Staff Profile of Professor Christopher R Burton

Chris trained at Glasgow University as a Registered General Nurse in 1992. His main ambition is to improve life for patients and families affected by stroke. His research concentrates on closing the gaps between evidence and the delivery of care. He has grown a significant programme of research, mainly in stroke, nursing and rehabilitation, and has supported service improvement through a wide range of bespoke organisational development programmes. His current research (value approx. £5M) is investigating the cost and clinical effectiveness of rehabilitation; improving clinical decision-making in end of life care; peer support in a range of health conditions; policy and practice around safe staffing in the NHS; and the impact of the Francis Inquiry in NHS England. Healthcare improvement has been facilitated through development programmes commissioned by NHS organisations, the Department of Health and the Scottish Government. Chris has co-led the development of Implementation Research at Bangor University, recognised by key stakeholders as internationally excellent. His leadership in this area was recently recognised through a personal award from the Health Foundation as an Improvement Science Fellow. As Head of School, his ambition is to ensure that the resources of the University are able to support the development of healthcare and health in North Wales.

Professional Qualifications:

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Postgraduate Certificate (Higher Education)
• Bachelor of Nursing
• Registered General Nurse

Projects (lead and co-applicant in the last 5 years)

£385,000 – ‘Can H-Ts maintain the oral health of routine low-risk dental recall patients in "high-street" dental practices: a pilot study’ (NIHR HS&DR, 2017)

£240,481 – ‘Evaluating the impact of a joint social care and NHS initiative to promote social participation and patient activation for older people in North Wales’ (Health and Care Research Wales, 2016)

£1,966,071 – ‘A multi-centre randomized controlled trial to compare the clinical and cost-effectiveness of Lee Silverman Voice Treatment versus standard NHS speech and language therapy versus control in Parkinson’s disease (PD COMM)’ (National Institute for Health Research, 2015)

£122,927 – ‘Managing Diabetes in People with Dementia (DiaMonD)’ (National Institute for Health Research, 2015)

£136,000 – ‘Peer support for social and leisure activities after stroke’ (National Institute for Social Care and Health Research, 2013)

£149,000 – ‘Improving skills and care standards in the clinical support workforce: a realist synthesis of workforce development and interventions’ (NIHR HSDR Programme, 2013)

£202,122 – ‘What does the Resource Based View of the Firm offer improvement science? Investigating the resource consequences and impacts of improvement’ (Health Foundation, 2013)

£145,000 – ‘Initiating End of Life in Acute Stroke’ (Marie Curie Cancer Care, 2012)

£100,310 – ‘SUPSS: Service User Preferences for Stroke Services’ (National Institute for Social Care and Health Research, 2010)

£1,920,000 – ‘OTCH: A cluster randomized controlled trial of an occupational therapy intervention for esidents with stroke in UK care homes (NIHR HTA Programme, 2009)

£1,202,831 – ‘ICONS: Indentifying Continence Options After Stroke (NIHR Programme Grant, 2008)

Publications (Last 5 years)

Brocklehurst, P., Williams, L., Burton, C. et al. (2017) Implementation and trial evidence: A plea for fore-thought. British Dental Journal 222: 331-335.

Masterson Algar, P., Rycroft-Malone, J. & Burton, C. (2016) Process evaluations in neurological rehabilitation: a mixed-evidence systematic review and recommendations for future research. BMJ Open 6: 11.

Williams L, Rycroft-Malone J, Burton CR, et al. (2016) Improving skills and care standards in the support workforce for older people: a realist synthesis of workforce development interventions. BMJ Open, doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016- 011964

Brocklehurst, P, Williams, L, Hoare, Z, Goodwin, T, McKenna, G, Tsakos, G, Chestnutt, I, Pretty, I, Wassell, R, Jerkovic-Cosic, K, Hayes, M, Watt, R & Burton, C. (2016) Strategies to prevent oral disease in dependent older people. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, 10, CD012402

Burton, C., Rycroft-Malone, J., Williams, L. et al. (2016) Managers' use of nursing workforce planning and deployment technologies: protocol for a realist synthesis of implementation and impact. BMJ Open 6: 8.

