Research Fellow
Health Economics & Policy Research Group
Sansom Institute
University of South Australia
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Dr Leach is a research fellow within the health economics and policy research group at the University of South Australia, and previously, a lecturer in naturopathy (2004-2008). Matthew completed his Bachelor of Nursing degree in 1994, followed by a Diploma of Applied Science (Naturopathy) in 1998, a Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) degree in 2000, a PhD in 2005, and a Diploma of Clinical Nutrition in 2008. Matthews doctoral dissertation examined the clinical feasibility of Horsechestnut Seed Extract in the management of venous leg ulceration, using multiple methods. This PhD, along with a number of postdoctoral experiences, has provided Matthew with expertise in the design, implementation and analysis of randomised controlled trials, descriptive surveys, case control studies, cost-benefit analyses, systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Dr Leach has published more than 28 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference abstracts, has received seven awards and scholarships, has been invited to speak on radio and at a number of public and private events, and has presented at more than twelve seminars, forums and international conferences. Dr Leach is also a peer-reviewer for a number of journals, a member (and recent acting chair) of the division of health sciences research ethics committee, and an invited Naturopathy expert on a ministerial advisory panel for the Queensland Office of Higher Education.
Dr Leach also has more than fourteen years of clinical experience as a health care practitioner, specifically as a Registered Nurse and Naturopath. During this time, Dr Leach has worked across a number of health care settings, including surgical, medical, high dependency, correctional, geriatric, community and private practice. In this clinical capacity, Dr Leach has been responsible for the direct delivery of patient care, as well as health education, health promotion, interdisciplinary collaboration and communication, and the coordination of patient care.
Qualifications
PhD, University of South Australia
Bachelor of Nursing (Honours), University of South Australia
Diploma of Applied Science (Naturopathy), SA College of Natural Therapies
Diploma of Clinical Nutrition, International Academy of Nutrition
Journal articles
Leach MJ. (2000) ‘An examination of the factors influencing natural therapy use in the Royal District Nursing Service’. Honours Thesis, University of South Australia.
Leach MJ. (2001) Aesculus hippocastanum. Australian Journal of Medical Herbalism, 13(4): 136-140.
Leach MJ. (2001) Phytotherapy and transplantation. Australian Journal of Medical Herbalism, 13(2): 43-48.
Leach MJ. (2002) An examination of factors influencing natural therapy use in the Royal District Nursing Service. The Australian Journal of Holistic Nursing, 9(2): 41-49.
Leach MJ. (2003) Barriers to conducting randomised controlled trials: lessons learnt from the Horsechestnut & Venous Leg Ulcer Trial (HAVLUT). Contemporary Nurse, 15(1): 37-47.
Leach MJ. (2003) Natural, complementary, alternative. Which term to use? The Australian Journal of Holistic Nursing, 10(1): 46-49.
Leach MJ. (2004) A critical review of natural therapies in wound management. Ostomy Wound Management, 50(2): 18-29. (http://www.o-wm.com/article/2441)
Leach MJ. (2004) Public, nurse and medical practitioner attitude and practice of natural medicine. Complementary Therapies in Nursing & Midwifery, 10(1): 13-21. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?)
Leach MJ. (2004) The clinical feasibility of natural medicine, venotonic therapy and horse chestnut seed extract in the treatment of venous leg ulceration: a descriptive survey. Complementary Therapies in Nursing & Midwifery. 10(2): 97-109. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?)
Leach MJ. (2004) Making sense of the venous leg ulcer debate: a literature review. Journal of Wound Care. 13(2): 52-57. (http://www.journalofwoundcare.com)
Leach MJ. (2004) Naturopathic framework for a growing profession. British Naturopathic Journal. 21(3): 8-11.
Leach MJ. (2005) Rapport: a key to treatment success. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 11(4): 262-265. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?)
Leach MJ. (2005) The clinical efficacy & feasibility of using Horsechestnut seed extract in the treatment of venous leg ulceration. PhD Thesis, University of South Australia.
Leach MJ. (2006) Integrative health care: a need for change? Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. 3(1): 1-11. (http://www.bepress.com/jcim/vol3/iss1/1/)
Leach MJ. Pincombe J. Foster G. (2006) Clinical efficacy of horsechestnut seed extract in the treatment of venous ulceration. Journal of Wound Care. 15(4): 159-167. (http://www.journalofwoundcare.com)
Leach MJ. Pincombe J. Foster G. (2006) Using Horsechestnut Seed Extract in the treatment of venous leg ulceration: a cost-benefit analysis. Ostomy/Wound Management 52(4): 68-78. (http://www.o-wm.com/article/5536)
Leach MJ. (2006) Evidence-based practice: a framework for clinical practice and research design. International Journal of Nursing Practice 12(5): 248-51. (http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/ijn)
Leach MJ. (2006) Wound management: using Levine's conservation model to guide practice. Ostomy Wound Management 52(8): 74-80. (http://www.o-wm.com/article/6024)
Leach MJ. (2007) Revisiting the evaluation of clinical practice. International Journal of Nursing Practice 13(2): 70-74. (http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/ijn)
Leach MJ. (2007) Orthodox use, or misuse, of complementary and alternative medicine? Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine 4(1): 1-5. (http://www.bepress.com/jcim/vol4/iss1/3/)
Leach MJ. (2007) Gymnema sylvestre for diabetes mellitus. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine. 13(9): 977-984. (http://www.liebertonline.com/toc/acm/13/9)
Leach, MJ. (2008) Natural wound care. Journal of Complementary Medicine. 7, 32-35,65.
Leach, MJ. (2008) The naturopathic process: a framework for naturopathic practice. Journal of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society. 14(1): 7-10.
Leach, MJ. Kumar, S. (2008) The clinical effectiveness of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in adults with osteoarthritis. International Journal of Evidence-based Healthcare: 6(3): 311-320.
Leach, MJ. (2008) Calendula officinalis for wound healing: a systematic review. WOUNDS. 20(8): 236-243.
Leach, MJ. (2008) Planning: a necessary step in clinical care. Journal of Clinical NursingPlanning: a necessary step in clinical care. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17(13): 1728-1734.
Leach, MJ. Gillham D. (2008) Evaluation of the Evidence-Based practice Attitude and utilization SurvEy (EBASE) for complementary and alternative medicine practitioners. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 14(5): 792-798.