Ruth Lewis

Senior Lecturer in Health Sciences Research

Research Overview

Ruth has extensive experience in the methodology and conduct of systematic reviews. Over the last 20 years she has been actively involved in a number of systematic reviews utilising various approaches and methods to evaluate a wide range of therapeutic indications and interventions. She has undertaken synthesis of both qualitative and quantitative data as part of systematic reviews funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme, Cancer Research UK, DoH (England) and the Welsh Government. She has also conducted evidence reviews to underpin National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Cancer guidelines. Her main research interest includes the use of different methods for evidence synthesis to inform clinical and policy decision making.

 

Research interests

  • Systematic reviews

  • Evidence synthesis

  • Treatment sequences

Membership of professional bodies and peer esteem:

  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

  • Associate Member of the National Institute for Social Care and Health Research (NISCHR) faculty

  • Convened the first Systematic Reviews symposium Cymru (2006)

  • Co-lead for the Bangor Evidence Synthesis Hub (BESH)

  • Act as peer reviewer for national funding bodies and various journals

Qualifications

  • PhD in Health Economics
  • M.Sc. in Information Studies

  • B.Sc. (Hons) in Podiatric Medicine

Publications

Lewis R, Hendry M, Din N, Stanciu MA, Nafees S, Hendry A, Teoh ZH, Lloyd T, Parsonage R, Neal RD, Collier G, Huws DW. Pragmatic methods for reviewing exceptionally large bodies of evidence: systematic mapping review and overview of systematic reviews using lung cancer survival as an exemplar. Systematic Reviews. 2019;8(1):171.

Stanciu MA, Law RJ, Nafees S, Hendry M, Yeo ST, Hiscock J, Lewis R, Edwards RT, Williams NH, Brain K, Brocklehurst P, Carson-Stevens A, Dolwani S, Emery J, Hamilton W, Hoare Z, Lyratzopoulos G, Rubin G, Smits S, Vedsted P, Walter F, Wilkinson C, Neal RD; WICKED Team on behalf of. Development of an intervention to expedite cancer diagnosis through primary care: a protocol. British Journal of General Practice. 2018;2(3):bjgpopen18X101595.

Lewis RA, Hughes DA, Wilkinson C. Decision analytic modelling methods for the assessing the effectiveness of treatment sequences for clinical and economic decision making: a methodological review. Value in Health. 2017 Nov 30;20(9):A748

Neal RD, Tharmanathan P, France B, Din NU, Cotton S, Fallon-Ferguson J, Hamilton W, Hendry A, Hendry M, Lewis R, Macleod U, Mitchell ED, Pickett M, Rai T, Shaw K, Stuart N, Tørring ML, Wilkinson C, Williams B, Williams N, Emery J. Is increased time to diagnosis and treatment in symptomatic cancer associated with poorer outcomes? Systematic review. British Journal of Cancer (2015); 1-16; doi: 10.1038/bjc.2015.48

Fitzsimmons D, Phillips C, Bennett H, Jones M, Williams NH, Lewis R, Sutton A< Matar H, Din UD, Burton K, Nafees S, Hendry M, Rickard I, Wilkinson C. Cost-effectiveness of different strategies to manage patients with Sciatica. Science Direct. May 2014. DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2014.04.008

Maggie Hendry, Lewis R, Alison Clements, Sarah Damery, Clare Wilkinson (CI) on behalf of the HPV core messages team.  “HPV? Never heard of it!”: A systematic review of girls’ and parents’ information needs, views and preferences about human papillomavirus vaccination.  Vaccine 31 (2013) 5152– 5167

Lewis R, Williams NH, Sutton AJ, Burton K, Ud Din N, Matar HE, Hendry M, Phillips CJ, Nafees S, Fitzsimmons D, Rickard I, Clare Wilkinson C. Comparative clinical effectiveness of management strategies for sciatica: systematic review and network meta-analyses. The Spine Journal 2015 Jun 1;15(6):1461-77. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2013.08.049. Epub 2013 Oct 4

France BD, Lewis RA, Sharma ML, Poolman M. Cordotomy in mesothelioma-related pain: a systematic review. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2014;4:19-29 doi:10.1136/bmjspcare-2013-000508

Williams NH, Lewis R, Din NU, Matar HE, Fitzsimmons D, Phillips CJ, Sutton A, Burton K, Hendry M, Nafees S, Wilkinson C. A systematic review and meta-analysis of biological treatments targeting tumour necrosis factor α for sciatica. European Spine Journal 2013; 22(9): 1921-1935. doi:10.1007/s00586-013-2739-

