RGU IHWResearch Flyers

institute for health and welfare researchHealth: From Bench to Bedside

The aim of the Pharmacist Prescribing Research Group is to conduct

high quality, robust research focusing on all aspects of pharmacist

prescribing. Led by Robert Gordon University and in collaboration with

the University of Aberdeen and Monash University, Australia, we are one

of the leading research groups in the field.

Contact:

Dr Derek Stewart

[email protected]

Tel: +44 1224 262432

PHARMACIST PRESCRIBING RESEARCH GROUP

Our key research focus is the evaluation of pharmacist prescribing training and practice from the perspectives of key stakeholders. Key funding bodies are NHS Education for Scotland (Pharmacy), Community Pharmacy Scotland, Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

The work of the group crosses all themes of the Institute for Health and

Welfare research.

CURRENT PROJECTS

EVALUATING PRESCRIBING PRACTICE

Research is being undertaken into the evaluation of pharmacist prescribing

from the perspectives of patients who have experienced the service,

members of the general public, prescribing pharmacists themselves and

doctors. Using quantitative and qualitative approaches, findings have

largely been positive and are shaping prescribing practice and policy. While

research to date has focused on the process of prescribing (including

consultation skills) we are now planning research into the impact on patient

clinical outcomes.

EXPLORING PRESCRIBING TRAINING

Robert Gordon University is one of the key UK providers of pharmacist

prescribing training. Current research focuses on the appropriateness of

pharmacist prescribing training and the likelihood of pharmacists across the

UK to consider participation in further training. In particular we are focusing

on the intentions of newly registered pharmacists to undertake training and

the place of prescribing training within the undergraduate curriculum.

NON-MEDICAL PRESCRIBING AND PHARMACOVIGILANCE

Pharmacovigilance relates to the detection, assessment, understanding and

prevention of adverse drug reactions. The Yellow Card Scheme of the MHRA

is the regulatory pharmacovigilance system in the UK. Research in this area

focuses on pharmacist prescriber and nurse prescriber understanding and

actions in relation to pharmacovigilance and the potential to further their

contributions to this key area.

www.rgu.ac.uk/ihwr | [email protected]

ABERDEEN CENTRE FOR TRAUMARESEARCH (ACTR)

The mission of the Aberdeen Centre for Trauma Research (ACTR) is to conduct high quality trauma-related research, provide short training courses, and undertake consultancy. Recognised nationally and internationally as a centre of excellence in the field of trauma, much of our research is multidisciplinary in nature and embraces trauma-related issues within the clinical, educational, and occupational domains. Consequently, our research overlaps significantly with each of the Institute Themes.

www.rgu.ac.uk/ihwr/actr

Contact:Professor David A Alexander(Director)[email protected]

Dr Susan Klein (Deputy Director)[email protected]: +44 1224 263102


Our key research focus is the development and evaluation of evidence-based practices in the trauma response management of military and emergency service personnel.

CURRENT PROJECTS

POLICE (SPECIAL OPS) RESEARCH GROUP

Recently established to undertake innovative research into various aspects of crisis management by the police service to ensure that policing operations and the training of officers are evidence-based (including hostage/crisis negotiators and Authorised Firearms Officers [AFOs]). Funded by the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR), related research is being undertaken on: (i) the “epidemiology” of hostage-related and other incidents to which police negotiators are deployed; (ii) the perceived value of their deployment, and (iii) resilience displayed by police officers in the face of “critical incidents”. PSYCHOSOCIAL RESPONSE TO MAJOR INCIDENTS

Commissioned by the Department of Health (DOH)/NATO, we provided an evidence-base for the psychosocial response to major incidents (including terrorist events) to which all NATO countries have now signed up. To develop further some of its recommendations, the DoH has commissioned a project team to define the appropriate skills for emergency personnel in relation to a psychosocial response. The ACTR is conducting an internal evaluation of the recommendations of the project team. LONG TERM MANAGEMENT OF COMBAT-RELATED INJURIES

Funded by the Headley Court Trust, the aims of this three year longitudinal case-control study are to identify in combat-injured personnel the: (i) durability of psychiatric and psychosocial gains from rehabilitation following combat-related injury, and (ii) impact of combat-related injury on the partners of military personnel in terms of mental health, psychosocial adjustment, and relationships. BRITISH SOCIAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE MILITARY AND CONTEMPORARY CONFLICT

Based on the outcome of a scoping review conducted by the ACTR and commissioned by the Scottish Government, we are working in collaboration with the Department of War Studies and King’s Centre for Military Health Research (King’s College London), on a two-year ESRC-funded study to explore public attitudes towards Service and ex-Service personnel (veterans) and their views on the recent conflict in Iraq and the ongoing campaign in Afghanistan. The work involves the development and evaluation of a new topic module of questions within the 2011 British Social Attitudes Survey (BSA); an annual survey conducted under the aegis of the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen).


