Graeme Horton

Dr. Graeme Horton serves as Head of General Practice & Primary Care at the School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Australia. With a career spanning medical education, clinical practice, and environmental health advocacy, Dr. Horton has established himself as a leader in integrating climate change education into medical curricula. His academic journey includes roles as Program Convenor for the Bachelor of Medicine, Convenor of the BMedSc/MD Program, and Associate Dean/Head of Student Wellbeing and Interprofessional Education from 2018 to 2022.

Dr. Horton's educational background includes:

• Doctor of Philosophy in General Practice, University of Newcastle
• Master of Environmental Studies (with merit), University of Newcastle
• Graduate Certificate in Population Health, University of Newcastle
• Graduate Diploma in Rural General Practice, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
• Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, University of Sydney

Dr. Horton's research focuses at the intersection of medical education, climate change health impacts, and student well-being. His work has significantly contributed to understanding how environmental sustainability can be integrated into medical curricula, with particular emphasis on preparing future healthcare professionals to address climate-related health challenges. He has published extensively on the links between preventative health advice and environmental sustainability, and has explored medical students' attitudes toward incorporating climate change impacts into medical education. His research also extends to medical student well-being, developing interventions to address burnout through psychological flexibility training.

An analysis of Dr. Horton's recent publications reveals a strong thematic focus on environmentally sustainable healthcare education, with increasing attention to digital interventions for student well-being. His work demonstrates a clear trajectory toward integrating environmental health considerations into medical training while addressing the mental health challenges faced by medical students. The publications span medical education research, climate change health impacts, and innovative teaching methodologies, reflecting his commitment to preparing healthcare professionals for the challenges of the 21st century.

Dr. Horton has secured significant research funding, including a $1.45 million MRFF grant in 2024 for "Exploring the benefit of multidisciplinary primary care" and several smaller grants for medical education research. His work has resulted in a Google Scholar H-Index of 15, indicating substantial scholarly impact.

As an educator and supervisor, Dr. Horton has guided multiple research students, currently supervising a Master's student researching reflective thinking skills in occupational therapy students and a PhD candidate examining professional identity formation during the pandemic. He has been instrumental in developing medical curricula, including serving as Program Convenor for the Bachelor of Medicine and the BMedSc/MD Program. His administrative roles have included Chair of the Rural Implementation Committee and Coordinator for Year 3 Professional Practice courses.

Dr. Horton has been actively involved in professional organizations, serving on the Executive Committee of the Australian Association of Academic General Practice and the Management Committee of Doctors for the Environment. He convened the 2015 combined conference of ANZAHPE and AMEA, which hosted 600 delegates, and has been Co-chair of the Student Support Network of Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand (MDANZ) from 2022-2023.