Williams, L., Rycroft-Malone, J. & Burton, C. (2016) Implementing best practice in infection prevention and control: A realist evaluation of the role of intermediaries. International Journal of Nursing Studies 60: 156-167.

Williams, L., Rycroft-Malone, J. & Burton, C. (2016) Bringing critical realism to Nursing Practice: Roy Bhaskar's Contribution. Nursing Philosophy 18(2): doi: 10.1111/nup.12130

Rycroft-Malone, J., Burton, C.R., Bucknall, T. et al. (2016) Collaboration and Co-Production of Knowledge in Healthcare: Opportunities and Challenges. International Journal of Health Policy and Management 5(4): 221-223.

Rycroft-Malone, J., Burton, C.R., Wilkinson, J., et al. (2016) Collective action for implementation: a realist evaluation of organisational collaboration in healthcare. Implementation Science 11: 17.

Sackley, C., Walker, M., Burton, C. et al. (2016) An Occupational Therapy intervention for residents with stroke-related disabilities in UK Care Homes (OTCH): cluster randomised controlled trial with economic evaluation. Health Technology Assessment 20: 15.

Bunn, F., Goodman, C., Rycroft-Malone, J., Reece-Jones P, Burton, C et al. (2016) Managing diabetes in people with dementia: protocol for a realist review. Systematic Reviews 5: 5.

Williams, L., Rycroft-Malone, J., Burton, C. et al. (2016) Improving Skills and Care Standards in the Support Workforce for Older People: A Realist Synthesis of Workforce Development Interventions. Health Services and Delivery Research 4: 12.

Rycroft Malone, J., Burton, C. R., Wilkinson, J. E. et al. (2015) Collective action for knowledge mobilisation: a realist evaluation of the Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care. Health Services and Delivery Research 3: 44.

Burton, C. R. & Rycroft-Malone, J. (2015) An Untapped Resource: Patient and Public Involvement in Implementation; Comment on “Knowledge Mobilization in Healthcare Organizations: A View From the Resource-Based View of the Firm”. International Journal of Health Policy and Management 4(12): 845.

Thomas, L. H., French, B., Sutton, C. J. et al. (2015) ICONS: Identifying Continence OptioNs after Stroke: An evidence synthesis, case study and exploratory cluster randomised controlled trial of the introduction of a systematic voiding programme for patients with urinary incontinence after stroke in secondary care. Programme Grants for Applied Research 3: 1.

Sackley, C.M., Walker, M.F., Burton, C.R., Watkins, C.L., et al. (2015) An occupational therapy intervention for residents with stroke related disabilities in UK care homes (OTCH): cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 350:h246 | doi: 10.1136/bmj.h468.

Burton, C. R., Horne, M., Woodward-Nutt, K., Bowen, A. & Tyrrell, P. (2015) What is rehabilitation potential? Development of a theoretical model through the accounts of healthcare professionals working in stroke rehabilitation services. Disability and Rehabilitation. 37: 21, p. 1955-1960.
Thomas, L. H., Watkins, C. L., Sutton, C. J., Forshaw, D., Leathley, M. J., French, B., Burton, C. R., Cheater, F.,

Roe, B., Britt, D., Booth, J. & McColl, E. (2014) Identifying continence options after stroke (ICONS): a cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial. Trials 15: 509.

Burton, C. R., Payne, S., Turner, M., Bucknall, T., Rycroft-Malone, J., Tyrrell, P., et al. (2014) The study protocol of: ‘Initiating end of life care in stroke: clinical decision-making around prognosis. BMC Palliative Care. 13: 1-8.

Masterson-Algar, P., Burton, C. R., Rycroft-Malone, J., Sackley, C. M. & Walker, M. F. (2014) Towards a programme theory for fidelity in the evaluation of complex interventions. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice 20(4): 445-452.

Magklara, E., Burton, C. R. & Morrison, V. (2014) Does self-efficacy influence recovery and well-being in osteoarthritis patients undergoing joint replacement? A systematic review. Clinical Rehabilitation. 28(9): 835-846.

