Professor Clare Wilkinson

Research Overview

Clare Wilkinson is a Professor of General Practice at Bangor University.  Clare chairs the NIHR HTA Primary Care, Community and Preventive Interventions Panel.  Clare has conducted either as PI or co-applicant 13 community-based randomised controlled trials of novel interventions and a number of systematic reviews in these fields. Clare has over 100 peer reviewed publications and has contributed to over £7.6M in grant capture either as PI or co-applicant. Clare also led the establishment of the North Wales Clinical School bringing 12M capital and 4M revenue to the region, including the first HEFCW funding for medicine in North Wales.

Biography

Current position in Bangor University:

Professor of General Practice.

Other external positions currently held:  

2013: P/T GP, and P/T Lead GP at the All-Day Health Centre, Arrowe Park

2013: Wales Cancer Collaborative ‘Community of Influence’

2013- Member of the NISCHR Senior Faculty

2013-16: Chair new HTA Commissioning Panel – Primary Care, Community, Preventive Interventions

2012: Chair UK NCRI Primary Care Clinical Studies Group Re-appointed to second term of office

2012/13: Cancer network lead for RCGP Paper of the Year award

2011: Honorary Chair - Cardiff University

2011: Cancer Implementation Group Wales Government

 

Educational Background:

1980: MBBCH Welsh National School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff

1984: Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

1985: Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners

1996: MD Thesis Cardiff University, Wales College of Medicine

2008: Honorary Member National Institute of Health Research

2009: Fellowship of the Royal College of General Practitioners

 

Previous University Positions:

2011-13: Head of Department – North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research

2004-11: Director of Research, North                        ,Wales Clinical School

 

Other external positions previously held:

2002-04:  Acting Director and Sub-Dean North Wales Clinical School

1994-01: Senior Lecturer General Practice University of Wales College of   Medicine and General Practitioner in Princes Park Health Centre, Liverpool

1992-94: Senior Lecturer General Practice Llanedeyrn Health Centre and University of Wales College of Medicine

1989-92: Clinical Lecturer Llanedeyrn Health Centre, University of Wales College of Medicine    

1987-89:  Lecturer General Practice University of Wales College of Medicine

 

Awards:

2013: Appointed to NISCHR Senior Faculty

2009: Silver Clinical Excellence Award

 

Research

Keywords to describe Research areas and interests:

Primary Care, Oncology, Randomised controlled trials, Evidence synthesis, Musculoskeletal, Medicine, HPV.

 

Impact of Research:

Our research has had significant policy relevance and impact in the field of primary care oncology since 2003. Impact has been made in three areas:

  • The role of primary care in the earlier diagnosis of symptomatic cancer; for example by determining the predictive value of symptoms and translating this into Risk Assessment Tools for clinical practice

  • The contribution of primary care to cancer follow-up and the management of survivorship; for example by changing practice by illuminating poor care in prostate cancer

  • Empowering patients through communication of new cancer-related science in primary care; for example by developing core messages for use in communication about HPV.

Our current HPV Core messages project (CRUK funded) and the “Talking about HPV” projects are leading to scripted consultations for widespread use in the NHS and further afield.

 

Our main funders of Research:

I have been PI or co-applicant on over 7.6M of external grant funding, and 4.6M research infrastructure funding. Our main sources of funding come from: Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board, Public Health Wales, Cancer Research UK, National Institute for Social Care and Health Research, National Institute for Health Research (HTA), Tenovus, Macmillan and Cancer Research Wales.  

 

Research Environment:

Health is one of three strategic research priorities for Bangor University. Our research is focused and integrated through the methodological approaches of implementation research, knowledge synthesis, health economics and molecular laboratory studies, with key clinical foci on rehabilitation, dementia and cancer. We benefit from strong connections to related research in other units of the University, close collaboration with the local health board (which covers the whole of North Wales and is the third largest in Europe), as well as from participation in wider collaborative networks led by Cardiff and Liverpool, and in specific UK- and EU-wide projects. 

