Adrienne Torda

Associate Professor in medical education and innovation
Associate Dean (Education)

Adrienne Torda is a practicing clinician and medical educator, with specialist qualifications in Infectious Diseases and additional degrees and fellowships in both university learning and teaching and medical ethics. Her teaching philosophy is student centred and incorporates adult learning theories with the latest available modalities for designing and delivering medical education. Her educational passions include innovation in education, partnering with students, role modelling, and mentoring. A current focus is on the development of a forward looking curriculum which integrates teaching students problem solving, analytical thinking, reflective practice, communication skills and teamwork with more traditional medical content and competencies. She is involved in curriculum design across the entire undergraduate medical program and also teaches medical students from first to final year, across both campus and the workplace (hospital).

She also champions gender equity and inclusive leadership and is the Gender Champion for UNSW (2019/2020). This also allows her to apply an inclusive lens to her educational design.

Research Interests:
There are two main areas of interest. One is in clinical infectious diseases and the other is medical education research.

Broad Research Areas:
Clinical Research, Medical Education, Infectious Diseases

Qualifications:
MBBS (Hons), PhD, FRACP. SFHEA, AFANZAPHE, FHERDSA, GradDip Bioethics, GradCert University Learning & Teaching,

Society Memberships & Professional Activities:
FRACP, Australian Society of Infectious Diseases; infectious diseases society of America; Australasian Bioethics Association; ANZAPHE, HERDSA

Specific Research Keywords:
Medical education; Clinical Ethics; Infectious Diseases; Immunology and Infectious Disease; Clinical education; Immunisation

