Dr Kerry Thoirs

Adjunct Associate Professor UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance

email kerry.thoirs@unisa.edu.au

Alternative contact

Available for media comment
Research Degree Supervisor

About me

Kerry Thoirs is the Associate Head of School (Academic) at the School of Health Scieneces (City East Campus). Kerry has held leadership positions in both the clinical and academic sectors; with experience in curriculum development and an interest in flexible delivery. Her extensive past clinical experience translates into a focus that teaching in Health Science programs needs to not only meet students needs and expectations, but also should also meet the expectations of external stakeholders. Kerry's discipline area is in Medical Radiations, in particular medical sonography, and she is eager to encourage research and innovative teaching practices in these areas.

UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance

Focused on shaping community wellbeing, UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance educates future health professionals and delivers solutions-based research that addresses global health needs.

Tweets by @UniversitySA

Research

Research focus

Clinical Sciences
Public Health and Health Services
Curriculum and Pedagogy
Human Movement and Sports Science
Medical and Health Sciences

Highlights

Sonography of the ulnar nerve,Online teaching,Ultrasound measurements of muscle,Simulated Learning in Medical Radiations

Research

Outputs

Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus

Open access indicates that an output is open access.

Books

Year	Output
2011	Thoirs, K 2011, Ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow: the role of ultrasound in its diagnosis, Lambert Academic Publishing, USA.

