Overview
Bethan Treadgold is a Chartered Psychologist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow within the Primary Care Research Group, University of Exeter Medical School, and qualitative advisor for the NIHR Research Design Service South West.
Bethan joined the University of Exeter in 2021, while finalising her PhD research at the Univeristy of Southampton. Bethan's research interests are interdisciplinary, with a focus on health services research, online health, patient experiences, and employing qualitative research methods.
Bethan began carrying out health services research while undertaking a MSc in Health Psychology at the University of Southampton (2016-2017), where she conducted a mixed-methods national service evaluation of rehabilitation services for children after treatment for a brain tumour (Treadgold et al. 2019). Alongside her studies, Bethan worked as a qualitative research assistant at the Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, in maternal health (Lawrence et al. 2020). Bethan went on to secure funding from the NIHR School for Primary Care Research, and later Research Capability Funding from Solent NHS Trust, to undertake a PhD studentship at the Primary Care Research Centre, University of Southampton (2017-2021). For her PhD, Bethan carried out a mixed-methods (though primarily qualitative) exploration of parents and carers’ views and experiences of eczema information and support in the online world. Bethan has since provided guidance for a charity to improve their online support services for families of children with eczema.
Since joining the Primary Care Research Group at the University of Exeter Medical School in 2021, Bethan has worked as a qualitative research fellow on three National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funded projects:
1. Digital Facilitation in Primary Care (DI-FACTO): a collaborative research project investigating the benefits and challenges associated with different models of digital facilitation currently in use in general practice across England. Bethan is working within the qualitative team to conduct a focused ethnography (case study) in general practices across the South West, and qualitative interviews with key stakeholders outside of general practice at national, regional, and local levels in England.
2. Investigating Clinical Excellence Awards (INCEA): a collaborative research project to develop a revised scoring scheme for the assessment of National Clinical Excellence Awards for doctors and dentists in England and Wales. Bethan is working on the qualitative component which involves interviews with current assessors and other stakeholders, and leading patient and public involvement.
3. Understanding the measurement of postural hypotension in primary care (UMPH): a collaborative research project to explore how postural hypotension testing is currently organised in primary care in England and to explore the barriers to, and facilitators of, improved uptake of postural hypotension assessment. Bethan is working within the qualitative team to conduct qualitative interviews with primary care practitioners responsible for routine blood pressure measurement.
In 2023, Bethan secured funding from the NIHR School for Primary Care Research to undertake a postdoctoral fellowship, building on her PhD research, to explore provision for developing a quality approval system overseen by primary healthcare professionals, for information shared in online support groups.
Qualifications
- BSc Psychology, University of Southampton (2016)
- MSc Health Psychology, University of Southampton (2017)
- PhD Primary Care Research, Univeristy of Southampton (2022)
- Chartered Psychologist, British Psychological Society (2022)
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Research
Research interests
Bethan's research interests are interdisciplinary, with a focus on:
- Health services research
- Online health
- Online support communties/forums
- Parents and carers' experiences
- Qualitative research methods
Research projects
- Investigating Clinical Excellence Awards (INCEA), a collaborative research project funded by the NIHR to develop a revised scoring scheme for the assessment of National Clinical Excellence Awards for doctors and dentists in England and Wales.
- Digital Facilitation in Primary Care (DI-FACTO), a collaborative research project funded by the NIHR to investigate the benefits and challenges associated with different models of digital facilitation currently in use in general practice in parts of Eastern England and North London, the South West, and the Midlands: http://sites.exeter.ac.uk/di-facto/
- Understanding the measurement of postural hypotension in primary care (UMPH), a collaborative research project to explore how postural hypotension testing is currently organised in primary care in England and to explore the barriers to, and facilitators of, improved uptake of postural hypotension assessment.
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Publications
Journal articles
Treadgold BM, Campbell JL, Abel GA, Sussex J, Froud R, Hocking L, Pitchforth E (2023). Investigating Clinical Excellence and Impact Awards (INCEA): a qualitative study into how current assessors and other key stakeholders define and score excellence.
BMJ Open,
13(6), e068602-e068602.
Abstract:
Investigating Clinical Excellence and Impact Awards (INCEA): a qualitative study into how current assessors and other key stakeholders define and score excellence
ObjectivesThe National Clinical Excellence Awards (NCEAs) in England and Wales were designed, as a form of performance-related pay, to reward high-performing senior doctors and dentists. To inform future scoring of applications and subsequent schemes, we sought to understand how current assessors and other stakeholders would define excellence, differentiate between levels of excellence and ensure unbiased definitions and scoring.DesignSemistructured qualitative interview study.Participants25 key informants were identified from Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards subcommittees, and relevant professional organisations in England and Wales. Informants were purposively sampled to achieve variety in gender and ethnicity.FindingsParticipants reported that NCEAs had a role in incentivising doctors to strive for excellence. They were consistent in identifying ‘clinical excellence’ as involving making an exceptional difference to patients and the National Health Service, and in going over and above the expectations associated with the doctor’s job plan. Informants who were assessors reported: encountering challenges with the current scoring scheme when seeking to ensure a fair assessment; recognising tendencies to score more or less leniently; and the potential for conscious or unconscious bias in assessments. Particular groups of doctors, including women, doctors in some specialties and settings, doctors from minority ethnic groups, and doctors who work less than full time, were described as being less likely to self-nominate, lacking support in making applications or lacking motivation to apply on account of a perceived likelihood of not being successful. Practical suggestions were made for improving support and training for applicants and assessors.ConclusionsParticipants in this qualitative study identified specific concerns in respect of the current approaches adopted in applying for and in assessing NCEAs, pointing to the importance of equity of opportunity to apply, the need for regular training for assessors, and to improved support for applicants and potential applicants.
