The impact of our work
Our world-class research and high-quality teaching advances primary care locally and globally, influences health policy and develops professional skills.
In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, 90% of our research impacts were considered outstanding.

From research showing the benefits of self-managing blood pressure to reduce stroke risk, to teaching that embeds the practice of evidence-based medicine in low-income countries, our almost 300-strong team of staff and students are rethinking health care delivery across the global community.
Here are some examples of how we work to make a difference on policy, clinical practice and public health.



Featured impact: Informing better management of type 2 diabetes
Our study on the routine use of blood glucose self-monitoring in type 2 diabetes has impacted policy, clinical practice and education programmes in the UK and internationally.
Putting data and statistics into action to save the NHS money
To identify the biggest prescribing quality improvement and cost-saving opportunities for General Practices and Clinical Commissioning Groups every month, and help them to improve, the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences’ EBM DataLab brings together health researchers and software developers to transform large prescribing datasets into useful data explorer tools for coalface NHS staff.
Medical evidence through a philosophical lens
Dr Jeremy Howick’s application of philosophical approaches to health science has helped shape how we leverage placebos in clinical trials and treatment, and determine the quality of evidence required in ‘evidence-based medicine’.
Evidence to inform the national debate
The Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine develops, promotes and disseminates better evidence for healthcare. Researchers from the Centre have reviewed the evidence for oral hormone pregnancy tests, transvaginal mesh and tamiflu and have used their findings to shape national debate on whether these approved treatments and diagnostics are safe and effective.