Journal Articles

Year	Output
2023	Felton, JL, Kennedy, N, Thoirs, K, Alphonse, J & Quinton, AE 2023, 'Knowledge and use of work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD) prevention techniques in the daily practice of final-year Australian sonography students: A cross-sectional study', Sonography, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 3-9. Open access
2022	Childs, J, Thoirs, K, Quinton, A, Osborne, B, Edwards, C, Stoodley, P, Lombardo, P, Mcdonald, S, Slade, D, Chandler, A, Taylor, L, Long, J, Pollard, K & Halligan, T 2022, 'Development of a professional competency framework for Australian sonographers-perspectives for developing competencies using a Delphi methodology', International Journal for Quality in Health Care, vol. 34, no. 2, article no. mzac017, pp. 1-7. Open access 4 3
2022	Edwards, C, Thoirs, K, Osborne, B, Slade, D, McDonald, S, Lombardo, P, Chandler, A, Quinton, A, Stoodley, P, Taylor, L & Childs, J 2022, 'Australian sonographer competency - a new framework', Sonography, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 108-115. Open access 1 1 12
2022	Osborne, B, Thoirs, K, Dizon, J, Parange, N & Milanese, S 2022, 'Patient satisfaction and incidence of adverse events during a trial of sonographer administered musculoskeletal injections', Sonography, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 116-122. Open access 2 1 2
2021	Childs, J, Thoirs, K, Esterman, A & Lamb, K 2021, 'The diagnostic accuracy of using a predictive equation for liver volume derived from simple sonographic measurements in the determination of hepatomegaly', Sonography, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 162-167.
2021	Morrison, T, Jones, S, Causby, RS & Thoirs, K 2021, 'Reliability of ultrasound in evaluating the plantar skin and fat pad of the foot in the setting of diabetes', PLoS One, vol. 16, no. 9, pp. 1-18. Open access 1 1 5
2021	Tinetti, C, Thoirs, K, Harreveld, B & Zipf, R 2021, 'Pilot study to identify attributes of professionalism in sonography', Radiography, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. P1135- P1141. 1 1 3
2020	Cooper, M, Cominos, N, Thoirs, K, Harper, R & Cross, G 2020, 'Love the way you're teaching us': a purpose-developed clinical communication workshop for first year midwifery students', Nurse Education in Practice, vol. 45, article no. 102773, pp. 1-9. 9
2019	Aird, C, Thoirs, K, Maranna, S & Massy-Westropp, N 2019, 'Ultrasound measurements and assessments of the ulnar nerve at the elbow and cubital tunnel: a scoping review', Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, vol. 35, no. 6, pp. 474-482. 4 3
2018	Farr, C & Thoirs, K 2018, 'The sonographic measurement of the spleen: a clinical audit', Sonography, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 187-194.
2018	Geng, WZ, Fuller, M, Osborne, B & Thoirs, K 2018, 'The value of the erect abdominal radiograph for the diagnosis of mechanical bowel obstruction and paralytic ileus in adults presenting with acute abdominal pain', Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, vol. 65, no. 4, pp. 259-266. Open access 13 10 3
2018	Morrison, T, Jones, S, Causby, RS & Thoirs, K 2018, 'Can ultrasound measures of intrinsic foot muscles and plantar soft tissues predict future diabetes-related foot disease? A systematic review', PLoS One, vol. 13, no. 6, article no. e0199055, pp. 1-18. Open access 9 6 2
2018	Roesch, HJ, Milanese, S, Osborne, B, Spurrier, DJ & Thoirs, KA 2018, 'The acute effects of exercise on tendon dimensions and vascularity. An exploratory study using diagnostic ultrasound of the male Achilles tendon', Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, vol. 21, no. 10, pp. 982-987. Open access 5 5 4
2018	Thoirs, KA & Childs, J 2018, 'Are ultrasound measurements of Achilles tendon size reliable? A systematic review of rater reliability', Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, vol. 44, no. 12, pp. 2476-2491. Open access 6 6
2017	Jaeschke, R, Thoirs, KA, Bain, G & Massy-Westropp, N 2017, 'Systematic review: hand activity and ultrasound of the median nerve', Occupational Medicine, vol. 67, no. 5, pp. 389-393. Open access 3 2
2017	Sim, JH & Thoirs, K 2017, 'Understanding sonography clinical decision-making learning through student voices', Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 184-191. Open access 2 2 3
2017	Thoirs, K, Deed, K & Childs, J 2017, 'Transvaginal sonography: sonographer reflections on patient experience using a critical incident technique', Sonography, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 55-62. 2
2016	Childs, JT, Esterman, AJ, Thoirs, KA & Turner, RC 2016, 'Ultrasound in the assessment of hepatomegaly: a simple technique to determine an enlarged liver using reliable and valid measurements', Sonography, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 47-52. Open access 14 5
