Tag Archives: LIH

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Learning the importance of research impact at the Doctoral Training Alliance summer school

PhD student Laura Simmons attended the Doctoral Training Alliance Biosciences for Health summer school hosted by the University of Huddersfield on the 24th-26th July. During the 3-day event students took part in a variety of workshops that focused on how individuals can make an impact with their research.

DTA summer school 3The main focus of the summer school was the Impact Challenge where students had to present a pitch to a group of judges on a particular research topic. We were encouraged to choose a goal, define the outcomes, outputs and funding requirements. This provided a great opportunity for students to consider how much funding would be required and what resources would be needed to carry out the project. We were also encouraged to consider our connections to external charities and organisations that could help us in achieving the project goals.

There were a variety of projects that were presented during the summer school including: a uterus massage to reduce haemorrhaging and maternal mortality (Laura Simmons); a diabetes mobile app to reduce mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote health (Sophie Mohamed); and implementing an online training course to empower healthcare workforces in developing countries (Ksenia Trischel).

DTA summer school 2Laura and her team were one of three groups who were awarded ‘funding’ from the judging panel (awarded in chocolate coins) for their work on developing an educational programme to reduce haemorrhaging during childbirth to reduce maternal mortality.

Overall the Impact Challenge was a useful exercise that mirrored the real life expectations of working with colleagues to produce a funding application. It challenged us to think outside the box and consider the impact that the project may have from other perspectives such as the economy.

For more information about the Doctoral Training Alliance visit their website https://unialliance.ac.uk/dta/programmes/dta-applied-biosciences-for-health

By Laura Simmons

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Improvement Science and Research Methods seminar: Prof Alicia O’Cathain on process evaluation in clinical trials

alicia2 Professor of Health Services Research at the University of Sheffield, Alicia O’Cathain, who heads the Medical Care Research Unit at ScHARR, gave an outstanding CaHRU/LIH seminar on ‘Using process evaluations alongside randomised controlled trials and other outcome evaluations’ on 23 May 2018 at the University of Lincoln.

CaHRU_logotypeThe seminar was based on the Medical Research Council guidance on process evaluations (Moore G, Audrey S, Barker M, Bond L, Bonell C, Cooper C, Hardeman W, Moore L, O’Cathain A, Tannaze T, Wight D, Baird J. Process evaluation of complex interventions. Medical Research Council guidance. BMJ 2015 350:h1258) which Prof O’Cathain co-authored. She described the importance of process evaluations using mixed methods in helping researchers realise how understanding trial processes can help us appreciate how or why a complex interventions works or does not work as intended, which is critical to its effectiveness and subsequent implementation.

LIFH-logo-web2She went on to describe the contextual factors that determine how an intervention works, limit what is delivered, affect how it works and govern what effects it has. Qualitative interviews with those delivering or receiving the intervention can help elucidate the components that are deemed useful and their perceived benefits while quantitative analysis can help to enumerate the mediators of any effects. The analysis can be integrated to develop a logic model and programme theory of the intervention.

Prof O’Cathain concluded by covering key aspects of planning, analysis and reporting of process evaluations and introducing her new book on the subject.

[su_document url=”https://communityandhealth.dev.lincoln.ac.uk/files/2018/07/OCathain-Using-process-evaluations-alongside-RCTs.pdf” width=”660″]Multi-morbidity, goal-oriented care, the community and equity[/su_document]

 

By Prof A N Siriwardena

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Community and Health Research Unit & NHS Health Research Forum, June 2017

sunflowerThe latest CaHRU/NHS Research Forum took place on 7th June 2017 at the University of Lincoln. The Research Forum, which takes place three times a year, is an opportunity for colleagues to showcase their research particularly focussing on studies conducted within Lincolnshire. The meeting began with a lunch and was attended by NHS staff, university staff and students, and colleagues interested in health and social care research.

At the forum three researchers presented their work: Helene Markham (the University of Lincoln & United Lincolnshire Hospitals); Michael Toze, PhD student at CaHRU and Dr Murray Smith, Research Fellow in Econometrics and Health Economics in CaHRU.

mtozeHelene was first to present on her doctoral study entitled: ‘Evaluating follow-up and complexity in cancer clinical trials’. Helene explained that her study seeks to develop an objective methodology to define and quantify trial complexity, intensity and workload to improve operational management and enhance models of trial delivery.

Next, Michael Toze presented his doctoral work on older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual (LGBT) people’s experiences of primary care. His study sought to elicit older LGBT people’s experience of healthcare when consulting with their GP or primary care staff.

murraysmith1Last but not the least was Dr Murray Smith who discussed his work relating to ‘Value of specialist shoulder physiotherapy in the perspective of cost effectiveness’ which involved a cost analysis of extended scope physiotherapy.

