Knowledge Synthesis is a system of research methodology that aims to provide reliable summaries to
- identify which care interventions work best, for whom and at which cost;
- identify 'proven changes' that should occur within the care services; and
- identify gaps where further research is required.
Our Knowledge Synthesis Programme focuses on high-quality research, including patient experiences, to inform healthcare professionals, policymakers and service users across a wide range of healthcare, social care and public health interventions. The programme relies on skilled research staff with well-established expertise in the conduct of complex evidence syntheses, comprising mixed-method and multi-method designs, and health technology assessments, which incorporate economic modelling.
Our research activity is generally multidisciplinary involving partners from a range of disciplines and institutions. Patient involvement is actively encouraged particularly through the integral involvement of consumer groups. Among our clients there is the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Current Project Highlights
- Aberdeen Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Aberdeen
- Digitally enabled therapy for chronic tic disorders and Tourette Syndrome in children and young people. https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR136022
- Clinical Utility of Biomarkers for Outcomes Prediction in Adults with Suspected Sepsis Presenting to the Emergency Department. https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR159912
- Risk-adapted breast imaging in population breast cancer screening programmes (NIHR164221).
- Planning mode of birth in routine Antenatal care development of a decision-aid (Plan-A). https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR150979
- Better collaboration for better health: building trustworthy and sustained collaboration with diverse ethnic communities to improve equity and health outcomes. https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR205177
- Factors associated with infant food insecurity in high-income countries and consequences of food insecurity on infants' health: A scoping review. https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR150995
- Care needs of asylum seekers in high-income countries and their experiences accessing care services. https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR150995
- Netarsudil-latanoprost for previously treated open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension [ID1363]. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-ta10741
- Fruquintinib for previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer [ID6274]. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-ta11280
- Trifluridine tipiracil with bevacizumab for treating metastatic colorectal cancer after 2 systemic treatments [ID6298]. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-ta11390
- Sotatercept for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension [ID6163]. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-ta11103
Recently Completed Project Highlight
- Elranatamab for treating refractory multiple myeloma after 3 standard therapies [ID4026]. https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR136155
- What is the evidence for interventions used to manage sleep disturbances in people with fibromyalgia? A comprehensive evidence synthesis to inform clinical practice and future research. https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR132999
- Automated Doppler test for diagnosing peripheral arterial disease in people with leg ulceration [DAP63]. https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR135478
- Testosterone Effects and Safety in Men with Low Testosterone levels (TESTES): An evidence synthesis and economic evaluation. https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/17/68/01
- What is the impact of long-term COVID-19 on workers in healthcare settings? A rapid systematic review of current evidence. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299743
- What factors influence the uptake of bowel, breast and cervical cancer screening? An overview of international research. DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckae073
- Using the GRADE Evidence to Decision Framework to reach recommendations together with ethnic minority community organisations: the example of COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the UK. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2024.111268