2016	Lee, L & Thoirs, K 2016, 'Re: A clinical supervision model in bachelor of nursing education-purpose, content and evaluation. Nurse Education in Practice 2013; 13: 506-11. Hall-Lord ML, Theander K, Athlin E', Sonography, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 168-170.
2016	Osborne, B, Thoirs, K & Parange, N 2016, 'The effectiveness of simulation training in the teaching of skills required for sonographic fetal assessment in mid-trimester pregnancy to novices: a pilot stud4', Australasian Journal of Ultrasound Medicine, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 147-153. Open access
2016	Thoirs, K & Sim, J 2016, 'Using a clinical decision-making framework to foster sonographer student learning in the clinical setting', Sonography, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 146-153. Open access 2 1
2016	Todd, G, Pearson-Dennett, V, Wilcox, RA, Minh T Chau, Thoirs, K, Thewlis, D, Vogel, AP & White, JM 2016, 'Adults with a history of illicit amphetamine use exhibit abnormal substantia nigra morphology and parkinsonism', Parkinsonism and Related Disorders, vol. 25, pp. 27-32. Open access 29 27 44
2015	Butcher, RL, Gaggini, R & Thoirs, K 2015, 'Does Wearing A Real-Time Visual Dosimeter Reduce the Personal Radiation Dose for Interventional Radiology Nurses? An Observational Comparative Study', Journal of Radiology Nursing, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 137-142. 4
2015	Childs, J, Thoirs, K & Esterman, A 2015, 'The development of a practical and uncomplicated predictive equation to determine liver volume from simple linear ultrasound measurements of the liver', Radiography, vol. 22, pp. e125-e130. 11 9
2015	Childs, JT, Thoirs, KA & Esterman, AJ 2015, 'Computed tomography volume measurements of the liver using a liver segmentation and analysis package : an intra- and inter-rater reliability study', Journal of Biomedical Graphics and Computing, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 17-22. Open access
2015	Gonzalez-Suarez, CB, Dones, VC, Grimmer, K, Thoirs, K, Milanese, S & Atlas, A 2015, 'Radial nerve measurements in non-symptomatic upper extremities of Filipinos: a cross sectional study', Muscle and Nerve, vol. 52, no. 4, pp. 568-575. Open access 3 3
2015	Milanese, S, Thoirs, K & Grimmer, K 2015, 'Evidence-based practice in sonography - making sense of diagnostic accuracy studies', Sonography, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 69-73.
2015	Osborne, B, Parange, N & Thoirs, K 2015, 'The effectiveness of the use of high fidelity simulators in obstetric ultrasound training: A systematic review', Australasian Journal of Ultrasound Medicine, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 107-111. Open access 5
2015	Thoirs, K, Osborne, B, Childs, JT, Parange, N & Maranna, S 2015, 'Skill development of beginner sonography students using high-fidelity simulators: Initial experiences', Sonography, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 5-11. Open access 3 2
2014	Childs, J, Esterman, A, Phillips, M, Thoirs, K & Turner, R 2014, 'Methods of determining the size of the adult liver using 2D ultrasound: A systematic review of articles reporting liver measurement techniques', Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, vol. 30 no. 6, pp. 296-306. Open access 12 9
2014	Childs, JT, Esterman, AJ & Thoirs, KA 2014, 'Ultrasound measurements of the liver: an intra and inter-rater reliability study', Australasian Journal of Ultrasound Medicine, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 113-119. Open access 15
2014	Deed, KM, Childs, JT & Thoirs, KA 2014, 'What are the perceptions of women towards transvaginal sonographic examinations?', Sonography, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 33-38. Open access 4
2014	Dones, V III, Grimmer, K, Milanese, S, Suarez, C, Thoirs, K & Kumar, S 2014, 'Diagnostic value of musculoskeletal ultrasound in acute and chronic lateral diagnostic value of musculoskeletal ultrasound in acute and chronic lateral epicondylalgia', Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, vol. 12 no. 4, pp. 1-12. Open access 2
2014	Dones, V, Thomas, J, Lesniewski, P, Thoirs, K, Grimmer, K & Suarez, C 2014, 'The reliability of musculoskeletal ultrasound video tracking of muscle and tendon displacement', International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, vol. 4, no. 10, pp. 1-14. Open access
2014	Dones, VC III, Grimmer, K, Thoirs, K, Suarez, CG & Luker, J 2014, 'The diagnostic validity of musculoskeletal ultrasound in lateral epicondylalgia : a systematic review', BMC Medical Imaging, vol. 14, article no. 10, pp. 1-11. Open access 44 38 20
