MA(Hons); MSc; PhD; FHEA
Advanced Research Fellow
- ºÚÁÏÍø
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- Email Address
- z.skea@abdn.ac.uk
- Telephone Number
- +44 (0)1224 438153
- Office Address
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Aberdeen Centre for Evaluation (ACE) Health Sciences Building
Foresterhill Campus
Foresterhill
AB25 2ZD
- School/Department
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
Biography
Zoë Skea joined the Health Services Research Unit (now Aberdeen Centre for Evaluation, ACE) in 1999. She graduated in Sociology from the University of Glasgow in 1995 and gained an MSc in Health Services and Public Health Research from the ºÚÁÏÍø in 1999 and her PhD in 2005. Since joining ACE, Zoë's portfolio of research has involved sociologically informed investigations of stakeholders’ experiences of healthcare and of health services research. Zoë has particular interest and extensive expertise in using qualitative approaches to investigate patients’ perspectives of their care and treatment and also clinician – patient relations.
- Research
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Research Overview
Zoë currently has particular interests in:
‘Person centred care’ and associated concepts such as shared decision-making and support for self-management; clinician-patient communication issues; and issues relating to patient support and information provision. She also has interests in using evidence from patient/public and health professionals' perspectives to inform the design of health care research (e.g. clinical trials).
Zoë is always willing to discuss potential PhD supervisions and postdoctoral mentoring arrangements within these broad areas. Please contact Zoë at the e-mail address shown above or enquire at the Graduate School /study/postgraduate-research/
Current Research
OPAL: Hysteroscopy and polyp removal versus medical management for the improvement of abnormal uterine bleeding in premenopausal women: a feasibility trial (funded by NIHR)
The conceptual basis of functional activity limitation (FAL) and its measurement in neurodegenerative diseases - a mixed methods study (funded by NHS Grampian Charity)
RETHINK-VENT: Rethinking theatre ventilation for primary hip and knee arthroplasty: understanding feasibility, patient perspectives and potential environmental impact (funded by the James Weir Foundation)
Past Research
Examples of recently completed projects include:
'Come and work here!' Exploring the role of local community-led initiatives to improve recruitment and retention of healthcare staff in remote and rural areas (funded by NIHR).
Enhancing recruitment and retention of rural doctors in Scotland: A mixed methods study (Funded by the Chief Scientist Office).
Funding and Grants
2026- 2029 NHS Grampian Charity. The conceptual basis of functional activity limitation (FAL) and its measurement in neurodegenerative diseases. Swallow D & Skea ZC. £143,194.90
2022-2023 National Institute for Health Research. ‘Come and work here!’ Exploring the role of local community-led initiatives to improve recruitment and retention of healthcare staff in remote and rural areas.Locock, L., Hollick, R., Murchie, P., Skatun, D., Skea, ZC. & Watson, V. £243,666.53
2020-2022 Chief Scientist Office. Enhancing Recruitment And Retention Of Rural Doctors In Scotland: A Mixed-Methods Study. Locock L and Cleland J, Evans J, Hollick R, Murchie P, Skåtun D, Skea ZC, Watson V, Wilson P, Denison A. £298,984
2021-2022 NHS Grampian Endowments. Remote and rural healthcare: Pilot study to investigate experiences, differences and changes to medical care for people living in remote and rural areas of Scotland.' Maclaren A, Locock L, Skea ZC, Wilson P, Skåtun D £11,957
2019-2020 NHS Grampian Endowments. Baby boxes and parental capabilities: developing a measure of social outcomes. Skea ZC, Locock L, Ryan M, Morgan H, Black, M. £10,427
2018-2019 NHS Grampian Endowments. Using Care Opinion for patient-centred quality improvement.Locock L, Entwistle V, Skea ZC. £11,959
2016-2018 NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme. (REBALANCE) REview of Behaviour And Lifestyle interventions for severe obesity: AN evidenCE synthesis. Avenell A, Skea ZC, Aveyard P, Boyers D, de Bruin M, Webber L, MacLennan, G. £478,689.71
2014-2015 NHS Grampian Endowment Fund. Entwistle V, Swinton J, Oldroyd L, Skea Z, Sierawska A. Shared Decision-Making with Adults with Learning Difficulties: Pump Priming a New Research Theme for Person Centred Care. £11.670
2013-2015 The Health Foundation. Entwistle V, Cribb A, Watt I, Skea Z, Owens J. Re-conceptualising support for self-management of long-term conditions (Concept:SSM). £259,597
2011-2012 Prostate Cancer UK. Skea Z & MacLennan S (Joint CI), McCann S, N'Dow J. Support groups for men who have prostate cancer, their families and friends: identifying best practice models. £24,680
2011-2012 Scottish Cancer Research Network. Skea Z & MacLennan S (Joint CI). Information for choice in urological cancer: What people need, prefer and use. £21,629
2009 -2012 CSO Postdoctoral Fellowship in Health Services and Health of the Public Research. Schumm K, Campbell M, Ramsay C, Skea Z, MacLennan S, N'Dow J. The acceptability and usefulness of a trial participation decision aid: a mixed methods study of patients and clinicians in the UK. £167,975
2001-2005 CSO Research Training Fellowship. Skea Z, Entwistle V, Watt I, Russell E. Communication in different arenas: the case of MMR vaccine. £81,850
2000-2001 CSO small grant. Bhattacharya S, Entwistle V, Skea Z, Templeton A. Decision making in hysterectomy for heavy menstrual bleeding: how satisfied are women? (A pilot study). £20,575
- Teaching
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Teaching Responsibilities
Over the last 10 years, Zoë was the Course Co-ordinator for two ºÚÁÏÍø courses - Qualitative Health Research PU5529 (on-campus) and Qualitative Health Research PU5039 (fully online). These courses formed part of the Masters in Public Health and Masters in Global Health and Management programmes. She also contributes to the following courses: Evidence Based Health PU5031; Systematic Reviewing (PU5526);Fundamentals of Research Design (PU5027); Work-Based Placement with Health and Development Sector Organisation (PU5521); and Standard Project in Public Health (PU5910).
