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Biomedical subjects

D Eadie

Publications and source records attributed to D Eadie.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

"Hello, hello--it's English I speak!": a qualitative exploration of patients' understanding of the science of clinical trials.

Informed consent may be seriously compromised if patients fail to understand the experimental nature of the trial in which they are participating. Using focus groups, the authors explored how prospective trial participants interpret and understand the science of clinical trials by using patient information sheets relative to their medical condition. An opportunity was provided to hear in the patients' own words how they interpret the information and why there is variable understanding. Respondents struggled to comprehend the meaning and purpose of concepts such as randomisation and double blinding, and found them threatening to their ideas of medical care. Suggestions are made about how to improve the national guidelines on written information for trial participants and pretesting of the information sheets is advocated.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

"It's as if you're locked in": qualitative explanations for area effects on smoking in disadvantaged communities.

Evidence suggests that place of residence may be associated with smoking independently of individual poverty and socio-economic status. Qualitative research undertaken in disadvantaged communities in Glasgow explored possible pathways which might explain this 'area effect'. A poorly resourced and stressful environment, strong community norms, isolation from wider social norms, and limited opportunities for respite and recreation appear to combine not only to foster smoking but also to discourage or undermine cessation. Even the more positive aspects of life, such as support networks and identity, seem to encourage rather than challenge smoking. Policy and intervention responses need to tackle not only individual but also environmental disadvantage.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2001

Community pharmacists' experience of over-the-counter medicine misuse in Scotland.

Over the last decade Britain has observed a trend towards the re-regulation of 'prescription only medicines' in favour of pharmacy status drugs. This move towards self-treatment to reduce pressures on general practitioner drug budgets and workloads has focused attention on the need for community pharmacists to extend their patient education and screening roles. In response to these changes, this study was conducted to explore: the type of over-the-counter (OTC) medicine being misused in Scotland; pharmacists' professional attitudes and management of OTC misuse; and the training and support needs of pharmacists. A postal questionnaire was designed. This was informed by an earlier stage of qualitative research and the available literature. It was then piloted and administered to all 110 pharmacies in the study area. A 79% response rate was achieved. The research found that OTC misuse, particularly of certain analgesics, sleeping prescriptions, products containing codeine or pseudoephedrine, caffeine, cough mixtures, and laxatives was common. The estimated mean number of patients suspected of misusing medicines in a typical week was 5.63. Pharmacies in urban areas were more likely than those in rural areas to report suspected misuse. The research identified a number of intervention strategies relating to: patient/pharmacist interaction; information provision; removal of products from the point of sale; sharing of information with other local pharmacists; and referral to other members of the primary care team. Pharmacists expressed a need for support in managing OTC misuse and in organising 'early warning systems' to share information locally.

Ethics, Professional↗
PubMed2000

Marketing alcohol to young people: implications for industry regulation and research policy.

This paper focuses on the marketing of alcohol to young people in the United Kingdom, but the lessons that emerge have international significance. Alcohol is a global enterprise and recent consolidation means that it is controlled by a decreasing number of expanding multi-nationals. Alcohol companies are able to allocate significant resources to researching consumer preferences, developing new products and promoting them on an international level. Recent years have seen a growth in the value that youth culture attaches to brand labels and symbols and a move away from the healthy-living ethos. The alcohol industry's response to these trends has been to design alcoholic beverages that appeal to young people, using well-informed and precisely targeted marketing strategies. This has led to growing concerns about the implications for public health and a demand for tighter controls to regulate alcohol marketing practices. In the United Kingdom, controls on alcohol are piecemeal and reactive and the current system of voluntary regulation appears ineffective. This paper argues for more research to establish current industry practice and inform the development of a comprehensive regulatory structure and system of monitoring.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

How to involve hard to reach groups: a consumer-led project with lay carers of people with advanced HIV infection.

The identification and provision of support to lay carers is crucial if Health Authorities are to meet the identified health care needs of their populations. This paper outlines in Part One the process for recruiting a defined but potentially hard to reach group, namely lay carers of people with advanced HIV infection, into a project designed as part of an ongoing development in HIV/AIDS education, the specific difficulties encountered, and how these were overcome. Part Two describes how to make a video, highlighting the involvement of carers in all stages of the research and development of a health education video-based resource package. Crucial to overcoming many of the difficulties and in winning the confidence and trust of the carers was the overview throughout of a committed multi-disciplinary Steering Group, the emphasis on confidentiality, the support of colleagues in the six UK centres, and the sensitivity and skills of the university research and production facilitators. This process ensured that the carers as consumers were involved in a continuing and active dialogue through the project.

Caregivers↗
PubMed1991

Qualitative study of oral health norms and behaviour among elderly people in Scotland.

This study was undertaken to examine oral health norms and behaviour among elderly people in Scotland. Qualitative methodology in the form of informal group discussions was used. The study population comprised 9 groups of 6-8 respondents aged 65 years and over, selected according to the quota criteria of sex, social class, level of dependency and oral health status. All groups were recruited by a professional market research interviewer, using a random route procedure. Discussions were conducted under the guidance of an experienced group moderator and tape recorded. Each group discussion lasted between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 hours. The results showed that oral and denture hygiene was a sensitive issue and part of individual routine behaviour which most respondents were reluctant to change. Tooth loss was expected and accepted as part of a natural ageing process. Dental visits were regarded as problem-solving behaviour; self-care was preferred to professional care; non-attendance was explained by no perceived need, low interest, fear or expected high cost. Health was seen in an illness context or in a positive lifestyle context and not associated with oral health. The main conclusions were: oral health behaviour was characterised either as personal routine behaviour or as problem-solving behaviour. Tooth loss was expected. Oral health was perceived as unrelated to general health. The elderly saw no incentive or reason to change these norms and behaviours.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Pre-race drop-out from the Glasgow Marathon.

A high drop-out rate prior to the running of a Marathon reduces its value as a spectacle and needlessly causes rejection and antagonism amongst potential runners. This research investigates reasons for pre-race drop-out in the 1983 Glasgow Marathon, and finds that a major cause was injury or illness during training, with a motivational difference existing between runners and non-runners.

Adolescent↗