2014	Hellmanns, K, McBean, K & Thoirs, K 2014, 'Magnetic resonance imaging in the measurement of whole body muscle mass: a comparison of interval gap methods', Radiography, vol. 21 no. 1, pp. 35-39. 4 2
2014	MacKenzie, J, Grimshaw, P, Jones, C, Thoirs, K & Petkov, J 2014, 'Muscle activity during lifting: examining the effect of core conditioning of multifidus and transversus abdominis', Work, vol. 47, no. 4, pp. 453-462. Open access 6 6
2013	Allan, RB & Thoirs, KA 2013, 'A comparison of liver surface and hepatic vein wall ultrasound as markers for fibrosis or cirrhosis of the liver', Radiography, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 8-14. 2 1 3
2012	Childs, JT, Phillips, M & Thoirs, KA 2012, 'Impact of ancestry and body size on sonographic ulnar nerve dimensions', Radiography, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 100-104. 2
2012	Dones, VC, Grimmer-Somers, K, Thoirs, K & Gonzalez-Suarez, CB 2012, 'Inter-tester reliability of sonographers in detecting pathological lesions in the elbows of individuals with lateral epicondylar pain', Journal of Musculoskeletal Research, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 1-14. 3
2012	English, C, Fisher, L & Thoirs, K 2012, 'Reliability of real-time ultrasound for measuring skeletal muscle size in human limbs in vivo: a systematic review', Clinical Rehabilitation, vol. 26, no. 10, pp. 934-944. 60 57
2012	English, C, Thoirs, K, Coates, A, Ryan, A & Bernhardt, J 2012, 'Changes in fat mass in stroke survivors: a systematic review', International Journal of Stroke, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 491-498. Open access 19 18
2012	English, CK, Thoirs, KA, Fisher, L, McLennan, H & Bernhardt, J 2012, 'Ultrasound is a reliable measure of muscle thickness in acute stroke patients, for some, but not all anatomical sites: a study of the intra-rater reliability of muscle thickness measures in acute stroke patients', Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 368-376. 44 39
2012	Thoirs, K 2012, 'Physical and technical principles of sonography : a practical guide for non-sonographers', Radiographer, vol. 59, no. 4, pp. 125-133. Open access 5
2012	Thoirs, KA & Coffee, J 2012, 'Developing the clinical psychomotor skills of musculoskeletal sonography using a multimedia DVD : a pilot study', Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 703-718. Open access 9 7
2011	Naser-ud-Din, S, Thoirs, KA & Sampson, W 2011, 'Ultrasonography, lateral cephalometry and 3D imaging of the human masseter muscle', Orthodontics and Craniofacial Research, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 33-43. 16 12
2011	Thoirs, K, Giles, E & Barber, W 2011, 'The use and perceptions of simulation in medical radiation science education', Radiographer, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 5-11. 16
2010	Allan, RB, Thoirs, KA & Phillips, M 2010, 'Accuracy of ultrasound to identify chronic liver disease', World Journal of Gastroenterology, vol. 16, no. 28, pp. 3510-3520. Open access 56 42
2010	English, CK, McLennan, HJ, Thoirs, KA, Coates, AM & Bernhardt, J 2010, 'Loss of skeletal muscle mass after stroke : a systematic review', International Journal of Stroke, vol. 5, no. 5, pp. 395-402. 125 114
2010	Naser-ud-Din, S, Sampson, W, Dreyer, C & Thoirs, KA 2010, 'Ultrasound Measurements of the Masseter Muscle as Predictors of Cephalometric Indices in Orthodontics: A Pilot Study', Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, vol. 36, no. 9, pp. 1412-1421. 2 2
2010	Thoirs, KA 2010, 'Using online peer feedback in formative assessment for medical sonography students teaching: the student view', Radiographer, vol. 57, no. 2, pp. 26-33.
2009	Chipchase, LS, Thoirs, K & Jedrzejczak, A 2009, 'The effectiveness of real time ultrasound as a biofeedback tool for muscle retraining', Physical Therapy Reviews, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 124-131. 4 4
2009	Fulton, I, McEvoy, M, Pieterse, J, Williams, M, Thoirs, K & Petkov, J 2009, 'Transversus abdominis : changes in thickness during the unsupported upper limb exercise test in older adults', Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, vol. 25, no. 8, pp. 523-532. 3
2009	Thoirs, K & English, C 2009, 'Ultrasound measures of muscle thickness: intra-examiner reliability and influence of body position', Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging, vol. 29, no. 6, pp. 440-446. 64 60
2009	Thoirs, KA 2009, 'Sonography in the diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome', vol. 2, no. 2009, pp. 28-33.
2008	Thoirs, KA, Williams, MT & Phillips, M 2008, 'Ultrasonographic measurements of the ulnar nerve at the elbow: Role of confounders', Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 737-743. 59 47

