Dr Megan ArmstrongLecturer in Mental Health Research MethodsEmail: megan.armstrong@qmul.ac.ukProfileTeachingResearchPublicationsSupervisionPublic EngagementProfileI am a Lecturer in Mental Health Research Methods in the Unit for Psychological Medicine in the Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health. I am a mixed method researcher and my main interests include reducing health inequalities, self-management of long-term conditions, and improving health and social care access. I research a wide range of populations including those experiencing homelessness, those experiencing socioeconomic deprivation, people with multiple long-term conditions, and palliative populations. I have conducted research as a Principal Investigator funded by the NIHR School of Primary Care Research on the self-management of multiple long-term conditions in those experiencing socioeconomic deprivation. Additional grants I have led include how to actively include people experiencing socioeconomic deprivation in research and building a collaboration network between research academics and voluntary and community sector organisations to enhance research of health inequalities. I also provided an impact case study for REF2021 on improving the quality and co-ordination of palliative care for people experiencing homelessness. I mentor and supervise post-doctoral researchers, as well as providing placements for In2Research students. I am an editor for BMC Health Services Research and a representative for 'Developing an updated agenda for Primary Care research on Multiple Long-Term Conditions’ to complement the existing James Lind Alliance patient-led priorities for multimorbidity. I am also the support lead for PhD students in the Unit for Psychological Medicine.Postgraduate TeachingI teach Applied Research Methods on the following courses: MSc Mental Health: Psychological Therapies MSc Forensic Psychology and Mental Health MSc Forensic Mental Health: Research and Practice MSc Mental Health: Cultural Psychology and Psychiatry ResearchResearch Interests:Health inequalities, Self-management, multiple long-term conditions, palliative care, primary care. Examples of research funding:I am Principal Investigator on the following projects: Enhancing self-management in primary care for people experiencing socioeconomic deprivation with multiple long-term conditions. NIHR School for Primary Care Research. Implementation of digital health interventions in primary care settings. Systematic review with narrative synthesis. NIHR School for Primary Care Research (Co-Principal Investigator). How to actively include people from low socioeconomic positions in research from participation to dissemination. UCL Beacon Bursary. Building a collaboration network between research academics and voluntary and community sector organisations to enhance research of health inequalities. UCL Research Culture Awards. I am co-investigator on the following projects: Improving support services for family carers from the Pakistani ethnic group through social prescribing. NIHR School for Primary Care Research. Understanding the mental health and wellbeing needs within primary care of family carers of people living with dementia from a South Asian background. NIHR School for Primary Care Research. A Co-Produced Guide to Youth Involvement in Mental Health Research with Under-represented Communities of Young People. NIHR Mental Health Springboard funding. PublicationsOutstanding publications Okpako, T., Woodward, A., Walters, K., Davies, N., Stevenson, F., Nimmons, D., Chew-Graham, C.A., Protheroe, J. and Armstrong, M. (2023). Effectiveness of self-management interventions for long-term conditions in people experiencing socio-economic deprivation in high-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Public Health, 45(4), pp.970-1041. Woodward, A., Davies, N., Walters, K., Nimmons, D., Stevenson, F., Protheroe, J., Chew-Graham, C.A. and Armstrong, M., (2023). Self-management of multiple long-term conditions: A systematic review of the barriers and facilitators amongst people experiencing socioeconomic deprivation. Plos one, 18(2). Armstrong, M., Aker, N., Nair, P., Walters, K., Barrado‐Martin, Y., Kupeli, N., Sampson, E.L., Manthorpe, J., West, E. and Davies, N., (2022). Trust and inclusion during the Covid‐19 pandemic: perspectives from Black and South Asian people living with dementia and their carers in the UK. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 37(3). Armstrong, M., Tuijt, R., Read, J., Pigott, J., Davies, N., Manthorpe, J., Frost, R., Schrag, A. and Walters, K., (2021). Health care professionals’ perspectives on self-management for people with Parkinson’s: qualitative findings from a UK study. BMC geriatrics, 21(1), pp.1-11. Armstrong, M., Shulman, C., Hudson, B., Stone, P., & Hewett, N. (2021). Barriers and facilitators to accessing health and social care services for people living in homeless hostels: a qualitative study of the experiences of hostel staff and residents in UK hostels. BMJ open, 11(10), e053185. Armstrong, M., Shulman, C., Hudson, B., Brophy, N., Daley, J., Hewett, N., & Stone, P. (2021). The benefits and challenges of embedding specialist palliative care teams within homeless hostels to enhance support and learning: Perspectives from palliative care teams and hostel staff. Palliative Medicine. Davies N, Armstrong M, Pigott J et al. (2024). Co-design of a facilitated self-management toolkit for people with Parkinson’s disease. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref McMullen S, Poduval S, Armstrong M et al. (2024). A qualitative exploration of the role of culturally relevant social prescribing in supporting Pakistani carers living in the UK. