Role
I am currently the Programme Co-ordinator for the MSc Applied Health Studies programme, and the Dissertation Co-ordinator for all the MSc dissertations within the Interprofessional Masters Scheme in the Faculty. I am the module leader for several evidence-informed decision making modules. I am the Faculty lead for research at the Cornwall site. I am a member of the University Complaints and Appeals Board, Faculty Board, Faculty Student Ethics Committee, and the Faculty CPD Development Group.
My main research interests are around psychosocial oncology and outcome measurement; and evidence-informed decision making.
Qualifications & background
Trained as a Registered Nurse at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge in 1979. Completed a BSc (2.1) in Psychology at the University of York in 1984; and PhD in Psychosocial Oncology at the University of Southampton in 1987. Completed a PGDipEd at the University of Plymouth in 2001.
Professional membership
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Teaching interests
Evidence-informed decision making; research methods.
Research interests
Psychosocial oncology; health related quality of life; outcome measurement; communication and decision making especially related to oncology; evidence based practice; health services research.
UoP Research group membership
Centre for Health and Social Care Innovation (CHeSCI)
Preventive and Supportive Care
Sustainability, Society and Health
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
Supervised five MSc students to successful completion.
Grants & contracts
Since 1996
1996-1999: Quality of life of patients treated surgically for colorectal cancer. Otago Medical School Bequest Funds (New Zealand), $3,580 (with Elliott, T. and McCool, J.)
1996-1997: Sun protection behaviours and the experience of sunburn in young children. Otago Medical School Bequest Funds (New Zealand), $4,950 (with Bandaranayake, M., McGee, R. and Williams, S.)
1997-1999: Does quality of life, utility and performance status measurement reflect the clinical progress of cancer? Health Research Council of New Zealand, $34,264 (with Perez, D.)
1999-1999: Restormel Health Visitors healthy living project: Mechanism for change and effect on practice. Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Health Action Zone, £4,245.00.
2004-2005: Evidence Based Practice and Clinical Effectiveness: Does it Make a Difference in Practice? Devon & Cornwall Workforce Development Confederation, £17,500 (with Maynard, V.).
2005-2006: A Cost Effectiveness Evaluation of a Nurse Led Hospital Outreach Chemotherapy Service. Macmillan Cancer Relief, £11,494 (with Dennison, Pritchard and Rule).
2006-2007: Evidence Based Case Study in Practice. Centre of Excellence in Professional Placement Learning, University of Plymouth, £5,000 (with Maynard, V.)
2007-2009: Knowledge Transfer Partnership Project to Develop an Evidence Based e-Health Information Service, £148,264 (with Richardson, Jones at UoP).
2007-2009: A Qualitative Exploration of Intravenous and Oral Bisphosphonates in Metastatic Breast Cancer, Wales Cancer Trials Unit, £20,000 (with Nelson & Fenlon).
2007-2008: Use of mobile technology to support the development of evidence based practice skills in the clinical setting. Centre of Excellence in Professional Placement Learning, University of Plymouth, £7,474 (with Maynard, V.).
2010: Registered nurses' perceptions of the discharge planning process for adult patients in an acute hospital. Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, Truro, £5,000 (with Winfield, L. and Young, K.).
2010-2013: Knowledge Transfer Partnership Project: worth £154,159 to work with St Luke’s Service to develop a centre of expertise around palliative care (with Richardson, J. at UoP).
Cornwall Health Research Unit Projects (Unit ceased operation in March 2009)
1999-1999: Evaluation of the eclipse planning process for health services in the southwest. NHS Executive Southwest, £12,000 (with Watt, A. and Salter, L.)
1999-2000: Impact of the Cornwall Carer Support Workers’ service on four GP practices. Cornwall Rural Community Council, £3,280.
2000-2000: Stop smoking services in Cornwall: Effect of 1999 campaign on awareness and behaviour. Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Health Action Zone, £12,000 (with Watt, A. and Salter, L).
2000-2001: Stop smoking services in Cornwall: Effect of 1999 campaign on awareness and behaviour. Phase II Monitoring and Validation. Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Health Action Zone, £17,000 (with Watt, A. and Salter, L).
2001-2003: Stop smoking services in Cornwall: Effect of 1999 campaign on awareness and behaviour. Phase III. Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Health Action Zone, £30,000 (with Watt, A. and Salter, L).
2001-2002: Survey of current health education initiatives with regard to prevention of skin cancer in Cornwall. Cornwall Deratology Unit, Treliske Hospital, £2,000 (with Salter, L. and Bennett, S.).
2003-2004: Health expenditure in Cornwall: A comparison with other rural areas in the United Kingdom. Cornwall Education & Research Trust, £5,000 (with Bastin, J., Bennett, S., Watt, A. and Salter, L.).
2004-2005: Making a difference: The Stop Smoking Services in Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly - Effect on behaviour and smoking habits. Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Health Action Zone, £20,000 (with Watt, A., Salter, L, Bastin, J. and Bennett, S.).
2005-2006: The Stop Smoking Services in Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly - Is Cornwall Quitting? Cornwall Health Promotion Unit, £25,200 (with Watt, A., Salter, L, Bastin, J. and Bennett, S.).
2006-2007: Local Area Agreement for Healthier Communities: Improving Health in Deprived Areas. Cornwall Strategic Partnership, £29,375 (with Watt, A., Salter, L., Bastin, J. and Bennett, S.)
2007-2007: Evaluation of the Health Trainer Project in Cornwall. Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust, £24,500 (with Watt, A., Bennett, S., Salter, L. and Bastin, J.)
2008-2008: Slimming on Referral: Analysis of Questionnaire Data. Cornwall Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, £4,969 (with Watt, A. and Bennett, S.).
Conferences organised
Organised the British Psychosocial Oncology Society annual conference in 1990.
