Germ Defence study shows how an intervention can be rolled out rapidly during a pandemic12 December 2023A newly published randomised controlled trial (RCT) used an innovative trial design to rapidly roll out a behavioural intervention aimed at reducing infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the trial’s results, published in Implementation Science, found the Germ Defence website did not appear to reduce infections during the pandemic, they do show how trusted research environments (TREs) can be used to evaluate new treatments safely and quickly.
RCGP Fellowship awards for CAPC researchers28 November 2023The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has awarded Fellowships to three Centre for Academic Primary Care (CAPC) researchers: Professor Katrina Turner, Dr Jessica Watson and Dr Ciaran Conway.
New treatment intervention for male urinary problems shown to reduce symptoms24 November 2023A new intervention for men with urinary problems trialled across GP practices has shown a sustained reduction in symptoms. Findings from the University of Bristol-led Treating Urinary Symptoms in Men in Primary Healthcare (TRIUMPH) study, involving over 1,000 participants and 30 GP practices, have been published in the BMJ. The study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Professor Matthew Ridd awarded transformative NIHR award21 November 2023Six outstanding researchers have been awarded National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Professorships, including Professor Matthew Ridd from the Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol. They will carry out research which aims to positively impact people across the UK.
RCGP Research Paper of the Year Award for Bristol-led childhood eczema study19 October 2023University of Bristol-led research comparing the effectiveness and safety of different types of moisturiser for childhood eczema has won the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research Paper of the Year (RPY) Award 2022.
Amitriptyline helps relieve IBS symptoms16 October 2023A cheap and widely available prescription drug can improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in patients seen in GP surgeries, new research presented today at United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week 2023 has found.
COVID-19 bereavement research shortlisted for prestigious impact award9 October 2023A joint University of Bristol and Cardiff University study investigating experiences of end-of-life care and grief during the COVID-19 pandemic has been shortlisted by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for the prestigious ‘Celebrating Impact Prize 2023’.
NHS resources saved following GP practice changes based on inflammatory marker testing research2 October 2023Research into inflammatory marker testing has led to a reduction and rationalisation in their use by GPs in both Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) and the South West Peninsula. In BNSSG alone, data suggests the research saved the local NHS nearly £115,000 and GPs more than 600 hours a year. Further savings will have come from avoiding follow-on appointments for thousands of false positives.
Bristol to host the Society for Academic Primary Care Annual Scientific Meeting (SAPC ASM) in 202413 September 2023The Society for Academic Primary Care’s Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) rotates around member institutions annually. The 2024 Conference will be hosted by the Centre for Academic Primary Care (CAPC) at the University of Bristol and will be held in the Wills Memorial Building on 3-5 July.
Patients more likely than GPs to raise ideas, concerns and expectations during consultations6 September 2023Eliciting patients’ Ideas, Concerns, Expectations and whether their medical problem or associated treatment has an Effect on their daily activities (ICEE) is widely recommended in patient-centred consulting in primary care. A new study, led by researchers at the Centre for Academic Primary, University of Bristol and published in BJGP Open, has found that, while most GP consultations included at least one ICEE component (90.2%), most of these were raised by patients rather than GPs.
First-of-its-kind ‘Carry Naloxone’ app launches to help save lives31 August 2023A new app to access naloxone, the life-saving medicine to prevent an opioid overdose, is launched in Somerset today on International Overdose Awareness Day [31 August]. The app, which is supported by University of Bristol research, is the first-of-its kind in England.
GPs at the Deep End Bristol network launch24 July 2023GPs and academics at the University of Bristol have launched a new network to support GPs who work in the most deprived areas of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG). The launch took place at an event at Engineers House in Bristol on 14 July.
Bristol professor wins prestigious RCGP award20 July 2023A University of Bristol Professor of Primary Health Care and an NIHR Senior Investigator has been awarded the George Abercrombie Award for his outstanding contributions to the literature of general practice.
More patients needed for study to stop long-term pain from shingles12 June 2023Patients with newly diagnosed shingles are already taking part in the largest trial of its type in the world but even more patients are needed to help. The study, being run by the University of Bristol, wants to find out if the long-term pain caused by shingles that commonly persists after the rash has healed can be prevented.
Non-antibiotic oral treatment for acne proven to be effective17 May 2023A study, led by Southampton University and involving researchers from the University of Bristol's Centre for Academic Primary Care, has shown that a cheap and readily available drug, used to treat high blood pressure, could help the thousands of women who suffer from persistent acne.
Evidence for trauma-informed organisational change programmes16 May 2023Trauma-informed organisational change programmes may improve conditions for staff and patients in primary care and community mental healthcare, according to University of Bristol-led research published in Health & Social Care in the Community. Evidence was very limited and conflicting, but researchers found potential improvements to: staff readiness and sense of community, patient readiness for disease management and their access to services, staff and patient safety and some patient health outcomes.
Major study of food allergy in children with eczema launched12 May 2023Parents of young children with eczema are being asked to consider taking part in a major new food allergy study run by researchers at the Universities of Bristol, Manchester, and Southampton.
Bereavement researcher to attend Royal Garden Party9 May 2023To celebrate The King and Queen Consort’s historic Coronation, Dr Lucy Selman will join a Garden Party held in the grounds of Buckingham Palace tomorrow [Tuesday 9 May]. A tradition dating back to Queen Victoria, the Royal Family’s annual summer Garden Parties came to be closely associated with the late Queen Elizabeth II during her 70-year-reign.
Good Grief Festival shortlisted for a Demystifying Death Award 24 April 2023Good Grief Festival, founded by Dr Lucy Selman, Associate Professor in Palliative and End of Life Care at the Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol, has been shortlisted for a Demystifying Death Award 2023. The Awards recognise pioneering work that shines a light on death, dying and bereavement.
Identifying and managing people with an at-risk mental state for psychosis20 April 2023Clinical guidelines about providing early support to patients with an at-risk mental state for psychosis might not be being met, suggests research published in Early Intervention in Psychiatry. Researchers at the NIHR Bristol BRC and the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol identified high thresholds for accessing treatment and limited treatment availability as barriers to successful guideline implementation.
Primary Care Mental Health Research Conference comes to Bristol18 April 2023We are delighted to be hosting the Primary Care Mental Health Research Conference in Bristol this year. This one day annual conference brings together researchers from academic primary care and mental health departments across the UK. This year, it will take place, in person, at Engineers’ House, Bristol, on 16 May.
Chronic condition testing in primary care – your views needed24 March 2023A group of doctors and researchers looking at which tests should be used for monitoring patients with long-term conditions want to hear the views of health professionals working in primary care. The conditions being studied are type 2 diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease.
Good Grief Weston - a new festival about love and loss23 March 2023A new festival that aims to open up conversations around death and bereavement will take place in May. Good Grief Weston will offer 30 workshops and events over eight days (Monday 1 to Monday 8 May) across more than 20 venues.
Applications open for NIHR School for Primary Care Research funded summer internships 20 March 2023We have two exciting summer internship opportunities for UK undergraduates from medicine, allied health professions or other disciplines who are interested in primary care research. These are a fantastic opportunity to get hands-on experience conducting primary care research with experts in the field.