Zoë has developed a range of post-graduate research proposals within her programme of research (including an MRC doctoral training grant proposal and has been involved in two cross-college PhD studentship applications with colleagues from IAHS and CASS). She has supervised numerous MSc projects to successful completion (MSc in Health Services and Public Health Research; MSc in Public Health), one MPhil (Mental Health), one CSO postdoctoral fellow, three PhD students (IAHS) and an Elizabeth Russell Post-doctoral Research Fellow. She currently supervises two PhD students (IAHS).
Zoë provides one-to-one expert advice to colleagues within ACE (and across IAHS) on a range of project proposals /funded projects (particularly in the area of qualitative methodology/mixed methods research).
- Publications
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Page 1 of 1 Results 1 to 76 of 76
“It’s not just the person giving the feedback... It’s about what the system then does with it.�: A qualitative exploration of senior leaders’ and policymakers’ perceptions of online patient feedback using Care Opinion in NHS Scotland
Journal of Health Services Research & PolicyContributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
An exploration of online feedback for NHS Catering services
Patient Experience JournalContributions to Journals: ArticlesA Qualitative Study of the Lived Experiences of Working Age Adults Living with Adventitious Total Bilateral Blindness in Nigeria
Working Papers: Preprint Papers- [ONLINE]
Retention in trials: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis of studies reporting participant reasons for trial non-completion
BMJ Open, vol. 16, no. 4, e111824Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
A qualitative study of the lived experiences of working age adults living with adventitious total bilateral blindness in Nigeria
Global Public Health, vol. 21, no. 1, 2673730Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Promoting and protecting mental health of people living with adventitious blindness and low vision: a scoping review of protective and risk factors
Journal of Community Systems for Health, vol. 2, no. 1, 1213Contributions to Journals: Review articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
‘A little bit of support really, that's all I was looking for’ a qualitative study of the biographical disruption of fibromyalgia at work in the UK
SSM - Qualitative Research in Health, vol. 8, 100577Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
'Come and work here!’ Qualitative research exploring community-led initiatives to improve healthcare recruitment and retention in remote and rural areas
Health and Social Care Delivery Research, vol. 13, no. 34Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
‘Get away from it all’ or ‘Too good to be true?’: a qualitative exploration of job advertisements for remote and rural posts
Rural and Remote Health, vol. 25, no. 3, 9498Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
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"Why should anyone want to make things better for me particularly?": A qualitative exploration of Care Opinion and NHS care improvements Patient Experience Journal
Patient Experience Journal, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 35-45Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
‘Come and work here!’: A qualitative exploration of local community-led initiatives to recruit and retain health care staff in remote and rural areas of the UK
Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 180-188Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Involvement from the Start: including patient and public involvement in postgraduate teaching
16th ºÚÁÏÍø Annual Academic Development Symposium.Contributions to Conferences: PostersExploring rural Scottish GPs’ migration decisions: a secondary qualitative analysis considering burnout
BJGP Open, vol. 75, no. 752, pp. e187-e194Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
How does the Nigerian health system serve people living with disabilities? A socio-ecological analysis on people living with visual impairment
Global Health Action, vol. 18, no. 1, 2581456Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Rurality, healthcare and crises: investigating experiences, differences, and changes to medical care for people living in rural areas
Health & Place, vol. 87, 103217Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
‘Moving to the countryside and staying’?: Exploring doctors migration choices to remote and rural areas
Journal of Rural Studies, vol. 108, 103210Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Exploring Opinions and Concerns about the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine on a United Kingdom Online Discussion Forum
Journal of Colposcopy and Lower Genital Tract Pathology, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 117-123Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Protective and risk factors of mental health of working age adults with adventitious total bilateral blindness and low vision: a scoping review protocol
PloS ONE, vol. 19, no. 1, e0296659Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
The impact of Long Covid on the school experiences of children and young people: a qualitative study
BMJ Open, vol. 13, no. 9, e075756Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Care Opinion and NHS Scotland:: NHS Staff findings from a case study research project on using online patient feedback
HSR UK Annual ConferenceContributions to Conferences: PostersBehavioural optimisation to address trial conduct challenges: case study in the UK-REBOA trial
Trials, vol. 23, no. 1, 398Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
The Baby Box Scheme in Scotland: A Study of Public Attitudes and Social Value
Health Expectations, vol. 25, no. 6, pp. 3307-3314Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
'Valuing place in doctors’ decisions to work in remote and rural locations
