My research interests lie within the field of public health policy, specifically in relation to risk-taking behaviour, reducing health inequalities and improving health outcomes for individuals and communities. I am an experienced mixed method researcher who has been involved in a broad range of quantitative and qualitative studies that have explored the health and lifestyle of the population.
My PhD seeks to explore the smoking and non-smoking experiences of young people who are resident in an area of socio and economic deprivation in Scotland, as they transition from mid-to-late adolescence. Supervisors: Professor Amanda Amos and Dr Sarah Hill Address: Centre for Population Health Sciences
Medical School
Teviot Place
Edinburgh
EH8 9AG
The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a preventative programme for first time teenage mothers and... more The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a preventative programme for first time teenage mothers and their babies. FNP is being tested in Scotland for the first time. This is the first interim evaluation report and focuses on the intake and early pregnancy phases of the programmes implementation.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine three interpretations of post-diagnostic support ... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine three interpretations of post-diagnostic support (PDS) for dementia, to understand how best to support people recently diagnosed with dementia. Design/methodology/approach A sequential mixed-method approach was used which included analysis of the data collected by each sector, a focus group and interviews with PDS linkworkers and other staff. Findings All three sectors used a mix of supported self-management workshops and one-to-one PDS, however sectors varied by linkworker’s affiliation, caseload management and client group. Caseload varied greatly between sectors. Stage of disease and socioeconomic make-up of the local population were raised as factors determining the form of PDS offered. Some pillars appeared to be more easily achieved than others. There was a general agreement among all staff that “caseload” was misleading and that a measurement of workload would be preferable. Agile/mobile working was preferred by linkworkers. Eve...
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore implementation and development of step-down inter... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore implementation and development of step-down intermediate care (IC) in Glasgow City from the perspective of staff. Design/methodology/approach The study used qualitative methods. Nine key members of staff were interviewed and three focus groups were run for social work, rehabilitation and care home staff. Framework analysis was used to identify common themes. Findings The proposed benefits of IC were supported anecdotally by staff. Perceived enablers included: having a range of engaged stakeholders, strong leadership and a risk management system in place, good relationships, trust and communication between agencies, a discharge target, training of staff, changing perception of risk and risk aversion, the right infrastructure and staffing, an accommodation-based strategy for patients discharged from IC, the right context of political priorities, funding and ongoing adaptation of the model in discussion with frontline staff. Potential imp...
The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a preventative programme for first time teenage mothers and... more The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a preventative programme for first time teenage mothers and their babies. FNP is being tested in Scotland for the first time. This is the first interim evaluation report and focuses on the intake and early pregnancy phases of the programmes implementation.
Rural development networks play an important role in building community capacity. However, within... more Rural development networks play an important role in building community capacity. However, within the current climate of austerity and public spending cuts across the UK and Ireland, rural development networks and the communities they represent are presented with a challenging future. This report is the result of a scoping exercise carried out by the Carnegie UK Trust in June 2011 that sought to map rural community development networks throughout the UK and Ireland. In carrying out this piece of research, the Trust wished to find out about existing networks across the UK and Ireland. The research sought to identify why rural networks exist, their benefits to users and the key issues facing them, particularly in the current climate of public spending cuts. This paper reports the research findings and sets out a series of recommendations designed to address the future sustainability of rural development networks.
This research findings outlines the key findings from a study designed to provide quantitative an... more This research findings outlines the key findings from a study designed to provide quantitative and qualitative evidence of the views and satisfaction of community health nurses with their current role and their views on a proposed new model of community nursing in Scotland. It also ...
To examine the relationship between tobacco cigarette brand recognition, and e-cigarette use in a... more To examine the relationship between tobacco cigarette brand recognition, and e-cigarette use in adolescents. Cross-sectional observational study. High schools in Scotland. Questionnaires were administered to pupils in Secondary 2 (S2 mean age: 14.0 years) and Secondary 4 (S4 mean age: 15.9 years) across 4 communities in Scotland. An 86% response rate with a total sample of 1404 pupils was achieved. Self-reported previous use of e-cigarettes and self-reported intention to try e-cigarettes in the next 6 months. 75% (1029/1377) of respondents had heard of e-cigarettes (69.5% S2, 81.1% S4), and of these, 17.3% (10.6% S2, 24.3% S4 n=1020) had ever tried an e-cigarette. 6.8% (3.7% S2, 10.0% S4 n=1019) reported that they intended to try an e-cigarette in the next 6 months. Recognition of more cigarette brands was associated with greater probability of previous e-cigarette use (OR 1.20, 99% CI 1.05 to 1.38) as was having a best friend who smoked (OR 3.17, 99% CI 1.42 to 7.09). Intention to ...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Background: Despite the continued global decline in adult tobacco prevalence, rates continue to b... more Background: Despite the continued global decline in adult tobacco prevalence, rates continue to be significantly higher in groups with problematic drug or alcohol use (PDA). It is estimated that people with alcohol, drug or mental health problems account for approximately half of all smoking deaths. In the UK, there are free stop smoking services for the general population. However, these services have been criticized as unsuitable for people in recovery from PDA due to their design, time-limited support, strict requirement for smoking abstinence and lack of consideration of harm reduction approaches. This has led to calls for alternative approaches to support this marginalized and underserved group. This research study seeks to respond to this call by co-creating and feasibility testing a tailored, trauma-informed service specifically for people seeking help for PDA, who are not in immediate crisis, and who may also want to reduce or stop their tobacco smoking. Methods: The mixed-m...