Abstract.
Treadgold BM, Muller I, Teasdale E, Coulson N, Roberts A, Santer M (2023). Parental experiences of eczema advice in online parenting forums: a qualitative interview study.
BJGP Open,
7(2), BJGPO.2022.0155-BJGPO.2022.0155.
Abstract:
Parental experiences of eczema advice in online parenting forums: a qualitative interview study
BackgroundParents of children with eczema are increasingly turning to online parenting forums for advice about how to manage it. Little is known about how parents make sense of advice about eczema treatments in online forums, and how it affects their management of childhood eczema.AimTo explore how parents of children with eczema make sense of and act on advice about eczema treatments exchanged in online parenting forums.Design & settingQualitative interviews with parents of children with eczema from the UK.MethodFifteen parents were recruited through online advertisements and snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews were carried out face to face or by telephone, and analysed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsWhen seeking advice from online parenting forums about eczema treatments, parents described appraising the credibility of advice and considering the potential suitability of treatments that were recommended in the forum. Parents proceeded to make sense of online advice through either reading advice and not engaging in online discussions, or actively engaging in online discussions to direct topics and seek most relevant advice. Parents discussed advice received online in subsequent consultations with their GP and requested prescriptions of recommended treatments. Some parents described trying new treatments without consulting their GP.ConclusionUnderstanding how parents appraise, make sense of, and act on online advice could support healthcare professionals to disseminate advice appropriately, ask additional questions, and signpost parents to reliable online resources.
Abstract.
Lawrence W, Vogel C, Strommer S, Morris T, Treadgold B, Watson D, Hart K, McGill K, Hammond J, Harvey NC, et al (2020). How can we best use opportunities provided by routine maternity care to engage women in improving their diets and health?.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION,
16(1).
Author URL.
Treadgold BM, Teasdale E, Muller I, Roberts A, Coulson N, Santer M (2020). Parents and carers' experiences of seeking health information and support online for long-term physical childhood conditions: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative research.
BMJ OPEN,
10(12).
Author URL.
Treadgold B, Kennedy C, Spoudeas H, Sugden E, Walker D, Bull K (2019). Paediatric neuro-oncology rehabilitation in the UK: carer and provider perspectives.
BMJ Paediatr Open,
3(1).
Abstract:
Paediatric neuro-oncology rehabilitation in the UK: carer and provider perspectives.
OBJECTIVE: the provision of rehabilitation services after childhood brain tumour has not been established, despite a recent parliamentary call for urgent action. This service evaluation aimed to determine what specialist paediatric neuro-oncology rehabilitation services were available across the UK at the time of the surveys and whether the needs of patients and their families were being met. DESIGN: Cross-sectional on-line surveys. PARTICIPANTS: Survey 1: neuro-oncologist and nurse specialist members of the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) at Children's Principle Treatment Centres (PTCs) in the UK; Survey 2: parents of paediatric neuro-oncology patients belonging to the Brain Tumour Charity (TBTC) Research Involvement Network (RIN). RESULTS: 17 of the 20 (85%) PTCs in the UK and two teenagers and young adult cancer units responded to Survey 1, and 17 members of TBTC's RIN responded to Survey 2. Access to inpatient and outpatient neuro-oncology rehabilitation services after treatment for a central nervous system (CNS) tumour varied across regions in the UK. Service users in the RIN identified a need for an established neuro-oncology rehabilitation service for young people, a need for better communication across services and with families, and a need to fill gaps in multidisciplinary teams. CONCLUSION: the urgent need for specialist paediatric, teenage and young adult neuro-oncology rehabilitation services in the UK is often unmet, particularly for outpatients. Where services are not provided for those children and young people disadvantaged by the diagnosis of a CNS tumour, in clear breach of current guidelines, remedial action needs to be taken to ensure appropriate and equal access.
Abstract.
Author URL.
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External Engagement and Impact
External positions
Qualitative advisor for NIHR Research Design Service South West
Whilst working as a postdoctoral research fellow within the Primary Care Group at the University of Exeter, Bethan also works as a specialist qualitative advisor for the Exeter hub of the NIHR Research Design Service South West. This involves supporting researchers in developing qualitative research and funding applications of benefit to the general public and people who use NHS and social care services.
https://www.rds-sw.nihr.ac.uk/
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Teaching
Bethan has provided support on the following undergraduate and postgraduate programmes:
- BSc Psychology, Year 3, Psychology Applied to Health: Critical appraisal and behaviour change
- BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Year 1, Making Sense of Evidence: Qualitative research critical appraisal
- BSc Medical Sciences, Year 3, Final Year Research Project
- MSc Clinical Education, Introduction to Literature Reviews: Appraisal of Qualitative Studies
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