Biography

Paul joined HERU as a Senior Research Fellow in October 2002 and is now Professor of Health Economics. His main research interests include the study of economic aspects of healthy ageing and social care, and the development of methods to design and evaluate self-management strategies in long-term conditions. He is the lead for the Health Behaviour theme within HERU. Current research projects focus on measurement of the impacts of health behaviour change (principally diet and physical activity) on health, well-being and life satisfaction, both in healthy populations and amongst populations with long-term health conditions. Paul's research also encompasses estimation of the cost-effectiveness of interventions that aim to improve healthy lifestyles and mental health.

Paul holds an MA Honours degree in Economics from the University of Aberdeen, an MSc in Health Economics from the University of York and a PhD from the University of Newcastle. Prior to his present appointment, he was a Research Associate, then Lecturer, in Health Economics at the University of Newcastle.

Prizes and Awards

Australian Bicentennial Fellowship, Menzies Centre for Australian Studies, King’s College London, 2011-12.

Royal Society of Edinburgh International Visiting Fellow award, Centre for Social Studies (CSS), Surat, & Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, India, 2008.

Best poster prize: The effect of economic status on care decisions: results arising from the Free Personal Care policy in Scotland. Health in Ageing – Achievements and Potential of Longitudinal Research Conference, Dublin, 2008

Research Overview

My main research interests include the development and application of methods to design and evaluate self-management strategies in long-term conditions. This falls within the Health Behaviour theme within HERU, which I currently lead. My other long-standing interests include the study of economic aspects of healthy ageing and social care. Current research projects focus on measurement of the impacts of health behaviour change (principally diet and physical activity) on health, well-being and life satisfaction, both in healthy populations and amongst populations with long-term health conditions. My research also encompasses estimation of the cost-effectiveness of interventions that aim to improve healthy lifestyles and mental health.

Current Research

1.       Does Minimum Unit Pricing for alcohol have unintended consequences for diet quality and health? A natural experiment comparing Scotland and England. Co-Principal Investigator. Funded by Chief Scientist Office. £279,125. 2020-2022.

2.       Economic modelling: reducing harms from foods high in fat, sugar or salt. Co-investigator with C Revoredo-Ghia (SRUC/University of Edinburgh). Funded by Scottish Government. £93,330. 2019-2020.

3.       Patient-centred care for fibromyalgia: new pathway design (PACFIND). Co-investigator with G Macfarlane (University of Aberdeen).  Funded by Versus Arthritis. £1,1185,671.  2019-2024.

4.       A randomised control trial to assess the impact of a lifestyle intervention (ActWELL) in women attending NHS breast screening clinics. Funded by Scottish Government. Co-investigator with A Anderson (University of Dundee). £969,265.  2017-2020.

5.       Lessening the Impact of Fatigue in Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases: a randomised clinical trial (LIFT). Co-investigator with N Basu (University of Aberdeen). Funded by Versus Arthritis. £736,687. 2016-2021.

6.       Biologics Register for Psoriatic Arthritis. Co-Investigator with G Jones (University of Aberdeen). Funded by British Society of Rheumatology. £1,174,473. 2017-2022.

7.       Maintaining Musculoskeletal Health (MAmMOTH): a randomised trial of cognitive behavioural therapy versus usual care for the prevention of chronic widespread pain. Co-Investigator with G Macfarlane (University of Aberdeen). Funded by Versus Arthritis £809,403. 2016-2020.

8.       Mental health and the PATH to Midlife. Co-Investigator with P Butterworth (University of Melbourne/ANU).  Australian NHMRC. £375,985.  2016-2019.

Past Research

 1.     A feasibility study for Walk with Ease UK - a community-based walking programme for adults with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.  Co-Investigator with K Martin (University of Aberdeen). Funded by Arthritis Research UK, £149,519, 2017-2018.

2.     A review of the costs of overweight, obesity and diet related illness for Scotland, and critical appraisal of the cost-effectiveness evidence base for interventions to reduce overweight, obesity and diet-related illness.  Principal Investigator. Funded by Food Standards Scotland, £49,985, 2017.

