Health and Wellbeing Research Methodology and Implementation (HeRMI)
Our group provides methodological expertise to support the generation, translation, and implementation of evidence for innovation and improvement in health care.
The Health Research Methodology and Implementation Hub consists of personnel with expertise in core areas of applied health research (statistics, trial design, epidemiology, systematic review, implementation science), in addition to a virtual team drawing on wider research methods expertise in health economics, informatics, user engagement and qualitative research. Together with personnel from the Research Support Team, Clinical Trials Unit, and laboratory-based facilities, Hub members support research and review design, data management and analysis in projects in all research themes across the Breakthrough Health and Wellbeing theme, as well as working on specific research collaborations in the School and the wider University.
Our methodological expertise is recognised by funding as specialist methods advisors for systematic review and trial design for the NIHR Research Design Service for the North West, in addition to:
- Membership of the NIHR College of Experts and Clinical Studies groups
- Statistical editorship, and provision of statistical services for NHS Trusts
- NIHR research methods fellowship award
- Contracting for provision of advice and support to the Department of Health Informatics Directorate
Dr Lois Thomas, Reader in Health Services Research School of Health Brook Building, BB434 +44 (0)1772 893643 lhthomas@uclan.ac.uk
Lois is a Reader in Health Services Research. Her research is focussed on the implementation and evaluation of complex interventions. She is particularly interested in innovative methods of transferring research evidence into practice, and of managing service user involvement in research. Lois manages the PGCert in Research Methods in Health and Social Care.
The group has links with all of the research groupings in the Breakthrough Health and Wellbeing research theme. We work in cross-university collaborations with the Schools of Psychology, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Dental and Medical Education, Social Work, and Sports, Tourism and the Outdoors,
- Systematic review
- Trial design and management for the evaluation of complex interventions
- Implementation and service delivery
- Statistics
- Health informatics