 

Key Publications:

Hendry M, Pasterfield D, Gollins S, et al Talking about human papillomavirus and cancer: development of consultation guides through lay and professional stakeholder coproduction using qualitative, quantitative and secondary data BMJ Open 2017;7:e015413. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015413

Williams NH, Roberts JL, Din NU, Totton N, Charles JM, Hawkes CA, Morrison V, Hoare Z, Williams M, Pritchard AW, Alexander S, Lemmey A, Woods RT, Sackley C, Logan P, Edwards RT, and Wilkinson C. Fracture in the Elderly Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation (FEMuR): a phase II randomised feasibility study of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation package following hip fracture. BMJ Open 2016;6: e012422. doi:10.1136/ bmjopen-2016-012422

Stanciu MA, Morris C, Makin M, Watson E, Bulger J, Evans R, Hiscock J, Hoare Z, Tudor Edwards R, Neal RD, Wilkinson C. A pilot randomised controlled trial of personalised care after treatment for prostate cancer (TOPCAT-P): nurse-led holistic-needs assessment and individualised psychoeducational intervention: study protocol. MJ Open 2015;5:e008470 doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008470

Nefyn H Williams, Claire Hawkes, Nafees Ud Din, Jessica Roberts, Joanna M Charles, Val Morrison, Zoe Hoare, Rhiannon T Edwards, Glynne Andrew, Swapna Alexander, Andrew Lemmey, Bob Woods, Catherine Sackley, Pip Logan, David Hunnisett, Kevin Mawdesley, Clare Wilkinson. Fracture in the Elderly Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation (FEMuR): design of a Phase II randomised feasibility study of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation package following hip fracture [ISRCTN22464643]. BMC Pilot and Feasibility Studies 2015, 1:13 doi:10.1186/s40814-015-0008-0

Watson E, Shinkins B, Frith E, Neal D, Hamdy F, Walter F, Weller D, Wilkinson C, Faithfull S. Wolstenholme J. Sooriakumaran P, Kastner C, Campbell C, Neal RD, Butcher H, Matthews M, Perera R, Russell S, Rose P. Symptoms, unmet needs, psychological well-being and health status in prostate cancer survivors: implications for redesigning follow-up. BJU Int (accepted)

Neal RD, Tharmanathan P, France B, Din NU, Cotton S, Fallon-Ferguson J, Hamilton W, Hendry A, Hendry M, Lewis R, Macleod U, Mitchell ED, Pickett M, Rai T, Shaw K, Stuart N, Tørring ML, Wilkinson C, Williams B, Williams N, Emery J. Is increased time to diagnosis and treatment in symptomatic cancer associated with poorer outcomes? Systematic review. British Journal of Cancer (2015); 1-16; doi: 10.1038/bjc.2015.48

Din UD, Moore GF, Murphy S, Wilkinson C, Williams NH. Health professionals' perspectives on excercise referral and physical activity promotion in primary care: Findings from a process evaluation of the National Excercise Referral Schem in Wales. DOI: 10.1177/0017896914559785

Bulger JK, Hiscock J, Neal RD, Stanciu A, Makin M, Wilkinson C. ‘Carrying on the way we are, is becoming shambolic’ An interview study with prostate cancer specialists about their usual practice of follow-up. Journal of Clinical Urology. DOI: 10.1177/2051415814545804

Neal RD, Nafees S, Pasterfield D, Hood K, Hendry M, Gollins S, Makin M, Stuart N, Turner J, Carter B, Wilkinson C, Williams N, Robling M. Patient-reported measurement of time to diagnosis in cancer: development of the Cancer Symptom Interval Measure (C-SIM) and randomised controlled trial of method of delivery. BMC Health Services Research 2014 14:3  doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-14-3