All three speakers gave excellent presentations of their work, and there was a lively discussion and response to questions following each. Professor Niro Siriwardena, Director of the Community and Health Research Centre (CaHRU) thanked the speakers and the attendees for helping to make the forum a successful event.

By Joseph Akanuwe

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Mental health and stigma: why knowledge about mental illness is important

brainThe mental health charity Mind states that 1 in 4 individuals experience a mental health problem within their lifetime. Some of these individuals may experience mental health stigma, which is often due to negative connotations associated with mental health [1].

Previous research has highlighted the types of mental health stigma people experience, for example, believing individuals with a mental health disorder are dangerous, [2] and is suggested to be a result of a culture’s pre-determined beliefs. Research has also demonstrated that it is due to members of the public receiving inaccurate information from the media [3, 4]. Because of this, stigma is a big problem as it can prevent individuals from seeking help [5].

laurasimmonsNew research published this week by lead author and PhD student Laura Simmons has suggested that using knowledge and information about mental illness can be used to reduce mental health stigma.

Within her research, Laura conducted a pre and post-test and asked participants to record their level of knowledge and stigma before and after being presented with information about mental health from the charity Mind.

 

CaHRU_logotypeHer article, reducing mental health stigma: the relationship between knowledge and attitude change has been published in the European Journal of Mental Health. It demonstrates that it is possible to change attitudes that are related to mental health stigma, which she suggests should be used when designing education programmes or mental health campaigns.

Laura’s current work focuses on stress as a cause of sickness absence in the ambulance service. Research has outlined that mental health problems are prevalent among the ambulance service due to the nature of their role and reducing stigma is important for them to seek help.

Laura is a PhD student in CaHRU and the Lincoln Institute for Health.

 

 

1. Petty, R. E., D.T. Wegener & L.R. Fabrigar. (1997). Attitudes and attitude change, Annual Review of Psychology, 48, 609-647. DOI: 10.1146/annurev.psych.48.1.609

2. Crisp, A.H., M.G. Gelder, H.I. Meltzer & O.J Rowlands. (2000). Stigmatisation of people with mental illness. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 177, 4-7. DOI: 10.1192/bjp.177.1.43.

3. Lam, C.S., H.W.H. Tsang., P.W. Corrigan., T. Lee., B. Angell., K. Shi., S. Jin & J.E. Larson. (2010). Chinese lay theories and mental illness stigma: Implications for research and practices. Journal of Rehabilitation, 76, 35-40.

4. Ineland, L., L. Jacobsson., R.E. Salander & P. Sjolander. (2008). Attitudes towards mental disorders and psychiatric treatment changes over time in a Swedish population. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 62, 192-197. DOI: 10.1080/08039480801962855.

5. Wahl, O.F. (1999). Mental health consumer’s experience of stigma. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 25, 467-478.

By Laura Simmons

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Lincoln Institute for Health wins team achievement award for enterprise

LIFH-logo-web2The Lincoln Institute for Health (LIH), of which the Community and Health Research Unit is a constituent group, was judged winner in the University of Lincoln team award for achievement in enterprise. Profs Nick Blagden (left) and Steve McKay (right) pictured below received the award on behalf of the LIH. The LIH is the first cross-college interdisciplinary institute at the University of Lincoln and developed through discussion between a members of the Colleges of Science and Social Sciences with support from Pro Vice Chancellors and heads of the College of Social Sciences and Science, Profs Sara Owen and Andrew Hunter and the executive including Prof Mary Stuart and Prof Ieuan Owen.

LIHaward2014750Academics realised through that through their common interest in health-related research they had a unique opportunity to develop the an Institute where researchers and clinicians could better understand the healthcare needs of patients and populations; work closely with patients, public, and health and social care partners locally, regionally and nationally to find solutions to address these needs in a way that would be more relevant; test these solutions with patients and professionals enabling them to maximise future uptake and impact of our research.

B0008077 Blood clot forming in arterial plaqueThe Institute connects research from ‘cell to community’, from researchers working on cellular mechanisms of disease, through design of new drugs and drug delivery methods, novel tests and treatments using computers and engineering, health prevention and promotion through sport and exercise, right through to developing and testing drugs and interventions in health settings in primary care, ambulance services and hospitals.

caring handsThe research groups involved are Molecular Basis of Disease (MBOD), Drug Design and Delivery (DDAD), Laboratory of Vision Engineering (LOVE), Lincoln Centre for Social Computing (LiSC), Perception and Cognition (PAC), Health Advancement Research Team (HART), Policy Studies Research Centre (PSRC), and CaHRU. Other groups are likely to join the Institute including from the College of Art, Architecture and Design. The institute has also had strong support from health service partners: United Lincolnshire Hospitals, East Midlands Ambulance Service, Lincolnshire Community Health Services, and Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation NHS Trusts. The new director of the Institute, Professor Chris Bridle, will start at the university in January 2015.