
My role as Research Facilitator primarily involves supporting research activity in palliative and end of life care at Pilgrims Hospices in east Kent. This includes supporting current research projects, the development of new research, and increasing the awareness of research within the organisation. The role also involves networking and collaborating with other organisations with a research interest. This includes a formal link as an honorary researcher with the Centre of Health Services Studies. I facilitate the CHSS hosted Kent and Medway Palliative Care Research Group and currently work on the Optimum Hospice at Home services for end of life care project (OPEL H@H).
Previously I was a Research Fellow at CHSS where I worked on a range of health services and public health related research projects. I was also Research Advisor for the NIHR Research Design Service South East since they were established in 2008. Prior to this I was an Advisor for the Research and Development Support Unit South East at CHSS which preceded the RDS services.
Before joining CHSS in 2002 I worked as a Research Assistant for the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research at the University of Kent (2001-2002) on the project Public Policy: Knowledge, Understanding and Attitudes. In this role I was responsible for the analysis of a module of questions on attitudes to public spending in the NATCEN British Social Attitudes Survey in 2001-2002. I completed my BA in Sociology at University of Essex in 2000, followed by am MA in Sociological Research Methods in 2002 also at the University of Essex.
I have expertise and experience in quantitative and qualitative research methodology, particularly relating to surveys, in-depth interviewing and observation. I have trained in and experienced in using SPSS and Nvivo data analysis software.
Also view these in the Kent Academic Repository
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This is the second phase of a pilot project aimed at involving, identifying and incorporating the views of older continence service users and their carers in the development of a questionnaire to ascertain standards of care in continence services. Phase 2 was completed in March 2005. The purpose of this phase was to conduct a survey of 300 older continence to test the inclusiveness of the standards statements. A response rate of 55% was acheived in this study, those replying were mostly white British women in their 70's. Start date: 01/06/2004 End date: 01/03/2005 Funder: Royal College of Physicians Funding: £5152 Publication: Involving Older Users of Continence Services in Developing Standards of Care: A Pilot Study Report on Stage 2 -
Evaluation of the Stroke Association "Life After Stroke" services in Eastern and Coastal Kent
This project is funded by the Stroke Association and is an evaluation of ‘Life After Stroke’ services in Eastern and Coastal Kent. ‘Life after stroke’ coordinators currently provide specialist help in the areas of information and support, communication, re-enablement/’back to life’, and carer support, with the aim of helping stroke survivors and their families. The evaluation assesses the effectiveness of this relatively new service in following the national model of care called ‘Life After Stroke’ in meeting the needs of stroke survivors. The study has a mixed method approach, conducting surveys at three time points to rate the impact of services on stroke survivors and their carers, and carrying out interviews and focus groups with those involved in receiving and providing ‘Life after stroke’ services. Start date:01/05/2010 End date: 30/04/2012 Funder: The Stroke Association Funding: £50,000 Publication: Life after stroke - report (pdf) -
Help the hospices 2004/2005 patient survey
This is a cross-sectional survey of over 2,000 people attending hospices in England as both day cases and inpatients, to assess their satisfaction with services. Start date: 01/09/2004 End date: 01/05/2005 Funder: Help The Hospices Funding: £7000 Publication: Help the Hospices 2004/2005 - report -
Kent health and lifestyle survey 2005
How do residents in Kent rate their health and describe their health-related lifestyle? Cross-sectional survey of a cohort of 23,000 adults. The aim of the survey, which is being run with partners in district councils, Primary Care Trusts and the Public Health Network, is to find out more about health and health related behaviour across Kent and establish the health needs of local people. The survey will help Kent County Council and the NHS to plan local services and community development activities. In particular, it will help address the needs of local people in preventing obesity. The 2005 Health and Lifestyle Survey will measure changes in health trends and identify key areas of special need. For example, questions are included for people who spend a lot of their time caring for a family member. The survey will also monitor levels of exercise, as well as factors such as smoking, diet, mode of travel to work. Start date: 01/06/2005 End date: 30/11/2005 Funder: Kent County Council Funding: £158,000 Publications: First Report of Physical Activity and Obesity from the Kent 2005 Survey of Health and Lifestyle Second Report from the Kent 2005 Survey of health and Lifestyle: Obesity and Physical Activity Kent 2005 Survey of Health and Lifestyle: Geographical Report Kent 2005 Survey of Health and Lifestyle: Moderate Physical Activity and Obesity by Local Authority - Short Report -
