Research at Education for Health

Current News:

First study to show that children who have hayfever symptoms while taking their GCSE exams are 40% more likely to drop a grade between their mocks and final exams...
Download a FREE template to help you detect which of your asthma patients also have allergic rhinitis...

We aim to:

Undertake research which is clinically meaningful and of patient benefit
Contribute to the knowledge-base for the management of long-term conditions
Develop the research skills and capacity of the nursing workforce in line with the NHS research agenda

Meet the Team

sam_photo The Research Directorate is led by Dr Samantha Walker, a nurse with 15 years experience in research and a PhD in allergy and immunology. She has published widely in national and international journals, and holds an honorary senior lecturer position at the University of Edinburgh.

kim_photo Kim Esslemont is PA to Dr Samantha Walker & Research Administrator.

jane_photo Jane Upton, Research Project Manager, has a background in health services research and a PhD related to dysfunctional breathing in asthma. She is interested in the evaluation of training, health professionals’ consultation skills and behaviour modification. Jane is also a member of the Market Research Society.

Yvonne Henderson, (a respiratory physiotherapist, and Education for Health Clinical Lead) is running large projects and works part-time in the research department.

Annie Wing, (a paediatric nurse, and Assistant Director of Education) is running large projects and works part-time in the research department.

External Academic Partners

Links with external academic partners are being strengthened by a number of honorary research appointments and by collaboration with local and national university departments. These include the Centre for Health Services Studies, Warwick Business School and Department of Primary Care, University of Warwick; Imperial College, London; University of Manchester; University of Edinburgh; University of Aberdeen; St. Georges Hospital Medical School, London; and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Education for Health is also actively developing formal and informal Research Networks

Current Projects

Our academic research projects are outlined below. We also conduct medical market research, view our medical market research page for further information.

Shared decision making in primary care nurse-led asthma consultations

The overall aim of this qualitative research project is to explore nurses’ views on shared decision-making regarding asthma device selection in nurse-led asthma consultations.

For further information about this project contact Jane Upton: Email Jane

Validation of the mini and standardised versions of the Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ)

This study will assess the validity of two new versions of the Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, (the mini and standardised versions). These new versions will hopefully encourage increased use within clinical practice. They will be an excellent resource for patients and health professionals, helping them to focus consultations on the needs of the child.

For further details contact Annie Wing: Email Annie

National survey on the roles and training of primary care respiratory nurses in the UK in 2006: are we making progress?

This cross-sectional survey of UK general practices described the organisation of respiratory services within primary care and investigated the roles and training of primary care respiratory nurses.

Results of the survey show:

20% of asthma nurses working at an advanced level do not have accredited training
52% of COPD nurses working at an advanced level have no accredited training

These findings led Education for Health to develop a Patient Charter and guidance to help health professionals successfully obtain funding for training.

Publications:

Upton J, Madoc-Sutton H, Sheikh A, Frank TL, Walker SM & Fletcher MF. National Survey on the roles and training of primary care respiratory nurses in the UK in 2006: are we making a difference? Prim Care Resp J 2007; 16(5):284-290
http://www.thepcrj.org/journ/view_article.php?article_id=507
M Fletcher, J Upton, H Madoc-Sutton, A Sheikh, S Walker. Delivery of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) services in UK primary care: nurses’ roles and responsibilities. Proceedings of the European Respiratory Society 2006. Link to Abstract: http://www.ersnet.org/learning_resources_player/abstract_print_07/main_frameset.htm
M Fletcher, J Upton, H Madoc-Sutton, A Sheikh, S Walker. Adherence to national (UK) respiratory guidelines in general practice. Proceedings of the European Respiratory Society 2006. https://www.ersnetsecure.org/public/prg_congres.abstract?ww_i_presentation=29939
J Upton, H Madoc-Sutton, A Sheikh, S Walker, M Fletcher. Training of general practice nurses: are we prepared for the National Service Framework for COPD? Proceedings of the British Thoracic Society 2007. http://thorax.bmj.com/cgi/reprint/62/Suppl_3/A4
M Fletcher, J Upton, H Madoc-Sutton, A Sheikh, S Walker. What tasks do UK practice nurses perform when they diagnose asthma? Proceedings of the International Primary Care Respiratory Group Conference 2007. http://www.thepcrj.org/journ/view_article.php?article_id=568
C Loveridge, H Madoc-Sutton, M Fletcher, J Upton. Clinical assessment of COPD: objective and subjective measurements. Proceedings of the COPD6 Conference 2008. Link to Clinical Assessment of COPD Poster (PDF)
M Fletcher, J Upton, H Madoc-Sutton, A Sheikh, S Walker. COPD and spirometry training of UK primary care nurses: national survey. Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society 2008.

