About
Dr Sean Docking is a Senior Research Fellow at Monash University, affiliated with the Musculoskeletal Health and Wiser Healthcare Units within the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. He is a health economist and health services researcher with a strong focus on economic evaluations in musculoskeletal health and low-value care. He is co-chair of the Economic Methods Group in the NHMRC-funded Australian and New Zealand Musculoskeletal (ANZMUSC) Clinical Trials Network.
- PhD, Monash University (2015)
- Masters of Health Economics, Deakin University (2022)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Hons), University of Adelaide
Sean's research centers on health economics, cost-effectiveness analysis, and health policy, particularly as applied to musculoskeletal disorders and diagnostic imaging. He develops economic models and conducts systematic reviews to evaluate healthcare interventions and market dynamics. His work has significant policy relevance, especially in understanding corporate ownership in diagnostic imaging and cost-effective alternatives to knee replacement surgery.
His recent publications span high-impact journals such as JAMA Network Open, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, and The Medical Journal of Australia, with themes including cost-effectiveness of exercise therapy for knee osteoarthritis, imaging abnormalities in asymptomatic shoulders, and environmental impacts of respiratory inhalers. The research demonstrates a consistent focus on improving healthcare value and reducing low-value care through rigorous economic analysis.
- Victorian Fresh Scientist (2019)
- Best clinical presentation at 2016 International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium
- Best "other" paper - Wiser Healthcare CRE (2021)
- Deeble Summer Research Scholarship (2021)
- Meritorious Abstract at 13th Health Services Research Conference (2024)
Sean has led and contributed to economic evaluations for projects funded by HCF Research Foundation, SaferCare Victoria, Cabrini Research Foundation, and Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network. He has supervised research students and mentored early-career researchers through the AHES Mentoring Committee, where he served as committee member (2022–2023) and convenor (2024–2025). He is currently a Chief Investigator on an active research project with Eastern Melbourne PHN (2024–2025) focused on audit and feedback mechanisms.
Sean is actively involved in academic service, including serving as Associate Editor for the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport (2019–2024) and co-chairing key methodological committees. He regularly engages with media to disseminate research findings, including features in The Conversation and interviews with ABC Radio National.
