Christina Pearce

Adherence in Children with problematic Severe Asthma

This PhD studentship aims to investigate factors related to non-adherence in children with problematic severe asthma (PSA), where asthma continues to be severe despite high levels of prescription medications.

Using the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for intervention development the PhD will:

1. Investigate known relevant factors related to non-adherence in asthma through relevant literature reviews
2. Explore reasons for non-adherence with children with PSA and their parents using qualitative and quantitative research methods,
3. Use electronic monitoring data (SmartInhaler) to map patterns of non-adherence
4. Use the accumulating data to develop a pilot feasibility and acceptability intervention study to improve adherence based on the Perceptions and Practicalities Approach.

About me

I have previously completed a BSc and MSc in psychology at The University of Manchester and an MSc in Health Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University. I have worked on projects involving both health practitioner and patients in Medically Unexplained Symptoms, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic Kidney Disease, Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis. I have worked closely with Health psychologists throughout my time studying and working at The University of Manchester and I am now commencing my training as a health psychologist alongside my PhD. I am interested in all long-term conditions and have experience in both qualitative and quantitative methodology.

Publications

• Christina Joanne Pearce & Louise Fleming (2018) Adherence to medication in children and adolescents with asthma: methods for monitoring and intervention, Expert Review of Clinical Immunology
• Nelson, P. A., Kane, K., Chisholm, A., Pearce, C. J., Keyworth, C., & Rutter, M. K. e. a. (2015). ‘I should have taken that further’ – missed opportunities during cardiovascular risk assessment in patients with psoriasis in UK primary care settings: a mixed methods study. Health Expectations.
• Chisholm, A., Nelson, P. A., Pearce, C. J., Keyworth C., Griffiths, C. E. M., Cordingley, L., & Bundy, C. (2015). The role of personal models in clinical management: Exploring healthcare providers’ beliefs about psoriasis, British Journal of Health Psychology.
• Nelson PA., Keyworth C., Chisholm A., Pearce C.J., Griffiths CEM., Cordingley L., Bundy C. and The Identification Management of Psoriasis-Associated Co-morbidiTy (IMPACT) Team. (2014). ‘In someone’s clinic but not in mine’ – clinicians’ views of supporting lifestyle behaviour change in patients with psoriasis: a qualitative interview study.British Journal of Dermatology.
• Pearce CJ., Chisholm A, Nelson PA, Kane K, Keyworth C., Chew-Graham C.A, Griffiths CEM and Cordingley L (2014). “This is more stuff I’ve got to include in my life”: Psoriasis patients’ experience of cardiovascular disease risk assessment: A qualitative study. Presented at the 7th International Congress of Psoriasis: from Gene to Clinic.
• Pearce CJ., Shahi, K., Sergeant J.C., Griffiths C.E.M  and Bundy C (2014) Psoriasis severity is partially explained by illness beliefs, mood and binge eating in overweight individuals. Presented at the 7th International Congress of Psoriasis: from Gene to Clinic

Acknowledgements

Funded by Asthma UK and based at UCL. Observation of clinical practice and research activities will be carried out at The Royal Brompton Hospital