For further details please contact Jane Upton: Email Jane

Patients’ attitudes towards inhaler devices and self-reported adherence to asthma therapy

This is a survey of patients’ views of asthma inhaler devices and the relationship between these views and patients’ adherence to asthma treatment. Results will help to inform training of nurses involved in asthma care.

Publications:

Upton J, Coomber J, Kharbal B, Sheikh A, Fletcher M & Walker S. Embarrassment with Inhaler Devices is Associated with Poor Self-Reported Adherence to Asthma Therapy. Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society 2006; B83: A470
Fletcher M, Coomber J, Karbal B et al. Patients’ perception of asthma inhalers: a national (UK) survey. Eur Resp J 2005; 26 256

For further details contact Jane Upton: Email Jane

Assessment of key influences on asthma inhaler device selection in trained asthma practice nurses

This is a survey of the influences on nurses’ selection of inhaler devices in primary care. It involves the development and dissemination of a questionnaire to 1500 Education for health-trained practice nurses. Results will help to inform training needs for nurses involved in asthma care.

Publications:

Connell S., Fletcher M., Karbal B., Morrison K., Walker S. Assessment of key influences on asthma inhaler device selection in trained asthma practice nurses. Eur Resp J 2003; 22(45):P3205.
A. Hardy, M. Fletcher, B. Karbal, K. Morrison, S. Walker. Influences on asthma inhaler device selection in trained asthma nurses. Thorax 2003; 58(III):P16.
A. Hardy, M. Fletcher, B. Karbal, K. Morrison, S. Walker. Improving adherence: nurses perceptions of patients inhaler needs. Am J Crit Care Med 2004; 169(7):A327.
Fletcher MJ, Hardy AJ, Karbal B, Morrison K, Walker SM. Effects of asthma training on inhaler device selection and utilisation in general practice. Eur Resp J 2004;24(48):P1687.

Link to Asthma Inhaler Poster (PDF)

For further information please contact Hazel Madoc-Sutton: Email Hazel

Frequency of pulse palpation by practice nurses

This pilot survey investigated in how many of their last five consultations practice nurses using an electronic sphygmomanometer to measure blood pressure, also palpated the pulse.

Results show:

Three quarters of nurses did not palpate the pulse in all of their last five consultations

Link to Pulse Palpation Poster (PDF)

For further information please contact Eileen Pearson: Email Eileen

Previous Projects

Standardised training for healthcare professionals and its impact on patients with perennial rhinitis: a multi-centred randomised controlled trial

Results of this trial show that Education for Health standardised allergy training resulted in improvements in health related quality of life and a reduction in symptoms in patients with perennial rhinitis. The training was also well evaluated by health professionals.

Publications:

Sheikh A, Khan-Wasti S, Price D, Smeeth L, Fletcher M, Walker S. Standardized training for healthcare professionals and its impact on patients with perennial rhinitis: a multi-centre randomized controlled trial. Clin Exp Allergy 2007; 37(1):90-99. Link to Journal Publication: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2006.02619.x
Khan-Wasti S, Sheikh A, Fletcher M, Walker SM. Quality of life in patients with perennial rhinitis. Eur Resp J 2004;24(48):P626.
Sheikh A, Khan-Wasti S, Price D et al. Allergy training for health professionals improves quality of life in patients with perennial rhinitis: randomised controlled trial. Eur Resp J 2005; 26 1705
Sheikh A, Khan-Wasti S, Price D, Smeeth L, Fletcher M & Walker S. Structured allergy training for health professionals improves quality of life in patients with perennial rhinitis: randomised controlled trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2005;115(2):abs168