The Alliance for Self Care Research (ASCR) is a multidisciplinary initiative comprising a number of leading researchers from nursing, midwifery and allied health, health services research, medicine, psychology and other social sciences. In working with and respecting the needs of patients, carers, and family members, the vision of the ASCR is to ensure that NMAHPs will use evidence-based practice to “maintain health, prevent and treat illness and manage its impact on everyday life”.

www.rgu.ac.uk/ihwr/ascr

Contact:

Dr Sylvia Wilcock

[email protected]

Tel: +44 1224 262612

ALLIANCE FOR SELF CARE RESEARCH (ASCR)


The establishment of the Alliance was made possible by funding from the Scottish Funding Coucil, Scottish Government Health Directive and NHS Education for Scotland. The ASCR is directed by Professor Sally Wyke at the University of Stirling.

As part of a consortium of six Scottish universities (Aberdeen, Abertay, Dundee, Robert Gordon, St Andrews, and Stirling) and their local NHS organisations, the ASCR has two main aims. First, it seeks to provide an evidence-base in respect of enhancing self-care by undertaking high quality research. Second, it seeks to develop capacity and capability amongst Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals (NMAHPs).

CURRENT PROJECTS

In fulfilment of the ASCR aims and, under the aegis of the Neurological

and Mental Health theme of the Institute for Health and Welfare Research,

collaborative research involving Robert Gordon University, the University

of Aberdeen, and NHS Grampian is currently being developed in the

following areas.

MENTAL HEALTH

• Use and impact of special observation on the mental health and well-

being of nurses working in acute mental health care settings.

• Optimising the health and wellbeing of individuals living with a chronic/

enduring mental illness with a focus on self-care within a mental health

practice context.

CHRONIC ILLNESS

• Self-management of chronic low back pain.

• Exercise prescription for musculoskeletal out-patients.

• Peer-support as an adjunct for the self-management of chronic conditions

in the elderly.

• Development and evaluation of a complex intervention for the self-

management of individuals diagnosed with moderate to severe chronic

obstructive pulmonary disease.


CORE aims to develop an integrated approach to research on obesity with a primary care, clinical and molecular focus. CORE collaborates with internationally recognised experts in obesity and its research portfolio encompasses: clinical management research, anthropometry & body composition, molecular aspects of obesity-related diseases, psychosocial aspects of obesity, physiology and behaviour, education in the healthcare system, nutrition drugs and drug development.

www.rgu.ac.uk/ihwr/core

Contact:

Professor J Broom, Director;

[email protected]

Dr Arthur Stewart, Deputy Director;

[email protected]

Tel: +44 1224 262895

CENTRE FOR OBESITY RESEARCH & EPIDEMIOLOGY (CORE)


CORE owes its origins to a one year SHEFC funded feasibility study in 2005 aimed at developing a combined strategy to combat obesity based on inter-disciplinary research and an integrated approach in identifying the best structures to focus coordinated initiatives in Scotland. CORE has since increased and diversified its research activities.

CURRENT PROJECTS

COUNTERWEIGHT PROGRAMME

Initially funded by the Scottish Government, this is an obesity management programme which includes education and practice support in setting up obesity management clinics in primary care. Data collection and evaluation is integral to the programme’s continuous improvement methodology.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK

Through commercial sponsorship we are investigating the effects of varying dietary and behavioural therapies on weight management, cardiovascular risk and changes in signalling molecules which stimulate or suppress appetite and/or satiety.

BODY IMAGE

We are currently engaged in a CSO-funded project to explore the value of 3D scanning in eating disordered patients.

OBESITY AND CO-MORBIDITIES

Funded by Breast Cancer Campaign, we are investigating the molecular link between obesity, insulin resistance and increased risk of developing breast cancer. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

MSc OBESITY SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENTOne of only two courses in the UK, and the first in Scotland, that provides postgraduate education and training for a wide range of health professionals dealing with patients for whom obesity is a key contributor to morbidity and mortality.

ANTHROPOMETRY TRAINING

We provide professional anthropometry training courses on behalf of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK).

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

CORE played a central role in the Royal Society’s 350th Anniversary Summer Science Exhibition with “Fat Body Slim: Shape Matters!”, in 2010. This is an interactive approach to educate young adults about the relationship between body shape, composition and health. With support from the Scottish Government we are now taking the exhibit to community centres/schools across Scotland. www.rgu.ac.uk/fatbodyslim

OBESITY PORTAL

An online weight management resource for matters related to weight loss in obese people www.obesityportal.org


One of the Institute missions is to engage in close partnership working with industry and health care organisations. Our Knowledge Exchange activities involve both transferring knowledge to business and industry through training events and working in partnership with businesses and health care organisations, using research findings to develop practice and products.