Hendry MA, Pasterfield DM, Lewis R, Carter B, Hodgson D, Wilkinson C. "Why do we want the right to die?” A systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis of the international literature on the views of patients, carers and the public on assisted dying. Palliative Medicine 2013 Jan;27(1):13-26. doi: 10.1177/0269216312463623

Hendry M, Pasterfield D, Lewis R, A Clements, Damery S, Neal R D, Adke R, Weller D, Campbell C, Patnick J, Sasieni P, Hurt C, Wilson S, Wilkinson C. Are women ready for the new cervical screening protocol in England? A systematic review and qualitative synthesis of views about human papillomavirus testing. British Journal of Cancer. 2012; 107: 243-254 doi:10.1038/bjc.2012.256

Williams NH, Amoakwa EN, Belcher J, Burton K, Hendry M, Lewis R, Hood K, Bennett P, Neal RD, Wilkinson C. Measuring illness and exercise beliefs in osteoarthritis of the hip or knee: psychometric properties of the Hip and Knee Beliefs Questionnaire and the Exercise Attitude Questionnaire.  International Musculoskeletal Medicine 2012; 34(1): 13-20

Lewis R, Williams N, Matar HE, Din N, Fitzsimmons D, Phillips C, Jones M, Sutton A, Burton K, Nafees S, Hendry M, Rickard I, Chakraverty R, Wilkinson C. The effectiveness and cost effectiveness of management strategies for sciatica: systematic review and economic model. Health Technology Assessment 2011: 15(39)

Williams NH, Amoakwa E, Belcher J, Edwards RT, Hassani H, Hendry M, Burton K, Lewis R, Hood K, Jones J, Bennett P, Linck P, Neal RD, Wilkinson C. Activity Increase Despite Arthritis (AÏDA): phase II randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of an active management booklet for hip and knee osteoarthritis. British Journal of General Practice 2011; 61(589): DOI:10.3399/bjgp11X588411

Henderson L, Clements A, Damery S, Wilkinson C, Austoker J, Wilson S on behalf of the HPV Core Messages Writing Group “A False Sense of Security?” Understanding the role of the HPV vaccine on future cervical screening behaviour: a qualitative study of UK parents and girls of vaccination age. Journal of Medical Screening 2011;18:41–45. DOI: 10.1258/jms.2011.010148  (Member of the writing group)

Simpson SA, Lewis R, van der Voort J, Butler CC. Oral or topical nasal steroids for hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD001935. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001935.pub3.

Williams NH, Amoakwa E, Burton K, Hendry M, Lewis R, Jones J, Bennett P, Neal RD, Andrew G, Wilkinson C. The Hip and Knee Book: developing an active management booklet for hip and knee osteoarthritis. British Journal of General Practice 2010; 60(571): 113-120. DOI: 10.3399/bjgp10X483166

Williams NH, Amoakwa E, Burton K, Hendry M, Belcher J, Lewis R, Hood K, Jones J, Bennett P, Edwards RT, Neal RD, Andrew G, Wilkinson C. Activity Increase Despite Arthritis (AÏDA): design of a Phase II randomised controlled trial evaluating an active management booklet for hip and knee osteoarthritis [ISRCTN24554946]. BMC Family Practice 2009; 10: 62. doi:10.1186/1471-2296-10-62

Lewis R, Hendry M. Systematic review of nurse-led cancer follow-up. Nursing Times, 2009; 105(37): 25-27

Lewis R, Neal RD, Williams NH, France B, Hendry M, Russell D, Hughes DA, Russell I, Stuart NSA Weller D, Wilkinson C. Follow-up of cancer in primary care versus secondary care: systematic review. British Journal of General Practice. 2009; 59(564): 525-532.

Lewis R, Neal RD, Hendry M, France B, Williams NH, Russell D, Hughes DA, Russell I, Stuart NSA, Weller D, Wilkinson C. Patients' and healthcare professionals' views of cancer care follow-up: A systematic review. British Journal of General Practice, 2009; 59(564): 533-540.

Lewis R, Neal RD, Williams NH, France B, Wilkinson C, Hendry M., Russell D, Russell I, Hughes DA, Stuart NSA, Weller D. Nurse-led vs conventional consultant-led follow-up for cancer patients: quantitative systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2009; 65(4): 271-283

Williams N, Amoakwa E, Burton K, Hendry M, Lewis R, Jones J, Bennett P, Neal R, Andrew G, Wilkinson C. The Hip & Knee Book. London: The Stationary Office, 2009

Komossa K, Rummel-Kluge C, Hunger H, Schwarz S, Schmid F, Lewis R, Kissling W, Leucht S. Sertindole versus other atypical antipsychotics for schizophrenia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD006752. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006752.pub2.

