Marlien Varnfield

Student ICT

Contact

Science Area

• Human Computer Interaction

Biography

Ms Marlien Varnfield is a current PhD Candidate at Monash University's School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (CSIRO-scholarship) until August 2012. She holds a Bachelor of Science Honours degree from the Faculty of Natural Sciences (awarded 1989) and a Master of Science degree focusing on periodontal diseases, from the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Pretoria, South Africa (awarded 2000 with Distinction). Marlien’s focus in research is on investigating the outcomes of self-management care-models utilising Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and in particular, the usage and adoption of ICT utilised in these models by patients living with chronic disease. After completing her doctorate, Marlien aspires to undertake this area of interest further in a post-doctoral research program by focusing on wider diffusion of innovations. This will be achieved through quantitative and qualitative studies of telehealth programs for improved self management support in chronic disease, especially for improving the health and well-being of disadvantaged and vulnerable populations.