Sarah Kirby

Due to widening participation and the removal of the cap upon student numbers, increasing numbers of economically disadvantaged students have gained qualifications in higher education in the last d...

Background: Gynecological cancers pose significant physical, psychological, and social challenges for those affected. Although psychosocial interventions are components of holistic cancer care, access can be limited by specialized practitioner expertise, wait times, gender-biased care, and accessibility constraints. These barriers highlight a recognized need for alternative, timely, and nonclinical approaches that can complement existing services and relieve system pressures. Objective: The primary study aim is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an online shared reading program as a novel, adjunctive psychosocial intervention for people affected by gynecological cancers. The secondary aim is to explore the intervention’s preliminary individual-level outcomes on psychological distress, well-being, and quality of life. Methods: This mixed methods feasibility study uses a multiple-baseline single-case design informed by a realist evaluation theoretical framework. Up to 10 participants aged 18 years or older with a primary diagnosis of gynecological cancer will be recruited internationally. The intervention consists of 6 weekly 1-hour literature reading group sessions delivered via Microsoft Teams. Three baseline assessments at −2 weeks, −1 week, and week 0 will establish outcome stability prior to the intervention, followed by midintervention (week 3) and postintervention (week 6) assessments. Outcome measures include the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, the WHOQOL-BREF social domain subscale, and 2 global quality of life items from the EORTC QLQ-C30. Individual-level change within these measures will be examined using the reliable change index at a threshold of 1.96 or higher, presented as modified Brinley plots. Feasibility will be assessed and summarized descriptively using recruitment and retention rates, session attendance and completion rates, and reasons for dropout. Acceptability will be examined through semistructured interviews of up to 30 minutes conducted by an independent researcher after the intervention. Interview data will be analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to explore participants’ intervention experience and perceived mechanisms of change. Results: This feasibility study was funded in October 2022 as part of a PhD scholarship. Recruitment began in November 2025 and continued until March 2026. At the time of manuscript submission in January 2026, a total of 6 people had registered their interest, of whom 2 met the eligibility criteria. The data analysis plan was formulated but not implemented, with the intervention set to begin in May 2026. Findings are expected to be submitted for publication in November 2026. Conclusions: Potential implications include that the digital, low-intensity, group-based online shared reading format may offer a novel psychosocial support alternative to survivors of gynecological cancer who may be otherwise excluded due to residing in geographically remote areas, financial constraints, or reluctance to engage with formal psychological therapy. If feasible and acceptable, the intervention may contribute to equitable cancer care provision and inform the design of future implementation studies in digital oncology services.

Unaddressed hearing loss can adversely affect employment and day-to-day work-life. Efficient and effective audiology support can help optimise hearing in the workplace. This study explores the audiological rehabilitation experiences of workers with hearing loss (WHL). Twenty-four WHL with experience of a wide range of audiology services across the UK participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Three main themes were generated: Theme 1: mixed experiences with audiology services (subdivided into two subthemes and four sub-subthemes). Theme 2: audiology role in work support (subdivided into three subthemes). Theme 3: "I think support could be improved if…" (subdivided into two subthemes). The audiological rehabilitation for working-age adults with hearing loss needs improvements to deliver sufficient support and quality care. Some of the barriers to having better-functioning hearing healthcare require fundamental standards in healthcare quality, such as access to services, staff (including audiologists) deaf awareness, information and technology support, and personalised care that considers work-life needs. Further research is required to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of improvements, such as support that extends beyond hearing aid care, whether from audiology or non-audiology services.

Objectives: Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) is a therapeutic approach proven to be effective for reducing distress and increasing well-being in clinical and non-clinical populations. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of a short-term, online version of the CMT on compassion, distress, and well-being in a cross-cultural, non-clinical sample of Sri Lankan and UK people. Method: A randomized controlled trial with pre-, post-measurements, and a 2-week follow-up was conducted using CMT (n = 21 Sri Lankan, n = 73 UK) and wait-list control (n = 17 Sri Lankan, n = 54 UK) groups. The intervention effects were investigated using a series of repeated-measures ANOVAs using intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses. Results: The 2-week CMT was effective in increasing all aspects of compassion in both Sri Lankan and UK people. In addition, some cross-cultural similarities and differences (in the factors affecting compassion) were present in the improvements following CMT between the two countries, which were maintained at a 2-week follow-up. Conclusion: This study provides promising evidence for the efficacy and cross-cultural applicability of CMT for reducing distress and increasing well-being.

Purpose: Practising compassion increases well‐being and reduces depression, anxiety, and psychological distress among clinical and non‐clinical populations. There is a rapid increase in compassion‐based interventions within the past two decades. However, the reviews are limited to predominantly Western cultures. Therefore, this meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the literature attempting to promote and increase compassion in Asian communities. Method: Eight randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted between 2016 to 2021 were included in the meta‐analysis with data from 1012 participants across Thailand, Japan, China and Hong Kong. Effect sizes were calculated to test the efficacy of the compassion‐based interventions on the self‐compassion outcome. Intervention efficacy was tested by comparing the intervention groups against control groups (wait‐list control and active control groups) at pre‐ and post‐interventions. Results: Significant between‐group differences in change scores were found on self‐report measures of self‐compassion with large effect sizes in interventions with wait‐list control groups ( d = .86) and small effect sizes in interventions with active‐control groups ( d = .19). Conclusions: Although compassion‐based interventions are heterogeneous in nature and limited in scope, there is promising evidence of improving self‐compassion in Asian communities. This supports for the cross‐cultural applicability of compassion‐based interventions. However, research within the Asian context is limited and at an infancy stage, signifying the importance of conducting further compassion‐based interventions in clinical and non‐clinical groups living in the Asian communities.

