Log in
New techniques developed from research into verbatim theatre have (1) helped families affected by child sexual abuse by a) giving them new ways of `working through' the trauma of their experiences and b) improving communication and dialogue with the relevant agencies of care; (2) developed in social work professionals, through new training methods, a greater understanding of a) sexual abuse and its impact on families and b) how to train social workers in this field; (3) been extended and adapted for student nurses, to facilitate new approaches to training, empathic engagement and reflective approaches to practice.
The UCL Dental Public Health Group have made a significant contribution to oral health policy in the UK and internationally through their research on oral health inequalities and the need for a reorientation of dental services towards a more evidence based, integrated preventive approach addressing common risks for oral diseases and other chronic conditions. Our work has influenced local national oral health policies and the development of clinical practice guidelines to reduce oral health inequalities and provide the opportunity for dental professionals to prevent both oral and systemic disease.
There are very few evidence-based psychological interventions for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Of these, cognitive stimulation has the strongest evidence-base. Developed by Bob Woods (Bangor University) and Martin Orrell (UCL) in the late 1990s, the approach has proven effective in maintaining both cognitive function and quality of life. Recommended in guidelines around the world for use with people with mild to moderate dementia as the major evidence-based non-pharmacological intervention, it has assisted literally thousands of people with dementia and their carers globally to have a better quality of life both before and since 2008.
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is an evidence-based, brief, group therapy for people with mild to moderate dementia. It was developed and evaluated by UCL in collaboration with Bangor University. Our research showed significant benefits in cognition and quality of life plus cost-effectiveness. Cognitive Stimulation for people with mild/moderate dementia of all types is recommended by NICE and is now in widespread use across the UK and the rest of the world in a variety of settings including care homes, hospitals and the community. A recent audit by the Memory Services National Accreditation Programme reported that 66% of UK memory clinics surveyed were using CST.
The research examines how the use of norms and standards of human rights and equality law are used to measure human rights performance through `human rights and equality impact assessment'. The work has been directly used by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (Pacific and Geneva), the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, the Canadian Government, and the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC), and has been influential both in developing and in changing policy. It has also been used by a wide range of civil society organisations in the UK, Europe, Pacific, India and Canada, and has informed debates at all levels of government.
Prior to King's College London (KCL) research, social workers did not regularly assess mental health needs of Looked After Children (i.e. those in the care of their Local Authority). KCL investigations showed that 45% of British Looked After Children have mental health disorders, considerably pushing this issue up the policy agenda. KCL developed assessments that are now the statutory annual measures used by all Local Authority children's services in England. The assessments enable Local Authorities to identify the treatment needs of Looked After Children and plan accordingly. The Department for Education requires Local Authorities to complete the measures. The measures are used worldwide and are now key elements of treatment trials of social and psychological interventions to reduce the level of difficulties in Looked After Children.
The Department of Health seeks to distribute the NHS budget to local commissioning organisations to achieve equal access for equal need and reduce health inequalities. The formula upon which it bases this distribution must be evidence-based, robust and up-to-date. We summarise four pieces of applied econometric research undertaken at the University of Manchester (UoM) and commissioned by the Department of Health that have developed the methodology for setting budgets fairly and determined the content of the formula in use in England from 2008-date. Adoption of the findings of this research by government has led to a substantial redistribution of NHS funding between areas.
Research by the UCL Dental Public Health Group has led the international field in the development and validation of quality of life (QoL) measures associated with oral health. Tsakos and Sheiham instigated the development of the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) measure in 1996 followed by the Child Oral Impacts on Daily Life (Child-OIDP) in 2004. Both of these outcome measures have been employed in epidemiological surveys of needs assessment by local health providers in London resulting in enhanced use of resources, better staff training, and improved patient care and health care access. These measures have been employed in the most significant NHS surveys of oral health of adults and children in the UK as well as used by health organisations across the globe. The outcomes of Tsakos' research on oral epidemiology and QoL, together with engagement with policy makers in the UK and Europe, have raised the profile of oral health and is influencing health care policies nationally and internationally.
This case study describes the impact generated by Dr Paul Flaxman's research in the Department of Psychology at City University London. Flaxman has taken a prominent role in designing a psychological skills training programme that is based on recent developments in the field of psychotherapy. The training has been adopted and utilised by a range of organisations, including Northumbria Healthcare Trust; Central Manchester Foundation Trust; Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust; and the South London and Maudsley Mental Health Trust. Other beneficiaries include the City and Hackney branch of Mind (the mental health charity) and nurse training providers at Middlesex University. International reach is evidenced by the adoption of the training for supporting psychiatric nurses working in Uganda. Data collected from over 600 British employees indicate that the training leads to significant and sustained improvements in people's mental health. The training has been shown to be particularly beneficial for employees experiencing a common mental health problem such as anxiety or depression.
Cardiff University research into the causes and triggers of bipolar disorder led to the development and verification of a first-in-class online intervention programme for patients with bipolar disorder. On-line delivery enabled the widespread availability of psycho-education, delivering patients and healthcare professionals insight into the illness, health behaviour, personal patient routines and attitudes towards medication. Shown to be safe, effective and resource-friendly, the package has been embraced by BipolarUK, components have been incorporated into the Wales Government Strategy for Mental Health and healthcare workers have been trained in its use in the UK, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Turkey.