85% of GP practices in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area now use an electronic data sharing system designed by practitioners, patients, IT specialists and commissioners in the region. This initiative is underpinned by research carried out by Dr Mila Petrova and Dr Stephen Barclay at the Primary Care Unit’s Palliative and End of Life Care Group. The data sharing system, […]
Stroke survivors and caregivers feel abandoned by health services, study finds
A systematic review of studies focused on stroke survivors’ and carers’ experiences of primary care and community healthcare services has found that they feel abandoned because they have become marginalised by services and do not have the knowledge or skills to re-engage. The study, by researchers at the Primary Care Unit’s Cardiovascular Group, suggests that […]
Taking action to support carers of patients with breathlessness: update on research at the Primary Care Unit
Blog by Dr Morag Farquhar Breathlessness is a frightening symptom for patients to experience, and frightening for family and friends who support them (their carers). Carers of patients with breathlessness due to advanced disease can lack knowledge and confidence in knowing how best to help the person they look after. We conducted research to find […]
RCGP Research Paper of the Year: Informal carers face double disadvantage with poorer quality of life and poorer patient experience in primary care
Informal carers experience a double disadvantage of poorer health-related quality of life and worse patient experience in primary care compared to those without caring responsibilities, according to a study of data from nearly 200,000 carers presented to the Royal College of General Practitioners. The study, from the Cambridge Centre for Health Services Research at the […]
Educational support for carers of patients with advanced disease
Breathlessness is a distressing and disabling symptom of advanced disease, that is frequently present in advanced cancer and cardiorespiratory disease. It is difficult and frightening for patients, and their carers often experience anxiety and emotional distress, partly related to a lack of support and knowledge about how best to help. As part of a program […]