Purpose: The study examined three models of post-diagnostic support for dementia (PDS), to
unders... more Purpose: The study examined three models of post-diagnostic support for dementia (PDS), to understand how best to support people recently diagnosed with dementia. Methodology: A sequential mixed method approach was used which included analysis of the data collected by each sector, a focus group and interviews with PDS linkworkers and other staff. Findings: All three models used a mix of supported self management workshops and one-to-one PDS, however models varied by linkworker’s affiliation, caseload management and client group. Caseload varied greatly between sectors. Stage of disease and socioeconomic make-up of the local population were raised as factors determining the form of PDS offered. Some Pillars appeared to be more easily achieved than others. There was general agreement among all staff that ‘caseload’ was misleading and that a measurement of workload would be preferable. Agile/mobile working was preferred by linkworkers. Even within teams there was variation in perceptions of PDS; some felt the linkworker role to be one of signposting, while others felt more involved with their client group, and for longer than 12 months. Practical implications: Guidance at the outset of the PDS programme was sparse. The findings of this study should inform future development of the PDS model and a supporting guidance framework. Originality: There is a growing interest in PDS for dementia. However, little is known about what a model of PDS should look like. This study attempts to capture the most important aspects of PDS delivery.
Does exposure to cigarette brands increase the likelihood of adolescent e-cigarette use? A cross-sectional study, Feb 2016
Abstract
Objective To examine the relationship between tobacco cigarette brand recognition, and e... more Abstract Objective To examine the relationship between tobacco cigarette brand recognition, and e-cigarette use in adolescents.
Design Cross-sectional observational study.
Setting High schools in Scotland.
Participants Questionnaires were administered to pupils in Secondary 2 (S2 mean age: 14.0 years) and Secondary 4 (S4 mean age: 15.9 years) across 4 communities in Scotland. An 86% response rate with a total sample of 1404 pupils was achieved.
Main outcome measures Self-reported previous use of e-cigarettes and self-reported intention to try e-cigarettes in the next 6 months.
Results 75% (1029/1377) of respondents had heard of e-cigarettes (69.5% S2, 81.1% S4), and of these, 17.3% (10.6% S2, 24.3% S4 n=1020) had ever tried an e-cigarette. 6.8% (3.7% S2, 10.0% S4 n=1019) reported that they intended to try an e-cigarette in the next 6 months. Recognition of more cigarette brands was associated with greater probability of previous e-cigarette use (OR 1.20, 99% CI 1.05 to 1.38) as was having a best friend who smoked (OR 3.17, 99% CI 1.42 to 7.09). Intention to try e-cigarettes was related to higher cigarette brand recognition (OR 1.41, 99% CI 1.07 to 1.87), hanging around in the street or park more than once a week (OR 3.78, 99% CI 1.93 to 7.39) and living in areas of high tobacco retail density (OR 1.20, 99% CI 1.08 to 1.34). Never having smoked was a protective factor for both future intention to try, and past e-cigarette use (OR 0.07, 99% CI 0.02 to 0.25; and OR 0.10, 99% CI 0.07 to 0.16, respectively).
Conclusions Higher cigarette brand recognition was associated with increased probability of previous use and of intention to use e-cigarettes. The impact of tobacco control measures such as restricting point-of-sale displays on the uptake of e-cigarettes in young people should be evaluated.
