Dr Iris Bartula is a Senior Lecturer at University of Sydney. She is a head of psychosocial research at Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA), where she is leading the Support and Survivorship research theme. Dr Bartula is passionate about improving quality of life of melanoma patients, as well as integrating psychosocial support into a routine medical practice. To this end, she is leading the research at MIA that will: (1) create and disseminate knowledge; (2) translate the evidence; and (3) increase the capacity of psychological research at MIA.

Dr Bartula obtained Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) degree in 2003 from University of Sydney. She then practiced as a psychologist in a large state government department until 2011, when she returned to university to obtain her postgraduate degree. Dr Bartula completed Doctorate of Clinical Psychology / Masters of Philosophy at Macquarie University in 2015. Her research focused on the assessment of sexual dysfunction in women diagnosed with breast cancer. She was awarded Australian Psychological Society Clinical Psychologists Student Prize in 2016.

Research Interests:

Dr Bartula is passionate about researching issues affecting people diagnosed with melanoma across their cancer journey – from diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, palliative care and end of life. In particular, her research interests include:

• Assessment of psychosocial functioning and quality of life
• Interventions targeting distress and psychological disorders
• Assessment and interventions implementation into routine practice
• Addressing the needs of oncology professionals
• Assessing quality of life impacts of medical treatments

Publications

Bartula, I., & Sherman, K. A. (2013). Screening for sexual dysfunction in women diagnosed with breast cancer: systematic review and recommendations. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 141(2), 173-185. doi:10.1007/s10549-013-2685-9

Bartula, I., & Sherman, K. A. (2015a). Development and validation of the Female Sexual Functioning Index adaptation for breast cancer patients (FSFI-BC). Breast Cancer Res Treat, 152, 477-488.

Bartula, I., & Sherman, K. A. (2015b). The Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI): evaluation of acceptability, reliability, and validity in women with breast cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer, 23(9), 2633-2641. doi:10.1007/s00520-015-2623-y