Holmes, E. A., Plumpton, C. O., Roberts, G. W., Burton, C. R., et al. (2014) Investigating preferences for support with life after stroke: a discreet choice experiment. BMC Health Services Research 14(63): 1-13.

Burton, C. R., Payne, S., Turner, M., Bucknall, T., Rycroft-Malone, J., Tyrrell, P., et al. (2014) The study protocol of: ‘Initiating end of life care in stroke: clinical decision-making around prognosis’. BMC Palliative Care 13: 1-8.

Rycroft-Malone J., Burton C., Hall B., McCormack B., Nutley S., Seddon D. & Williams L. (2014) Improving skills and care standards in the support workforce for older people: a realist review. BMJ Open 4: e005356oi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-005356.

Burton C., Fargher E., Plumpton C., Roberts G., Owen H. & Roberts E. (2014) Investigating preferences for support with life after stroke: a discrete choice experiment. BMC Health Services Research 14: 63.

Thomas L., French B., Burton C., Forshaw D., Booth J., Britt D., Cheater F.C., Roe B., and Watkins C.L. (2014) Evaluating a systematic voiding programme for patients with urinary incontinence after stroke in secondary care using Soft Systems analysis and Normalisation Process Theory: findings from the ICONS case study phase. International Journal of Nursing Studies 51(10): 1308-1320.

Burton C., Rycroft-Malone J Robert G., Willson A. & Hopkins A. (2014) Investigating the organisational impacts of quality improvement: a protocol for a realist evaluation of improvement approaches drawing on the Resource Based View of the Firm. BMJ Open 4: e005650. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-005650

Williams L., Burton C. & Rycroft-Malone, J. (2013) The role of intermediaries in improving infection control practice. Journal of Advanced Nursing 69(4): 915–926.

Rycroft-Malone J., Wilkinson J., Burton C., Harvey G., McCormack B., Graham I. & Staniszewska S. (2013) Collaborative action around implementation in Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care: towards a programme theory. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy 18(3): 13-26.

Thomas L., Burton C., French B., Leathley M., Forshaw D., Sutton C., Roe B., Chesworth B. & Watkins C. (2013) ICONS: identifying continence options after stroke trial: utility of a logic model in the design and implementation of a process evaluation. Trials 14 (S1): O90.

Chesworth B., Leathley M., Thomas L., Forshaw D., Sutton C., French B., Burton C., Britt D., Roe B., Cheater F. & Watkins C. (2013) Assessing fidelity to complex interventions: the ICONS experience. Trials 14 (S1): 4.

Thomas L.H., Watkins C.L., French B., Sutton C., Forshaw D., Leathley M.J., Burton C. et al. (2013) ICONS: Identifying OptioNs after Stroke: findings from a cluster randomised exploratory trial. International Journal of Stroke 8 (S3): 4.

Fargher E.A., Plumpton C.O., Roberts G.W., Owen H. & Burton C. (2013) User Preferences for Stroke Services in Wales. Value in Health 16(7): A534.

Burton C., French B., Thomas L.H., Watkins C.L. (2013) Treatment fidelity within the ICONS: Identifying Continence OptioNs after Stroke trial: developing an explanatory account across data sources. International Journal of Stroke 8 (S3): 49.

Burton C., Coupe J., French B., Thomas L.H., Watkins C.L. (2013) Assessing implementation challenges within the ICONS: Identifying Continence OptioNs after Stroke trial: a soft systems analysis. International Journal of Stroke 8 (S3): 68.

Roberts G. & Burton C. (2013) Implementing the Evidence for Language-appropriate health care Systems: The Welsh Context. Canadian Journal of Public Health 104(6): S88-90.

Sackley, C.M., Burton, C.R., Herron-Marx, S., Lett, K., Mant, J., Roalfe, A.K., Sharp, L., Sheehan, B., et al. (2012) A cluster randomised controlled trial of an OT intervention for patients with stroke living in UK care homes (OTCH): study protocol. BMC Neurology, 12: 52.

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