The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh (UEDIN) is one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, ranked 4^th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education’s REF power ratings), with 90% of our research activity classified as world-leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

The Edinburgh Palliative and Supportive Care Group (EPaS), led by Professor Marie Fallon, aims to improve the care of patients with life-limiting illness, but also those living with treatment-related problems. There is a focus on cancer. Specific areas of interest include management of cancer-induced bone pain, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, institutionalisation of pain and symptom assessment, opioids in breathlessness, and cachexia and nutrition, with over 3000 patients with advanced cancer recruited to studies over the last few years. Prof. Fallon has led an international programme of RCTs in cannabinoids in cancer-related pain and the development of studies using fMRI in Edinburgh. EPaS has close collaborations with international and national cancer-related cachexia programmes and with Global Health. The group also contributes to the training and research of the Edinburgh Global Health Academy.

Role within MyPath: Prof. Fallon is co-lead of the MyPath study and specifically will head up WP4 (Implementation and Health Economics), coordinating with local centre leads and facilitators. An appropriate implementation science mixed methods approach will be used to facilitate bottom-up and top-down approaches to understanding facilitation and barriers at each level of the project. These levels will range from the actual digital pathways, including IT, local practices, current pathways, local culture (both professionals and patients), resources and, of course, professional attitudes and expectations. Facilitators in each centre will be trained, along with staff involved in data collection which will be ongoing and iterative throughout the project. Prof. Fallon will lead the actual implementation study in years 3 and 4.