NIHRDataInsights/HRCSData huggingface dataset:
Title: Older people's external resedential assessment tool
Funder: Division for Social Care and Health Research (Wales)

Abstract: The built environment has an impact on the health and quality of life of older people. This is acknowledged by the Welsh Government (WG) in the Strategy for Older People: Phase III 2013-23. However, a method of measuring the physical condition of residential areas for older people is required. Major drawbacks with existing measures include limited application to rural areas, and for older people with a range of physical and cognitive abilities. We propose to develop a tool fit for purpose. Our research questions are: (i) What features of the external residential environment are important for older people with a range of physical and cognitive abilities? (ii) What features of the external residential environment are important for older people living in rural and urban areas? (iii) How do older people rate the importance of each of these features? (iv) Can a single measurement tool capture the breadth of environmental features, and the strength of importance attached to these? The project would produce an instrument to assess the external residential built environment of older people. The new measure would be tested in the five ‘pathfinder’ sites selected as part of The Ageing Well In Wales Programme in 50 postcode areas.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS;2.2 FACTORS RELATING TO PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: The relationship between social care and the use of health care used by people aged 65+ in Wales before and after the implementation of the chronic pain management policy: An observational study using routine data
Funder: Division for Social Care and Health Research (Wales)

Abstract: There is a link between use of social care and use of health care by people aged 65 and over. Appropriate social care can maintain health and delay or avoid the need for health care such as hospitalisation. Conversely, a spell in hospital can mark the beginning of a need for social care. The Welsh Government’s Chronic Conditions Management policy (2008) sets out a plan for improving care in the community and reducing demand for hospital care. Our study will examine the impact of the policy across Wales on emergency hospitalisations of people aged 65 and over and see how this varies with varying social care input. We will look in more detail at the same age group in Swansea. We will track health and social care use by individuals using linked anonymous data. This will enable us to understand more about how social care interventions may help to reduce hospitalisation, and about how demand on social care may change over time as a result of changes in health care input. The Swansea case study will help to show the feasibility of extending this analysis to the whole of Wales.


Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES;8.3 POLICY, ETHICS AND RESEARCH GOVERNANCE
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: The role of older people’s support networks in health literacy and patterns of health and social care service use.
Funder: Division for Social Care and Health Research (Wales)

Abstract: The proposed research will explore older people’s understanding and experiences of accessing and using health information and services (health literacy) and how people in their support network might help them in doing so. The research will closely examine how those living with a long-term mental or chronic health condition have different levels of support and may use services in different ways. There will be exploration of differences between older people who live in rural and urban areas of Wales. The study will produce new knowledge about variations in the support that older people have in managing their health and using health and social care services. The work will inform the Welsh Assembly Government on organising and delivering appropriate health and social care information and services that are best suited to the needs of older people living in Wales. The work will also inform the development of community based programmes to help older people access and use health and social care information and services.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: The protection and safeguarding of vulnerable older adults: a qualitative study of elder abuse services in Wales.
Funder: Division for Social Care and Health Research (Wales)

Abstract: Elder abuse is highly prevalent and under-reported. Recent estimates indicate that it is more prevalent in Wales than in either Scotland or Northern Ireland. We also know that services addressing the problem in Wales are very varied and that the legal framework for addressing the problem is unclear. In this respect responses to elder abuse lag behind both child protection and domestic abuse. In order to identify how best to improve organisation and delivery of services for the protection and safeguarding of vulnerable adults in Wales it is necessary to have in-depth understanding of the different ways in which services are organised and delivered and the ways in which these services are differentially experienced by service users. This information is necessary to identify instances of best practise, gaps in service provision and barriers to and facilitators of service use. The proposed study draws on the knowledge and expertise of those organising, delivering elder abuse services (including social and criminal justice services) and on the experiences of service users. It is anticipated that the study findings will provide a useful resource for the future development of elder abuse services


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS;8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Economic evaluation of mobility technology for disabled children: methodological and service commissioning implications
Funder: Division for Social Care and Health Research (Wales)

Abstract: Background: A recent Wales inquiry found that children experienced long delays and did not receive wheelchairs that met all their needs (e.g. independent play). Eligibility criteria varied and many children under 5 years with severely limited mobility generally received cheaper non-powered chairs and buggies. Health Economics investigates the use of scarce health and social care resources. The toolbox of economic evaluation methods is focused on physical functioning and health, and has not been applied to assistive mobility technology such as powered and non-powered wheelchairs for children. Purpose: To explore how health economics methods can be applied to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of assistive mobility technologies for children; to identify how benefit can best be measured in children and families for the purpose of economic evaluation; to explore the relative costs and benefits to children and families of assistive mobility technologies using the ‘Whizzybug’ powered chair for children age 18 months to 5 years as a case study, and finally to find out from families what aspects are most important in the commissioning of wheelchair services. Expected Benefits: This PhD will develop and adapt methods of health economics applied to children’s disability and provide evidence for future commissioning of services.


