Social Dimensions of Health Institute

Core Staff Directory

Dr Sara Joice

Sara originally worked as a qualified nurse within the hospital, community and industrial setting. She completed her degree in psychology after her nurse training. Observing the miscommunications between patients and health professionals she embarked on a research career working with stroke patients and why they failed to adhere to effective therapeutic interventions. She completed her PhD and achieved Chartered Health Psychlogist status in 2005.
Sara's research interests focus around changing illness behaviour. This includes:

the ways in which patients and health professionals perceive illness
their underlying health and illness beliefs
adherence to therapeutic regimens
development of interventions to maximise patient adherence to promote recovery
understanding the process of putting research into practice

Teaching Interests

Behavioural Sciences
Grant writing procedures
Quantitative research methodology

Current trials

Principle Investigator & study manager	Tayside Acute Trust Scheme : Evaluating mirror devices: do they have a place in stroke rehabilitation in the home?	2008
Principle Investigator	CSO funded: Can adherence to a stroke workbook intervention be enhanced if delivered to patients by Health Professionals in a stroke unit setting: A feasibility study	2008
Co-applicant	CSO funded: Infant feeding plans from late pregnancy to 16 weeks after delivery: exploring the demographic, clinical and psychological predictors	2009

Completed trials

Principle Investigator	Tayside Acute Trust Scheme entitled "Predictors of Self-Management in Peripheral Vascular Disease" (n=99)	2008-2009
Principle Investigator	NMHAP Fellowship: Understanding & Enhancing Recovery from Stroke; An Examination Patients & Health Professionals Illness Beliefs (n=100)	2005-2007
Collaborator, advisor & study manager	CSO: CHZ/4/153 Can motor imagery enhance recovery of hand function after stroke? An evaluation of motor imagery training RCT (n=130)	2004-2007
Principle Investigator (studentship)	CSO: CZ5/10 Interventions for stroke patients: do patient's attitudes and health professional's communications determine adherence and benefit? RCT (n=120)	2000-2005
Collaborator & study manager	CSO: K/CRI/1/7: A workbook-based intervention for stroke patients: Effects on disability and distress in patients and carers RCT (n=300)	1998-2001

Non-academic positions

Member of Stroke Association-Scotland Committee
Member of Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network Group updating SIGN 64 Management of patients with stroke: Rehabilitation, prevention and management of complications and discharge planning and SIGN 78 Management of patients with stroke: Management of dysphagia.
Member of Division of Health Psychology- Scotland; European Health Psychology Society and UK Society for Behavioural Medicine

See publications.

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