3.     Enhancing the quality of social care through economic analysis.  Principal Investigator. Funded by ESRC & Scottish Government.  £45,000, 2015-2018.

4.     NHS Lothian Anticipatory Care Planning evaluation.  Principal Investigator. Funded by NHS Lothian £50,000, 2016-2017.

5.     Vitamin K supplementation to reduce falls in older people - a multicentre trial (K-SWAY).  Co-Investigator with M Witham (University of Dundee).  Funded by CSO, £213,493 2016-2018.

6.     Does oral sodium bicarbonate therapy improve function and quality of life in older patients with chronic kidney disease and low-grade acidosis?  A multicentre randomized placebo controlled trial (BICARB).  Co-Investigator with M Witham (University of Dundee).  Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £1,159,117, 2012-2020. 

7.  British Society of Rheumatology Biologics Register.  Co-Investigator with G Macfarlane (University of Aberdeen). Funded by British Society of Rheumatology, £884,233, 2012-2017.

8.  Maintained physical activity and physiotherapy in the management of distal arm pain. Co-Investigator with G Jones (University of Aberdeen). Funded by Arthritis Research UK, £666,650, 2010-2015.

9.  Engaging with older people to develop and deliver interventions for the self-management of chronic pain (EPIC).  Co-Investigator with B Smith (University of Dundee). Funded by the Medical Research Council, £1,058,605, 2010-2014.

10.  Technologies to support older people at home: maximising personal and social interaction – TOPS. Co-Investigator with P Wilson (University of Aberdeen).  Funded by dot.rural, £92,569, 2010-2013.

11.  Assessment of the cost-effectiveness of magnetic resonance including diffusion-weighted brain imaging in patients with transient ischaemic attack and minor stroke. Co-Investigator with J Wardlaw (University of Edinburgh). Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £264,260, 2010-2012.

12.  Surgical Trial In Traumatic intraCerebral Haemorrhage (STITCH).  Co-Investigator with D Mendelow (University of Newcastle).  Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £2,163,218, 2010-2014.

13.  The Scottish Cervical Cancer Prevention Programme:  Assessing and modelling the impact of HPV 16/18 immunisation on the performance of current cervical screening.  Co-Investigator with M Cruickshank (University of Aberdeen).  Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £515,298, 2010-2015.

14.  Feasibility study of use of direct payments for informal care.  Joint Principal Investigator with A Ludbrook (University of Aberdeen).  Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £20,000, 2010-2011.

15.  Development of practice-based pharmacist-led management of chronic pain in primary care for evaluation by a RCT. Co-Investigator with C Bond (University of Aberdeen). Funded by the Medical Research Council, £334,123, 2009-2011.

16.  Improving the value of screening for diabetic macular oedema using surrogate photographic markers. Co-Investigator with J Olson (University of Aberdeen). Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £464,949, 2008-2011.

17.  Managing Unexplained Symptoms (chronic widespread pain) In primary Care: Involving traditional and Accessible New approaches (MUSICIAN). Co-Investigator with G Macfarlane (University of Aberdeen). Funded by Arthritis Research Campaign, £376,406, 2007-2010.

18.  Glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis of the knee.  Co-Investigator with C Black (University of Aberdeen). Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £80,000, 2008-2009.

19.  Early referral strategies for patients with markers of possible early renal disease. Co-Investigator with C Black (University of Aberdeen). Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £122,302, 2008-2009.

20.  Family Labour Supply Effects of Psychiatric Morbidity in Elders.  Joint Principal Investigator with V Wilcox-Gök, (Northern Illinois University).  Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £22,000, 2008.

21.  Valuation of informal care: comparison, development and application of methods.  Principal Investigator with M Ryan (University of Aberdeen). Funded by the Medical Research Council, £56,296, 2005-2008.

22.  Non-pharmacological interventions for adults with impaired glucose tolerance. Co-Investigator with N Waugh (University of Aberdeen).  Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £80,000, 2006-2008.