Research activity codes: 8.2 HEALTH AND WELFARE ECONOMICS
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Health Environments Research Programme
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: Recent public health guidance highlights that modifying features of neighbourhood, workplace and school environments may be important for the primary prevention of physical and psychological health. However, evidence for the effectiveness of ‘environmental’ interventions is often unavailable. The proposed research programme aims to investigate environmental influences on diet, physical activity and psychological wellbeing in order to develop this evidence base. Eight complementary national and international research and capacity building activities are proposed, with a focus on prospective evaluative and intervention studies. These projects, with many collaborators, range from evaluating the health and social impacts of urban regeneration associated with the 2012 London Olympic & Paralympic Games to enhancing understanding of how crime prevention schemes may impact on psychological wellbeing Assessing the health impact of these environmental interventions and understanding how and why they do, or don’t, work is important for developing policies aimed at tackling health inequalities and reducing treatment costs to the NHS.


Research activity codes: 3.1 PRIMARY PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS TO MODIFY BEHAVIOURS OR PROMOTE WELL-BEING
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Effective Practice and Organisation of Care in the NHS
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: The systematic review topics that will be supported by this programme grant are listed below and are categorised by the priority areas set out in the Operating Framework for NHS England 2010/11: Quality improvement1.The effectiveness of the public release of performance data 2.The use of local opinion leaders to promote evidence based practice3.Organisational infrastructures to promote evidence based nursing practice 4.Practical support tools in stimulating the uptake of guideline recommendations 5.Interventions to improve the transition of care for adolescents from paediatric to adult services Informatics6.Electronic retrieval of health information by health professionals to improve practice and patient care Improving access 7.Telemedicine versus face to face patient care: effects on professional practice and health care outcomes8.Interventions to reduce waiting lists for elective procedures9.Professionals complementary to dentists (e.g. dental nurses clinical dental technicians) 10.Locating primary and community health care professionals in hospital emergency departments to manage patients with minor injury or illnessReducing emergency bed days /improving service efficiency11.Discharge planning12.Alternatives to emergency admission for older people: avoiding admission to hospital13.& early discharge from hospital14.Geriatric Assessment Units for older adults admitted to hospital 15.Continuity of care for quality and safety of care and health outcomes (e.g. communication systems)


Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES;7.3 MANAGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Email for clinical communication between healthcare professionals and patients (review update)
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: The review is relevant to both providers and consumers of healthcare in any setting. The intervention in question email is incredibly topical with UK policymakers. The recent ‘Power of Information’ information strategy published by the Department of Health suggests that the ability for patients to have electronic communication with care teams will be a requirement in the near future. Policymakers require an evidence base with which to make their decisions but the existing review search date is January 2010 meaning that it is now over three years out of date. As technology use increases and types of use change new studies are published and these would be captured in an updated review. We anticipate several studies would feature in the update potentially changing the previously equivocal findings and impacting on both policy and practice. The update has additional benefit for the NIHR. The review was recently cited in the HS&dr funding call 13/59 ‘Assessing alternatives to face-to-face contact with patients’ indicating that this is an important area for funders. An updated review can only assist in allowing applications to conduct valuable further research in this area.


Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: ‘Back to normal’: speed and quality of recovery after surgery major injury and critical care.
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: During this project we aim to find the best available evidence to enhance peoplesrecovery from surgery critical illness and injury. These represent major events in a person’s life andeven if not life-threatening can have lasting consequences on the physical and mental health ofsufferers and those around them. This disrupts quality of life functional ability and employment.We propose a linked set of Cochrane systematic reviews within the scope of the Cochrane Anaesthesia ReviewGroup(CARG)and the Injuries Group aimed at gathering the evidence relating to the speed andquality of short- and where possible longer-term recovery from injury critical illness and surgery.We will include specific treatment measures (including early interventions which have substantialbenefit on later recovery but not those designed to prevent the original injury illness or surgicaldisease. We will also seek interventions designed to limit the adverse effects of treatments for theseconditions as these can delay recovery in themselves.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Addressing the unmet need of chronic pain: providing the evidence for treatments of pain.
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: Providing the evidence for treatments of painUntreated pain is a common problem in both developing and developed societies across the lifespan. We will produce a suite of systematic reviews that aim to assess the published evidence of high quality studies on treatments for pain. We focus on three neglected areas of practice: Treatments for children in pain treatments for adults with pain of neuropathic origin and treatments of pain associated with cancer. We will comprehensively search the record of published evidence for trials (and other well conducted studies) that have sought to answer the question does treatment X change pain and related outcomes?. We will combine studies on the same technology and provide evidence synthesis and where possible meta-analysis to estimate the efficacy of different treatments. Our scope will be across both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. Where possible we will use a rapid review format. Where possible we will publish Overview reviews. Our aim is to publish all reviews in the three main topic areas in the Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews and so in the Cochrane Library.