Fitzsimmons D, Phillips C, Bennett H, Jones M, Williams NH, Lewis R, Sutton A< Matar H, Din UD, Burton K, Nafees S, Hendry M, Rickard I, Wilkinson C. Cost-effectiveness of different strategies to manage patients with Sciatica. Science Direct. May 2014. DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2014.04.008

Watson E, Rose P, Frith E, Hamdy F, Neal D, Kastner C, Russell S, Walter FM, Faithfull S, Wolstenholme J, Pereira R, Weller D, Campbell C, Wilkinson C, Neal RD, Sooriakumaran P, Butcher H, Matthews M. PROSPECTIV – A pilot trial of a nurse-led psycho-educational intervention delivered in primary care to prostate cancer survivors: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open accepted

Neal RD, Nafees S, Pasterfield D, Hood K, Hendry M, Gollins S, Makin M, Stuart N, Turner J, Carter B, Wilkinson C, Williams N, Robling M. Patient-reported measurement of time to diagnosis in cancer: development of the Cancer Symptom Interval Measure (C-SIM) and randomised controlled trial of method of delivery. BMC Health Services Research

Williams NH, Lewis R, etc including Wilkinson C.  A systematic review and meta-analysis of biological treatments targeting tumour necrosis factor α for sciatica.   European Spine Journal March 2013 (doi:10.1007/s00586-013-2739-z).

Maggie Hendry, Ruth Lewis, Alison Clements, Sarah Damery, Clare Wilkinson (CI) on behalf of the HPV core messages team.  “HPV? Never heard of it!”: A systematic review of girls’ and parents’ information needs, views and preferences about human papillomavirus vaccination.  Vaccine 31 (2013) 5152– 5167

Hendry, M.; Pasterfield, D; Lewis, R.; Clements, A; Damery, S.; Neal, R.; Adke, R; Weller, D; Campbell, C; Patnick, J; Sasieni, P; Hurt, C; Wilson, S; & Wilkinson, C. (2012) Are women ready for the new cervical screening protocol in England? British Journal of Cancer, 107, 243-254, 10.1038/bjc.2012.256

Watson EK, Rose PW, Neal RD, Hulbert-Williams N, Donnelly P, Hubbard G, Elliott J, Campbell C, Weller D, Wilkinson C.  Personalised cancer follow-up: risk stratification, needs assessment or both?  British Journal of Cancer 2012; 106: 1-5.

M Hendry, D Pasterfield, R Lewis, A Clements, S Damery, RD Neal, R Adke, D Weller, C Campbell, J Patnick, P Sasieni, C Hurt, S Wilson, C Wilkinson.  Are women ready for the new cervical screening protocol in England? A systematic review and qualitative synthesis of views about human papillomavirus testing.  2012 British Journal of Cancer: 107, 243-254 (10 July 2012) | doi:10.1038/bjc.2012.256

Lewis, R.; Williams, N.; Matar, H.E.; Din, N.; Fitzsimmons, D.; Phillips, C.; Jones, M.; Sutton, A.; Burton, K.; Nafees, S.; Hendry M.; Rickard, I.; Chakraverty, R.; & Wilkinson, C. (2011) The clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of management strategies for sciatica: systematic review and economic model. Health Technology Assessment 15(39), 10.3310/hta15390

Watson E, O'Brien R, Campbell C, Weller D, Neal RD, Wilkinson C, Rose P on behalf of the Prostate Cancer Follow-Up Study Group. The push towards primary care? Views of health professionals on the role of primary care in the follow-up of men with prostate cancer. Family Practice 2011; doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmr034

Lewis R, Williams N, Matar HE, Din N, Fitzsimmons D, Phillips C, Jones M,  Sutton A, Burton K, Nafees S, Hendry M, Rickard I, Chakraverty R, Wilkinson C. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of management strategies for sciatica: systematic review and economic model. Health Technol Assess 15(39) Nov 2011.