Future Healthcare Journal, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 248-251Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Behavioural optimisation to address trial conduct challenges: case study in the UK-REBOA trial
ICTMC 2022Contributions to Conferences: PostersUnderstanding recruitment and retention of doctors in rural Scotland: Stakeholder perspectives
The Geographical Journal, vol. 188, no. 2, pp. 261-276Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Impact of fibromyalgia on work: informing strategies for enablement
Contributions to Journals: Conference Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [ONLINE] Video presentation
“Using humanity to change systems� – Understanding the work of online feedback moderation: a case study of Care Opinion Scotland
Digital Health, vol. 8, pp. 1-13Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery and non-surgical weight management programmes for adults with severe obesity: a decision analysis model
International Journal of Obesity, vol. 45, no. 10, pp. 2179-2190Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
- [ONLINE]
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Mental-physical multimorbidity treatment adherence challenges in Brazilian primary care: A qualitative study with patients and their healthcare providers
PloS ONE, vol. 16, no. 5, e0251320Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Moving to remote ethnography during Covid-19
Contributions to Conferences: Other Contributions- [ONLINE]
Co-design of data collection with participants of the Aberdeen Children of the 1950s cohort study
European Journal of Public Health, vol. 30, no. Supplement 5, pp. V294-V294Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI:
Anonymity, veracity and power in online patient feedback: A quantitative and qualitative analysis of staff responses to patient comments on the ‘Care Opinion’ platform in Scotland
Digital Health, vol. 6, pp. 1-13Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
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Exploring non-retention in clinical trials: A meta-ethnographic synthesis of studies reporting participant reasons for drop out
BMJ Open, vol. 9, no. 6, e021959Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
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InS:PIRE - Evaluation of the scaling up of a quality improvement initiative: abridged report
ºÚÁÏÍø. 52 pagesBooks and Reports: Other ReportsThe acceptability and feasibility of weight management programmes for adults with severe obesity: A qualitative systematic review
BMJ Open, vol. 9, no. 9, e029473Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
- [ONLINE]
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Bariatric surgery, lifestyle interventions and orlistat for severe obesity: the REBALANCE mixed-methods systematic review and economic evaluation
Health Technology Assessment, vol. 22, no. 68, pp. 1-286Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
- [ONLINE]
Development of a standardised set of metrics for monitoring site performance in multicentre randomised trials: a Delphi study
Trials, vol. 19, 557Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Surgeons' and methodologists' perceptions of utilising an expertise-based randomised controlled trial design: A qualitative study
Trials, vol. 19, 478Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
"The more you know, the more you realise it is really challenging to do": tensions and uncertainties in person-centred support for people with long-term conditions
Patient Education and Counseling, vol. 101, no. 8, pp. 1460-1467Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Jugglers and tightrope walkers: The challenge of delivering quality community pharmacy services
PloS ONE, vol. 13, no. 7, e0200610Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
“It’s trying to manage the work�: A qualitative evaluation of recruitment processes within a UK multi-centre trial
BMJ Open, vol. 7, no. 8, pp. 1-8Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
We need to talk about purpose: a critical interpretive synthesis of health and social care professionals’ approaches to self-management support for people with long-term conditions
Health Expectations, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 243-259Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
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“Was that a success or not a success?�: a qualitative study of health professionals’ perspectives on support for people with long-term conditions
BMC Family Practice, vol. 18, 39Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
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Decision aids for people considering taking part in clinical trials
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, no. 11, CD009736Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
'I've used the word cancer but it's actually good news': discursive performativity of cancer and the identity of urological cancer services
Sociology of Health & Illness, vol. 37, no. 3, pp. 340-354Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Strengthening the ethical assessment of placebo-controlled surgical trials: three proposals
Journal of Medical Ethics, vol. 15, 78Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Involving patients in their care
Current Breast Cancer Reports, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 211-218Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Decision aids for randomised controlled trials: a qualitative exploration of stakeholders' views
BMJ Open, vol. 4, no. 8, e005734Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Patient information leaflets (PILs) for UK randomised controlled trials: a feasibility study exploring whether they contain information to support decision making about trial participation
Trials, vol. 15, 62Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Communicating good care: A qualitative study of what people with urological cancer value in interactions with health care providers