Research activity codes: 6.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL;6.1 PHARMACEUTICALS
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Palliative pharmacological sedation for symptom relief in terminally ill adults
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: ObjectivesTo assess the evidence for the benefit of palliative pharmacological sedation on quality of life survival and specific refractory symptoms in terminally ill adults during their last few days of life.Search methodsWe searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2014 Issue 11) MEDLINE (1946 to November 2014) and EMBASE (1974 to December 2014) using search terms representing the sedative drug names and classes disease stage and study designs.Selection criteriaWe included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) quasi-RCTs non-RCTs and observational studies (e.g. before-and-after interrupted-time-series) with quantitative outcomes. We excluded studies with only qualitative outcomes or that had no comparison (i.e. no control group or no within-group comparison) (e.g. single arm case series).Data collection and analysisTwo review authors independently screened titles and abstracts of citations and full text of potentially eligible studies. Two review authors independently carried out data extraction using standard data extraction forms A third review author acted as arbiter for both stages. We carried out no meta-analyses due to insufficient data for pooling on any outcome; therefore we reported outcomes narratively.


Research activity codes: 7.2 END OF LIFE CARE
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: PPI Enabling Research Award:Personal and Public Involvement and its impact - Monitoring, measuring and evaluating the impact of Personal and Public Involvement in Health & Social Care in Northern Ireland
Funder: Health and Social Care Research and Development Division (HSC R&D) of Public Health Agency, Northern Ireland

Abstract: The overall Project Aims as established in the call by the Public Health Agency and the Patient Client Council are to: 1. Identify best practice in PPI 2.Identify any barriers to effective involvement 3. Identify possible ways to overcome these barriers within the context of an integrated health & social care system 4. Identify valid and reliable ways of measuring and evaluating the impact of PPI activity 5. Generate options to inform the development of a robust and reliable framework to monitor, measure and evaluate PPI activity and its impact on our health and social care services 6. Ensure that users and carers are at the heart of this project in a significant and meaningful way. We will undertake an online survey to collect information on (a) use of PPI (b) evaluation of use of PPI (c) impact of using PPI and (d) barriers to using PPI. Qualitative methods will be used to enrich the quality of our findings from the quantitative phase of the study. We will conduct ten (n=10) focus groups across Northern Ireland which will be aimed at establishing current experiences in PPI from the health and social care/work service user, patient, carer and stakeholder perspectives in each of the five health and social care Trust areas. The focus group questions will be designed to reflect the six aims in the commissioning brief, together with the findings from the literature review and the survey. Any specific issues that arise in the focus groups and are not explored in sufficient depth in the relevant session may be explored further by telephone interview follow-up. Through adopting a mixed methods approach to data collection in this way, the team will be able to generate a mix of both qualitative and quantitative data to enrich the quality of our findings.


Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Service user feedback as a means of redeveloping a large scale survey instrument
Funder: Tenovus Cancer Care

Abstract: The All Wales Palliative Care Implementation Board has commissioned an independent organisation, iWantGreatCare, to gather service experience ratings and reviews to help understand the experience of care, and to ultimately improve quality. To date, more than 2000 questionnaire responses have been collated from palliative care settings throughout Wales. The results from this questionnaire, and in particular the nine questions relating to patient experience, show that patients or their families are in general very happy with the service that they received. This was shown by the very high average score for each question. However, for the purpose of highlighting areas of the service that need improvement the results from these nine questions tell us little. With the vast majority of responses being ‘10 out of 10’ for each question there is little room to make any comparisons or use any formal statistical analyses on this large data set. In order to fully reflect patients’ and families’ experiences of care, a subsequent qualitative analysis of the comments of 596 patients and carers has drawn out areas of concern and scope for improvement not shown in the scored results. The analysis was undertaken by an independent researcher, working solely from the data and with no prior involvement with the project. Following this analysis, the research team propose to undertake a further project to use the results to refine the questionnaire to accommodate service users’ priorities and concerns.


Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Genetic control of cell fate decisions in the devloping mouse embryo.
Funder: Wellcome Trust

Abstract: We are studying the complex cellular interactions underlying early mammalian development, and in particular the signals provided by members of the TGFß superfamily of secreted growth factors. We have previously shown that nodal activity is required for primitive streak formation and anterior patterning during gastrulation, and at later stages for establishment of the L/R body axis. We also described an essential function contributed by the Smad2 protein, the intracellular effector downstream of TGFß/activin receptors. The proposed experiments studies further dissect nodal contribution(s) during morphogenesis of the mouse organiser and establishment of the L/R body axis. We will use gene targeting techniques to selectively delete enhancer sequences controlling asymmetric and node specific nodal expression domains respectively. Using a novel in vivo cell marking system we plan to describe mesodermal subpopulations derived from the node and its progenitors. We will also test the role of the Smad2 pathway during node morphogenesis. Overall the proposed experiments should provide a clearer understanding of TGFß signalling pathways during mouse development.


Research activity codes: 1.1 NORMAL BIOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTIONING
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE