Abi McNiven

I currently lead a study on experiences of endometriosis, titled 'Understanding and improving endometriosis experiences: a qualitative study into patient and healthcare professionals' experiences of management, diagnosis and treatment', funded by the NIHR Health and Social Care Delivery Research Programme. 

I am a co-lead for the gynaecology and pelvic problems theme of the Policy Research Unit in Reproductive Health which is part of the NIHR and hosted by UCL.

Alongside Dr Fran Toye, we recently co-led the PURSUE study on patient experiences of urogynaecological health conditions and health services and the WEAVE study on GP perspectives on women's health, funded by the NIHR Policy Research Programme. This work was cited in the Women's Health Strategy for England, and evidence published in the Women and Equalities Committee inquiry on women's reproductive health.

Since joining the Medical Sociology and Health Experiences Research Group in 2014, I have worked on studies relating to: GP perspectives on supporting patients with suspected endometriosis; women's healthcare technology needs; the use of at-home fetal dopplers; pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure in pregnancy; anal incontinence after childbirth; antenatal and newborn screening; menopause; young people and skin conditions (acne, eczema, psoriasis and alopecia);  the impact of SJS/TEN on children; burn injuries; decision-making for knee replacement surgery; the experiences of research nurses, midwives and allied health professionals; participation in cohort studies; and healthcare professionals' perspectives on communicating about serious illness with children and parents. 

Outputs from a number of studies I have worked on are available on the Health Experiences Insights website.

I am a social geographer by background and completed my PhD in the Department of Geography at Durham University on the topic of pregnancy loss experiences.

I currently supervise four DPhil students: Lucy Abel, Tori Ford, Michelle Yeung, and Layla Lavallee.