A5006171188- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Health Policy Implementation Science
- Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis
- Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
- Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Community Health and Development
- Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
- Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare
- Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Syphilis Diagnosis and Treatment
- Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- Empathy and Medical Education
- Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
- Healthcare Decision-Making and Restraints
- Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes
- Child Abuse and Trauma
- Online and Blended Learning
- Healthcare cost, quality, practices
NIHR Clinical Research Network
2025
University of Bristol
2024-2025
Glasgow Caledonian University
2007-2023
University of Glasgow
2007-2018
MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
2018
University of Edinburgh
2010-2013
Evidence of the beneficial effects longer consultations in general practice is limited.To evaluate effect increasing consultation length on patient enablement an area extreme socioeconomic deprivation.Longitudinal study using a 'before and after' design.Keppoch Medical Centre Glasgow, which serves most deprived Scotland.Participants were 300 adult patients at baseline, before introduction consultations, 324 follow-up, more than 1 year after consultations. The intervention studied was time...
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the second largest contributor to liver disease in UK, with injecting drug use as main risk factor among estimated 200 000 people currently infected. Despite effective prevention interventions, chronic HCV prevalence remains around 40% who inject drugs (PWID). New direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies combine high cure rates (>90%) and short treatment duration (8 12 weeks). Theoretical mathematical modelling evidence suggests scale-up can prevent transmission...
Abstract Background Co-use of benzodiazepines and/or ‘z-drugs’ along with opioids is linked to the rise in drug related deaths (DRD) UK. Understanding patterns co-use could inform harm reduction strategies for reducing DRDs. This study explored how people co-use, including dosages, timings, methods administration, use other substances and desired effects sought. Methods Forty-eight semi-structured interviews across Glasgow Scotland (n = 28), Bristol 10) Teesside England individuals who...
Abstract This prospective study describes the predictive validity of Historical Clinical Risk Management-20 Scale (HCR-20) when applied to clinical practice among 109 male mentally disordered offenders in a high secure forensic hospital. Data on violent incidents including reconvictions were collected from multiple sources. The results imply that implemented HCR-20s did not predict future violence regardless setting (community vs inpatient) nor time (short long term) except for serious...
Partner notification (PN) is a process aiming to identify, test and treat the sex partners of people (index patients) with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Accelerated partner therapy (APT) PN method whereby healthcare professionals assess partners, by telephone consultation, before giving index patient antibiotics STI self-sampling kits deliver their partner(s). The Limiting Undetected Sexually Transmitted RedUce Morbidity programme aims determine effectiveness APT in heterosexual...
To develop a classification of sexual partner types for use in notification (PN) STIs.
Objectives 1.5 million people in the UK have mild to moderate learning disabilities. STIs and bloodborne viruses (BBVs) are over-represented experiencing broader health inequalities, which include those with Self-managed care, including self-sampling for STIs/BBVs, is increasingly commonplace, requiring agency literacy. To inform development of a partner notification trial, we explored barriers facilitators correct use an STI/BBV pack among Methods Using purposive convenience sampling...
Inpatient aggression in psychiatric settings poses a serious management problem. This study reports the findings of prospective pilot on Dynamic Appraisal Situational Aggression – Version (DASA-IV), structured risk assessment tool for imminent aggression. The was conducted State Hospital, high secure hospital Scotland and Northern Ireland. outcome data were aggressive incidents recorded Staff Observation Scale Revised (SOAS-R) noted hospital's online recording tool. All measures completed by...
Self-sampling packs for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses (BBVs) are widely offered. There ongoing problems with reach sample return rates. The have arisen without formal intervention development. This paper illustrates initial steps of an optimization process to improve the packs.Eleven focus groups seven interviews were conducted convenience samples patients recruited from sexual health clinics members public (n = 56). To enable optimization, firstly, we...
