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Featured research:
SKIP: Development and evaluation of a prototype for an online multimedia intervention to promote physical activity in children with type 1 diabetes
Developing and testing a final online specification for our SKIP (Supporting Kids with diabetes In Physical activity) intervention and assessing its acceptability among children, parents and healthcare professionals.
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SKIP: Feasibility of an online multimedia intervention to promote physical activity in children with type 1 diabetes
This study established the feasibility of a proposed online intervention to promote physical activity in children with diabetes. It explored whether we can successfully identify and recruit appropriate patients and whether the study design was acceptable to patients, parents and professionals.
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HIV and health at work: the M1 corridor distribution project
Taking HIV awareness, prevention, testing and condom distribution work previously developed through African community, faith and football events out to employers along the M1.
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Mathematics learning disabilities from childhood to adolescence: New evidence and intervention for very pre-term children
Assessing differences in maths performance between children born prematurely and at full term, discovering the causes and developing a learning support programme for teachers.
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Current research
Implementation of an online intervention to support health and wellbeing in NHS nurses and midwives
In response to the UK public health agenda, we’ve developed an online intervention to support health and wellbeing in NHS nurses and midwives. Now we are collaboratively putting this into practice, targeting 4,651 nurses and midwives within the Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) Trust through networking, targeted campaigns, media promotion and a pilot programme of bespoke workshops, delivered and evaluated in partnership with Trust staff. These elements are being sustainably embedded in the NUH pioneering employee wellbeing programme and we are generating national impact through case studies positioning NUH as an exemplar Trust in this field.
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Health 4 U: Using mobile phones to promote health and tackle HIV
Health 4 U is an innovative research project that’s developing new ways of promoting health among African communities in Nottingham. In a time where the majority of people own a mobile phone, the Health 4 U project provides a text messaging service that gives users information and advice on a range of important health issues, including HIV.
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Motive8! Feasibility of a text messaging intervention to promote physical activity in knee osteoarthritis
Led by Dr Holly Blake, this research programme aims to test the feasibility of using a newly developed text messaging service to promote physical activity in patients with knee osteoarthritis using data collected in real-time.
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Can Health Care Assistant (HCA) training improve the relational care of older people? A development and feasibility study of a complex intervention
This study aims to understand the values-based training needs of HCAs in maintaining the dignity of – and providing respectful care to – older patients in acute NHS settings. A two-phase mixed-methods study, it’s examining current HCA training across all NHS acute trusts in England. Based on this, the study's second phase will develop a values-based training intervention and assess the feasibility of a study that can formally test its performance and cost effectiveness.
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Completed projects
SKIP: Supporting Kids with diabetes In Physical activity
This project involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of physical activity interventions in children with Type 1 diabetes. It has so far formed the basis of two
further SKIP projects developing an online intervention to promote physical activity.
Workplace health and wellbeing: online intervention to promote health and wellbeing in NHS nurses
The aim of this project was to develop an online multimedia intervention to promote health and wellbeing in NHS nurses and midwives. It involved consulting with nurses, midwives, NHS health champions and student nurses and midwives. We then developed a storyboard of content, created a draft online learning package, evaluated and adapted it. A further project is now implementing the intervention across Nottingham University Hospitals Trust.
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An online intervention to improve the mental health and wellbeing of vulnerable young people
This systematic review was carried out to develop and evaluate an online intervention aimed at promoting exercise to vulnerable young people (aged 14 to 24) to help improve their mental health and wellbeing. The young people had a range of mental health, behavioural and neuro-developmental disorders, including first-episode psychosis, eating disorders, learning disabilities and sleep problems.
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Development and testing of a mobile phone SMS-based intervention to increase knowledge about HIV and encourage uptake of HIV testing amongst African communities in Nottingham: A feasibility study
This project explored the acceptability, feasibility and potential effectiveness of a text-messaging initiative for HIV prevention. A further project, Health 4 U, is now implementing the intervention based on our findings.
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A qualitative systematic review (meta-synthesis) of the provision and management of HIV testing from a health professional perspective
The aim of this project was to describe health professionals’ experiences of conducting HIV testing. It looked at the professionals’ personal characteristics (such as gender, sexuality, age and ethnicity) and factors, practices or contexts that facilitate or hinder HIV testing. These included how they manage service user anxiety and promote health around sexual risk and other lifestyle issues. Findings were disseminated to practitioners, managers, policymakers and researchers.
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Integrating biobanking into an NHS hospital
A biobank is a repository of biological specimens, such as cells, genetic material or blood, combined with data about the donors, stored for the purposes of medical research. Nottingham Health Sciences Biobank (NHSB) is unique in that it’s part of an NHS hospital. Biobanks raise ethical issues including consent and governance, so being part of the NHS makes these particularly complex. This project studied how NHSB was set up and how these issues were dealt with through interviews with the doctors, scientists and NHS managers who established it.
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