Teenagers' views and experiences of sex and relationships education, sexual health services and family support services in Kent
The Kent Teenage Pregnancy Partnership and the Centre for Health Services Studies at the University of Kent is carrying out a three year programme of research across Kent to find out teenagers' views and experiences of sex and relationships education, sexual health and family support services. The overall purpose of the research is to find out whether the education received and services used meet the needs of teenagers, by describing any strengths, weaknesses and gaps in the way they are currently provided. Start date: 01/05/2004 End date: 30/04/2007 Funder: Kent County Council Funding: £168,000 Publications: A Survey of Teenagers’Views of Sex and Relationships Education and Sexual Health Services in Kent A Survey of Teenagers' Views of Sex and Relationships Education and Sexual Health Services in Kent. Executive Summary Looked-After Children’s Views of Sex and Relationships Education and Sexual Health Services Looked-After Children’s Views of Sex and Relationships Education and Sexual Health Services - Executive Summary Teenager Parents' Views and Experiences of Sex and Relationships Education, Sexual Health Services and Family Support Services in Kent. Service Users Report, Postnatal Teenage Parents' Experiences of Parenthood and Views of Family Support Services in Kent - Service Users Report, Postnatal. Executive Summary Teenage Parents’ Views and Experiences of Sex and Relationships Education, Sexual Health Services and Family Support Services in Kent Service Users Report, ANTENATAL Teenage Parent's Views and Experiences of Sex and Relationships Education, Sexual Health Services and Family Support Services in Kent - Service Users Report, Antenatal. Executive Summary Service Development Programme: Maximising Life Opportunities for Teenagers. Teenagers' Views and Experiences of Sex and Relationships Education, Sexual Health Services and Family Support Services in Kent - Survey findings for Year 2
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Evaluation of the implementation of family health nurses and comparison with community nurses in six countries
Evaluation of the implementation of family health nurse project inter-country evaluation and comparison with existing community nurses This project analysed the survey results of countries who had implemented the World Health Organisation family health nurse project, including Scotland, Portugal, Finland, Slovenia, Moldova and Tajikistan. The study compared the perceived role and importance of family health nurses and community nurses in the six countries. Start date: 01/12/2005 End date: 28/02/2006 Funder: Developing Health Care Consultancy Funding: £2128 -
Health Counts and Hospital Episode Statistics analysis for Eastbourne Downs PCT: Annual Report
How do localities compare in 1) health and lifestyle, and 2) hospital admission rates? This is secondary analysis of data collected in 2004 to see how the health of the residents of Eastbourne Downs PCT compares in terms of health and lifestyle and hospital admission rates. Start date: 01/08/2005 End date: 31/10/2005 Funder: Eastbourne Downs PCT Funding: £4000 Publication: Equity matters Health and Lifestyle Eastbourne -
Help the Hospices 2006/2007 Patient Survey
The project will measure satisfaction into hospice day care and inpatient care. Cross-sectional survey using pre-tested self complete questionnaire to users of 53 hospice between July 2006 and February 2007. Start date: 01/07/2006 End date: 30/06/2007 Funder: Help The Hospices Funding: £25,766 Publication: Help the Hospices 2006/2007 Patient Survey -
Optimum Hospice at Home services for end of life care