Williams NH, Hendry MA, France B, Lewis R, Wilkinson C. Effectiveness of exercise-referral schemes to promote physical activity in adults: systematic review. British Journal of General Practice 2007; 57, 979-986.

Williams NH, Hendry MA, Lewis R, Russell I, Westmoreland A, Wilkinson C. Psychological Response In Spinal Manipulation (PRISM): a systematic review of psychological outcomes in randomised controlled trials. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2007; 15, 271-283.

Thomas CL, Simpson SA, Butler CC, van der Voort J, Lewis R. Oral or topical nasal steroids for hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD001935. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001935.pub2.

Collins R, Lewis R, Flynn A, Dean ME, Myers L, Wilson P, Eastwood A. Viewpoint: Improving the reporting of clinical audits in the NHS. Clinical Governance. 2005;10:190-195.

Lewis R, Collins R, Flynn A, Dean ME, Myers L, Wilson P, Eastwood A. Effectiveness bulletin: A systematic review of cancer waiting time audits. Quality and Safety in Health Care 2005; 14: 62-66.

Lewis R, Bagnall A-M, Leitner M. Sertindole for schizophrenia. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD001715. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001715.pub2.

Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. A systematic review of cancer waiting time audits. CRD Report 27. York: University of York, 2005. (Lead author and reviewer)

Lewis R, Flynn A, Dean ME, Melville A, Eastwood A, Booth A. Management of Colorectal Cancer. Quality and Safety in Health Care 2004; 13(5): 400-404.

Booth A, Lewis R, Flynn A, Emmans Dean M, Eastwood A. The management of colorectal cancers. Synergy 2004 Sept;6-9.

The National Cancer Steering Group. Guidance on commissioning cancer services: Improving outcomes in colorectal cancer: Research evidence for the manual update. London: National Institute for Clinical Excellence, 2004. (http://guidance.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=204551 [accessed 10/10/07]). (Lead author and reviewer)

Bagnall A-M, Jones L, Ginnelly L, Lewis R, Glanville J, Gilbody S, Davies L, Torgerson D, Kleijnen J. A systematic review of atypical antipsychotic drugs in schizophrenia. Health Technology Assessment 2003; 7(13).

Lewis R, Bagnall A-B, Forbes C, Shirran L, Duffy S, Kleijnen J, Riemsma R, ter Riet G. The clinical effectiveness of trastuzumab for breast cancer: a systematic review. Health Technology Assessment 2002; 6(13).

Lewis R, Bagnall A-B, King S, Woolacott N, Forbes C, Shirran L, Duffy S, Kleijnen J, ter Riet G, Riemsma R. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of vinorelbine for breast cancer: a systematic review and economic evaluation. Health Technology Assessment 2002; 6(14).

Bagnall A-M, Forbes C, Lewis R, Golder S, Kleijnen J. An update of a rapid and systematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the taxanes used in the treatment of advanced breast and ovarian cancer. April 2001. http://www.nice.org.uk/Docref.asp?d=22175 [Accessed 10/10/07]

Lewis R, Whiting P, ter Riet G, O’Meara S, Glanville J. A rapid and systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of debriding agents in treating surgical wounds healing by secondary intention. Health Technology Assessment 2001; 5(14).

Jepson R, Forbes C, Sowden A, Lewis R. Increasing informed uptake and non-uptake of screening: evidence from a systematic review. Health Expectations 2001; 4(2): 116-130.

Adams C, Wilson P, Gilbody S, Bagnall A-M, Lewis R. Drug treatments for schizophrenia. Quality in Health Care 2000; 9: 73-79.

Bagnall A-M, Fenton M, Lewis RA, Leitner M, Kleijnen J. Ziprasidone for schizophrenia and severe mental illness. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2000, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD001945. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001945.

Bagnall A-M, Lewis RA, Leitner M, Kleijnen J. Molindone for schizophrenia and severe mental illness. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2000, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD002083. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002083.

Curell R, Urquhart C, Wainright P, Lewis R. Telemedicine versus face to face patient care: effects on professional practice and health care outcomes. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2000, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD002098. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002098.

Jepson R, Clegg A, Forbes C, Lewis R, Sowden A, Kleijen J. The determinants of screening uptake and interventions for increasing uptake: a systematic review. Health Technology Assessment 2000; 4 (14).

Lewis RA, Urquhart CJ, Rolinson J. Health professionals’ attitudes towards evidence-based medicine and the role of the information professional in exploitation of the research evidence. Journal of Information Science, 1998; 24 (5): 289-290.