European Journal of Oncology Nursing, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 35-40Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Determining information for inclusion in a decision-support intervention for clinical trial participation: A modified Delphi approach
Clinical Trials, vol. 10, no. 6, pp. 967-976Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Determining items for inclusion in a decision support intervention for clinical trial participation: a modified Delphi approach
Contributions to Journals: Conference Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
- [ONLINE]
Provision of cancer information as a "support for navigating the knowledge landscape": Findings from a critical interpretive literature synthesis
European Journal of Oncology Nursing, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 360-369Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Challenges in the research ethics review of cluster randomized trials: International survey of investigators
Clinical Trials, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 257-268Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
Reporting of patient consent in healthcare cluster randomised trials is associated with the type of study interventions and publication characteristics
Journal of Medical Ethics, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 119-124Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
Decision support interventions for people making decisions about participation in clinical trials (Cochrane protocol)
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, no. 3, CD009736Contributions to Journals: Literature Reviews- [ONLINE] DOI:
Analysis of patient information leaflets (PILs), used in clinical trials using the Informed Consent Evaluation instrument (ICEi)
Trials, vol. 12, no. Suppl 1, pp. A121Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Enabling mutual helping?: Examining variable needs for facilitated peer support
Patient Education and Counseling, vol. 85, no. 2, pp. e120-e125Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Impact of CONSORT extension for cluster randomised trials on quality of reporting and study methodology: review of random sample of 300 trials, 2000-8
British Medical Journal, vol. 343, no. -, d5886Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Developing a placebo-controlled trial in surgery: issues of design, acceptability and feasibility
Trials, vol. 12, 50Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Concepts of information provision in cancer care: a critical interpretive synthesis of literature
Medical Encounter, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 63Contributions to Journals: ArticlesInadequate reporting of research ethics review and informed consent in cluster randomized trials: review of random sample of published trials
British Medical Journal, vol. 342, d2496Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
'They're doing surgery on two people': a meta-ethnography of the influences on couples' treatment decision making for prostate cancer
Health Expectations, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 335-349Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of arthroscopic lavage in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a mixed methods study of the feasibility of conducting a surgical placebo-controlled trial (the KORAL study)
Health Technology Assessment, vol. 14, no. 5, pp. 1-180Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
When should a placebo be used in surgical trials?
Clinical Trials, vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 509Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI:
'Avoiding harm to others' considerations in relation to parental MMR vaccination discussion: an analysis of an online chat forum.
Social Science & Medicine, vol. 67, no. 9, pp. 1382-1390Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE]
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Involvement in treatment decision-making: its meaning to people with diabetes and implications for conceptualisation
Social Science & Medicine, vol. 66, no. 2, pp. 362-375Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE]
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Which surgical decisions should patients participate in and how?: Reflections on women's recollections of discussions about variants of hysterectomy
Social Science & Medicine, vol. 62, no. 2, pp. 499-509Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
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Methods of hysterectomy: should women have a say?
British Medical Journal, vol. 331, pp. 351-352Contributions to Journals: Letters- [ONLINE] DOI:
A centralised public information resource for randomised trials: a scoping study to explore desirability and feasibility
BMC Health Services Research, vol. 5, 39Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [OPEN ACCESS]
Women's perceptions of decision-making about hysterectomy
BJOG-An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, vol. 111, no. 2, pp. 133-142Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
Interventions for providers to promote a patient-centred approach in clinical consultations. A systematic review.
MRC Policy Brief, vol. May , no. (1)Contributions to Journals: ArticlesDecisions about treatment: Interpretations of two measures of control by women having a hysterectomy
Social Science & Medicine, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 721-732Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
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Bridging the gap between evidence-based medicine and patient-centered medicine
Patient Education and Counseling, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 295-296Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI:
Interventions for providers to promote a patient-centred approach in clinical consultations: A systematic review
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, no. 4Contributions to Journals: Literature Reviews- [ONLINE] DOI:
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Letter to the editor
Patient Education and Counseling, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 279-280Contributions to Journals: Letters- [ONLINE] DOI:
- [ONLINE]