A5046048787- Asthma and respiratory diseases
- Allergic Rhinitis and Sensitization
- Healthcare Systems and Technology
- Blood Pressure and Hypertension Studies
- Primary Care and Health Outcomes
- Respiratory and Cough-Related Research
- Health Policy Implementation Science
- Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life
- Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
- Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Cardiac, Anesthesia and Surgical Outcomes
- Facial Nerve Paralysis Treatment and Research
- Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
- Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research
- Healthcare Policy and Management
- Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research
- Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Delphi Technique in Research
- Patient Satisfaction in Healthcare
University of Edinburgh
2014-2024
Asthma UK
2017-2024
Institute of Occupational Medicine
2023-2024
Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research
2023
Institute of Population and Public Health
2019
Primary Health Care
2017
Heriot-Watt University
2013-2017
Imperial College London
2012
University of Glasgow
2007
Scottish School of Primary Care
2007
Corticosteroids and antiviral agents are widely used to treat the early stages of idiopathic facial paralysis (i.e., Bell's palsy), but their effectiveness is uncertain.We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, factorial trial involving patients with palsy who were recruited within 72 hours after onset symptoms. Patients randomly assigned receive 10 days treatment prednisolone, acyclovir, both agents, or placebo. The primary outcome was recovery function, as rated on...
Background People increasingly communicate online, using visual communication mediums such as Skype and FaceTime. Growing demands on primary care services mean that new ways of providing patient are being considered. Video consultation (VC) over the internet is one mode. Aim To explore patients’ clinicians’ experiences VC. Design setting Semi-structured interviews in UK care. Method Primary clinicians were provided with VC equipment. They invited patients requiring a follow-up to an online...
To evaluate the disease burden of upper respiratory infections in elderly people living at home.Prospective surveillance people.None.Leicestershire, England533 subjects 60 to 90 years age.Pathogens, symptoms, restriction activity, duration illness, medical consultations, interval between onset illness and consultation, antibiotic use, admission hospital, death.231 pathogens were identified for 211 (43%) 497 episodes which diagnostic specimens available: 121 (52%) rhinoviruses, 59 (26%)...
Background Growing demands on primary care services have led to policymakers promoting video consultations (VCs) replace routine face-to-face (FTFCs) in general practice. Aim To explore the content, quality, and patient experience of VC, telephone (TC), FTFCs Design setting Comparison audio-recordings follow-up UK care. Method Primary clinicians were provided with video-consulting equipment. Participating patients required a smartphone, tablet, or computer camera. Clinicians invited...
Long COVID is a debilitating multisystem condition. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence long in adult population Scotland, and identify risk factors associated with its development.
In an abdominal symptom study in primary care six European countries, 511 cases of cancer were recorded prospectively among 61,802 patients 16 years and older Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium Scotland. Colorectal is one the main types associated with symptoms; hence, in-depth subgroup analysis 94 colorectal cancers was carried out order to variation presentation different anatomical locations.
The polymerase chain reaction has improved the detection of picornaviruses and rhinoviruses our understanding their role in reversible airways disease. effects colds on lower respiratory morbidity bacterial colonisation cystic fibrosis remain uncertain.Children with were evaluated regularly clinic parents notified investigators when child developed a cold. Nasopharyngeal specimens collected at start infection for reaction, bacteriology was also undertaken again three weeks later, pulmonary...
ABSTRACT. Alport syndrome (AS) is a type IV collagen hereditary disease characterized by progressive hematuric nephritis, hearing loss, and ocular changes. Mutations in the COL4A5 gene are responsible for more common X-linked dominant form of much less severe girls women. A "European Community Syndrome Concerted Action" (ECASCA) group was established to delineate phenotype each gender determine genotype-phenotype correlations large number families. Data concerning 329 families, 250 them with...
<h3>Introduction</h3> Telephone consulting is increasingly used to improve access care and optimise resources for day-time work. However, there remains a debate about how such consultations differ from face-to-face in terms of content quality and/or safety. To investigate this, comparison family doctors9 telephone was conducted. <h3>Methods</h3> 106 audio-recordings (from 19 doctors nine practices) consultations, stratified at doctor level, were compared using the Roter Interaction Analysis...
Objective To investigate the relationship between tumour stage at diagnosis and selected components of primary secondary care in diagnostic interval for breast, colorectal, lung ovarian cancers. Methods Observational study based on data from 6,162 newly diagnosed symptomatic cancer patients Module 4 International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership. We analysed odds advanced as a flexible function length (days first presentation to referral) referral diagnosis), respectively, using logistic...