The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a preventative programme for first time teenage mothers and... more The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a preventative programme for first time teenage mothers and their babies. FNP is being tested in Scotland for the first time. This is the first interim evaluation report and focuses on the intake and early pregnancy phases of the programmes implementation.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine three interpretations of post-diagnostic support ... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine three interpretations of post-diagnostic support (PDS) for dementia, to understand how best to support people recently diagnosed with dementia. Design/methodology/approach A sequential mixed-method approach was used which included analysis of the data collected by each sector, a focus group and interviews with PDS linkworkers and other staff. Findings All three sectors used a mix of supported self-management workshops and one-to-one PDS, however sectors varied by linkworker’s affiliation, caseload management and client group. Caseload varied greatly between sectors. Stage of disease and socioeconomic make-up of the local population were raised as factors determining the form of PDS offered. Some pillars appeared to be more easily achieved than others. There was a general agreement among all staff that “caseload” was misleading and that a measurement of workload would be preferable. Agile/mobile working was preferred by linkworkers. Eve...
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore implementation and development of step-down inter... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore implementation and development of step-down intermediate care (IC) in Glasgow City from the perspective of staff. Design/methodology/approach The study used qualitative methods. Nine key members of staff were interviewed and three focus groups were run for social work, rehabilitation and care home staff. Framework analysis was used to identify common themes. Findings The proposed benefits of IC were supported anecdotally by staff. Perceived enablers included: having a range of engaged stakeholders, strong leadership and a risk management system in place, good relationships, trust and communication between agencies, a discharge target, training of staff, changing perception of risk and risk aversion, the right infrastructure and staffing, an accommodation-based strategy for patients discharged from IC, the right context of political priorities, funding and ongoing adaptation of the model in discussion with frontline staff. Potential imp...
The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a preventative programme for first time teenage mothers and... more The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a preventative programme for first time teenage mothers and their babies. FNP is being tested in Scotland for the first time. This is the first interim evaluation report and focuses on the intake and early pregnancy phases of the programmes implementation.
Rural development networks play an important role in building community capacity. However, within... more Rural development networks play an important role in building community capacity. However, within the current climate of austerity and public spending cuts across the UK and Ireland, rural development networks and the communities they represent are presented with a challenging future. This report is the result of a scoping exercise carried out by the Carnegie UK Trust in June 2011 that sought to map rural community development networks throughout the UK and Ireland. In carrying out this piece of research, the Trust wished to find out about existing networks across the UK and Ireland. The research sought to identify why rural networks exist, their benefits to users and the key issues facing them, particularly in the current climate of public spending cuts. This paper reports the research findings and sets out a series of recommendations designed to address the future sustainability of rural development networks.
This research findings outlines the key findings from a study designed to provide quantitative an... more This research findings outlines the key findings from a study designed to provide quantitative and qualitative evidence of the views and satisfaction of community health nurses with their current role and their views on a proposed new model of community nursing in Scotland. It also ...
To examine the relationship between tobacco cigarette brand recognition, and e-cigarette use in a... more To examine the relationship between tobacco cigarette brand recognition, and e-cigarette use in adolescents. Cross-sectional observational study. High schools in Scotland. Questionnaires were administered to pupils in Secondary 2 (S2 mean age: 14.0 years) and Secondary 4 (S4 mean age: 15.9 years) across 4 communities in Scotland. An 86% response rate with a total sample of 1404 pupils was achieved. Self-reported previous use of e-cigarettes and self-reported intention to try e-cigarettes in the next 6 months. 75% (1029/1377) of respondents had heard of e-cigarettes (69.5% S2, 81.1% S4), and of these, 17.3% (10.6% S2, 24.3% S4 n=1020) had ever tried an e-cigarette. 6.8% (3.7% S2, 10.0% S4 n=1019) reported that they intended to try an e-cigarette in the next 6 months. Recognition of more cigarette brands was associated with greater probability of previous e-cigarette use (OR 1.20, 99% CI 1.05 to 1.38) as was having a best friend who smoked (OR 3.17, 99% CI 1.42 to 7.09). Intention to ...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Background: Despite the continued global decline in adult tobacco prevalence, rates continue to b... more Background: Despite the continued global decline in adult tobacco prevalence, rates continue to be significantly higher in groups with problematic drug or alcohol use (PDA). It is estimated that people with alcohol, drug or mental health problems account for approximately half of all smoking deaths. In the UK, there are free stop smoking services for the general population. However, these services have been criticized as unsuitable for people in recovery from PDA due to their design, time-limited support, strict requirement for smoking abstinence and lack of consideration of harm reduction approaches. This has led to calls for alternative approaches to support this marginalized and underserved group. This research study seeks to respond to this call by co-creating and feasibility testing a tailored, trauma-informed service specifically for people seeking help for PDA, who are not in immediate crisis, and who may also want to reduce or stop their tobacco smoking. Methods: The mixed-m...
