Professor Chris Burton

Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health

Professor of Primary Medical Care

chris.burton@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 0704

Room 3024, Regent Court (ScHARR)

Full contact details

Professor Chris Burton
Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health
Room 3024
Regent Court (ScHARR)
30 Regent Street
Sheffield
S1 4DA

Profile: I am a GP and researcher whose primary interest is in persistent physical symptoms and functional somatic disorders. I lead the research group in the Academic Unit of Primary Medical Care at the University of Sheffield.

Research interests

Persistent Physical Symptoms: this includes the current Multiple Symptoms Study3 trial and work to better understand both the mechanisms of persistent (or functional) symptoms and clinical communication about them.

Health Services Research: this typically involves analysis of large scale data to understand clinical practice (diagnosis and testing) and healthcare use (particularly of urgent and unscheduled care). I am particularly interested in examining healthcare use from the perspective of the science of complex systems.

Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Featured publications

Journal articles

Jackson B, Mitchell C, Coster J, Lawy T, Burton C, Reynolds J, Essat M, Cantrell A, Clowes M & Ariss S (2024) FAIRSTEPS study - Framework Addressing Inequities in pRimary care using STakEholder PerspectiveS: Integrative evidence review and Delphi consensus. Public Health, 237, 307-315.
Neilson AR, Mooney C, Sutton L, White D, Dawson J, Rowlands G, Thomas RE, Woodward J, Deary V & Burton C (2024) Cost-effectiveness of an extended-role general practitioner clinic for persistent physical symptoms: results from the Multiple Symptoms Study 3 (MSS3) pragmatic randomised controlled trial. Value in Health.
Burton C, Mooney C, Sutton L, White D, Dawson J, Neilson AR, Rowlands G, Thomas S, Horspool M, Fryer K , Greco M et al (2024) Effectiveness of a symptom-clinic intervention delivered by general practitioners with an extended role for people with multiple and persistent physical symptoms in England: the Multiple Symptoms Study 3 pragmatic, multicentre, parallel-group, individually randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 403(10444), 2619-2629.
Löwe B, Toussaint A, Rosmalen JGM, Huang W-L, Burton C, Weigel A, Levenson JL & Henningsen P (2024) Persistent physical symptoms: definition, genesis, and management. The Lancet, 403(10444), 2649-2662.
Sanders T, Fryer K, Greco M, Mooney C, Deary V & Burton C (2024) Explanation for symptoms and biographical repair in a clinic for persistent physical symptoms. SSM - Qualitative Research in Health, 5, 100438-100438.
Treufeldt H & Burton C (2024) Stigmatisation in medical encounters for persistent physical symptoms/functional disorders: Scoping review and thematic synthesis. Patient Education and Counseling, 123, 108198-108198.
Fryer K, Sanders T, Greco M, Mooney C, Deary V & Burton C (2023) Recognition, explanation, action, learning: teaching and delivery of a consultation model for persistent physical symptoms.. Patient Education and Counseling, 115. View this article in WRRO
Burton C, Dawes H, Goodwill S, Thelwell M & Dalton C (2023) Within and between-day variation and associations of symptoms in Long Covid: Intensive longitudinal study. PLoS ONE, 18(1).
Hotham R, O'Keeffe C, Stone T, Mason SM & Burton C (2022) Heterogeneity of reasons for attendance in frequent attenders of emergency departments and its relationship to future attendance. Emergency Medicine Journal, 39(1), 10-15. View this article in WRRO
Burton C, Stone T, Oliver P, Dickson JM, Lewis J & Mason SM (2021) Frequent attendance at the emergency department shows typical features of complex systems : analysis of multicentre linked data. Emergency Medicine Journal, 39(1), 3-9. View this article in WRRO