We believe that public engagement builds trust between the Research Institute and the community and contributes to informing the direction of our research programmes.We participate in a wide range of public engagement activities to keep the public informed about our research.

www.rgu.ac.uk/ihwr/kt

Contact:

Dr Sylvia Wilcock

Knowledge Exchange Leader

[email protected]

Tel: +44 1224 262612

KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE


KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE ACTIVITIES

SCOTTISH CENTRE FOR EVIDENCE-BASED MULTI- PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

As a Joanna Briggs Collaborating Centre we work with health care providers to identify the implications of evidence for practice. This is achieved by systematic review of primary research; recognising best practice issuing from such systematic reviews; identifying audit criteria on the basis of the identified evidence; evaluating the impact of introducing specified evidence-based practice into service delivery; and embedding this into organisational practice. In addition to the methods of the Cochrane Collaboration and of the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, tools and resources are provided for the systematic review of descriptive and qualitative evidence.

HELPING SME’S FIND TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS

Through our relationship with Interface, the SFC-funded gateway aimedat matching academic expertise with the needs of industry, we participate in the Innovation Voucher scheme. Recent examples include the development of an E-Lab book and solving drug formulation problems.

CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH

With our breadth of research skills across a wide range of disciplines we provide a bespoke service to organisations requiring a specific piece of research to be undertaken.

TRAINING COURSES

We provide a number of training courses relevant to the needs of business/industry, e.g.:

• Crisis Management

• Anthropometric assessment

• Lifestyle management

RECENT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

• Twenty Ten and Beyond: 350 years of excellence in science: The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, June 2010. “Fat Body Slim: Shape matters!” Presented by Giovanna Bermano, Marie Goua, Ioannis Agouris, Mandy Plumb, Arthur Stewart, Iain Broom and Cherry Wainwright.

• Through a Science Engagement grant from the Scottish Government, the “Fat Body Slim: Shape matters!” exhibit is being taken “on the road” to community centres throughout the North and North East of Scotland. The aim is to engage local communities, especially teenagers and young adults, in raising awareness of the health issues associated with obesity in particular and the importance of science and biomedical research in general.

• The Institute has also

• Exhibited at Techfest and Satrosphere science fairs

• Held public lectures by high profile speakers on topics of public interest (e.g. Edi Stark on “Suicide in young men”)

• Contributed to schools across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire during School Science week


Our research is dedicated to the enhancement of lifelong mental

health and wellbeing from a multidisciplinary perspective. We

embrace an evidence-based approach to informing policy

initiatives, clinical practice, and the education and training of

healthcare professionals.

www.rgu.ac.uk/ihwr/nmh

Contact:

Dr Susan Klein

[email protected]

Tel: +44 1224 263102

NEUROLOGICAL& MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH


BEREAVEMENT CARE

Suicide

Early pregnancy loss

Post-mortem practice

ANTE-NATAL CARE

Alcohol screening and intervention

PROMOTION OF HEALTHY AGEING

Physical activity

Mobility

Medication management

MENTAL HEALTH POLICY

Development and evaluation (e.g., formulation and policy enactment strategies

including Scottish Cleanliness Champions Programme on Clinical Practice)

SELF CARE INTERVENTIONS

Chronic conditions (e.g.,lower back pain and COPD)

Medicines management and the role of the Pharmacist

CLINICAL CARE PROVISION FOR ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS

Sickle cell disease and beta thalassaemia major

TRAUMA CARE

Military and emergency service personnel

Obesity

MENTAL HEALTH AND FORENSIC NURSING PRACTICE

Special observation

Our Key Contact People


Bereavement Care/ Mental Health PolicyDr Colin [email protected]

Dr Valerie Sheach [email protected]

Ante-natal CareDr Katrina [email protected]

Healthy Ageing/Trauma CareDr Susan [email protected]

Professor David A [email protected]

Self Care InterventionsDr Kay Cooper (Lower Back Pain)[email protected]

Dr Sheelagh Martindale (COPD)[email protected]

Dr Derek Stewart (Medicines Management)[email protected]

Ethnic MinoritiesDr Winifred [email protected]

Mental Health/Forensic Nursing Practice Dr Mary [email protected]

Our primary aim is to better understand the pathology of

cardiovascular and metabolic diseases at the cellular level, so that

we can develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that

will ultimately be translated into clinical practice.

www.rgu.ac.uk/ihwr/cvmd

Contact:

Dr Giovanna Bermano

[email protected]

Tel: +44 1224 262885

CARDIOVASCULAR & METABOLIC DISEASE RESEARCH


CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND DIABETES:

Protective role of nutrient supplementation in atherosclerosis.