Purpose: The study examined three models of post-diagnostic support for dementia (PDS), to
unders... more Purpose: The study examined three models of post-diagnostic support for dementia (PDS), to understand how best to support people recently diagnosed with dementia. Methodology: A sequential mixed method approach was used which included analysis of the data collected by each sector, a focus group and interviews with PDS linkworkers and other staff. Findings: All three models used a mix of supported self management workshops and one-to-one PDS, however models varied by linkworker’s affiliation, caseload management and client group. Caseload varied greatly between sectors. Stage of disease and socioeconomic make-up of the local population were raised as factors determining the form of PDS offered. Some Pillars appeared to be more easily achieved than others. There was general agreement among all staff that ‘caseload’ was misleading and that a measurement of workload would be preferable. Agile/mobile working was preferred by linkworkers. Even within teams there was variation in perceptions of PDS; some felt the linkworker role to be one of signposting, while others felt more involved with their client group, and for longer than 12 months. Practical implications: Guidance at the outset of the PDS programme was sparse. The findings of this study should inform future development of the PDS model and a supporting guidance framework. Originality: There is a growing interest in PDS for dementia. However, little is known about what a model of PDS should look like. This study attempts to capture the most important aspects of PDS delivery.
Does exposure to cigarette brands increase the likelihood of adolescent e-cigarette use? A cross-sectional study, Feb 2016
Abstract
Objective To examine the relationship between tobacco cigarette brand recognition, and e... more Abstract Objective To examine the relationship between tobacco cigarette brand recognition, and e-cigarette use in adolescents.
Design Cross-sectional observational study.
Setting High schools in Scotland.
Participants Questionnaires were administered to pupils in Secondary 2 (S2 mean age: 14.0 years) and Secondary 4 (S4 mean age: 15.9 years) across 4 communities in Scotland. An 86% response rate with a total sample of 1404 pupils was achieved.
Main outcome measures Self-reported previous use of e-cigarettes and self-reported intention to try e-cigarettes in the next 6 months.
Results 75% (1029/1377) of respondents had heard of e-cigarettes (69.5% S2, 81.1% S4), and of these, 17.3% (10.6% S2, 24.3% S4 n=1020) had ever tried an e-cigarette. 6.8% (3.7% S2, 10.0% S4 n=1019) reported that they intended to try an e-cigarette in the next 6 months. Recognition of more cigarette brands was associated with greater probability of previous e-cigarette use (OR 1.20, 99% CI 1.05 to 1.38) as was having a best friend who smoked (OR 3.17, 99% CI 1.42 to 7.09). Intention to try e-cigarettes was related to higher cigarette brand recognition (OR 1.41, 99% CI 1.07 to 1.87), hanging around in the street or park more than once a week (OR 3.78, 99% CI 1.93 to 7.39) and living in areas of high tobacco retail density (OR 1.20, 99% CI 1.08 to 1.34). Never having smoked was a protective factor for both future intention to try, and past e-cigarette use (OR 0.07, 99% CI 0.02 to 0.25; and OR 0.10, 99% CI 0.07 to 0.16, respectively).
Conclusions Higher cigarette brand recognition was associated with increased probability of previous use and of intention to use e-cigarettes. The impact of tobacco control measures such as restricting point-of-sale displays on the uptake of e-cigarettes in young people should be evaluated.
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Papers by Martine Miller
understand how best to support people recently diagnosed with dementia.
Methodology: A sequential mixed method approach was used which included analysis of the data
collected by each sector, a focus group and interviews with PDS linkworkers and other staff.
Findings: All three models used a mix of supported self management workshops and one-to-one PDS,
however models varied by linkworker’s affiliation, caseload management and client group. Caseload
varied greatly between sectors. Stage of disease and socioeconomic make-up of the local population
were raised as factors determining the form of PDS offered. Some Pillars appeared to be more easily
achieved than others. There was general agreement among all staff that ‘caseload’ was misleading and
that a measurement of workload would be preferable. Agile/mobile working was preferred by
linkworkers. Even within teams there was variation in perceptions of PDS; some felt the linkworker
role to be one of signposting, while others felt more involved with their client group, and for longer
than 12 months.
Practical implications: Guidance at the outset of the PDS programme was sparse. The findings of this
study should inform future development of the PDS model and a supporting guidance framework.
Originality: There is a growing interest in PDS for dementia. However, little is known about what a
model of PDS should look like. This study attempts to capture the most important aspects of PDS
delivery.
Objective To examine the relationship between tobacco cigarette brand recognition, and e-cigarette use in adolescents.
Design Cross-sectional observational study.
Setting High schools in Scotland.