Burton C, Fink P, Henningsen P, Löwe B & Rief W (2020) Functional somatic disorders: discussion paper for a new common classification for research and clinical use. BMC Medicine, 18(1). View this article in WRRO
Burton C, O'Neill L, Oliver P & Murchie P (2019) Contribution of primary care organisation and specialist care provider to variation in GP referrals for suspected cancer : ecological analysis of national data. BMJ Quality & Safety. View this article in WRRO
Burton CD, Elliott AM, Cochran A & Love T (2018) Do healthcare services behave as complex systems? Analysis of patterns of attendance and implications for service delivery.. BMC Medicine, 16. View this article in WRRO
Burton CD, McLernon , Lee AJ & Murchie P (2017) Distinguishing variation in referral accuracy from referral threshold: analysis of a national dataset of referrals for suspected cancer. BMJ Open, 7. View this article in WRRO
Burton CD, Entwistle VA, Elliott AM, Krucien N, Porteous T & Ryan M (2017) The value of different aspects of person-centred care: a series of discrete choice experiments in people with long-term conditions. BMJ Open, 7. View this article in WRRO
Rosendal M, Olde Hartman TC, Aamland A, van der Horst H, Lucassen P, Budtz-Lilly A & Burton C (2017) “Medically unexplained” symptoms and symptom disorders in primary care: prognosis-based recognition and classification. BMC Family Practice, 18(1). View this article in WRRO
Morton L, Elliott AM, Cleland JA, Deary V & Burton C (2017) A taxonomy of explanations in a general practitioner clinic for patients with persistent “medically unexplained” physical symptoms. Pat EducCouns. View this article in WRRO
Murchie P, Chowdhury A, Smith S, Campbell NC, Lee AJ, Linden D & Burton CD (2015) General practice performance in referral for suspected cancer: influence of number of cases and case-mix on publicly reported data. British Journal of Cancer, 112, 1791-1798. View this article in WRRO
Burton C, Pinnock H & McKinstry B (2015) Changes in telemonitored physiological variables and symptoms prior to exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 21(1), 29-36.
Burton C, Cameron I & Anderson N (2015) Explaining the variation between practices in the duration of new antidepressant treatment: a database cohort study in primary care. British Journal of General Practice, 65(631), e114-e120.
van Gils A, Burton C, Bos EH, Janssens KAM, Schoevers RA & Rosmalen JGM (2014) Individual variation in temporal relationships between stress and functional somatic symptoms. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 77(1), 34-39.
Rolfe A & Burton C (2013) Reassurance After Diagnostic Testing With a Low Pretest Probability of Serious Disease. JAMA Internal Medicine, 173(6), 407-407.
Burton C, McGorm K, Richardson G, Weller D & Sharpe M (2012) Healthcare costs incurred by patients repeatedly referred to secondary medical care with medically unexplained symptoms: A cost of illness study. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 72(3), 242-247.
Love T & Burton C (2005) General practice as a complex system: a novel analysis of consultation data. Family Practice, 22(3), 347-352.
Burton C (2003) Beyond somatisation: A review of the understanding and treatment of medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS). British Journal of General Practice, 53(488), 231-239.
Stone J, Burton C & Carson A () Recognising and explaining functional neurological disorder. BMJ, m3745-m3745.
Rosendal M, Blankenstein AH, Morriss R, Fink P, Sharpe M & Burton C () Enhanced care by generalists for functional somatic symptoms and disorders in primary care. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Burton C () Heavy Tailed Distributions of Effect Sizes in Systematic Reviews of Complex Interventions. PLoS ONE, 7(3), e34222-e34222. View this article in WRRO

