Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment (HEHTA)

Incorporating Perspectives and Experiences

Programme lead: Rebecca Shaw

Within the ‘Incorporating Perspectives and Experiences’ Programme, research focuses on the application of qualitative methods of data collection and analysis (including conversation analysis) to the evaluation of interventions to improve health, to exploring people’s health and illness experiences across a range of clinical areas and to examining interactions and communication between health professionals and patients. 

The following projects are ongoing.

Delivering shared decision-making: strategies for facilitating patient involvement in making decisions in neurology clinics.

Funded by the NIHR HS&DR, this project uses the qualitative method of Conversation Analysis to analyse communication between clinicians and patients in recordings of appointments at two clinical neuroscience centres (Sheffield and Glasgow). The research aims to 1) provide evidence about how patient choice is implemented and 2) to identify the most effective communication strategies for decision-making. The project is led by Dr Markus Reuber at Sheffield Teaching Hospital and is collaboration between the Universities of Sheffield, Glasgow and York.

HEHTA contact: Rebecca Shaw

Cancer And Venous Access (CAVA) - a three-way randomised controlled trial of long-term venous access devices for the delivery of chemotherapy: ports versus tunnelled central lines versus percutaneous inserted central catheters.

Funded by the NIHR HTA, this trial examines the effectiveness and cost-

effectiveness of three long-term venous access devices for the delivery of chemotherapy.  The qualitative component comprises focus group discussions and interviews in order to facilitate recruitment to the study and to explore the attitudes of clinical staff and patients towards the three venous access devices.  The trial is led by researchers at Glasgow’s Beatson Oncology Centre.

HEHTA contact: Rebecca Shaw (Qualitative), Olivia Wu (Cost-effectiveness)