Participants Questionnaires were administered to pupils in Secondary 2 (S2 mean age: 14.0 years) and Secondary 4 (S4 mean age: 15.9 years) across 4 communities in Scotland. An 86% response rate with a total sample of 1404 pupils was achieved.
Main outcome measures Self-reported previous use of e-cigarettes and self-reported intention to try e-cigarettes in the next 6 months.
Results 75% (1029/1377) of respondents had heard of e-cigarettes (69.5% S2, 81.1% S4), and of these, 17.3% (10.6% S2, 24.3% S4 n=1020) had ever tried an e-cigarette. 6.8% (3.7% S2, 10.0% S4 n=1019) reported that they intended to try an e-cigarette in the next 6 months. Recognition of more cigarette brands was associated with greater probability of previous e-cigarette use (OR 1.20, 99% CI 1.05 to 1.38) as was having a best friend who smoked (OR 3.17, 99% CI 1.42 to 7.09). Intention to try e-cigarettes was related to higher cigarette brand recognition (OR 1.41, 99% CI 1.07 to 1.87), hanging around in the street or park more than once a week (OR 3.78, 99% CI 1.93 to 7.39) and living in areas of high tobacco retail density (OR 1.20, 99% CI 1.08 to 1.34). Never having smoked was a protective factor for both future intention to try, and past e-cigarette use (OR 0.07, 99% CI 0.02 to 0.25; and OR 0.10, 99% CI 0.07 to 0.16, respectively).
Conclusions Higher cigarette brand recognition was associated with increased probability of previous use and of intention to use e-cigarettes. The impact of tobacco control measures such as restricting point-of-sale displays on the uptake of e-cigarettes in young people should be evaluated.
understand how best to support people recently diagnosed with dementia.
Methodology: A sequential mixed method approach was used which included analysis of the data
collected by each sector, a focus group and interviews with PDS linkworkers and other staff.
Findings: All three models used a mix of supported self management workshops and one-to-one PDS,
however models varied by linkworker’s affiliation, caseload management and client group. Caseload
varied greatly between sectors. Stage of disease and socioeconomic make-up of the local population
were raised as factors determining the form of PDS offered. Some Pillars appeared to be more easily
achieved than others. There was general agreement among all staff that ‘caseload’ was misleading and
that a measurement of workload would be preferable. Agile/mobile working was preferred by
linkworkers. Even within teams there was variation in perceptions of PDS; some felt the linkworker
role to be one of signposting, while others felt more involved with their client group, and for longer
than 12 months.
Practical implications: Guidance at the outset of the PDS programme was sparse. The findings of this
study should inform future development of the PDS model and a supporting guidance framework.
Originality: There is a growing interest in PDS for dementia. However, little is known about what a
model of PDS should look like. This study attempts to capture the most important aspects of PDS
delivery.
Objective To examine the relationship between tobacco cigarette brand recognition, and e-cigarette use in adolescents.
Design Cross-sectional observational study.
Setting High schools in Scotland.
Participants Questionnaires were administered to pupils in Secondary 2 (S2 mean age: 14.0 years) and Secondary 4 (S4 mean age: 15.9 years) across 4 communities in Scotland. An 86% response rate with a total sample of 1404 pupils was achieved.
Main outcome measures Self-reported previous use of e-cigarettes and self-reported intention to try e-cigarettes in the next 6 months.
Results 75% (1029/1377) of respondents had heard of e-cigarettes (69.5% S2, 81.1% S4), and of these, 17.3% (10.6% S2, 24.3% S4 n=1020) had ever tried an e-cigarette. 6.8% (3.7% S2, 10.0% S4 n=1019) reported that they intended to try an e-cigarette in the next 6 months. Recognition of more cigarette brands was associated with greater probability of previous e-cigarette use (OR 1.20, 99% CI 1.05 to 1.38) as was having a best friend who smoked (OR 3.17, 99% CI 1.42 to 7.09). Intention to try e-cigarettes was related to higher cigarette brand recognition (OR 1.41, 99% CI 1.07 to 1.87), hanging around in the street or park more than once a week (OR 3.78, 99% CI 1.93 to 7.39) and living in areas of high tobacco retail density (OR 1.20, 99% CI 1.08 to 1.34). Never having smoked was a protective factor for both future intention to try, and past e-cigarette use (OR 0.07, 99% CI 0.02 to 0.25; and OR 0.10, 99% CI 0.07 to 0.16, respectively).
Conclusions Higher cigarette brand recognition was associated with increased probability of previous use and of intention to use e-cigarettes. The impact of tobacco control measures such as restricting point-of-sale displays on the uptake of e-cigarettes in young people should be evaluated.