23.  An evaluation of an adapted United States model of pharmaceutical care to improve psychoactive prescribing for care home residents in Scotland.  Co-Investigator with M Kind (University of Aberdeen).  Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £18,944, 2006-2007.

24.  Measurement and valuation of inequality aversion and distribution of outcomes in maternal health.  Co-Investigator with D Newlands (University of Aberdeen).  Funded by the Gates Foundation and the Department for International Development, £19,000, 2006-2007.

25.  The economic valuation of maternal mortality and morbidity.  Co-Investigator with D Newlands (University of Aberdeen).  Funded by the Gates Foundation and the Department for International Development, £19,000, 2005-2007.

26.  The measurement and valuation of productivity costs: a household level analysis.  Co-Investigator with D Newlands (University of Aberdeen).  Funded by the Gates Foundation and the Department for International Development, £19,000, 2005-2007.

27.  The role of automated level two grading within the Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Collaborative Network.  Co-Investigator with J Olson (University of Aberdeen). Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £183,743, 2005-2007.

28.  A cluster randomised trial to investigate the use of a decision aid for the diagnosis of active labour in term pregnancy. Co-Investigator with H Cheyne (University of Stirling). Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £201,538, 2005-2007.

29.  Effective treatment of fertility.  Co-Investigator with S Bhattacharya (University of Aberdeen). Funded by The Wellcome Trust, £775,757, 2005-2007.

30.  Wanless Social Care Review: effects of Free Personal Care in Scotland.  Principal Investigator.  Funded by the King’s Fund, £4,350, 2005-2006.

31.  Screening for Type II diabetes: literature review. Co-Investigator with N Waugh (University of Aberdeen).  Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £80,000, 2005-2006.

32.  A feasibility study for a future economic evaluation of instalment dispensing for newly prescribed medicines. Co-Investigator with J Miller (University of Aberdeen). Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £20,320, 2005.

33.  The role of automated grading of diabetic retinopathy in a primary care screening programme. Co-Investigator with J Olson (University of Aberdeen). Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £203,827, 2003-2005.

34.  A feasibility study of supervised administration of buprenorphine in community pharmacies. Co-Investigator with C Matheson (University of Aberdeen). Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £20,374, 2003-2004.

35.  A Study of the Impact of New Drugs for Alzheimer’s Disease (SINDAD). Co-Investigator with J Bond (University of Newcastle). Funded by The Wellcome Trust, £115,894, 2002-2004.

36.  Early screening for fetal anomalies. Co-Investigator with S Robson (University of Newcastle). Funded by NHS Executive R&D, £75,000, 2000-2003.

37.  A randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of nurse-led screening and brief alcohol interventions in primary care. Co-Investigator with E Kaner (University of Newcastle). Funded by NHS Executive R&D, £139,226, 1999-2002.

38.  Randomised controlled trial of the cost-effectiveness of upper limb therapies for stroke. Co-Investigator with H Rodgers (University of Newcastle). Funded by NHS Executive R&D, £75,000, 1999-2002.

39.  Randomised controlled trial of the cost-effectiveness of palliative therapies for patients with oesophageal cancer. Co-Investigator with SM Griffin (University of Newcastle). Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £569,599, 1998-2002.

40.  Direct GP access for children with urinary tract infections. Co-Investigator with M Coulthard (University of Newcastle). Funded by Newcastle and North Tyne Health Authority, £75,000, 1998-2001.

Knowledge Exchange

• Health Economics Advisor, Short-Life Scottish Government/Public Health Scotland Working Group, Unintended Consequences of Restrictions on Foods High in Fat, Sugar and Salt 2018-19
• Member, Scottish Food and Drink Research, Evaluation, Evidence Collaborative 2017-18
• Health Economics Academic Advisor, Scottish Medicines Consortium, 2009-14
• Health Economics Academic Advisor, Scottish Health Technologies Group, 2011-19
• Advisor to Scottish Government Service Improvement Group (SIG) in Chronic Pain, NHS Grampian 2012-14

Collaborations

University of Iceland (see https://english.hi.is/conciv_team)

University of Michigan, USA (see https://english.hi.is/conciv_team)

University of Wollongong, Australia