Publications

A review of study findings investigating the accuracy of self-monitoring of heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation in patients with symptoms suggestive of COVID infection, and the optimal method for self-monitoring each of these vital signs.

The Hepatitis C Assessment to Treatment Trial (HepCATT) assessed whether a multipart intervention in 22 GP practices could increase testing, diagnosis and treatment of HCV-infected patients compared to usual care in 23 control practices, over one year.

A map of resources to guide researchers, professionals and public contributors through the different tools and guidance that can help people produce research together.

Reflective questions  to help everyone think about how they can work with people more equally through a process of co-produced research.

The email newsletter from ARC West. In this edition: Alcohol in pregnancy: #Drymester safest approach; Telling physical activity stories; Peer support groups for chronic pain; Plus much more

Worldwide, the number of children with higher weight is increasing. This can lead to health problems, as well as potentially affecting the children psychologically and socially. Preventing childhood obesity is an international public health priority.

Up to 4,000 papers are published every year on preventing childhood obesity. The Cochrane review on preventing childhood obesity had been last updated in 2011. We worked with Durham University, Fuse (the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health) and the World Health Organisation to update the Cochrane review with a synthesis of studies up to 2015.

Millions of inflammatory marker tests are ordered by GPs in England each year and rates of testing are rising. Many of these tests will be done appropriately, but GPs are increasingly using them as a non-specific test to rule out serious underlying disease. Until now there has been no evidence about whether this is a good strategy.

The UK has strict regulations to ensure new medicines work and are cost-effective before they are recommended for use in the NHS. However, surgical procedures are less strictly regulated. This study used a type of surgery for shoulder pain called subacromial decompression as a case study to explore the relationship between evolving evidence and clinical practice, to illustrate the need for better evaluation of surgical procedures.

The email newsletter from ARC West. In this edition: John Macleod’s hopes for ARC West; Domestic violence and abuse: how NIHR research is helping families; Surgical procedures need better evaluation; Plus much more

In Bristol, telephone outreach has been used to encourage people in more deprived communities and minority ethnic groups to attend NHS Health Checks, with community outreach workers based in GP practices phoning patients. Through in-depth interviews, this study examined the views and experiences of both patients and staff of this telephone outreach approach. We wanted to find out how the intervention was delivered by the outreach workers, how the patients found it and the impact it had.