Research outputs

CCQI has led or collaborated on many research and evaluation projects. Those shown here are the more recent ones.

Physical and mental health research outputs

We evaluated the impact of implementing the Lester resource in four pilot sites. Based on the results of our evaluation, NHSE produced a toolkit to help mental health services improve the physical health care of people with mental health problems.

Health services and carers research outputs

We developed a robust questionnaire to measure the well-being of carers, and how well they are supported. It’s called the Carer Well-Being and Support (CWS) questionnaire.

The paper below describes how we developed the CWS and reports on its measurement properties:

Quirk A, Smith S, Hamilton S et al.  The development and validation of the Carer Well-Being and Support (CWS) Questionnaire. Mental Health Review. 2012; 17(3): 128-138.  

We observed how decisions are made between psychiatrists and outpatients about prescribing anti-psychotic drugs to outpatients.

The results are given in a number of publications and form the core of a CPD online module for mental health professionals called How Patient-Centred are You? :

  • View RCPsych CPD online module
  • Publications
    • Chaplin, R., Lelliott, P., Quirk, A. & Seale, C. (2007) ‘Negotiating styles adopted by consultant psychiatrists when prescribing antipsychotics’, Advances in Psychiatric Treatment 13, 43 – 50
    • Quirk, A., Chaplin, R., Lelliott, P. & Seale, C. (2009) The negotiation of prescribing decisions: some good practice issues. In N. Harris, J. Baker & R. Gray (eds) Medicines Management in Mental Health. Wiley-Blackwell.
    • Quirk, A., Chaplin, R., Lelliott, P. & Seale, C. How pressure is applied in ‘negotiated’ decisions about medication. Sociology of Health & Illness, in press.
    • Quirk, A., Chaplin, R., Lelliott, P. & Seale, C. Communication about adherence to long-term anti-psychotic prescribing. British Journal of Psychiatry. Submitted.
    • Seale, C., Chaplin, R., Lelliott, P. & Quirk, A. (2007) ‘Antipsychotic medication, sedation and mental clouding: An observational study of psychiatric consultations’, Social Science & Medicine, 65(4), 698-711.
    • Seale, S., Chaplin, R., Lelliott, .P, & Quirk, A. (2006) Sharing decisions in consultations involving anti-psychotic medication: a qualitative study of psychiatrists’ experiences. Social Science & Medicine, 62: 2861-2873.

We evaluated different ways of translating new national policies into better mental health services.

We modelled the interface between Primary Care and Specialist Mental Health Services, to inform commissioning decisions.

We helped the Institute of Psychiatry evaluate ‘Safewards’, a package of interventions designed to reduce conflict and containment on psychiatric wards.

The paper below gives the main results of the Safewards trial:

Bowers L, James K, Quirk A et al. Reducing conflict and containment rates on acute psychiatric wards: The Safewards cluster randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Nursing Studies 2015; 52(9): 1412-1422. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2015.05.001.

We’ve been working with European partners on a programme of work which aims to provide guidance at EU level on patient empowerment, self-management of long term health conditions and self-care of minor conditions.

These projects are called EMPATHiE, PiSCE and PRO-STEP.

Mental health in older people

We ran the UK arm of a European study about the health and well-being of older people. The study formally finished in 2012, but we continue to contribute to publications. 

The paper below presents findings on the prevalence of mental disorders in people aged 65-84 across Europe:

Andreas S, Schulz H, Volkert J, Dehoust M, Sehner S, Suling A, Ausín B, Canuto A, Crawford M, Da Ronch C, Grassi L, Herschkovitz Y, Muñoz M, Quirk A, Rotenstein O, Santos-Olmo AB, Shalev A, Strehle J, Weber K, Wegscheider K, Wittchen HU, Härter M. Prevalence of mental disorders in elderly people: the European MentDis_ICF65+ Study. British Journal of Psychiatry 2016; 210: 125-131. DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.115.180463.

We explored the measurement properties of a patient feedback questionnaire used in the CCQI's Elder-Friendly Quality Mark program.

Child and adolescent mental health

We completed a study of the pathways through which young people are admitted to adult psychiatric wards, and what happens to them.

We evaluated inpatient services for children and adolescents, in terms of cost, clinical and social outcomes, and the satisfaction of patients.

Social and economic factors

We completed a systematic review of the evidence on the relation between indebtedness and mental health problems, plus resources for health and social care professionals.

  • Download the report (PDF)

We ran the first national survey of how debt collection staff work with customers who have debts and mental health problems.

  • Download the report (PDF)
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