Dr Katherine Webber
About
Biography
Dr Katherine Webber graduated from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne in 2000 and trained in general and palliative medicine in London. She was awarded a PhD from Imperial College, London for development of a cancer pain assessment tool which has been validated in multiple languages and widely used internationally for clinical and research purposes. She has an MSc from University of Bristol in Palliative Medicine with research evaluating alcohol and drug misuse in cancer populations.
Katherine was appointed as Consultant in Palliative Medicine at the Royal Surrey Foundation Trust in 2014 and as Foundation Programme Director in 2016. She has co-developed an international medical graduate foundation trust grade programme as well as deanery foundation expansion. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Academy of Medical Educators.
Her main research interests focus on palliative medicine and medical education. Katherine was a co-applicant on two successful NIHR grants investigating the role of artificial hydration at the end of life. She has published medical education research assessing the role of workplace-based assessments in postgraduate training. She has extensive experience of psychometric analysis and clinical assessment development.
Publications
Additional publications
Webber K, Davies AN, Waghorn M. Do physical symptoms predict psychological issues in patients with cancer? BMJ Supportive Care in Cancer 2023. doi:10/1136/spcare-2023-004228
Perceau-Chambard E, Roche S, Tricou C, Mercier C, Barbaret C, Davies A, Webber K, Filbet M, Economos GPS. Validation of a French version of the Breakthrough Pain Assessment Tool in cancer patients: Factorial structure, reliability and responsiveness. PLoS One 2023; 10:18(7): e0286947
Webber K, Selman R. UK palliative medicine trainees and multisource communication skills feedback: an educational tool? BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care 2022; 12(e4): e485-e488
Webber K, Davies AN, Leach C, Waghorn M. Symptom prevalence and severity in palliative cancer medicine. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care 2021-002357
Oldenmenger W, Lucas A, van der Werff G, Webber K et al. Validation of the Dutch Version of the Breakthrough Pain Assessment Tool in Patients with Cancer. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 2020; 59: 709-716
Alderman B, Webber K, Davies A. An audit of end-of-life symptom control in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) dying in a hospital in the United Kingdom. Palliat Med 2020; 34(9): 1249-1255
Webber K, Davies A, Leach C, Bradley A. Alcohol and Drug Use Disorders in Cancer Patients and Caregivers: Effects on Caregiver Burden. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care 2020; 10(2): 242-247
Davies AN, Elsner F, Filbet MJ, Porta-Sales J, Ripamonti C, Webber K. Breakthrough cancer pain management: a review of international and national guidelines. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care 2018; 8(3): 241-249
Davies AN, Waghorn M, Webber K, Johnsen S, Mendis J, Boyle J. A cluster randomised feasibility trial of clinically assisted hydration in cancer patients in the last days of life. Palliative Medicine 2018; 32: 733-43
Davies AN, Dickman A, Farquhar-Smith P, Webber K, Zeppetella J. Incorrect use of the English language term ‘Episodic’. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 2016; 52: e1
Davies AN, Webber K. Misuse of rapid-onset opioids? Misuse of terminology! Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 2016; 30: 513-4
Webber K, Davies AN, Cowie MR. Disparities between clinician and patient perception of breakthrough pain control. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 2016; 51(5): 933-7
Davies A, Mundin G, Vriens J, Webber K, Buchanan A, Waghorn M. The influence of low salivary flow rates on the absorption of a sublingual fentanyl citrate formulation for breakthrough cancer pain. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 2016; 51(3): 538-45.
Webber K, Davies AN, Cowie MR. Accuracy of a diagnostic algorithm to diagnose breakthrough cancer pain as compared with clinical assessment. Journal of pain and Symptom Management 2015; 50: 495-500.
Davies A, Webber K. Stercoral perforation of the colon: a potentially fatal complication of opioid-induced constipation. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2015; 50: 260-2.
Webber K. Development of the Breakthrough pain Assessment Tool (BAT) in cancer patients. Int J Palliat Nurs 2014; 20: 424
Webber K, Davies AN, Zeppetella G, Cowie MR. Development and validation of the Breakthrough pain Assessment Tool (the “BAT”) in cancer patients. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 2014; 48: 619-31
Webber K, Davies A. An observational study to determine the prevalence of alcohol use disorders in advanced cancer patients. Palliative Medicine 2012; 26: 360-7.
Webber K, Davies A, Cowie M. Breakthrough pain: a qualitative study involving patients with advanced cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer 2011; 19: 2041-6.
Webber K, Davies A. Validity of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale Short Form psychological subscales in advanced cancer patients. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 2011; 42: 761-7.