Oxidative stress in vascular complications in diabetes.

ISCHAEMIC HEART DISEASE:

Influence of cholesterol on cardiac remodelling in vivo.

Role of cannabinoids in atherosclerosis, restinosis and acute myocardial

ischaemia.

OBESITY AND CO-MORBIDITIES:

Clinical management of obesity and patients with cardiovascular-related

disorders by dietary and behavioral therapies intervention.

Role of obesity, insulin resistance, and antioxidant status in cancer

development/progression.

Body composition and body image in patients with eating disorders.

NEPHROPATHIC CYSTINOSIS:

Design, synthesis and determination of efficacy of novel anti-cystinotic pro-

drugs that avoid the unpleasant side effects associated with existing therapies.

DRUG DISCOVERY, FORMULATION AND DELIVERY:

Anti-cancer therapeutics and synthetic antioxidants for cardiovascular

diseases and septic shock.

Novel PUFA-based compounds for prevention of atherosclerosis.

Development of amphiphilic polymers to facilitate oral protein delivery.


Cardiovascular Disease

& Diabetes

Dr Rachel Knott

[email protected]

Ischaemic Heart Disease

Professor Cherry Wainwright

[email protected]

Nephropathis Cystinosis

Professor Donald Cairns

[email protected]


Obesity & Co-morbidities

Professor Iain Broom

[email protected]

Dr Arthur Stewart

[email protected]

Dr Giovanna Bermano

[email protected]

Drug Discovery, Formulation

& Delivery

Professor Paul Kong Thoo Lin

[email protected]

The aim of the Graduate School is to motivate, equip and monitor our

research student community in order to facilitate a positive student

experience. In so doing we aim to produce graduates who are equipped

with the necessary generic and specific skills that will empower them to

follow their chosen career path.

www.rgu.ac.uk/ihwr/gs

Contact:

Dr Rachel M Knott

Graduate School Leader

[email protected]

Tel: +44 1224 262524

GRADUATE SCHOOL


The research student journey

36 months The PhD should be completed, the final thesis bound, and sent to examiners. You will asked to defend your thesis in

an oral exam.

12-‐15 months At this stage the student will have completed a Postgraduate CerBficate in Research Methods and be ready to communicate in oral and wriEen forms their project design, the evaluaBon of any data and to demonstrate

the novelty of their study.

First 6 months Each research student has a supervisory team who will guide and direct the student through their study. The

student will have opportunity to receive training in research methods and will be required to produce a literature review

and a project outline.

The literature review provides an opportunity to pull together the current

literature in your research area, to develop key wriBng skills and to help you to define your research quesBon.

There are opportuniBes to receive training in

qualitaBve and quanBtaBve methods at

different stages throughout your PhD.

Research degree co-‐ordinators will look aKer all School based

needs and your progress will be

monitored with the help of an independent assessor to ensure that you are keeping on

track for the compleBon of your studies.

The Graduate School Board is responsible for the management of all of the Research students within the Graduate School. You will be provided with some funds for your study and you may apply for help to aEend a conference to present your work.

Mini conferences will be held to

provide you with an opportunity to present your work.

MRES or MSC

students will exit here.

THE RESEARCH STUDENT JOURNEY


Our research employs cutting edge techniques to address health

problems that are presented both within the environment and

the workplace.

www.rgu.ac.uk/ihwr/eoh

Contact:

Professor Cherry Wainwright

[email protected]

Tel: +44 1224 262450

ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH RESEARCH


ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Development of novel semi-synthetic flavonoids against MRSA

Triclosan as an antibacterial agent

Development of novel antibacterial wound dressings

Tracking the diet of the Scottish population in relation to the Scottish

Dietary Targets

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Use of gait analysis to understand chronic back pain

Assessment of tendon properties and adaptation in patients and athletes

Self-management of chronic conditions

Exercise and physical activity in Physiotherapy,

Movement analysis to aid diagnosis & outcome measurement in Physiotherapy

Medical evacuation procedures from oil rigs


Antimicrobial Research

Dr Andrew Lamb

[email protected]

Wound Dressing Technology

Dr Kerr Matthews

[email protected]

Environmental Nutrition

Dr Wendy Wrieden

[email protected]

Movement Analysis & Physiotherapy

Dr Kay Cooper

[email protected]

Assessment of Tendon Properties

Dr Katherine Burgess

[email protected]

Medical Evacuation

Dr Sylvia Wilcock

[email protected]


RGU IHWResearch Flyers

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