Submitting Institution: Glasgow (University of)

REF impact found 138 Case Studies

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Advancing clinical assessment of acute pain in companion animals

Summary of the impact

The Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS) has provided the first validated pain questionnaire for the rapid assessment of acute pain in dogs in surgical and clinical settings. Developed by the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine, the scale aids clinical decisions on appropriate pain relief intervention and has been freely downloaded by over 3,000 clinical users since its launch in 2008. In addition, it has been used extensively by veterinary healthcare companies to successfully obtain regulatory approval for analgesic drugs and in marketing support materials. The University of Glasgow researchers have been instrumental in developing international pain guidelines with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, which represent more than 180,000 veterinarians worldwide, and has thereby promoted awareness of pain management in companion animals.

Submitting Institution

University of Glasgow

Unit of Assessment

Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences

Advancing heart disease diagnosis – influencing international guidelines and commercial adoption of automated ECG analysis software

Summary of the impact

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the most commonly used medical tests which assist in diagnosing heart disorders worldwide. However, diagnosis relies on accurate interpretation of ECG recordings. Studies by University of Glasgow researchers have led to changes to international guidelines for ECG-based diagnosis of a heart attack (myocardial infarction; MI) and have led to significant refinements to the automated ECG analysis software called the `Glasgow Program'. Commercialisation of the Program since 2008 has resulted in its incorporation into some of the market-leading medical devices, with approval of the Glasgow Program by the FDA and more than 40,000 devices sold worldwide, potentially aiding millions of patients around the world. The Program assists hospital doctors, family practitioners and others such as first responding emergency services, e.g. ambulance and fire services, with the reliable interpretation of ECGs, enabling rapid and accurate diagnosis and treatment of patients with a variety of heart problems.

Submitting Institution

University of Glasgow

Unit of Assessment

Clinical Medicine

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology, Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences

A genetically informed management plan for breeding African Wild Dogs in captivity

Summary of the impact

African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus; referred to as `AWDs' hereafter for brevity) have been classed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for 22 years. Large, well-managed captive breeding programmes provide a safety net to restore wild populations. However, the management of the AWD population has been difficult owing to an incomplete family record of captive AWDs, which risks introducing genetic disorders caused by inbreeding. A genetically informed management plan developed by University of Glasgow researchers has provided a genetic measure of diversity and establishes a genetically informed pedigree, which is used in the European Endangered Species Programme for African Wild Dogs. This has introduced a more informed means to manage the captive AWD population, to maintain the genetic diversity of the species across the European zoo network (roughly half the world's captive AWD population), with 53 zoos in 16 European countries (and Israel) currently participating.

Submitting Institution

University of Glasgow

Unit of Assessment

Biological Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Environmental Sciences: Environmental Science and Management
Biological Sciences: Genetics

Bridging the gap between faith-based organisations and the international development community

Summary of the impact

Research at the University of Glasgow (UoG) has helped faith-based organisations and their non-religious counterparts to develop a better understanding of the effects of Christian beliefs and practices on public health and international development goals. Our research and engagement strategies have benefitted the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development and its partners by educating staff and influencing, in particular, HIV policy. It has also led to greater understanding of religious resistance to the language of development as used in the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and the United Nations Population Fund, encouraging dialogue between UN staff and historically disengaged conservative religious groups.

Submitting Institution

University of Glasgow

Unit of Assessment

Theology and Religious Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Public Health and Health Services
Philosophy and Religious Studies: Religion and Religious Studies

Changing clinical guidelines and government policy on VTE prevention among women

Summary of the impact

Approximately 25,000 people in the UK die each year from venous thromboembolism (VTE); furthermore, VTE affects 1 in 100,000 women of childbearing age and causes one-third of all maternal deaths. Thrombophilia, pregnancy and the use of oral oestrogens can all place women at increased risk of VTE when compared with other individuals. University of Glasgow researchers quantified the probability of VTE among at-risk women and analysed the benefits and cost-effectiveness of thrombophilia screening. Their research is cited in the recommendations and evidence bases of leading national and international clinical guidelines. This work also galvanised an overhaul of VTE prevention policy within NHS Scotland by emphasising the need for regional health boards to implement and audit standardised in-house protocols and provide accessible patient information on VTE.

