Similar case studies

REF impact found 74 Case Studies

Currently displayed text from case study:

The development of psychological treatment pathways and better identification of Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) in primary care

Summary of the impact

Work on better management and identification of Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) has led to the introduction of new treatments in primary care in England through the Improving Access to Psychological Treatment (IAPT) programme as well as having an impact on service planning and commissioning. These approaches have also been implemented into the routine training and practice of General Practitioners (GPs) in parts of Europe. A clinical and economic evaluation of a psychosocial approach to chronic fatigue syndrome using general nurses and development of a cognitive behaviour therapy approach has changed general practice and enhanced the patient experience for those with MUS.

Submitting Institution

University of Nottingham

Unit of Assessment

Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Public Health and Health Services

Optimising recovery and adherence to treatment in patients with major physical health problems

Summary of the impact

Poor treatment adherence and self-management are universally recognised as major problems across all illnesses. Research at Kings College London (KCL) has resulted in new ways of assessing, investigating and improving these problems. These are now achieving widespread impact through the highly successful commercial organisation Atlantic Healthcare, which provides medication adherence and patient support programmes on a global scale. These programmes, which are now reaching patients with over 50 major medical conditions in a large number of countries, are very solidly based on the findings from KCL research.

Submitting Institution

King's College London

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

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

Influencing national policy to improve service delivery and patient care in gastroenterology

Summary of the impact

Between 1996 and 2013 researchers at Swansea University evaluated service initiatives and changing professional roles associated with the management of patients with debilitating gastrointestinal disorders. This work showed the clinical and cost effectiveness of two main innovations: open access to hospital services for patients with inflammatory bowel disease; and increased responsibility for nurses, particularly as endoscopists. Our evidence has had a broad, significant impact on: national policy through incorporation in NHS strategies, professional service standards and commissioning guides; service delivery through the provision of increasing numbers of nurse endoscopists and the wide introduction of nurse-led open access to follow-up; and patient care, as documented in sequential national audits in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

Submitting Institution

Swansea University

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

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

The Recognition and Implementation of Improvements to Patient Dignity and Care

Summary of the impact

The research has led to a clear and accepted definition of dignity which have been adopted by health care organisations and professionals. It has raised the awareness of professionals and carers of the needs and means to enhance patient's dignity. Resources have been developed and used to train and support staff to improve attention to patient dignity. The research has also influenced changes in national policy such as reducing use of mixed sex accommodation, and changes to healthcare practices such as improved hospital gown design and use of bed curtain clips and notices. The resources on patient dignity continue to be disseminated and adopted and inspired the Velindre Cancer Centre group which won the 2013 Nursing Times Dignity Award.

Submitting Institution

London South Bank University

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

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

Effective Clinical Management of Highly Comorbid Patients with End Stage Kidney Disease

Summary of the impact

Dialysis has revolutionised the management of End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD), but the benefits of this invasive, demanding treatment may not be clear-cut for elderly, frail patients with other serious comorbidities. University of Hertfordshire and East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust researchers have led the development of Conservative Management, an alternative to dialysis for some patients, providing multidisciplinary support and careful symptomatic management until death. The research shows that quality of life is maintained, survival may not be significantly compromised, and preferred place of death is more often achieved than for counterparts on dialysis. Conservative Management programmes have been adopted across the UK and elsewhere, influencing the care of many patients.

Submitting Institution

University of Hertfordshire

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

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

Using the Patients’ Concerns Inventory (PCI) for patients who have head and neck (H&N) cancer in order to improve their experiences of clinic consultations, help in development of quality indicators and improve professional out-patient practice.

Summary of the impact

The PCI is a carefully designed Head & Neck (H&N) cancer pre-clinic consultation checklist and comprises aspects of care and outcomes that patients might wish to raise with the multi-professional healthcare team. The PCI is an innovative and effective tool whose development has been optimised for touch screen devices. (Full details on use of the PCI is given at http://www.patient-concerns-inventory.co.uk/PCI/Home.html.) The PCI has improved patient experiences of clinic consultations, helped development of quality indicators and improved professional practice. The impact of the programme of work has led to its wider implementation nationally as exemplified by its adoption by the British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists (BAHNO), its inclusion in the National H&N Cancer dataset, its emerging use internationally, and its development in other chronic conditions.

Submitting Institution

Edge Hill University

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Political

Research Subject Area(s)

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

Community pharmacy: improving access to medicines and pharmacists (ICS-01).

Summary of the impact

Research at the University of Manchester (UoM) has, and continues to have, a direct impact on pharmacy policy and practice. From 1993, our work on the contribution of pharmacists to primary health care has helped improve patients' access to medicines and pharmacies. Our `Care@TheChemist' trial led to changes in the national pharmaceutical contract and now almost 5,000 pharmacies offer the service to several million primary care patients. Our skill mix research is used to inform regulatory control of pharmacies and our wider workforce research continues to inform national governments about how to forecast future requirements for pharmacist numbers.

Submitting Institution

University of Manchester

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Public Health and Health Services

Diagnosis and treatment of congenital myasthenic syndrome in patients with Dok-7 mutations

Summary of the impact

Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are inherited neuromuscular disorders caused by defects at neuromuscular junctions, which are often a result of acetylcholine receptor gene mutations. A subset of CMS patients (around 14% in the US and Europe) have limb-girdle myasthenia (LGM). This disease can be highly disabling with symptoms including increasing weakness of skeletal muscles. As a result of collaborative work between Newcastle and Oxford, it was determined that many LGM patients have a mutation of the Dok-7 gene (unrelated to the acetylholine receptor), and do not, therefore, respond to standard CMS treatments. Since then, a number of additional mutations have been discovered, and genetic testing is now available for the majority of known LGM-causative genes. Crucially, Dok-7 patients, and those with other non-receptor related mutations, can now be diagnosed accurately and treated effectively, with ephedrine and salbutamol (in the US, albuterol). This significantly improves these patients' quality of life by enabling them to walk and breathe unassisted.

Submitting Institution

Newcastle University

Unit of Assessment

Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Biological Sciences: Genetics
Medical and Health Sciences: Neurosciences

Self-management intervention for men with lower urinary tract symptoms: development, phased evaluation and global adoption

Summary of the impact

Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) in men is a chronic disease of ageing that causes significant quality of life impairment in one third of men over the age of 60. Traditional management comprises a step-up regimen of drugs and surgical interventions aimed at relieving symptoms. At UCL we conceived, developed, evaluated and implemented a self-management intervention that results in greater symptom reduction than that achieved by medication, reduction in the use of medication and of referrals to secondary care, and reduced costs. The intervention is now a global standard of care.

Submitting Institution

University College London

Unit of Assessment

Clinical Medicine

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

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

Inhaled therapies

Summary of the impact

Research by the University of Huddersfield's School of Applied Sciences has played a major role in addressing the difficulties experienced by people who use inhalers. The work has adapted existing methodologies so they can mimic how patients use nebulisers and dry powder inhalers, thereby enhancing understanding of a problem that affects millions globally. Findings and insights have been incorporated in "gold standard" guidelines that are influencing practice and policy around the world, while lead researcher Professor Henry Chrystyn's methods and techniques have become central to academic, practitioner and industry efforts to tackle the issue at national and international level.

Submitting Institution

University of Huddersfield

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Filter Impact Case Studies

Download Impact Case Studies