publications
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Journal articles
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Sullivan R; Rabinowitz D; Lehane C; Torda A, 2018, 'Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis causing subcutaneous collections in the thigh', BMJ (Online), vol. 361, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k1719
2018
Torda A; Chan V, 2018, 'Antibiotic allergy labels—the impact of taking a clinical history', International Journal of Clinical Practice, vol. 72, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.13058
2018
Shamim MS; Baig L; Torda A; Balasooriya C, 2018, 'Culture and ethics in medical education: The Asian perspective', Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 68, pp. 444 - 446
2018
Torda AJ; commons R, 2018, 'Managing diabetic foot infections: a survey of Australasian infectious diseases clinicians', ournalofFootandAnkleResearch, vol. 11, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13047-018-0256-3
2018
Overton K; Mennon V; Mothobi N; Neild B; Martinez E; Masters J; Grant P; Akhunji Z; Su WY; Torda A; Whyte CM; Lloyd A; Weatherall C; Hofmeyr A; Foo H; Brookes K; Marriott D; Sintchenko V; Clezy K; Konecny P; Post JJ, 2018, 'Cluster of invasive Mycobacteria chimaera infections following cardiac surgery demonstrating novel clinical features and risks of aortic valve replacement', Internal Medicine Journal, vol. 48, pp. 1514 - 1520, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/imj.14093
2018
Torda A; Chong Q; Lee A; Chen S; Dodds A; Greenwood M; Larsen S; Gilroy N, 2014, 'Invasive pneumococcal disease following adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation', Transplant Infectious Disease, vol. 16, pp. 751 - 759, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/tid.12268
2014
Zwar NA; Torda AJ, 2012, 'Diarrhö-Diagnostik bei einem Indien-Rückkehrer', Praxis, vol. 101, pp. 259 - 263, http://dx.doi.org/10.1024/1661-8157/a000874
2012
N K; Torda AJ, 2011, 'Travel and pregnancy: an infectious diseases perspective', Obstetric Medicine, vol. 4, pp. 53 - 58, http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/om.2011.100073
2011
Zwar NA; Torda AJ, 2011, 'Investigation of diarrhoea in a traveller just returned from India', BMJ - General Practice Edition, vol. 342, pp. 1304 - 1306, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d2978
2011
Torda AJ, 2009, 'Response', Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, vol. 6, pp. 257 - 258, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11673-009-9158-1
2009
Torda AJ; Alexander J, 2009, 'Revaccination of bone marrow transplant recipients: A review of current practices in Australia', Internal Medicine Journal, vol. 39, pp. 216 - 221, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1445-5994.2009.01698.x
2009
Spelman D; Buttery J; Daley A; Isaacs D; Jennens I; Kakakios A; Lawrence R; Roberts S; Torda A; Watson DAR; Woolley I; Anderson T; Street A, 2008, 'Guidelines for the prevention of sepsis in asplenic and hyposplenic patients', Internal Medicine Journal, vol. 38, pp. 349 - 356, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1445-5994.2007.01579.x
2008
Torda AJ, 2008, 'Vaccination and screening of medical students: results of a student health initiative', Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 189, pp. 484 - 486
2008
Torda AJ, 2006, 'Ethical issues in pandemic planning', Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 185, pp. S73 - S76
2006
Torda A, 2005, 'Postpartum toxic shock syndrome associated with multiple splenic infarcts [2]', Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 182, pp. 93
2005
Torda AJ, 2005, 'In that case: response', J Bioeth Inq, vol. 2, pp. 51 - 51
2005
King MR; Kerridge I; Gilroy N; Selgelid IJ; Annals G; O'Malley J; Torda A; Gilbert L; Keown R, 2005, 'Animals and ethics: An overview of the debate', Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, vol. 2, pp. 48 - 56, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf02448815
2005
Torda AJ, 2005, 'How far does a doctor`s `duty of care` go?', Internal Medicine Journal, vol. 35, pp. 295 - 296, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1445-5994.2005.00829.x
2005
Torda A, 2002, 'Infectious risks to healthcare workers', Medicine Today, vol. 3, pp. 31 - 38
2002
Torda AJ, 2002, 'Infectious risks for health care workers', Medicine Today
2002
Torda AJ; Kumar RK; Jones PD, 2001, 'The pathology of human and murine pulmonary infection with Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii', Pathology, vol. 33, pp. 475 - 478, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00313020120083197
2001
Torda A, 2001, 'Toxoplasmosis. Are cats really the source?', Australian family physician, vol. 30, pp. 743 - 747
2001
Torda AJ, 2000, 'Oral antibiotics, when to start, when to change', Medicine Today, vol. 11, pp. 52 - 60
2000
Torda A; McDonald R, 1997, 'Antifungal therapy: An update', Modern Medicine of Australia, vol. 40, pp. 50 - 57
1997
Torda AJ; Jones PD, 1997, 'Necrotizing cutaneous infection caused by Curvularia brachyspora in an immunocompetent host', Australasian Journal of Dermatology, vol. 38, pp. 85 - 87, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-0960.1997.tb01114.x
1997
Torda AJ; McDonald R, 1997, 'Necrotising Cutaneous Fungal Infections: Case Report and Review', Australasian Dermatol, vol. 38, pp. 85 - 87
1997
Torda AJ; Bennett MR; Torda TAG, 1997, 'The clinical spectrum of necrotising fasciitis', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine, vol. 27, pp. 440, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1445-5994.1997.tb02205.x
1997
Torda AJ; Gottlieb T; Bradbury R, 1995, 'Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis: Analysis of 20 cases and review', Clinical Infectious Diseases, vol. 20, pp. 320 - 328, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/clinids/20.2.320