Context: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was limited integration of virtual care (VC) in primary care clinical practice. However, the pandemic precipitated a shift with primary care providers utilizing VC to facilitate safe access to primary health services. Objective: To describe and characterize VC visits by primary care providers to patients following the introduction of the VC tariff code in Manitoba, Canada. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Primary care clinics that offered at least one VC visit and participate in the Manitoba Primary Care Research Network (MaPCReN), a practice-based network that contains de-identified EMR data from 265 primary care clinicians in Manitoba. Population: All encounters with a primary care provider participating in MaPCReN between 01/01/18 and 06/30/20. Outcome Measures: Tariff codes from billing records between 03/14/20 and 06/30/20 determine the visit type (clinic visit, virtual visit). Patient (sex, age, comorbidities, visit frequency, medication rates) and provider (sex, age, clinic location, provider type, remuneration model, country of graduation, return visit rate) characteristics describe the study population based on visit type. Generalized estimate equation models describe factors associated with VC. Results: There were 154 primary care providers that provided on average, VC for 47.6% of their patient visits. Among the 142,616 patients, 19.4% had at least one virtual care appointment, 29.4% had only a clinic visit, and 51.2% did not attend a visit with their primary care provider. Female patients (OR 1.16, CI 1.09-1.22) with ≥3 comorbidities (OR1.71, CI 1.44-2.02), ≥10 medications (OR 2.71, CI 2.2-1.53) have significantly higher odds of VC than male patients, with no comorbidities and no prescriptions. Follow-up visits were required for 21.2% of VC encounters; the majority (55.9%) had the same visit type. For follow-up encounters where the visit type changed, 42.2% of clinic visits were followed by VC, whereas 26.9% of VC was followed by a clinic visit. Conclusion: During the first 3 months of pandemic restrictions, there was an increase in the use of VC in Manitoba’s primary care settings. VC was utilized more commonly by patients with the most comorbidities and prescriptions, suggesting that those who require ongoing attention from primary care made use of VC services.

Context: A key change for the health care system has been the implementation of virtual care solutions by primary care providers in response to physical distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The experiences of the public due to these changes require investigation. Objective: To explore public perspectives of the usability, acceptability and sustainability of virtual primary care visits and how virtual healthcare delivery can be improved. Design: Closed ended, self-administered online survey, co-created with a public advisory committee. Setting: A link to the survey was provided through primary care office visits and advertisements in local news media. Participants: Responses were received from 325 individuals who self-reported a virtual visit with their primary care provider. The range in age was from 19-80 years with 76% of respondents identifying as female. The majority (77%) were from urban communities with 30 minutes or less travel time (69%) to their primary care clinics. Outcome Measures: The survey consisted of 18 questions regarding perceptions of the virtual care visit experience, the outcomes of the visit, and feedback on how virtual visits might be sustained in future. Results: The virtual visits reported were primarily by telephone (98%) and used for a range of needs including follow-up for test results (36%), chronic conditions (32%) and seeking advice for a new health condition (32%). The virtual visit was reported to be helpful (90%), saved time (78%) and more convenient for access to care (66%). Among the respondents, 92% of the virtual visits were considered completed, with no follow up or follow up if needed. For future use, 67% reported they would like to have the option of ongoing phone or computer consultations while 27% were open to considering virtual visits for receiving test results, prescription renewal and follow up for a health problem. Future preferences are in-person (85%) or phone calls (78%) with one’s provider in their usual clinic. Conclusion: During pandemic restrictions, the use of virtual care and primarily telephone consultations that bridged care for patients were well received. A number of considerations were identified for integrating into longer term use. This survey was an effective means of obtaining public feedback, which is essential given that recipients of care are the ones most impacted by system changes.

Practicing compassion has shown to reduce distress and increase emotional well-being in clinical and non-clinical populations. The existing research is primarily focused on Western populations although the concepts of compassion are heavily influenced by Asian Buddhist views. There is a dearth of compassion research conducted particularly in the Asian context. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the views and lived experiences of compassion in Sri Lankan students, to understand whether compassion is a socially embraced construct in Sri Lanka, considering that Sri Lanka is a Buddhist influenced society. Participants’ views and lived experiences of compassion towards themselves and to/from others were also investigated, with a specific focus on their perceived inhibitors and facilitators of compassion. Aims were set to identify whether Western compassion-based practices could be successfully applied to Asian societies such as Sri Lanka. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach was used to obtain and analyse qualitative data from a convenience sample of 10 Sri Lankan students, recruited from a Psychology course. The phenomenological analysis of the semi-structured face-to-face interviews elicited three predominant themes: What compassion means to me, what I make of it, and compassion through facilitators and inhibitors. The findings suggested that participants shared a similar understanding of the concept of compassion as reflected in the Western definitions. Experiences and views of compassion were shaped by several factors including religion, culture, society, and upbringing. In general, this study revealed that participants were well aware of the concept of compassion as well as its impact on their psychological well-being. Despite this, inhibitors existed in experiencing compassion. The religious and collectivistic-cultural influences need to be further explored and taken into account when implementing Western compassion-based practices to non-Western contexts such as Sri Lanka.

This study explored audiologists’ perspectives regarding their interactions with workers with hearing loss (WHL).Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-five audiologists working in t...