Research Themes

The Department of Community Based Medicine makes a major contribution to a number of research themes in the University, primarily relating to epidemiology, health services research, ethics and neuroscience. The population-based research is characterised by a multidisciplinary and multi-method approach to addressing questions influenced by public health and health service priorities, often but not exclusively conducted in primary care. There is therefore an emphasis on issues of high prevalence and/or burden on the community, involving problems and interventions of a complex nature.

Our principal aim is to continue to produce the high quality research in population-based health that formed part of the RAE2001 five star (5*) submission in community-based clinical subjects. Indeed, since then the relevant research groups have strengthened individually and collaboratively, both within the Department and in conjunction with other Departments (notably Social Medicine, but also through joint projects with Clinical Sciences) and other Faculties (joint programmes and projects with groups such as Exercise and Health Sciences, Social Policy, Geography and Experimental Psychology).

Within the overall theme of epidemiology and health services research there are three main components: aetiological epidemiology; diagnosis / decision-making; and the evaluation of health care interventions.

Overlaying these components is a number of over-arching considerations, including genetics, social / cultural influences and methodological developments. As appropriate, these studies benefit fully from qualitative, quantitative and economic perspectives and methodologies. The Department also conducts research relevant to other themes - notably in psychopharmacology and ethics.

1. Lifecourse/aetiological epidemiology: mental health (genetic epidemiology, depression, anxiety, psychosis and addiction research); primary care (mental health, multi-morbidity, cancer, cardiovascular disease, palliative care, obstetrics, common infections); child health and development (nutrition in early childhood, injury, disability, social paediatrics, adolescent mental health, international child health). ALSPAC forms a major resource and focus across all Academic Units.
2. Diagnosis/decision-making: early detection of disease in primary care; clinical decision support systems (cardiovascular disease, depression, anti-psychotic prescription); continuity of care (mental health); patient involvement in decision-making (obstetrics and cardiovascular disease).
3. Evaluation of health care interventions primarily through community-based phase III randomised trials primarily in the Academic Units of Primary Health Care and Psychiatry (within the umbrella of the NCRI-accredited Bristol Randomised Trials Collaboration): organisation and delivery of care; chronic disease; mental health, especially in primary care; child health; decision aids; complementary therapy; supportive and palliative care. Methodology: cluster trials; subgroup analyses; recruitment to trials.
4. Psychopharmacology: the biological study of addictions and anxiety disorders, with a major component involving the use of brain imaging.
5. Ethics in medicine: clinical ethics; the child patient; human tissue; palliative care for children; genetics/biobanking; care of the elderly; end of life decision-making; enhancing human capacities.

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