Many of our research studies involve developing new ‘tools’ that help improve health outcomes. Examples include digital behavioural interventions that are used by patients, members of the public, and clinicians, and tools used to support clinical encounters.
Examples of some recent digital interventions developed and evaluated by researchers in Southampton Primary Care Research Centre include:
- Eczema Care Online intervention, you can read the main publication in the BMJ.
- New and improved treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - Large clinical trials assessing treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) ACTIB – Accessing Cognitive Therapy in Irritable Bowel and ATLANTIS have provided evidence to improve clinical care and inform clinical guidelines.
- Supportback2 – Supporting self-management of low back pain with internet.
Examples of some of the tools developed to support clinical encounters include:
- FeverPAIN - NICE advice to diagnose the cause of sore throat, BMJ article.
- Empathica – Expectation Management for Patients in Primary Care: Developing and Feasibility Testing a New Digital Intervention for Practitioners.
- REDUCE - REDUCE trial of internet and telephone support for people coming off long-term antidepressants when appropriate. Professor Tony Kendrick was interviewed on ITV's This Morning about the results of the REDUCE trial. You can view part of the interview on Professor Tony Kendrick’s web profile. This work was part of a programme of research led by Tony Kendrick over many years, aimed at transforming the diagnosis and treatment of depression.
Examples of interventions to support good health include:
Evidence from our research is used by clinicians and policy makers around the world to improve clinical care and patient outcomes. It has been used to inform clinical guidance, including UK NICE guidance and embedded in the software that GPs use in consultations, so that they can share the tools with patients.