Link to Perennial Rhinitis Poster (PDF)

For further information about this project contact Samantha Walker: Email Samantha

Seasonal allergic rhinitis is associated with a detrimental impact on exam performance in UK teenagers: case-control study

This is the first study to demonstrate the relationship between symptomatic allergic rhinitis and poor exam performance. Results show that current symptomatic rhinitis and rhinitis medication use are associated with a significantly increased risk of unexpectedly dropping a grade between mock and summer examinations.

Publications:

Walker S, Khan-Wasti S, Fletcher M, Cullinan P, Harris J & Sheikh A. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is associated with a detrimental impact on exam performance in UK teenagers: case-control study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007; 120(2):381-7. Link to Journal Publication: http://www.jacionline.org/article/PIIS009167490700632X/abstract
Walker S, Khan-Wasti S, Fletcher M et al. Prevalence of hayfever symptoms and diagnosis in UK teenagers. Prim Care Resp J 2005; 111: 1-2
Walker S, Khan-Wasti S, Fletcher M et al, Hayfever has significant detrimental impact on national exam performance in UK teenagers: case control study. Eur Resp J 2005; 26 P903
Walker S, Khan-Wasti S, Fletcher M & Sheikh A. Hayfever symptoms and medication use in UK teenagers. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2005;115(2):abs794

Link to Allergic Rhinitis Poster (PDF)

For further information contact Samantha Walker: Email Samantha

Education for Health UK & US course evaluation study

This study evaluated the impact of an asthma training course on nurses’ clinical practice, asthma knowledge, professional skills and confidence. Nurses were significantly more confident in their asthma knowledge and performed significantly more key diagnostic tasks following training.

Publications:

Coomber J, Yeatts K, Lester M, Fletcher M & Walker S. Improving Asthma Diagnosis through Health Practitioner Education. Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society 2006; B23: A292
Yeatts K, Lester M, Walker S et al. National respiratory training centre asthma course evaluations. Eur Resp J 2005; 26 P1186

For further information about this study contact Samantha Walker: Email Samantha

Research Made Easy

This is a series of articles designed to help you understand research concepts by breaking them down into ‘bite-sized chunks’. They were written by Education for Health staff and published in the British Journal of Primary Care Nursing, Click on the links below to access these articles:

Join our Research Network

Education for Health wants to expand the evidence base for chronic disease management in primary care. To do this we are bringing together a national network of health care professionals who want to support our research programme. We are running a series of studies to measure impact on patient outcomes. We aim to raise awareness of the morbidity associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, improve patient care and enable more successful patient self-management. If you would like to be part of this group please read on…

How can you get involved?

You can join in by:

Completing a questionnaire
Attending FREE training that we are evaluating
By telling us about an aspect of your clinical practice
Recruiting and monitoring patients for a trial of an educational intervention

Benefits to you:

You will have the chance to contribute to research that will improve patient care
You will have the opportunity to expand your research skills and contribute towards your continuing professional development
You will receive Education for Health articles and publications ‘hot off the press’

You are invited to join if you are an enthusiastic health professional with a desire to learn more about primary care research and contribute to improved patient care.

How can you join the Education for Health Research Network?

For further details or to join please contact Hazel Madoc-Sutton:
Tel: +44 (0)1926 836999 or Email Research Network

Medical Market Research

Since 1987 we’ve been helping health professionals to improve the health of their patients and to promote better health care. In addition to doing this through providing evidence-based training and conducting academic research, we also believe we can improve patient care by engaging in market research.

This is because by understanding what health professionals think about interventions, diagnostics and devices, we can help pharmaceutical, device and other companies to develop the best possible products for patients.

For further information, view our Medical Market Research page