Background While evidence from randomised controlled trials shows that telemonitoring for hypertension is associated with improved blood pressure (BP) control, healthcare systems have been slow to implement it, partly because of inadequate integration existing clinical practices and electronic records. Neither it clear if trial findings will be replicated in routine practice at scale. We aimed explore the feasibility impact implementing an integrated system into primary care. Methods This...
<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objectives:</b> To determine whether antidepressants are a risk factor for ischaemic heart disease and to compare the different subgroups of individual antidepressants. <b>Design:</b> Case-control study. <b>Setting:</b> Nine general practices recruited from Trent Focus Collaborative Research Network. <b>Participants:</b> 933 men women with matched by age, sex, practice 5516 controls. <b>Main outcome measure:</b> Adjusted odds ratio calculated logistic regression....
Objective: To determine whether oral prednisolone or aciclovir, used separately in combination, early the course of Bell's palsy, improves chances recovery at 3 and 9 months.Design: A 2 × factorial randomised double-blind trial.Patients were randomly assigned to treatment by an automated telephone service using a permuted block randomisation technique with sizes four eight, no stratification.Setting: Mainland Scotland, referrals mainly from general practice 17 hospital trial...
Background: Long COVID is a debilitating multisystem condition. To estimate prevalence and identify risk factors, we analysed routinely collected data from almost the entire adult population of Scotland.Methods: A cohort adults (≥18 years) resident in Scotland between March 1, 2020, October 20, 2022, was created by linking primary care, secondary laboratory testing prescribing. Four outcome measures were used to long COVID: clinical codes, free text care records, on sick notes, novel...
<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objectives:</b> To determine whether there are important differences in performance between group practices and singlehanded general practitioners the extent to which any explained by practice characteristics such as deprivation. <b>Design:</b> Cross sectional survey. <b>Setting:</b> 206 606 partnerships Trent region, United Kingdom. <b>Method:</b> Comparison of process outcome measures derived from routinely collected data on hospital admissions target payments for...
In a prospective study of community-dwelling people 60–90 years age, we examined the coverage influenza vaccine during 1992–3 and 1993–4, efficacy vaccination in reducing serologically-confirmed clinical episodes A 1993, effect cigarette smoking. During 1992 was given to 106/215 (49%) 120/204 (59%) with risk conditions, 84/225 (37%) 103/235 (44%) without conditions. Influenza general practitioner consultations were independent predictors but current smoking negative predictor. Of 209...
Informed decision-making approaches to cancer screening emphasise the importance of decisions being determined by individuals' own values and preferences. However, advice from a trusted source may also contribute autonomous decision-making. This study examined preferences regarding recommendation NHS information provision in context colorectal (CRC) screening.In face-to-face interviews, population-based sample adults across Britain (n=1964; age 50-80 years) indicated their preference...
It is notoriously difficult to recruit patients randomised controlled trials in primary care. This particularly true when the disease process under investigation occurs relatively infrequently and must be investigated during a brief time window. Bell's palsy, an acute unilateral paralysis of facial nerve just such rare condition. In this case study we describe organisational issues presented setting up large trial management palsy across secondary care Scotland how managed successfully...
Objectives Using electronic health records, we derived and internally validated a prediction model to estimate risk factors for long COVID predict individual of developing COVID. Design Population-based, retrospective cohort study. Setting Scotland. Participants Adults (≥18 years) with positive COVID-19 test, registered general medical practice between 1 March 2020 20 October 2022. Main outcome measures Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) 95% confidence intervals (CIs) predictors COVID, patients’...
Objective Simple forms of blood pressure (BP) telemonitoring require patients to text readings central servers creating an opportunity for both entry error and manipulation. We wished determine if there was apparent preference particular end digits entries which were just below target BPs might suggest evidence data Design Prospective cohort study Setting 37 socioeconomically diverse primary care practices from South East Scotland. Participants Patients recruited with hypertension a service...
Abstract Background International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership Module 4 reports the first international comparison of ovarian cancer (OC) diagnosis routes and intervals (symptom onset to treatment start), which may inform previously reported variations in survival stage. Methods Data were collated from 1110 newly diagnosed OC patients aged >40 surveyed between 2013 2015 across five countries (51–272 per jurisdiction), their primary-care physicians (PCPs) specialists, supplement by...
Abstract Background Urogenital cancers are common, accounting for approximately 20% of cancer incidence globally. Cancers belonging to the same organ system often present with similar symptoms, making initial management challenging. In this study, 511 cases were recorded after date consultation among 61,802 randomly selected patients presenting in primary care six European countries: a subgroup analysis urogenital was carried out order study variation symptom presentation. Methods Initial...