Rate My Professor Suzanne Robertson

Dr Suzanne Robertson is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the School of Rural Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, at the University of New England in Armidale, Australia. Her professional career includes a long-term association with the university, including work at the UNE Medical Centre, where she worked until her retirement in February 2015. Robertson's research specializations encompass public health issues in rural settings, with a focus on the physical and mental health of undergraduate students, adolescent substance use, nutritional deficiencies, and sexual health practices in general practice.

Among her key publications is the 2013 BMC Public Health article 'Physical and mental health perspectives of first year undergraduate rural university students,' co-authored with colleagues from the School of Rural Medicine. This cross-sectional study surveyed 355 first-year students at UNE, revealing that although most reported good physical health, common ailments over the prior six months included fatigue (56%), frequent headaches (26%), and allergies (24%). Mental health challenges were notable, with 25% reporting anxiety, 19.7% struggling with coping, and 8% diagnosed with depression. Access to health services was generally adequate, though qualitative responses highlighted stigma, privacy, and anonymity concerns in counselling. Another important contribution is the 2009 publication 'Prevalence of iron deficiency and associated risk factors in a rural university student population,' which assessed iron deficiency among female students at the University of New England. Robertson also co-authored 'Emergency department-based intervention with adolescent substance users: 12-Month outcomes' (2005), evaluating intervention effectiveness. She has been acknowledged for contributions to sexual health research, including 'Willingness to offer chlamydia testing in general practice in New South Wales' (2006, Australian Journal of Rural Health) and 'Does physician bias affect the quality of care they deliver?' (2008). Through her adjunct role, she supports education and research in rural medicine.