Log in
Work by Farsides has had a significant impact on public policy and professional practice and has led to measurable improvement in outcomes. Farsides' research has contributed to an increase of 50 per cent in organ donations. Her work has facilitated the resolution of ethical issues for clinicians caring for potential organ donors, for example through the establishment of an ethical framework for caring for donors after circulatory death. In terms of embryo donation, her research has influenced current practice and policy around consent and payment for donation, and led to the revisiting of guidance relating to donation and freezing policies.
This case study describes the impact of Sque's programme of research into the psychological and social concerns that impact organ/tissue donation and family members' end of life and post mortem decision-making. This work has impacted UK national policy, which guides practice and education of health professionals about the care of families who have organ donation discussed with them, and national guidance for staff responsible for care after death (last offices). It has informed public debate internationally about care of the bereaved family and how to increase the availability of organs, from deceased persons for transplants. The reach and significance of this information ranges from an international (ELPAT) and parliamentary platform to teaching volunteer service users within the University of Wolverhampton's Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing about the need for post mortem organ donation. This research has therefore impacted the public and healthcare professionals, locally, nationally and internationally.
Professor Christopher Cook's research on the role of spirituality in psychiatric care has had a wide-ranging effect on professional debate, policy and practice amongst psychiatrists in the UK and beyond. His argument that psychiatry should undertake a constructive and nuanced engagement with spirituality, defined broadly, has sparked widespread debate within the profession. His work with an NHS trust since 2008 has produced a set of new clinical service initiatives, and his wider influence led the Royal College of Psychiatrists to commission him to produce its first formal policy statement on spirituality and religion, adopted in 2011.
An 11-year programme of translational research carried out at the University of Southampton into the decision making of bereaved family members regarding organ and tissue donation has led to direct impacts on health care policy and practices. The research examined why families of the newly deceased decide for or against organ and tissue donation, and what support they need during this process. As a result, both the approach and service provided post donation to approximately 5,700 bereaved family members has changed. Findings have impacted on the training of approximately 250 specialist nurses working for National Health Service Blood and Transplant (NHS BT) and are challenging the current informational/documentary systems that are in place to facilitate donation. Findings from this extensive body of work are now embedded in NICE guidance, national clinical practice guidelines and public awareness initiatives.
University of Nottingham research in the field of recovery has had a major influence on changes in mental health policy. It has led to a new model of service provision both in the UK (including through NICE guidance and the NHS's outcomes framework) and internationally (including in Western Europe, Scandinavia, Canada, Australia and Asia). The work has contributed to a reduction in the use of mainstream services and has enhanced the quality of life enjoyed by people with mental health problems. It has also been central to the Department of Health's Implementing Recovery through Organisational Change programme, which has pioneered the use of Recovery Colleges and peer support workers in mental health care in the UK.
This case study details the impact of Professor Matthew Ratcliffe's research on existential feeling in psychiatric illness. The impact is as follows:
(i) The research is influencing the practice of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists in several countries, by enhancing understanding of patients' experiences and thus informing clinician-patient interaction, and also by featuring in clinical teaching and training.
(ii) It is having a significant influence upon research conducted by the mental health charity SANE, which in turn informs the charity's practice. It has also strengthened links between the charity's research and support services, and directly influenced the practice of front-line staff.
(iii) It helps those affected by psychiatric illness to understand and articulate their experiences.
Research in the Department of Social Anthropology concerning the ethics of the use of biotechnology has had an impact on organisations with a public voice on the ethical use and regulation of body parts for reproduction and medicine, such as the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB), and indirectly the Welsh Assembly, the UK-wide Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HEFA). Further, their recommendations which have been informed by this research have had significant impact on public understanding and debate; health and well-being; and on egg donors and recipients in particular. Implementation of recommendations based on the research has seen waiting times for donor eggs halve.
Professor Randhawa's research has made significant impact upon government policy and practice in relation to public engagement and professional training in the field of organ donation. The Government's Organ Donation Taskforce made 14 recommendations, one of which was to ensure organ donation was made more visible among BME communities. Subsequently, NICE Guidelines specifically referred to the need to address faith and cultural issues for families and relevant training for staff. This has informed specific national campaigns by targeting different communities and providing relevant staff training which has led to an increase in organ donor registrations from diverse communities.
This research stimulated debate about the treatment of people in vegetative and minimally conscious states, created new cultural representations and informed interventions to enhance decision-making processes. Professor Jenny Kitzinger [JK], the lead researcher, was invited onto the Royal College of Physicians' Working Party revising the College's treatment and communication guidelines. The research generated intense engagement from key stakeholders (e.g. medical and policy experts), prompted changes in thinking among clinicians and informed new training and support materials for both clinicians and families. The findings also enriched public discussion about this highly contentious area of medicine and ethics e.g. through a series of media/cultural interventions and through community engagement events which had a documented impact on participants' knowledge and feelings.
Research into service user involvement in mental health care resulted in the development of an educational intervention for registered mental health nurses to deliver effective, ethically appropriate therapeutic interventions for highly distressed and disturbed patients.
The research outputs were taken up and implemented by Halikko hospital in Finland, leading to a significant change in policy and practice, including a substantial reduction in the use of coercive techniques. Following the success of this change, other psychiatric hospitals in Finland have adopted the system.