Background. Drug-related deaths have substantially increased over the past decade in UK, particularly Scotland. Co-using opioids and benzodiazepines (prescribed and/or illicit) is a risk factor contributing to rising mortality. This study identified motivations people's co-use with aim of informing prescribing harm reduction interventions address drug-related deaths. Methods. We interviewed 48 people who z-drugs (zopiclone zolpidem) Glasgow (n=28), Teesside (n=10) Bristol (n=10). Most...
This paper describes the successful implementation of a formal violence risk assessment and management strategy within high secure forensic care facility. The aim was to ensure that each patient had plan shared applied clinical practice by patient's team. process as whole, from including appropriate treatment documentation, is outlined. In this way, also difficulties problems encountered organizational reality projects. Suggestions recommendations on how avoid manage these are made.
Abstract Purpose This paper describes the process of optimizing a widely offered intervention—self‐sampling packs for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood borne viruses (BBVs). We drew upon behaviour change wheel (BCW) approach, incorporating theoretical domains framework (TDF) technique taxonomy (BCTTv1) to systematically specify potential intervention components that may optimize packs. Methods A BCW analysis built prior thematic analyses qualitative data collected through...
Objectives We aimed to test whether a brief, opportunistic intervention in general practice was feasible and acceptable way engage with bowel screening non-responders. Design This feasibility study testing an which comprised brief conversation during routine consultation, provision of patient leaflet instructions request replacement faecal occult blood kit. A mixed-methods approach evaluation adopted. Data were collected from proformas completed after each intervention, the Bowel Screening...
While prison is recognised as a setting for infectious disease transmission among drug users, little known about psychological and situational factors influencing high-risk behaviours, knowledge vital to prison-based interventions. Qualitative interview focus group data were collected from staff prisoners in six Scottish prisons. A general view was that heroin use had increased, but injecting sharing remained covert minority behaviour. “Anti-injecting culture” most emerged an important...
Bowel cancer is the third most common cause of death worldwide. screening has been shown to reduce mortality and primary care interventions have successful in increasing uptake screening. Using evidence-based theory inform development such increase their effectiveness. This study aimed develop refine a brief intervention for eligible individuals whom not responded last bowel invitation (non-responders), opportunistic use by providers during routine consultations. The involving conversation...
Abstract Purpose This paper illustrates initial steps of an intervention optimisation process. Self-sampling packs for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood borne viruses (BBVs) are widely offered within the UK, yet have problems with reach sample return rates. They arisen without any formal development. Methods Eleven focus groups seven interviews were conducted convenience samples patients recruited from sexual health clinics members public in late 2017 (n=57). To enable firstly...
The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 introduced the right for patients in high-security psychiatric care to appeal against detention conditions of excessive security. A previous study examined first 100 under this provision. In we compare them with next cohort 110 lodge an appeal, finding, contrary expectations, no change patient characteristics or outcome their appeals. clinical, legal demographic features successful unsuccessful appellants, who made up 38% 27%...
Background: Co-use of benzodiazepines and/or 'z-drugs' along with opioids is linked to the rise in drug related deaths (DRD) UK. Understanding patterns co-use could inform harm reduction strategies for reducing DRDs. This study explored how people co-use, including dosages, timings, methods administration, use other substances and desired effects sought. Methods: Forty-eight semi-structured interviews across Glasgow Scotland (n=28), Bristol (n=10) Teesside England individuals who illicit...
Introduction Dating apps are an increasing way people meet each other for sex and relationships. Their functionality captures aspects of contemporary sexual culture reflects the ways relationships understood. This study systematically assed dating app in relation to health. Methods We examined top down-loaded 500 listed on a public platform applications (App Annie). Following screening using inclusion exclusion criteria, data were extracted from included (n = 259). Data collated regarding...
Background Sexually transmitted infections disproportionately affect young people and men who have sex with men. Chlamydia is Britain’s most common sexually infection. Partner notification a key intervention to reduce transmission of human immunodeficiency virus but hard implement. Accelerated partner therapy promising new approach. Objectives determine the effectiveness, costs acceptability accelerated for chlamydia in heterosexual model cost effectiveness impact on develop interventions...