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Aleksandra (Ola) Borek
BA, MA, PhD
Senior Qualitative Researcher in Behavioural Science
My research relates to understanding and facilitating behaviour change to improve health. It involves:
- behaviour change and inter-personal processes, including behaviour change theories and frameworks, mechanisms of action, behavioural influences and implementation of interventions
- designing, implementing and process evaluations of behaviour change interventions
- qualitative research methods
I have a BA in Sociology and MA in Social Research from the University of York, and a PhD in health behaviour change (University of Exeter Medical School).
My current research mostly focuses on optimising antibiotic use and implementing antimicrobial stewardship interventions in primary care.
Prior to to that, I researched social / interpersonal change processes in group-based behaviour change interventions to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours.
My other research interests include: group dynamics, health-related communication, social and cultural norms and wider health determinants, and the role of point-of-care diagnostics in managing acute infections.
Since my PhD I've mostly worked on the following projects:
- Stopping antibiotics when you feel better: a qualitative study on using antibiotics differently in general practice
- Understanding the dynamics of policy development and healthcare worker behaviour in the UK during the COVID-19 public health emergency
- A qualitative sub-study of the PRINCIPLE trial on treatments for COVID-19
- STEP-UP study - a programme of research to improve the uptake and sustainability of effective interventions to promote prudent antibiotic use in primary care
- A qualitative study with locum GPs on the role of locums in antibiotic prescribing and stewardship
- ENACT study - Exploring the implementation of interventions to reduce antibiotic use and catheter associated urinary tract infections
- Healthy Parent Carers - a programme of research to improve the health and wellbeing of parent carers
- MAGI study - Mechanisms of action in group-based behaviour change interventions
Key publications
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How can behavioural science contribute to qualitative research on antimicrobial stewardship in primary care?
Journal article
Borek AJ. et al, (2021), JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance, 4
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Identifying change processes in group-based health behaviour-change interventions: development of the mechanisms of action in group-based interventions (MAGI) framework
Journal article
Borek AJ. et al, (2019), Health Psychology Review, 13, 227 - 247
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A checklist to improve reporting of group-based behaviour-change interventions.
Journal article
Borek AJ. et al, (2015), BMC Public Health, 15
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Group-Based Diet and Physical Activity Weight-Loss Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
Journal article
Borek AJ. et al, (2018), Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 10, 62 - 86
Recent publications
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Author response
Journal article
Borek A. et al, (2022), The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, 72
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The value, challenges and practical considerations of conducting qualitative research on antimicrobial stewardship in primary care
Journal article
WANAT M. et al, (2022), JAC Antimicrobial Resistance
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Experiences and concerns of health workers throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: A longitudinal qualitative interview study
Journal article
Borek AJ. et al, (2022), PLoS ONE, 17
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Play-based groups for children with cerebral palsy and their parents: a qualitative interview study about the impact on mothers' wellbeing.
Journal article
Prest KR. et al, (2022), Child Care Health Dev