What are the features of Hospice at Home models that work, for whom, and under what circumstances? Offering people a choice about where they receive their care at the end of life is central to UK policy and the numbers of people wishing to die at home is increasing. We also know from work undertaken with the general public that care at home is an important concern for many people. Much effort has been invested in health services to support care at home, including services called “Hospice at Home” (HAH) which aim to offer hospice care in the individual’s home. The aim of hospice care is to improve the quality of life of people who have an incurable illness up to the point of death. This includes medical, emotional, social, practical, psychological, and spiritual care, as well as addressing the needs of the person’s family and carers. Currently a range of different HAH services exist in the UK and it is unclear which features of these services enable better care and outcomes at the end of life for patients and families. Professor Claire Butler based at CHSS is leading a national study to answer: What are the features of Hospice at Home models that work, for whom, and under what circumstances? The project is led by the University of Kent in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, University of Surrey, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Pilgrim’s Hospice and the National Association for Hospice at Home. The project is spearheaded by a team of post-doctoral researchers based at the University of Kent and the University of Cambridge. Start date: 01/02/2017 End date: 22/03/2021 Funding: National Institute for Health Research: Health Services and Delivery Research (project 14.197.44) £760,162 More about this project: 1. Study Design The study started with a national telephone survey of all HAH services to find out about the services they provide. We contacted hospice at home service managers identified through the Hospice UK and National Association of Hospice at Home directories to take part in a survey. We asked the service managers to provide information on how they are funded, which health care professionals work for them and what kind of roles they have, and whether they provide care overnight and at weekends. We had a fantastic response to our phase 1 survey with 70 HAH services taking part (see map of survey responders left). The results of this survey helped us to understand the different types of HAH services running nationally and to select a number of HAH services as case study sites for in depth investigation in Phase 2 of the project. A method called ‘realist evaluation’ is being used to gain an understanding of how the services delivered within the different models impact on patients and carers and whether they are supported and cared for as well as possible. We will also compare the costs of delivering services in the different models, and talk to providers of services about local issues that help or hinder the delivery of a good service. The final phase of the project (Phase 3) will involve presentation of our initial findings and discussion with stakeholders in two workshops to validate interpretation of the data and to refine our understanding of what works, for whom, and under what circumstances. These consensus events will help to develop our findings into guidelines for services and commissioners for developing HAH services matched to local needs. 2. How will we make sure the research is on the right track for patients and families? We are aware that the project needs to be conducted sensitively and we are experienced in undertaking research with bereaved people. We are working closely with patients and members of the public to advise us on the most sensitive approaches. Our team includes two lay co-applicants who are members of the project team and involved in co-producing the research with us. Both have experienced bereavement as a carer and they have a key role in the team to ensure a thoughtful and ethically sound approach. One of our lay co-applicants recently presented with Charlotte Brigden (Pilgrims Hospice), at the RDS South East/INVOLVE UK event in London. They showcased the OPEL H@H study as an example of public co-production in research. The project also benefits from input from independent experts and public members who sit on the Project Oversight Group for the study. This group oversees the project progress and ensures the study delivers on its objectives, produce findings relevant to the public and national healthcare services. It also ensures that the study has involved public and patient input throughout. Throughout the project we have been reviewing and documenting the PPI input in to the project and how this has changed the project and our approach over time. See a link to this overview below. PPI feedback Year 1 PPI feedback Year 2 3. How will we make the research findings available? Publication of the full and complete account of the research will be in the NIHR HS&DR Journal. This will allow the research to be freely and publically available via the NIHR journals library website. We will also publish our findings as they arise in peer reviewed journals