well as studies on patient aggression perceived by community support workers and authors' replies to related discussions. These efforts underscore her involvement in documenting risks to staff and informing public health responses to emerging substance use challenges.