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/101081 Armstrong M, Woodward A (publicationYear). Engaging people experiencing socioeconomic deprivation in qualitative research: reflections. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1080/14780887.2024.2384926 QMRO: qmroHref Pigott JS, Armstrong M, Davies N et al. (2024). Factors associated with self-rated health in people with late-stage parkinson’s and cognitive impairment. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1007/s11136-024-03703-2 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/98721 Rookes TA, Nimmons D, Frost R et al. (2024). Effectiveness of complex behaviour change interventions tested in randomised controlled trials for people with multiple long-term conditions (M-LTCs): systematic review with meta-analysis. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081104 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/97547 Woodward A, Walters K, Davies N et al. (2024). Barriers and facilitators of self‐management of diabetes amongst people experiencing socioeconomic deprivation: A systematic review and qualitative synthesis. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1111/hex.14070 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/98723 Woodward A, Nimmons D, Davies N et al. (2024). A qualitative exploration of the barriers and facilitators to self‐managing multiple long‐term conditions amongst people experiencing socioeconomic deprivation. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1111/hex.14046 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/98725 Armstrong M, Walters K, Davies N et al. (publicationYear). Intervention components in the self-management of Parkinson’s: a mixed-methods synthesis of qualitative and quantitative evidence. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10436-4 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/98730 Pigott JS, Davies N, Chesterman E et al. (2024). Compound impact of cognitive and physical decline: A qualitative interview study of people with Parkinson's and cognitive impairment, caregivers and professionals. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1111/hex.13950 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/98728 Walters K, Armstrong M, Gardner B et al. (publicationYear). Clinical and cost-effectiveness of ‘Live Well with Parkinson’s’ self-management intervention versus treatment as usual for improving quality of life for people with Parkinson’s: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07700-7 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/98731 Rookes T, Frost R, Barrado-Martin Y et al. (2023). Type of goals set and progress towards these goals, as part of a behaviour change intervention, in people with mild cognitive impairment: a secondary analysis. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)02112-8 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/97587 Pigott JS, Davies N, Chesterman E et al. (2023). Delivering Optimal Care to People with Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease: A Qualitative Study of Patient, Caregiver, and Professional Perspectives. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1155/2023/9732217 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/98735 Woodward A, Davies N, Nimmons D et al. (2023). OP169 ‘It feels like the system is almost against you’: Self-management of multiple long-term conditions amongst people experiencing socioeconomic deprivation. SSM Annual Scientific Meeting DOI: 10.1136/jech-2023-ssmabstracts.298 QMRO: qmroHref Okpako T, Woodward A, Walters K et al. (2023). Effectiveness of self-management interventions for long-term conditions in people experiencing socio-economic deprivation in high-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdad145 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/98732 Woodward A, Davies N, Walters K et al. (publicationYear). Self-management of multiple long-term conditions: A systematic review of the barriers and facilitators amongst people experiencing socioeconomic deprivation. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282036 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/98743 Pigott JS, Armstrong M, Chesterman E et al. (publicationYear). Remote Consultations for People With Parkinson Disease and Cognitive Impairment: Interview Study With Patients, Caregivers, and Health Care Professionals. nameOfConference DOI: 10.2196/39974 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/98780 Davis S, Serfaty M, Low J et al. (2023). Experiential Avoidance in Advanced Cancer: a Mixed-Methods Systematic Review. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1007/s12529-022-10131-4 QMRO: qmroHref Shah R, Read J, Davies N et al. (publicationYear). People with Parkinson’s perspectives and experiences of self-management: Qualitative findings from a UK study. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273428 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/98759 Mitchinson L, Chu C, Bruun A et al. (2022). How best to capture the impact of complementary therapies in palliative care: A systematic review to identify and assess the appropriateness and validity of multi-domain tools. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1177/02692163221122955 QMRO: qmroHref Rookes TA, Schrag A, Walters K et al. (2022). Measures of fidelity of delivery and engagement in self-management interventions: A systematic review of measures. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1177/17407745221118555 QMRO: qmroHref Rawal R, Read J, Chesterman E et al. (2022). The effectiveness of aromatherapy and reflexology in neurodegenerative disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. nameOfConference DOI: 10.2217/nmt-2021-0056 QMRO: qmroHref Nimmons D, Armstrong M, Pigott J et al. (2022). Exploring the experiences of people and family carers from under-represented groups in self-managing Parkinson's disease and their use of digital health to do this. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1177/20552076221102261 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/98762 Lamirel D, Davis S, Low J et al. (2022). Talking control sessions in people with advanced cancer: a qualitative analysis of sessions. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00837-1 QMRO: qmroHref Armstrong M, Aker N, Nair P et al. (2022). Trust and inclusion during the Covid‐19 pandemic: Perspectives from Black and South Asian people living with dementia and their carers in the UK. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1002/gps.5689 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/89810 Armstrong M, Tuijt R, Read J et al. (2021). Health care professionals’ perspectives on self-management for people with Parkinson’s: qualitative findings from a UK study. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1186/s12877-021-02678-w QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/98764 Armstrong M, Shulman C, Hudson B et al. (2021). Barriers and facilitators to accessing health and social care services for people living in homeless hostels: a qualitative study of the experiences of hostel staff and residents in UK hostels. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053185 QMRO: qmroHref Aspden T, Armstrong M, Serfaty M (2021). Views of healthcare professionals on recruiting to a psychosocial randomised controlled trial: a qualitative study. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06817-2 QMRO: qmroHref Armstrong M, Shulman C, Hudson B et al. (2021). The benefits and challenges of embedding specialist palliative care teams within homeless hostels to enhance support and learning: Perspectives from palliative care teams and hostel staff. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1177/02692163211006318 QMRO: qmroHref Tuijt R, Tan A, Armstrong M et al. (2020). Self‐Management Components as Experienced by People with Parkinson’s Disease and Their Carers: A Systematic Review and Synthesis of the Qualitative Literature. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1155/2020/8857385 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/98775 Armstrong M, Kupeli N, Flemming K et al. (2020). Complementary therapy in palliative care: A synthesis of qualitative and quantitative systematic reviews. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1177/0269216320942450 QMRO: qmroHref Candy B, Armstrong M, Flemming K et al. (2020). The effectiveness of aromatherapy, massage and reflexology in people with palliative care needs: A systematic review. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1177/0269216319884198 QMRO: qmroHref Anderson RJ, Bloch S, Armstrong M et al. (2019). Communication between healthcare professionals and relatives of patients approaching the end-of-life: A systematic review of qualitative evidence. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1177/0269216319852007 QMRO: qmroHref Armstrong M, Flemming K, Kupeli N et al. (2019). Aromatherapy, massage and reflexology: A systematic review and thematic synthesis of the perspectives from people with palliative care needs. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1177/0269216319846440 QMRO: qmroHref Serfaty M, Armstrong M, Vickerstaff V et al. (2019). Acceptance and commitment therapy for adults with advanced cancer (CanACT): A feasibility randomised controlled trial. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1002/pon.4960 QMRO: qmroHref Armstrong M, Morris C, Abraham C et al. (2017). Interventions utilising contact with people with disabilities to improve children's attitudes towards disability: A systematic review and meta-analysis. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2016.10.003 QMRO: qmroHref Armstrong M, Morris C, Tarrant M et al. (2017). Rasch analysis of the Chedoke–McMaster Attitudes towards Children with Handicaps scale. nameOfConference DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2016.1140833 QMRO: qmroHref Armstrong M, Morris C, Abraham C et al. (2016). Children’s contact with people with disabilities and their attitudes towards disability: a cross-sectional study. nameOfConference DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2015.1074727 QMRO: qmroHref MacMillan M, Tarrant M, Abraham C et al. (2014). The association between children's contact with people with disabilities and their attitudes towards disability: a systematic review. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.12326 QMRO: qmroHref SupervisionI am a PhD supervisor for: Jennifer Pigott. Supporting the needs of people with Parkinson’s Disease and Cognitive Impairment. (upgraded). (Tertiary) Mouhammed Ramadhan. Novel remote assessment methods in Parkinsonian disorders. (Subsidiary) Tasmin Rookes: How does Mild Cognitive Impairment in older adults’ impact engagement with complex interventions and maintenance of changes to behaviour? (Tertiary) I supervise Dr Abi Woodward's fellowship: Addressing the unmet health and wellbeing needs of ethnic minority family carers through co-production of inclusive and accessible social prescribing opportunities. NIHR School for Primary Care Research I am interested in supervising PhD projects on health inequalities, self-management, and the management of multiple long-term conditions. Public EngagementHow can researchers actively include people experiencing socioeconomic deprivation in research? | UCL Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health Blog Health and social care access for people experiencing homelessness and lessons for primary care | UCL Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health Blog