USING DATA TO IMPROVE CARE IN VULNERABLE TIMES OF LIFE
“Out of hours is when people feel most unsure what to do. This is about better outcomes at one of the most vulnerable times of life for human beings as people, not just as patients”
Margaret Weir, Co-Investigator and member of the patient and public involvement board
OUR VISION
The right care at the right time
Pressures on health services across Scotland are high. As people live longer, with more long-term health problems, pressures will get worse for people to access the care they need. When people struggle to access the care and support they need, it causes distress and suffering.
That is why we want to support urgent care services to design tools that will allow people to access the care they need from the most appropriate person at the right place and right time, no matter where they live.
OUR STUDY
Supportive Health Interventions and Escalation for Life Decisions − SHIELD
We want to improve unscheduled care in the last year of life.
To understand how people use unscheduled care in the last year of life, we will develop prediction models which identify future use by specific groups of people who use healthcare and to develop a bespoke care coordination system that improves care pathways and experiences and reduces demand on unscheduled care.
Learn about our Project
Find out about the background and main goals of the SHIELD-Study and our current steps to improve unscheduled care in the last year of life.
OUR TEAM
Interdisciplinary experts
Our team has expertise in health data science, risk modelling, mixed methods research, co-production of services with stakeholders, and intervention design and implementation.
Some of our team members also bring clinical expertise in general practice, end-of-life care, emergency medicine, addiction services, and public health.
Become a Part of our Team
Find out more about our diverse team and the role of its XX members. If you want to get involved in our research check out our vacancies and get in touch!
OUR PARTNERS
Funding and support
We are working with major academic, governmental and public partners to achieve our goals. Some of our current partners are health service institutions including NHS Fife and NHS Highland, academic institutions including the University of Edinburgh, and third-sector organisations including Highland Hospice and the Fife Centre for Equalities. We want to bring our vision to life. To do that, we need funding partners that will help us to continue our research in the future.
