Cathy Clifton

Dr Cathy Clifton


Postgraduate Research Student

About

My research project

Publications

Gerwyn Mahoney-Davies, Cara Davis, Catriona Glen, Catherine Clifton, Paul M Salkovskis (2017)Examining the emotional and psychological experiences of people with heart failure, In: British journal of cardiac nursing12(4)pp. 192-198 MA Healthcare

Aims and objectives: The aims of this study were to understand the emotional and psychological experiences of patients with heart failure in a busy NHS service and make recommendations for how best to support this population. Background: People with heart failure often experience depression, anxiety and other emotional and psychological difficulties. Their quality of life is reduced. Qualitative studies attempting to understand this have reported conflicting findings. Design: A qualitative approach was taken, with some supporting quantitative data. Methods: Ten participants were asked to complete the PHQ–9 and GAD–7, and rate their level of concern about their mood, anxiety, quality of life and social functioning. They completed a semi-structured interview about their experience of living with heart failure and the emotional and psychological impact of this. The interview was analysed thematically. Results: Participants scored in the moderate range on both depression and anxiety measures. They were more concerned about their mood, anxiety, quality of life and social functioning now than before the onset of heart failure. The themes present in the interview data were: changes to self and others; emotional reactions; thoughts about death; expectations for the future; and hospital experiences. Conclusions: Some people with heart failure report moderate levels of depression and anxiety, and significant changes in their lives; they display varying emotional reactions to these. People have clear expectations for the future and impose limits on their life. Services can make changes to support this population. Suggestions for doing this are made.

Iliatha Papachristou Nadal, Catherine Cliffton, Mark Chamley, Kirsty Winkley, Fiona Gaughran, Khalida Ismail, Catherine Helen Clifton (2020)Exploring healthcare professionals' perspectives of barriers and facilitators to supporting people with severe mental illness and Type 2 diabetes mellitus, In: Health & social care in the community28(2)pp. 690-697

Individuals with comorbid severe mental illness (SMI) and diabetes experience an average mortality gap of 20 years compared to individuals without these conditions. There has been some recognition by policies that there is a gap between mental healthcare and physical healthcare for SMI patients. Despite this, there are still no defined care pathways for individuals with SMI and diabetes. The aim of this study was to explore healthcare professionals' (HCPs) perspectives of barriers and solutions to supporting people with SMI and diabetes. HCPs in areas of South London were invited to attend a workshop event to discuss their views of SMI and diabetes pathways. Fifty participants were recruited using the Local Care Network. HCPs included GPs, mental health nurses, psychiatrists, diabetologists and care co-ordinators. The main themes were as follows: (a) poor coordination of care and care planning between services; (b) key techniques to improve integrated care; (c) perceived difficulties achieving better care and (d) supporting patient empowerment. The findings and recommendations from this workshop may provide some insight into key factors in providing and improving integrated SMI and diabetes care for patients in South East London and further afield.