International Festival of Public Health

LT 6 - Health Services Research

Using Text Mining to Support the Development of Public Health Systematic Reviews

Presenter: Georgios Kontonatsios, National Centre for Text Mining, the University of Manchester

Other Author(s): Sophia Ananiadou, John McNaught

Abstract Text:

BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews try to address a specific and well-defined research question by identifying and analysing relevant research evidence. Currently, systematic reviews are increasingly used by public health researchers, practitioners and decision-makers to inform the development process of evidence-based public health guidelines. However, manually conducting and updating a public health review becomes a complex, rigorous and expensive task given the sheer volume of unsynthesised research evidence recorded in the published literature.

AIMS: To significantly reduce the human workload involved in systematic reviews by exploiting text mining technologies.

METHODS: We explore the use of TM methods to semi-automatically exclude irrelevant studies while keeping all eligible studies in the final review. In a semi-automatic scenario, a human reviewer needs to screen only a subset of the studies. The process starts with a small set of citations that is manually annotated with include/exclude codes. The algorithm is then trained on the manually annotated set to learn how to discriminate relevant from irrelevant citations. In a final step of the process, the trained algorithm is used to automatically screen the remaining unlabeled citations.

RESULTS: Experimental results obtained demonstrate that such semi-automatic approaches can substantially decrease the number of citations that need to be manually screened without reducing the sensitivity of the review. Thus, TM technologies have the potential to effectively reduce the time and cost needed to complete the screening phase of a public health review.

‘Always paracetamol. They give them paracetamol for everything': the health of Eastern European migrants and their experiences of the UK health service.

Presenter: Hannah Madden, Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University

Other Authors: Jane Harris, Beccy Harrison, Dr Hannah Timpson

Abstract Text: Aim: The enlargement of the European Union since 2004 has led to an increase in the number of Eastern European economic migrants living in the UK. The health of this group is under-researched though some evidence shows they are at higher risk of certain physical health conditions and have poorer mental health. This is compounded by poor or insecure housing, low pay, isolation and prejudice. We aimed to understand the health needs and health service experiences of the Eastern European population in a town in Northern England.

Design: Interviews, focus groups and community engagement events involved 61 participants. Three quarters of participants were Polish and other participants were from Belarus, Hungary, Latvia, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine. The data were analysed using thematic framework analysis.

Findings: Key findings included good understanding the UK health service structure; high registration and use of general practice; good knowledge of health and confidence they lead healthy lifestyles. Additional findings included strong dissatisfaction with the NHS, participants feeling that GPs do not take their concerns or symptoms seriously and dismiss them suggesting they rest and take over the counter paracetamol, and that GP attitudes can act as a barrier to further treatment. Conclusion: Understanding of health was focused on physical health and few participants would access any support services. Past negative experience and expectations of GP services reduced likelihood of accessing other health services. The implications for public health services, promotion of self-care, improving relationships and building trust are discussed.

Using Patient Participation Groups to Improve General Practice Services: A Service Evaluation

Presenter: Neil Cockburn, University of Manchester

Other Author(s): None

Abstract Text: Background:¨Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) are patient groups drawn from a General Practice's (GP) population which feed back patient experiences and views directly to the GP, as well as other roles. More GPs are using PPGs than in previous years, with DMS contracts since 2011 requiring the use or establishment of a PPG.

Aims:¨To establish how a GP could better interact with its associated PPG to improve the responsiveness of its services.

Methods:¨A review of grey and peer reviewed literature was performed and a framework produced. Key informant interviews were conducted, past minutes of meetings analysed and meetings observed to evaluate the framework and the practice.

Results:The framework analysed patient influence on service provision through a PPG's power, legitimacy and credibility. The GP has made changes as a result of the PPG's representations, and the PPG fulfilled a role as critical friend . The main barrier to improvement was lack of patient interest in the PPG, preventing it from taking a more active role in the practice life.

Conclusions:¨This service evaluation demonstrates a method of examining the GP's working relationship with the PPG. PPGs have the potential to be an important mechanism for improving GP services. The model is successful at describing the interactions between GP and PPG and suggesting improvements, but does not describe barriers faced by the PPG to represent the service population.

The Truth is Out There

Presenter: Paul Lee, Fellow Royal Society Public Health FRSPH, FCIOB, FASI, MRICS, MIOE (Cornishway PPG Chair, South Manchester Health & Community Representative, MAHSE MSc Clinical Science Programme & National School Healthcare Science CCVRS Lay Representative) and Jackie Nightingale