Henderson L, Clements A, Damery S, Wilkinson C, Austoker J, Wilson S (on behalf of HPV Core Messages Team).  ‘A False Sense of Security? Understanding the role of the HPV vaccine on future cervical screening behaviour: a qualitative study of UK parents and girls of vaccination age.  Journal Medical Screening 18(1) 2011. 

Williams N, Amoakwa E, Belcher J, Edwards R, Hassani H, Hendry M, Burton K, Lewis R, Hood K, Jones J, Bennett P, Linck P, Neal RD, Wilkinson C.  Activity Increase Despite Arthritis (AIDA): Phase II randomised controlled trial  of active management booklet for hip and knee osteoarthritis in primary care. BJGP 61 (589) Aug 2011.

O’Brien R, Rose P, Campbell C, Weller D, Neal RD, Wilkinson C, Mcintosh H, Watson E.  “I wish I’d told them”; a qualitative study examining the unmet psychosocial needs of prostate cancer patients during follow-up after treatment.  Patient Education and Counselling 84(2) Aug 2011.  Doi:10,1016/j.pec.2010.07.006

Williams NH, Amoakwa E, Burton K, Hendry M, Belcher J, Lewis R, Hood K, Jones J, Bennett P, Edwards RT, Neal RD, Andrew G, Wilkinson C. Activity Increase Despite Arthritis (AÏDA): design of a Phase II randomised controlled trial evaluating an active management booklet for hip and knee osteoarthritis [ISRCTN24554946]. BMC Family Practice 2009; 10: 62. doi:10.1186/1471-2296-10-62.

Lewis RA, Neal RD, Willliams NH, France B, Hendry M, Russell D, Hughes DA, Russell I, Stuart NS, Weller D, Wilkinson C.  Follow up of cancer in primary care vs secondary care: systematic review.  Br J Gen Pract 59 (564) July 2009.

O’Brien R, Rose PW, Campbell C, Weller D, Neal RD, Wilkinson C, Watson E on behalf of the Prostate Cancer F-U group.  Experiences of Follow-up after treatment in patients with prostate cancer: a qualitative study.  BJUI 2010, 106; 998-1003.

Williams NH, Amoakwa E, Burton K, Hendry M, Lewis R, Jones J, Bennett P, Neal RD, Andrew G, Wilkinson C. The Hip and Knee Book: developing an active management booklet for hip and knee osteoarthritis. British Journal of General Practice 2010; 60: 113-120. DOI: 10.3399/bjgp10X483166

DAMASK (Direct Access to Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Assessment for Suspect Knees) Trial Team. (2008) Effectiveness of GP access to magnetic resonance imaging of the knee: a randomised controlled trial. Br J Gen Pract. 58 (556), 10.3399/bjgp08X342651

DAMASK (Direct Access to Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Assessment for Suspect Knees) Trial Team. (2008) Cost-effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging of the knee for patients presenting in primary care, Br J Gen Pract. 58 (556), 10.3399/bjgp08X342660

 

 

Teaching

PhD Supervision, PGT & UG teaching:

I teach individual medical students and have had a variety of more strategic roles. For example I was involved with the original setting up phase of the North Wales Clinical School, and contributed to the recruitment of teaching practices, marking and final examinations (MBBCH) for Cardiff University.

I have contributed in numerous ways to post-graduate education of doctors and other health care professionals. Some examples include supporting post-graduate education schemes, and our clinical academic fellows programme in collaboration with the Health Board. I undertook the quinquennial review of UCL’s Postgraduate Programme in International Primary Care.  We currently host novel F1 and F2 rotations involving our academic unit.

I am now involved with the teaching of the new BMedSci course at Bangor University. The aim of the Medical Sciences BMedSci degree is to provide a science programme related to medicine with strong professional skills/ethics and research elements. My role is to supervise 2nd and 3rd year students with their research project proposals.

I have supervised 8 PhD students, 1 MD student, and have a 100% success rate. I have also examined 11 PhDs as an external.