Rate My Professor Simon French

Professor Simon French is a Professor of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Department of Chiropractic at Macquarie University, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences. He holds a PhD in health services research from Monash University, awarded in 2009, with a thesis titled 'Developing and testing complex interventions for improving the use of evidence in clinical practice: a case study of the management of acute low-back pain in general practice.' He also earned a Master of Public Health from Monash University in 1999 and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chiropractic from RMIT University in 1993. His career trajectory includes a postdoctoral position at the School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Primary Care Research Fellowship, and the Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation Professorship at Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada, from 2013 to 2018. In his current role, he serves as Director of Research for the Department of Chiropractic and is affiliated with the Spinal Pain Research Centre.

French's research focuses on knowledge translation in primary healthcare settings, emphasizing the management of low back pain and osteoarthritis. He conducts randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews to develop and test interventions that promote evidence-based practices, particularly among chiropractors. Key publications include 'Developing theory-informed behaviour change interventions to implement evidence into practice: a systematic approach using the Theoretical Domains Framework' (Implementation Science, 2012), 'Chiropractic Observation and Analysis Study (COAST): providing an understanding of current chiropractic practice' (Medical Journal of Australia, 2013), 'Evaluation of a theory-informed implementation intervention for the management of acute low back pain in general medical practice: the IMPLEMENT cluster randomised trial' (PLoS ONE, 2013), 'Implementation interventions to improve the management of non-specific low back pain: a systematic review' (BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2016), and 'The chiropractic profession: a scoping review of utilization rates, reasons for seeking care, patient profiles, and care provided' (Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 2017). As Co-Editor-in-Chief of Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, he contributes to advancing research dissemination in the field. His efforts have enhanced the quality of musculoskeletal care through improved guideline adherence in primary care.