Submitting Institution

University of Glasgow

Unit of Assessment

Clinical Medicine

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology, Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine, Public Health and Health Services

Childsmile transforms child dental health

Summary of the impact

University of Glasgow researchers have played a pivotal role in developing and evaluating the pioneering Childsmile oral health improvement programme. By the late 1990s, more than 50% of 5-year-olds in Scotland showed evidence of dental decay. Since implementation of Childsmile in 2006, this has decreased to 33% and, within this population dental decay in children from the most severely deprived backgrounds has experienced a striking reduction (from 79% to 55%). In 2011, Childsmile was formally incorporated into the primary care dental contract and subsequently in 2012, into the universal child health surveillance programme in Scotland. Since its introduction Childsmile's community-based, preventive approach has revolutionised dental healthcare from birth for all children up to 12 years of age in Scotland resulting in delivery of Childsmile to over 730,000 children per year.

Submitting Institution

University of Glasgow

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Dentistry, Public Health and Health Services

Creating a forum for public dialogue and policy influence on refugee, asylum and migration issues

Summary of the impact

University of Glasgow research has contributed to the founding and development of two unique research networks, the Glasgow Refugee, Asylum and Migration Network (GRAMNet) and Translating Russian and East European Cultures (TREEC), creating new, innovative forums for dialogue and influence on refugee, asylum and migration policy across Scotland and beyond. By cultivating relationships with policy-makers, practitioners and other stakeholders, Glasgow researchers have enhanced service delivery for marginalised groups such as LGBT asylum seekers, and informed policy debates at local, regional and national level. GRAMNet and TREEC have also fed directly into a series of public engagement events and activities around the translation, performance and memorialisation of different cultures in Scotland.

Submitting Institution

University of Glasgow

Unit of Assessment

Area Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Demography, Sociology

Demonstrating and promoting the benefits of smoke-free policy in Scotland and worldwide

Summary of the impact

Smoke-free laws are public policies that prohibit tobacco smoking in workplaces and other public spaces. Since the end of March 2006, smoking has been prohibited by law in all enclosed public spaces throughout Scotland, with the specific aim of protecting non-smokers from the effects of second-hand smoke. Studies led by the University of Glasgow have provided the most robust available evidence that smoke-free laws have a significant impact on rates of heart disease, childhood asthma, complications in pregnancy, and stroke. This evidence has been used to support policy debate and decision making in Scotland, the rest of the UK, and around the world, providing guidance for other countries to implement similar legislation. This research has also provided a focal point for an extended and high profile global public debate over smoking legislation, and underpins health advice and campaigns published by the World Health Organization (WHO), World Heart Federation and other international bodies.

Submitting Institution

University of Glasgow

Unit of Assessment

Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Clinical Sciences, Public Health and Health Services

Developing technologies for the control of viral diseases in cats

Summary of the impact

Viral infections pose a significant risk of long-term disease and death to cats. In Europe alone, over 30 million domestic cats are vaccinated each year against three core pathogenic viruses. Research performed at the University of Glasgow has systematically supported the development of key technologies against major feline viral diseases. This work has delivered incremental but wide-reaching benefits to veterinary healthcare and animal welfare by providing: (i) reagents used in the diagnostic industry; (ii) viral screening services for big cat conservation programmes; (iii) developmental input into the creation of one of the most efficacious and widely used vaccines against feline leukaemia virus; (iv) testing of feline vaccines for efficacy and safety; and (v) development of best practice guidelines and training for veterinary practitioners on feline viruses.

Submitting Institution

University of Glasgow

Unit of Assessment

Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Immunology, Medical Microbiology

Developing the first international diagnostic standard for human cytomegalovirus

Summary of the impact

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection can lead to life-threatening disease in people with weakened immune systems. Research at the University of Glasgow has genetically characterised a strain of HCMV, known as `Merlin'. This research directly led to the adoption of this strain as the first diagnostic standard by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The standard has been distributed to 43 countries and is used in major commercial diagnostic test kits, including the first standardised test approved by the United States Food & Drug Administration. The standard provides consistency across healthcare centres in relation to the diagnosis of HCMV-associated disease and the clinical management of patients treated with HCMV antiviral drugs.

Submitting Institution

University of Glasgow

Unit of Assessment

Clinical Medicine

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Biological Sciences: Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Medical and Health Sciences: Immunology, Medical Microbiology

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