1995
Torda A, 1992, 'Three months in a hothouse [23]', Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 156, pp. 368
1992
Conference Posters
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Torda AJ; chan V, 2017, 'Antibiotic Allergies: Potential for de-labelling based on Clinical Grounds', Katoomba, presented at . Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Katoomba, 29 March 2017 - 01 April 2017, https://www.asid.net.au/documents/item/1344
2017
Torda AJ, 2017, 'Antibiotic Allergies – Is De-labelling Based on Clinical History Feasible?', San Diego, presented at ID Week, San Diego, 03 October 2017 - 07 October 2017, http://www.idweek.org/program-primer/
2017
Torda AJ, 2016, 'Diabetic Foot Infections: A Survey Of Australasian Infectious Diseases Clinical Practice', Launceston, presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Launceston, 23 April 2016 - 26 April 2016, https://www.asid.net.au/documents/item/1235
2016
Torda AJ, 2016, 'PJIs In Australia and NZ: The First 150 Patients From The Piano (Prosthetic Joint Infection In Australia And New Zealand Observational) Study, PIANO study group and the ASID clinical research network', Launceston, presented at Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Launceston, 23 April 2016 - 26 April 2016, https://www.asid.net.au/documents/item/1235
2016
Torda AJ; balasooriya ; shamim , 2016, 'Ethics in Undergraduate Medical Education: a scoping review', Barcelona, presented at Annual meeting of the Association for Medical Education, Barcelona, 27 August 2016 - 31 August 2016, https://amee.org/getattachment/Conferences/AMEE-Past-Conferences/AMEE-2016/1-AMEE-2016-Abstract-Book-FULL-BOOK-UPDATED-Online-POST-CONFERENCE.pdf
2016
Torda AJ; Perera M, 2016, 'The dilemma of poor diagnosis of concurrent chronic venous disease (CVD) in the setting of lower limb (LL) cellulitis.', New Orleans, presented at ID week (IDSA Annual scientific meeting), New Orleans, 26 October 2016 - 30 October 2016
2016
Torda AJ, 2016, 'The Association between Leg Cellulitis and Chronic Venous Disease: An Under-Recognised Risk Factor for both Recurrence and Treatment Failure', Hobart, presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Hobart, 23 April 2016 - 26 April 2016, https://www.asid.net.au/documents/item/1235
2016
Torda AJ, 2016, 'Co-Morbidities Associated with Recurrence Of Lower Limb Cellulitis', Launceston, presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Launceston, 23 April 2016 - 26 April 2016, https://www.asid.net.au/documents/item/1235
2016
Torda AJ, 2014, 'Re-vaccination practices for adult patients post-bone marrow transplant (BMT) and post-splenectomy (Sp): a survey of Australian primary care practioners (GPs)', Aelaide, presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Aelaide, 01 April 2014 - 05 April 2014
2014
Torda AJ, 2014, 'An 11 year retrospective study of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient (hsct) in sydney, australia.', presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, 01 April 2014 - 04 April 2014
2014
Torda AJ, 2011, 'Treatment of infectious diseases using intravenous antibiotics at home – a review of outcomes at Prince of Wales Hospital', Lorne, presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Lorne, 26 March 2011 - 29 March 2011
2011
Torda AJ, 2010, 'A six year review of the management of prosthetic joint infections', Darwin, presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Darwin, 20 March 2010 - 24 March 2010
2010
Torda AJ, 2008, 'Do as I say, not as I do- Teaching Ethics To Medial Students', melbourne, presented at Ottawa International Conference on Clinical Competence, melbourne, 11 March 2008 - 14 March 2008
2008
Torda AJ, 2004, 'Seroepidemiology of 1st year medical students at UNSW', Alice Springs, presented at Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Alice Springs, 10 April 2004 - 14 April 2004
2004
Torda AJ, 2001, 'Infectious Risks to the Health Care Worker- What’s new and what can we do?', Sydney, presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian College of Physicians, Sydney, 02 May 2001 - 05 May 2001
2001
Torda AJ, 2000, 'The pathology of human and murine pulmonary infection with C.neoformans var.gattii.', Leura, presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Leura, 23 April 2000 - 26 April 2000
2000
Torda AJ, 1996, 'Characterisation of a Mouse Model of Cryptococcus Neoformans var.gattii infection', Paris, France, presented at 3rd International Conference on Cryptococcus and Cryptococcosis, Paris, France, 01 November 1996 - 03 November 1996
1996
Torda AJ, 1995, 'Necrotising cutaneous fungal infection: case report and review', Darwin, presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian society for Infectious Diseases, Darwin, 01 April 1995 - 04 April 1995
1995
Torda AJ, 1995, 'Necrotising Infections Treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen', Darwin, presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Darwin, 01 April 1995 - 04 April 1995
1995
Conference Presentations
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Torda AJ, 2017, 'Development and validation of a clinical pathway algorithm development for assessment and management of diabetic foot infection with possible osteomyelitis', presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Hobart, 22 March 2017 - 25 March 2017
2017
Torda AJ; Chan V, 2017, 'Antibiotic Allergies – Is De-labelling Based on Clinical History Feasible?', presented at ID Week, San Diego, 03 October 2017 - 07 October 2017, https://idsa.confex.com/idsa/2017/webprogram/Paper62569.html
2017
Torda AJ, 2017, 'Teaching how millennials learn: Re-vamping medical ethics.', presented at Facutly of Medicine, Learning and Teaching Forum, University of New South Wales, 01 December 2017 - 01 December 2017, https://staff.med.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/_local_upload/others/1_Abstract_AT_Mellinnials_LTF17.pdf