such as BMJ, Social Science and Medicine and British Journal of General Practice to reach broad audience coverage in community services, and Health Services Journal to reach service commissioners. See below for links to what we have published so far. We will present our findings through presentations or posters at existing research forums such as the European Association of Palliative Care Congress; Clinical Research Network forums; Cicely Saunders Institute, King’s College, London; Hospice UK annual conference; National Association for Hospice at Home (NAHH) conference. See posters we have already below. Guidelines will be developed for services to help plan HAH services in the future. We also aim to engage with commissioners through the links and influence of our commissioner co-applicant, Professor Bee Wee as National Clinical Director for End of Life Care for NHS England. At the end of the project, a report and summaries for lay audiences will be produced. The draft report was submitted to NIHR on 22/3/21 and we expect it to be publicly available in early 2022. The study data will also be available to researchers and the NHS on completion in line with national and international recommendations to benefit wider society. This will also be disseminated to our research participants. In addition, dissemination of findings aimed at the public will be facilitated through links with specific organisations including the National Council for Palliative Care, Hospice UK and the National Association for Hospice at Home (NAHH). These links with National organisations may also assist with bringing the results of the research to the attention of National Policy makers. Case Study Site Newsletters: Feb 2018 May 2018 July 2018 Sept 2018 Dec 2018 Mar 2019 May 2019 June 2019 Study Publications: Hashem, F., Brigden, C., Wilson, P. and Butler, C. (2020) "Understanding what works, why and in what circumstances in Hospice at Home Services for End of Life Care: applying a realist logic of analysis to a systematically searched literature review", Palliative Medicine. Sage, pp. 16-31. doi: 10.1177/0269216319867424. Abstract | View in KAR Rees-Roberts, M., Williams, P., Hashem, F., Brigden, C., Greene, K., Gage, H., Goodwin, M., Silsbury, G., Wee, B., Barclay, S., Wilson, P. and Butler, C. (2019) "Hospice at Home services in England: a national survey", BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care. BMJ Publishing Group, pp. 1-7. doi: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-001818. Abstract | View in KAR Butler, C., Brigden, C., Gage, H., Williams, P., Holdsworth, L., Greene, K., Wee, W., Barclay, S. and Wilson, P. (2018) "Optimum hospice at home services for end-of-life care: protocol of a mixed-methods study employing realist evaluation", BMJ Open. BMJ. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-021192. Abstract | View in KAR Selected Conferences, posters and presentations: Abrahamson V, Butler C, Wilson P, Mikelyte R, Brigden C, Silsbury G, Goodwin M. 2021 International Conference for Realist Research, Evaluation and Synthesis. Feb 2021. Optimum Hospice at Home Services for End-of-Life care: realist evaluation and co-production. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQX6-ka1VwU&feature=youtu.be Brigden C, Goodwin, M, Silsbury, G, Rees-Roberts M, Butler C, Greene K, Hayes C, Hashem F, Gage H, Williams P, Wee B, Barclay S, Wilson P, Mikelyte, R. Oct 2018. National Association for Hospice at home Annual Conference 2018. Patient and public involvement in hospice research: an example of co-production in action. PPI poster Brigden C and Silsbury G, July 2018 NIHR Research Design Service South East / INVOLVE. Co-production in the OPEL Hospice at Home Study Slides from RDS/INVOLVE UK co-production event – OPEL study project presentation Rees-Roberts M, Mikelyte R, Hayes C, Hashem F, Brigden C, Gage H, Williams P, Greene K, Wee B, Barclay S, Wilson P, Butler C. 2017. National Association for Hospice at Home annual conference 2017. Poster & presentation. Phase 1 poster Phase 1 findings A4 summary 4. Consensus Events 2020 Dates Leeds – 16 January 2020 Venue: The Met, King Street, Leeds, LS1 2HQ London – 23 January 2020 Venue: Wellcome Collection Event Spaces, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2B Our findings were presented at two national workshops. At these workshops, we sought feedback on the implications of our findings from the audiences including members of the public, carers, HAH providers and health service commissioners. We combined all this information to assess which models of service provision are likely to lead to the best outcomes, represent best value for money and create guidelines for planning HAH services in the future. A summary of the consensus events can be found in the Phase 3 summary (pdf).