Other outputs

Childs J, Thoirs K, Turner R, Esterman A. 2015 'Ultrasound in the assessment of hepatomegaly: A simple technique to determine an enlarged liver using reliable and valid measurements'. Sonography (Currently under consideration)

Childs J, Thoirs K, Esterman A. in press 'The development of a practical and uncomplicated predictive equation to determine liver volume from simple linear ultrasound measurements of the liver' , Radiography

Todd, G, Pearson –Dennett V, Wilcox RA, Chau MT, Thoirs K, Thewlis D, Vogel AP, White JM 2016 Adults with a history of illicit amphetamine use exhibit abnormal substantia nigra morphology and parkinsonism. Journal Parkinsonism & Related Disorders doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2016.02.019

Thoirs Kerry, Osborne Brooke, Childs Jessie T, Parange N, Maranna S 2016 Skill development of beginner sonography students using high fidelity simulators: initial experiences Sonography vol 3 (1) pp.5-11.

Osborne B, Parange N, Thoirs K 2015 The effectiveness of the use of high fidelity simulators in obstetric ultrasound training: A systematic review AJUM August 2015 18 (3) pp.101-105.

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

Organisation	Country
Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine	AUSTRALIA
Australasian Sonographers Accreditation Registry	AUSTRALIA
Australasian Sonographers Association	AUSTRALIA
Australian institute of Healthcare Education	AUSTRALIA
Central Queensland University	AUSTRALIA
Charles Sturt University	AUSTRALIA
Flinders Medical Centre	AUSTRALIA
Flinders University	AUSTRALIA
Florey Neuroscience Institute	AUSTRALIA
Group Scientific Pty Ltd	AUSTRALIA
La Trobe University	AUSTRALIA
Mitcham Rehab Clinic	AUSTRALIA
Monash University	AUSTRALIA
National Stroke Research Institute	AUSTRALIA
Queensland University of Technology	AUSTRALIA
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital	AUSTRALIA
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital	AUSTRALIA
The Australian Institute of Healthcare Education	AUSTRALIA
University of Adelaide	AUSTRALIA
University of Auckland	NEW ZEALAND
University of Canberra	AUSTRALIA
University of Maryland	UNITED STATES
University of Melbourne	AUSTRALIA
University of Queensland	AUSTRALIA
University of Santo Tomas	PHILIPPINES
University of South Australia	AUSTRALIA
University of Sydney	AUSTRALIA
University of Tasmania	AUSTRALIA
Western Sydney University	AUSTRALIA

External engagement & recognition

Engagement/recognition	Year
Member Australasian Sonographers Association	2016
Member The Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine	2016
Member The Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry	2016
Member The Australian Institute of Radiography	2016
Researcher of the Year Australasian Sonographers Association	2016
The Pru Pratten Memorial Award Australasian Sonographers Association	2016

Teaching & student supervision

Research degree supervision

Supervisions from 2010 shown

Thesis title	Student status
Ultrasound imaging of the plantar soft tissues and intrinsic foot muscles with a focus on people with diabetes	Current
Development of a simple technique of measuring liver volume using 2D ultrasound including development of a reference range	Completed
Diagnosing lateral epicondylalgia: underpinning pathology and evidence for the use of common provocation test	Completed
Exploring self-efficacy of clinical skills in a cohort of Australian radiography students	Completed

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Dr Kerry Thoirs

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About me

About me

UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance

About me

Professional Associations

Experience

Qualifications

Research

Research focus

Highlights

Projects

Outputs

Books

Journal Articles

Other outputs

Current research & highlights

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

Collaborations

External engagement & recognition

Member

Member

Member

Member

Researcher of the Year

The Pru Pratten Memorial Award

Teaching & student supervision

Courses and programs

Research degree supervision

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