Remote, online support for blood pressure management at home is effective and low-cost
20 January 2021
Cardiovascular & metabolic Digital health & innovation
At-home blood pressure monitoring using a web-based system offering personalised support and linked to a remote healthcare professional can result in better hypertension management than face-to-face consultations, finds a study led by University of Oxford, Bristol and Southampton researchers.
Thousands of patients may have undiagnosed and untreated bowel cancer due to COVID-19 disruption
15 January 2021
COVID-19 Cancer Policy & health systems
A new study led by the University of Oxford has found that since the first coronavirus lockdown the number of people diagnosed with bowel cancer in England has fallen sharply, with a deficit persisting up to October 2020.
Difference in blood pressure between arms linked to greater death risk
4 January 2021
Robust evidence from a large international study confirms that a difference in blood pressure readings between arms is linked to greater risk of heart attack, stroke and death.
DPhil alumna awarded Mildred Blaxter Fellowship for medical sociology research
17 December 2020
Policy & health systems Students
Congratulations to Dr Caitlin Pilbeam, a medical anthropologist and postdoctoral researcher in the Department, who has been awarded the Mildred Blaxter Fellowship from the Foundation for the Sociology of Health and Illness.
Inhaled corticosteroids to be investigated as a possible treatment for Covid-19 in national PRINCIPLE Trial
27 November 2020
COVID-19 Clinical trials Infection & acute care
In Covid-19, inhaled budesonide may prevent damaging inflammation, stop the virus from getting into lung cells and inhibit viral replication.
Early birth linked to greater risk of hospital visits during childhood
26 November 2020
Policy & health systems Research methods & EBM
Findings indicate that gestational age at birth is a strong predictor of ill health throughout childhood
Primary Care Health Sciences Scholars Programme launches
20 November 2020
The Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences’ first scholarship programme launches to support students wishing to pursue either the DPhil in Primary Health Care or DPhil in Translational Health Sciences.
Two major pharmacy chains join PRINCIPLE Trial
18 November 2020
Two of the UK’s largest pharmacy chains, LloydsPharmacy and Well Pharmacy, are tasking their branches with helping to find suitable patients for the PRINCIPLE Trial of Covid-19 treatments.
Oxford to trial new COVID-19 test for individuals without symptoms
3 November 2020
COVID-19 Infection & acute care
Led by a research team in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, the University of Oxford will take part in a new pilot scheme to assess the use of Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs), a new COVID-19 test designed to identify asymptomatic individuals with the virus.
Study provides new estimates of breast cancer risks associated with HRT
29 October 2020
Results add to existing knowledge and should help doctors and women make the best treatment choices
Welcoming our new DPhil students to the department!
23 October 2020
The new academic year brings a new set of DPhil students into the department. Some are entirely new to us, some have been working in the department in the last few years, and all are very welcome.
RCGP Research Paper of the Year awarded to study led by Professor Chris Butler
23 October 2020
Awards & appointments Clinical trials Infection & acute care
The importance of patient and public contributors is recognised as key to the success of the study.
Britain’s most influential Hindu temple spreads awareness of the PRINCIPLE trial among Indian community
21 October 2020
COVID-19 Clinical trials Infection & acute care
Europe’s BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, the largest Hindu temple outside of India, is supporting their community during the coronavirus pandemic by spreading awareness of the PRINCIPLE trial of Covid-19 treatments.
New risk model estimates likelihood of hospitalisation or death from COVID-19
21 October 2020
Big data COVID-19 Infection & acute care
A new risk model, developed by UK researchers to predict a person’s risk of being admitted to hospital and dying from Covid-19 has been published by The BMJ
Tourette’s ‘no laughing matter’ as comedians team up with researchers to tackle stigma
19 October 2020
Patient experience Policy & health systems
Building on recent research highlighting the unmet social care needs of adults with Tourette’s, academics from Bath and Oxford are teaming up with comedians with the condition to challenge the stereotypes and stigma that exist.
Updated Cochrane Review shows electronic cigarettes can help people quit smoking but more evidence is needed on long-term harms
14 October 2020
Health behaviours Research methods & EBM
Newly updated Cochrane evidence published today in the Cochrane Library finds that electronic cigarettes containing nicotine could increase the number of people who stop smoking compared to nicotine replacement therapy – such as chewing gum and patches – and compared to no treatment, or electronic cigarettes without nicotine. More information is needed on harms.
Oxfordshire-based SCAN pathway wins BMJ award
9 October 2020
Awards & appointments Health Services Research
A pathway designed to investigate individuals with non-specific but concerning symptoms of cancer wins the BMJ Awards 2020 Cancer Care Team of the Year.
PRINCIPLE Trial of COVID-19 treatments recruits 1000th participant
1 October 2020
COVID-19 Clinical trials Infection & acute care
More than 1000 people across the UK have signed-up to take part in the UK-wide PRINCIPLE Trial of potential community-based treatments for COVID-19, led by Oxford University.
Gender differences in heart failure care need to be addressed
30 September 2020
Big data Cardiovascular & metabolic
Women tend to be diagnosed with heart failure five years older than men, but have a better prognosis, finds research published in the European Journal of Heart Failure.
How is video consulting changing health services?
29 September 2020
COVID-19 Health Services Research
A project looking at video consulting during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic is funded by The Health Foundation
PRINCIPLE Trial to strengthen Black, Asian and minority ethnic community participation
18 September 2020
Professor Mahendra G Patel, University of Bradford, joins PRINCIPLE Trial as National Black, Asian and minority ethnic Community and Pharmacy Lead
1,700 GP practices contribute patient data for Oxford COVID-19 research
15 September 2020
Researchers have hailed a ‘fantastic’ response from more than 1,700 GP practices who have stepped forward to contribute patient data for vital COVID-19 research from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences – tripling the amount of data available.
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