Final Honours School (FHS), Year 3
Why should I choose a project with the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences?
If you are an Oxford medical undergraduate, then there are plenty of reasons to consider undertaking a 3rd Year Final Honours School (FHS project) in the Department of Primary Care Health Sciences. The Department offers a broad range of projects, reflecting the diversity of its research interests. All projects give students the opportunity to learn important methods of critical scientific enquiry, which are the fundamental tools to becoming successful clinicians and research scientists.
If you have any questions, or would like further information, please contact: ugteachingadmin@phc.ox.ac.uk
What sort of Project can I do in Primary Care?
Many different teams in the Department offer FHS projects. Over recent years, students have undertaken projects with the following research groups:
Centre for Evidence Based Medicine (CEBM)
The CEBM conducts high-quality research to produce reliable evidence for clinical decisions across diverse health topics. Past and current projects examine the Covid-19 response, e-cigarettes, physical activity for chronic disease, diabetes and cardiovascular management, medical education, healthcare systems, and meta-research.
Contact: Dr Nunan (david.nunan@phc.ox.ac.uk), or for more details on undergraduate research projects in Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) visit:
https://www.cebm.ox.ac.uk/study-with-us/oxford-medical-school-1
Interdisciplinary Research in Health Sciences (IRIHS)
The IRIHS unit undertakes qualitative and mixed-methods research on interdisciplinary health topics, with a focus on social science and technology. Current projects examine remote consultations, technology for older adults, NHS health checks and app, social prescribing, online patient communities, and patient involvement in research.
Contact: Prof Greenhalgh (trish.greenhalgh@phc.ox.ac.uk)
Health Economics and Policy Evaluation
The NDPCHS Health Economics and Policy Group conducts high-quality research on economic aspects of health and healthcare. We apply reviews, economic evaluations, and econometric analyses to understand and improve healthcare and wellbeing.
Contact: Dr Redding (stuart.redding@phc.ox.ac.uk)
The Health Behaviors Team conducts research on diet, obesity, smoking, and other interventions to improve health. Our work includes trials, reviews, qualitative/mixed methods, and data analyses. We engage stakeholders to facilitate translation.
Contact: Dr Albury (charlotte.albury@phc.ox.ac.uk)
The Heart Failure team uses big data, cohorts, and qualitative studies to explore diagnosis, management, and survival in heart failure patients. Contact Dr. Clare Taylor about potential FHS projects.
Contact: Dr Clare J Taylor (clare.taylor@phc.ox.ac.uk)
The Cancer Research Group improves cancer diagnosis in GP patients by evaluating symptoms, tests, and pathways. We use various methods and work directly with patients and clinicians.
Contact: Sharon Tonner (sharon.tonner@phc.ox.ac.uk)
Medical Sociology & Health Experiences
The MS&HERG conducts qualitative research on health experiences and medical sociology. We interview patients and use observational methods to study primary care delivery. Diverse backgrounds represented.
Contact: Becky Barnes (rebecca.barnes@phc.ox.ac.uk)
Infections, Respiratory & Acute Care
The Infections, Respiratory & Acute Care Group investigates infectious diseases in community settings like primary care. We aim to improve diagnosis, treatment, and antimicrobial stewardship. Part of the NIHR Community Healthcare MIC.
Contact: Philip Turner (philip.turner@phc.ox.ac.uk)
The Primary Care Epidemiology Group does large-scale research into diseases and drug/vaccine safety and effectiveness. We utilize the QResearch database. FHS projects could involve reviews, qualitative work, or empirical research.
Contact: Dr Hirst (jennifer.hirst@phc.ox.ac.uk)
The Bennett Institute runs OpenSAFELY and OpenPrescribing to enable analytics across England's health records and prescribing data. Our research covers clinical epidemiology and population data analyses on prescribing trends, guidance uptake, vaccine coverage, developing methods, and advocating for better data use.
Contact: Dr Helen Curtis (helen.curtis@phc.ox.ac.uk)
Primary Care FHS Student Prizes
Students who chose academic primary care for their FHS project are eligible for the Primary Care FHS Prize. This departmental prize of £250 will be awarded to the student who is judged to have demonstrated an outstanding approach and commitment to their chosen project; this incudes (but is not limited to) enthusiasm and engagement with research activities, interactions with supervisor(s) and other members of the research group.
What have students gone on to do next?
A number FHS students have led and/or contributed to work that has resulted in presentation at national and international conferences, prize awards, and peer-review publication as well as PhD applications.
What are examples of past FHS projects undertaken by students in the Department of Primary Care?
Here is a list of some of the wide range of projects undertaken by students in the Department since 2020:
Supervisor(s) | Project title |
Charlotte Albury Jon Livingston Banks | Systematic Review and methods analysis of GP communication guidance |
Charlotte Albury Joe Lee | Systematic review and behaviour change techniques analysis of HPV vaccine communication interventions |
| Subhashisa Swain | Literacy, and socio-economic status association with multimorbidity in LMIC countries– a systematic review |
| Subhashisa Swain | Understanding the code development patterns recorded in electronic health records research- a systematic review |
Kath Tucker Richard McManus | Evaluating the implementation of blood pressure self-monitoring during pregnancy |
John Powell | A Systematic Review of the Role of Social Media Influencers in Public Health |
Supervisor(s) | Project title |
Carl Heneghan Georgia Richards | Preventing future deaths: a systematic analysis of coroner reports |
Carl Heneghan Georgia Richards | The Oxford Catalogue of Opioids: a systematic synthesis of opioid drug names and their pharmacology |
Sara Ryan Sam Martin Magdalena Mikulak | Identifying the gaps in health professional training on trans health |
Kath Tucker Richard McManus | Evaluating the implementation of blood pressure self-monitoring during pregnancy |
Gail Hayward Phil Turner | Point of Care Ultrasound for acute conditions in children |
Student stories
Read insights by some of our previous FHS students: