Dr Bianca Wiering

About me:

Bianca is a Research Fellow interested in diagnostic pathways for patients diagnosed with cancer. She uses big primary, and secondary care datasets for a number of projects exploring opportunities for earlier diagnosis of cancer, primarily in primary care. She currently works on the "Understanding inequalities in cancer diagnostic outcomes for people with Learning Disabilities (CancerLearn)" study.

Recently, she also worked on the NIHR funded study "SPOtting Cancer among Comorbidities (SPOCC) programme: Supporting clinical decision making in patients with symptoms of cancer and pre-existing conditions" and the NIHR SPCR funded study :"OSCA: A mixed-methods study of attendance for suspected cancer investigations in people with anxiety and/or depression". She was also a co-chief investigator and line manager for the NIHR RfPB funded project "Understanding Discordance With NICE Suspected Cancer: Recognition And Referral (NG12) Guidance In Primary Care In England". 

Previously, Bianca studied psychology at Utrecht University (the Netherlands). During and after her study she worked at the Netherlands Institute for health services research (NIVEL), where she mainly worked on research projects concerning patient-provider communication in hospital care, such as shared decision making in pediatric oncology and genetic counselling for breast cancer. Bianca completed her PhD at Tilburg University. Her PhD dissertation concerned patient involvement in establishing quality of health care and improving patient-provider communication. 

Broad research specialisms:

• Cancer diagnosis in primary care
• Patient-provider communication
• Patient reported outcome and experience measures

Non-research activities:

• PhD supervisor
• Academic tutor for Medical Sciences students
• South West SDE Data Access Committee member
• Member of the APEx communication team
• Small group tutor for the Making sense of evidence module
• Pastoral tutor for PGR students

Qualifications:

• PhD
• MSc Clinical and health psychology
• BSc Psychology