2017
Torda AJ, 2017, 'SLLIM (Student led learning in medicine) pickings - an inspired backflip.', presented at Learning and Teaching Forum Educational Excellence: Transforming Futures, UNSW, 01 November 2017 - 01 November 2017, https://teaching.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/upload-files/Program%20Short%20Version%2030%20Oct.pdf
2017
Torda AJ, 2017, 'Ethics toolbox: integrating inspiring technology into inspired teaching.', presented at Learning and Teaching Forum Educational Excellence: Transforming Futures, 01 November 2017 - 01 November 2017, https://teaching.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/upload-files/Program%20Short%20Version%2030%20Oct.pdf
2017
Torda AJ; Perera M, 2016, 'Accuracy of Diagnosis and Documentation of Chronic Venous Disease (Cvd) in the Setting of Acute Lower Limb (LL) Cellulitis', presented at Australian Society for Infectious Diseases, 20 April 2016 - 23 April 2016, https://www.asid.net.au/documents/item/1168
2016
Torda AJ; chong Q; gilroy N; chen S, 2013, 'An 11 year retrospective study of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient (hsct) in Sydney, Australia', presented at 53rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy,, Denver, Colorado, 10 September 2013 - 13 September 2013, https://www.asm.org/images/Meetings/ICAAC2013_FinalProgPDF_PSmall.pdf
2013
Torda AJ, 2008, 'Avian influenza – an update', presented at Society of Neuromuscular Sciences, japan, 11 February 2008 - 15 February 2008
2008
Torda AJ, 2007, 'Innovations in Teaching Ethics to Medical Students- am I wasting my Time?', presented at International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Melbourne, Australia, 02 July 2007 - 05 July 2007, http://issotl.com/issotl15/node/28
2007
Torda AJ, 2007, 'MRSA: Prevalence & Trends in Infection Control.’ International Symposium on Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance', presented at 6th International Symposium on Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance, Singapore, 07 March 2007 - 07 March 2017, https://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/abs/10.2217/17460913.2.3.257?journalCode=fmb
2007
Torda AJ, 2007, 'What guidelines are used, and what are physician practices in relation to vaccination of Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) recipients', presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Hobart, 22 March 2007 - 25 March 2007
2007
Torda AJ, 2005, 'Infectious Risks to the Health Care Worker- What’s new and what can we do?', presented at Australian Infection Control Nurses Conference, Sydney, 21 September 2005 - 23 September 2005
2005
Torda AJ, 2005, 'Ethics, duty and leadership in times of Crisis – how should health care workers behave when an epidemic hits?', presented at Communicable Diseases Control Conference, Sydney, 02 May 2005 - 03 May 2005
2005
Torda AJ, 2004, 'Should you put your life on the line for someone you don’t even know? – SARS and doctors’ duty to care', presented at 10th conference of the Australasian Bioethics Association, Sydney, 01 November 2004 - 01 November 2004
2004
Torda AJ; lysaght T, 2004, 'Public Perceptions of Stem Cell Research', presented at Australian Health and Medical Research Congress, Darling Harbour, Sydney, 21 November 2004 - 26 November 2004
2004
Torda AJ, 2004, 'Utility and efficacy of medical student immunisation program', presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, 24 March 2004 - 27 March 2004
2004
Torda AJ, 2004, 'Ethical issues and Stem cell research', presented at 4th Stem Cell Workshop, 01 March 2004 - 01 March 2004
2004
Torda AJ; jones PHIL, 2000, 'Cytokine production in a murine model of C.neoformans var.gattii infection.', presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Leura, 01 April 2000 - 04 April 2000
2000
Torda AJ, 2000, 'Infectious Diseases Case Discussion', presented at First Joint Scientific Meeting of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the Royal College of Physicians of Thailand, Petchaburi, Thailand, 10 November 2000 - 14 November 2000
2000
Torda AJ, 2000, 'Infectious Risks to Health Care Workers', presented at Infectious Diseases issues and health care workers, Bangkok, Thailand, 01 December 2000 - 01 December 2000
2000
Torda AJ, 1994, 'Vertebral osteomyelitis: An analysis of twenty cases', presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Canberra, 01 April 1994 - 04 April 1994
1994
Torda AJ, 1994, 'Evaluation of results and Clinical utility of bone marrow examination in patients with HIV', presented at 6th Annual Conference. Australasian Society for HIV Medicine, Sydney, 01 November 1994 - 03 November 1994, https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/31629509?selectedversion=NBD11332405
1994
Theses / Dissertations
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Torda AJ, 2000, The pathogenesis of c.neoformans vargattii infection - characterisation of human infection, a mouse model and comparisons to c.neoformans var.neoformans infection
2000

Awards
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2017 - Faculty of Medicine Excellence in Teaching Award

Area of expertise
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Teaching in medicine - both campus and clinical teaching; Medical ethics; curriculum design; clinical medicine and infectious diseases. Innovation in Education; VR learning in medicine

Teaching
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Associate Dean, Education and Innovation

Convenor of Foundations

Convenor of ethics in the medical program

Clinical tutor phase 1

Clinical supervisor phase 3

Mentor - Bioethics society

Mentor - Women in Medicine society

Educational innovator - involved in the digital uplift of teaching materials across the program