Role

• Research
• Teaching
• Member of the Cancer and Primary Care Research Group
• Co-convener of the Qualitative Researchers Group
• NCRI Trainee member Methodolgy workstream

Teaching Responsibilities

Postgraduate

• MSc Public Health Course Tutor, Introduction to Qualitative Methods 

Research Interests

I am interested in qualitative research exploring the lived experience of the illness journey, across the cancer care continuum and in the context of additional long term conditions, from cancer screening and early detection, through survivorship to end of life care.

I am currently working on a CSO funded study to pilot lung health checks in the Scottish population. Phase one of this research - two systematic reviews, a document analysis, stakeholder consultation and focus group study - is complete. Phase two involves the design and implementation of a pilot study inviting people to a telephone lung health check and, for those identified as high risk, a low dose CT scan. Evaluation of this pilot will directly inform the development of a full trial and any future national lung screening programme.

I recently completed a CSO post-doctoral fellowship project exploring the experience of living beyond cancer with comorbid illness, involving two main phases: 1. a systematic review and research prioritisation exercise and 2. in-depth qualitative interviews with people with cancer and one or more additional long term condition(s) and their informal carer/supporter.

Past research has included:

• CRUK grant looking at survival patterns, pathways to diagnosis and experiences of second primary cancer.
• A CRUK NAEDI 2 study to develop and test a brief intervention in primary care to engage with non-responders to bowel cancer screening.
• Exploring pathways to diagnosis for people with a diagnosis of melanoma, including symptom detection, appraisal and help-seeking.
• An evaluation of the palliative care Directly Enhanced Service and its use in Primary Care
• A study of the different dimensions of need of people with a suspected or confirmed glioma and their families, including social, emotional, psychological and spiritual aspects of dealing with the disease.
• A study of the views and experiences of families including a child with a cancer diagnosis on donating tissue to childhood cancer tumour banks.
• And a qualitative/ quantitative meta-synthesis on access to health care by vulnerable groups.

Current Research Involvement

• CSO (2020-2022): How should Scotland respond to the challenge of lung cancer screening?: a mixed methods feasibility study
• CSO (2015-2020): Living beyond cancer with comorbid illness

Other Responsibilities/Activities

I am co-convenor of the CPHS Qualitative Researchers Group. The group meet regularly throughout the year to bring together those with an interest in qualitative research in health both within CPHS and from neighbouring departments and institutions. Events include seminars, workshops and discussions on topics of interest identified by group members. Please get in touch if you are interested in being added to our mailing list.

I am a trainee member of the NCRI Psychosocial Oncology and Survivorship clinical studies group, currently in the methodology workstream. 

I am also involved in supervision of MPH and PhD students at the Usher and act as a personal tutor to a number of students each year.