Informatics/Research & Development
Research and Development activity.
Within collaborative research, we are interested in developing on-line training materials to ‘bespoke’ software for dealing with specific problems posed by practitioners and managers in the NHS.
Examples of projects currently being pursued can be found in the projects menu above;
Informatics
Within JMU, informatics is a very strong element within most faculties. However, the developments have not been consistent and applicable to the work ethos of the employer with whom we place our graduates.
CHaSCI will systematically demonstrate how some of the basic developments within computing lend itself to promoting teaching and research.
Health and Social Services have not capitalised on the new technologies to both train staff and promote research, using the new emerging technologies which disciplines allied to computing take for granted.
This use and development of informatics will include a number of activities. As well as offering basic IT skills training, the centre will offer on-line curricula within health sciences (and related subjects). Research opportunities will be available for professionals within the NHS and related agencies to pursue programmes of study which concentrate on promoting the use, development and implementation of IT solutions in their disciplines – clinical or management.
Subject Disciplines collaborating within CHaSCI include:
Public Health
The Centre for Public Health specialises in applied research and educational programmes that address wide ranging health issues - from policy development to service delivery. We have six expert teams specialising in Substance Use (Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco), Club Health, Sexual Health and Communicable Disease, Education and Training, Health and Environment, and the North West Public Health Observatory. Informatics is a key area of work that cuts across all six teams and enables the delivery of the surveillance, research, intelligence and educational functions of the Centre through a series of interactive tools. For example:
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Surveillance systems (either bespoke or as part of a wider National system)
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Large National datasets, with tools enabling routine or ad hoc analyses
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Mapping and GIS visualisation of datasets
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Interactive online tools for the delivery of information and analysis
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Solutions for integration and interoperability between multi-agency datasets and disparate web-based information systems.
Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences
The Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, has the necessary equipment and expertise which allows detailed movement analysis. This involves a half day testing session which includes taking medical history, performing a physical examination of joints and muscles, videoing walking and/or running over a force/pressure platform built into the floor (Base Package). It may also include one of the following components: attaching reflective markers on joints and capturing movement by a computer using infrared cameras (Gait Package), measuring muscle actions with electromyography (EMG), measurement of energy consumption (COSMED), bone scan (DEXA), isokinetic strength assessment (Biodex).
Subsequent to data acquisition results are analysed, a written report is produced including multimedia illustrations. The personnel involved in testing are academic staff at this university.
The aim is to provide specific information which can help to understand the nature of the injury. The report typically attempts to uncover the abnormal mechanisms which may be related to the patient’s particular problems. Not being placed in a medical environment, a diagnosis of the condition cannot be given or medical advise provided. However certain helpful recommendations maybe made about what the patient may do by way of exercise and/or what other avenues might be to pursued.
Computing and Mathematical Sciences (CMS)
CMS has a long history of developing teaching and research in computing and general IT. As well as a full complement of study programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, we have many examples of collaborative, industrial projects which employ generic techniques for wide application. Areas of work which lend well to CHaSCI include, Artificial Intelligence, Games programming, Multimedia and HCI technologies, intelligent teaching systems/e-learning, planning and scheduling. (More details are available on the School website).
Health and Healthcare Research
At JMU Healthcare research brings to CHaSCI a profile which relates closely to key areas of the national and regional NHS plan, particularly with respect to health inequalities, consumer involvement and reorganisation into primary care and nursing services. It relates to both the national and international context where evidence based practice and evaluation are highlighted. The joint appointments of researcher/clinicians with local Trusts have been highly successful and additional appointments are planned. As links continue to be forged and strengthened, a rapid expansion of research training and activity for a range of healthcare professions is planned. Activity within CHaSCI is a prime example, were ICT will be integrated and developed as an enabling framework for teaching and research.
There is a high degree of expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodology. There are currently five full-time senior members of staff funded by the University. Staff involved in research in health include five full-time research fellows and assistants, two part-time research assistants, seven associated staff and a full-time research administrator The staff possess a range of postgraduate qualifications, expertise and experience, both professional and academic, including physiotherapy, midwifery, nursing, psychology and social policy. In addition other disciplines at JMU have input into healthcare projects and the excellent collaborative national and international links are maintained in the management and delivery of externally funded projects. The majority of research projects are clinical in nature and are carried out in collaboration with NHS Trusts in the Merseyside region.
