World Cancer Day: How research by Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences is advancing cancer detection and care
More than one thousand people receive a cancer diagnosis in the UK each day, making early detection and intervention critical for improving outcomes for patients. The majority of patients are first diagnosed after presenting cancer symptoms to their GP. This puts primary care in a unique and critical position to drive forward research that closes the cancer care gap – the theme of this year’s World Cancer Day.
Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement: Working together to improve Cancer Care by Sue Duncombe
1 February 2024
Sue Duncombe shares her experience of Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement. After her husband died of prostate cancer, Sue wanted to support research in the hope other families wouldn't experience the same loss.
Boosting Policy Engagement Through OPEN Leaders
26 January 2024
Cervantee Wild was a 2022 recipient of the OPEN Leaders award to stimulate policy engagement activities within the Department of Primary Care Health Sciences. Here she talks about her recent experiences convening a series of talks for early- and mid-career researchers, and encourages other EMCRs to apply for a 2024 award.
Overseas general practitioners (GPs) and prescription behaviour in England
The United Kingdom relies on a substantial number of foreign-trained doctors, each with unique medical training and experiences. A recent study investigates the drug prescription behaviours in English GP practices, exploring whether the origin of a GP's training influences the medications prescribed.
A Masters in Applied Digital Health to pursuing a Doctorate in Primary Care - evolving perspectives from Ashley Murray
Ashley Murray shares perspectives from her educational path spanning a master's degree in Applied Digital Health to beginning doctoral studies focused on Primary Care.
How the Oxford Masters in Translational Health Sciences impacted an Australian GP working at the nexus of research and health policy
Dr Isabel Hanson recently completed her MSc in Translational Health Sciences. Here she discusses her experience of the course and where it will lead her next.
Undergraduate Oxford Medical Students are awarded the Elizabeth Brown Prize for the best scientific presentation at the 2023 British Geriatrics Society
8 December 2023
Rebecca Smith and Georgina Miles presented the preliminary research findings of their systematic review on the representativeness of UK trials on lifestyle interventions for diabetes mellitus at the British Geriatrics Society 2023 Autumn Meeting on 24 November in Birmingham.
Disability History Month 2023
This Disability History Month Lucy Cureton, the Athena Swan CTU Rep, shares the importance that active inclusivity and workplace adjustments make to her experience at work.
The importance of inclusivity: a tale of two conferences
This Disability History Month Charlotte Albury, Athena Swan EMCR Rep shares the importance and difference that active inclusivity makes to her experience at conferences and work.
Bridging gaps: mental health, economics and policy
5 December 2023
In this blog post, Ed Penington explores the discussions around economic and policy challenges in mental health revealed at a recent half-day workshop, organised by the department's Associate Professor Apostolos Tsiachristas titled: Let’s talk about mental health: economic and policy perspectives.
The importance of primary care in South Africa’s HIV treatment programme
This World AIDS Day, Dr Jienchi Dorward reflects on the importance of primary care in providing HIV treatment in South Africa.
How consultation can change practice for the new generation of GPs
Fourth-year medical student, Martha Hughes was recently awarded the Society for Academic Primary Care's Student Prize for her essay "A Primary Care Consultation that Changed My Approach." Her essay shares reflections on pivotal experiences in the pilot patient-doctor course organised by the Primary Care Teaching Group.
How research gave vaccine answers to people with blood cancer
10 November 2023
The QResearch team are pleased to share this important blog post, originally published by Blood Cancer UK, detailing the findings from a QResearch project on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines for people with blood cancer. This repost highlights the collaborative efforts and crucial insights garnered by researchers, including our own Professor Julia Hippisley-Cox, in understanding vaccine efficacy for those most vulnerable during the pandemic.
Taking the MSc in Translational Health Sciences: an opportunity to learn the skills and knowledge needed to increase the impact my lived experience could have on the healthcare experiences of others.
Amy Dickinson who recently completed her MSc in Translational Health Sciences shares her experiences of the programme as a chronic illness sufferer and her recommendations for students taking the master’s from the patient perspective.
Bridging the gap: a reflection on the importance of community outreach and health equity this Black History Month
This blog post from Corina Cheeks for Black History Month, highlights the importance of community outreach in research and shares recent work in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences to address racialised health disparities.
How to be depressed: A guide for users and their colleagues
Join me, Gavin Hubbard, as I try to navigate the intricate maze of depression and anxiety in a humerous-ish way. In this candid account, I share the good, the bad, and the absurd moments of my mental health journey. It's an invitation to look beyond the stigma, understand you're not alone, or perhaps get a better understanding of what others might be going through.
Polycystic ovary syndrome: losing weight can help but many sufferers are vulnerable to bad advice on social media
Researchers from the Nuffield Department of Primary Health Care Sciences write about how weight loss can be one of the best ways to manage Polycystic ovary syndrome but this has led many women to turn to the internet, where diet advice is abundant.
Digital Health for older adults through the lens of chess
Dr Prenika Anand, Leslie Kirkley Visiting Scholar in the Department of Population Ageing at the University of Oxford and soon to graduate from our MSc in Applied Digital Health, shares with us her 'journey of affirmative realisations and intense unlearning' and its impact on her approach to Digital Health
Artistry Through Adversity: Amy Izat's journey from critical care to canvas
DPhil student Francesca Dakin reviews 'A Different Kind of Vision', artist Amy Izat's poignant tale of health challenges and artistic transformation.
Bridging the Gap: Primary Care Clinical Trials Unit and Cancer theme join OCTO in CRUK Collaboration
In the UK today 1000 people will be diagnosed with cancer. The earlier a cancer is caught the more treatment options are available. A core strategy within the NHS Long Term Plan is to diagnose 75% of cancers at an early stage by 2028. Primary care plays an essential role in meeting this target with the majority of patients diagnosed with cancer first presenting to their GP with symptoms.