Dr Janet Jones BA (Hons),PhD

• PhD in Applied Health Research (University of Birmingham) 2019
• BA (Hons) in History of Science, Medicine and Technology (Open University) 2009

Janet started her working life in the telecoms industry before moving to the NHS. During her time at the NHS Janet studied part-time at the Open University for an undergraduate degree in the History of Science, Medicine and Technology. This ultimately led to a job working at the University of Birmingham as a Trial coordinator where Janet worked on several research studies. In 2014 Janet commenced studying for a PhD and passed her viva in 2019. She has worked as a research fellow in the CLAHRC West Midlands chronic diseases team since 2017. Janet currently works for the NIHR Applied Research Collaborations, West Midlands, Long Term Conditions theme.  

• Medicine and surgery MBChB – Evidence based medicine (EBM) qualitative tutor
• Medicine and surgery MBChB – Social determinants of health tutor
• Intercalation POSH BMedSci –project supervision
• Masters in Public Health  -  Qualitative module

NIHR, Applied Research Collaborations West Midlands, Theme 1, Long Term Conditions

Janet is currently undertaking research into improving the management of long term conditions and to evaluate new models of care designed to improve integration, patient satisfaction and efficiency.

CLAHRC WM – theme 4, Chronic disease 

In her current role Janet is working on the following projects:  

• An evaluation of the Walsall and Wolverhampton Care Home Improvement Programme. Interviews and focus groups with care home managers and staff will be carried out to capture information on changes to safety practices at care home and individual level. Additionally, training sessions and meetings will be observed. 

• An evaluation of the implementation of a new out of hospital care model in Coventry, Warwick and Rugby. The evaluation includes observations and interviews with staff from all teams and agencies involved with the changes. 

• An evaluation of Virtual clinics versus standard face-to-face appointments for liver transplant patients.  

PhD 

In 2014 Janet commenced studying for a PhD which she completed in 2019, entitled 'Core outcome set development: Understanding how qualitative research approaches can help to accommodate outcomes important to patients in trial research.'

RECEPTS study (Receptionists recognition and referral of patients with stroke)  

Funded by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care for Birmingham and the Black Country, this study used simulated patient methodology to document how GP receptionists behave when patients call the GP practice with symptoms of stroke.

Diet and Physical Activity to Prevent Recurrence of High Risk Adenomas: a feasibility study

This study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research, Research for Patient Benefit. The aim is to demonstrate the feasibility of altering the behaviour of patients recently diagnosed with high-risk adenoma by

(i) reducing their consumption of red meat and processed meat and 

(ii) increasing their physical activity. 

This study includes qualitative research to assess patients’ preferences for interventions to encourage these changes.  After the qualitative work, we will design and conduct a pilot RCT.

Macmillan Herbal Medicine Study

The study, funded by Macmillan Cancer Support,  was led by Christine Gratus, a member of the National Cancer Research Network Consumer Liaison Group and Honorary Senior Research Fellow, University of Birmingham. It comprised three phases: a systematic review of the literature on self-medication with herbal medicines among UK populations living with cancer; a questionnaire survey designed to establish the prevalence of herbal medicine use by cancer patients, and a qualitative study using focus groups with cancer patients who had used herbal medicines since their diagnosis

Research groups and Centres:

• Centre for Patient Reported Outcomes Research

• The COMET initiative