All publications

Edited books

Burton C (Ed.) (2013) The ABC of Medically Unexplained Symptoms. Wiley-Blackwell.

Journal articles

Toussaint A, Weigel A, Löwe B, Blanch J, Bogaerts K, Boye B, Burton C, Cosci F, Engelmann P, Fink P , Fischer S et al (2025) The overlooked burden of persistent physical symptoms: a call for action in European healthcare. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 48, 101140-101140.
Jackson B, Mitchell C, Coster J, Lawy T, Burton C, Reynolds J, Essat M, Cantrell A, Clowes M & Ariss S (2024) FAIRSTEPS study - Framework Addressing Inequities in pRimary care using STakEholder PerspectiveS: Integrative evidence review and Delphi consensus. Public Health, 237, 307-315.
Neilson AR, Mooney C, Sutton L, White D, Dawson J, Rowlands G, Thomas RE, Woodward J, Deary V & Burton C (2024) Cost-effectiveness of an extended-role general practitioner clinic for persistent physical symptoms: results from the Multiple Symptoms Study 3 (MSS3) pragmatic randomised controlled trial. Value in Health.
Saunders C, Burton C, Pedersen HF, Rask C & Frostholm L (2024) The Body Multiple: Conceptualizing the Body to Explain Functional Somatic Symptoms. BJPsych Open, 10(S1), S78-S79.
AWARE-IBD Diagnostic Delay Working Group (2024) Sources of diagnostic delay for people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: qualitative research study. PLOS ONE, 19(6). View this article in WRRO
Saunders C, Gordon M, Righini C, Pedersen HF, Rask CU, Burton C & Frostholm L (2024) Participatory design of bodysymptoms.org: An interactive web resource to explain multisystem functional somatic symptoms. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 111827-111827.
Burton C, Mooney C, Sutton L, White D, Dawson J, Neilson AR, Rowlands G, Thomas S, Horspool M, Fryer K , Greco M et al (2024) Effectiveness of a symptom-clinic intervention delivered by general practitioners with an extended role for people with multiple and persistent physical symptoms in England: the Multiple Symptoms Study 3 pragmatic, multicentre, parallel-group, individually randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 403(10444), 2619-2629.
Löwe B, Toussaint A, Rosmalen JGM, Huang W-L, Burton C, Weigel A, Levenson JL & Henningsen P (2024) Persistent physical symptoms: definition, genesis, and management. The Lancet, 403(10444), 2649-2662.
Sanders T, Fryer K, Greco M, Mooney C, Deary V & Burton C (2024) Explanation for symptoms and biographical repair in a clinic for persistent physical symptoms. SSM - Qualitative Research in Health, 5, 100438-100438.
Treufeldt H, Burton C & McGhie-Fraser B (2024) Stigmatisation in clinical consultations for persistent physical symptoms/functional disorders: A best fit framework synthesis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 111828-111828.
Adam R, Bond CM, Burton CD, de Bruin M & Murchie P (2024) Can-Pain - eine digitale Intervention zur Optimierung der Schmerzkontrolle bei Krebs im häuslichen Umfeld: Entwicklung und Machbarkeitsprüfung. Kompass Onkologie, 11(1), 44-53.
Treufeldt H & Burton C (2024) Stigmatisation in medical encounters for persistent physical symptoms/functional disorders: Scoping review and thematic synthesis. Patient Education and Counseling, 123, 108198-108198.
Fryer K, Sanders T, Greco M, Mooney C, Deary V & Burton C (2023) Recognition, explanation, action, learning: teaching and delivery of a consultation model for persistent physical symptoms.. Patient Education and Counseling, 115. View this article in WRRO
England T, Brailsford S, Evenden D, Street A, Maynou L, Mason SM, Preston L, Burton C, Van Oppen J & Conroy S (2023) Examining the effect of interventions in emergency care for older people using a system dynamics decision support tool. Age and Ageing, 52(1).
Burton C, Dawes H, Goodwill S, Thelwell M & Dalton C (2023) Within and between-day variation and associations of symptoms in Long Covid: Intensive longitudinal study. PLoS ONE, 18(1).
Maynou L, Street A, Burton C, Mason SM, Stone T, Martin G, van Oppen J & Conroy S (2023) Factors associated with longer wait times, admission and reattendances in older patients attending emergency departments: an analysis of linked healthcare data. Emergency Medicine Journal.
Saunders C, Treufeldt H, Rask MT, Pedersen HF, Rask C, Burton C & Frostholm L (2023) Explanations for functional somatic symptoms across European treatment settings: a mixed methods study. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 166.
Mooney C, White D, Dawson J, Deary V, Fryer K, Greco M, Horspool M, Neilson AR, Rowlands G, Sanders T , Thomas RE et al (2022) Study protocol for the Multiple Symptoms Study 3: a pragmatic, randomised controlled trial of a clinic for patients with persistent (medically unexplained) physical symptoms. BMJ Open, 12(11). View this article in WRRO
Avery-Phipps I, Hynes C & Burton C (2022) Resistance narratives in patients' accounts of a mandatory pre-operative health optimisation scheme: a qualitative study. Frontiers in Health Services, 2. View this article in WRRO
Chatters R, Cooper CL, O’Cathain A, Murphy C, Lane A, Sutherland K, Burton C, Cape A & Tunnicliffe L (2022) Learning from COVID-19 related trial adaptations to inform efficient trial design—a sequential mixed methods study. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 22(1). View this article in WRRO
Lassa S, Saddiq M, Owen J, Burton C & Balen J (2022) Power dynamics among health professionals in Nigeria: a case study of the global fund policy process. International Journal of Health Policy and Management.
Hotham R, O'Keeffe C, Stone T, Mason SM & Burton C (2022) Heterogeneity of reasons for attendance in frequent attenders of emergency departments and its relationship to future attendance. Emergency Medicine Journal, 39(1), 10-15. View this article in WRRO
Burton C, Stone T, Oliver P, Dickson JM, Lewis J & Mason SM (2021) Frequent attendance at the emergency department shows typical features of complex systems : analysis of multicentre linked data. Emergency Medicine Journal, 39(1), 3-9. View this article in WRRO
Burton C, Coles B, Adisesh A, Smith S, Toomey E, Chan XHS, Ross L & Greenhalgh T (2021) Performance and impact of disposable and reusable respirators for healthcare workers during pandemic respiratory disease: a rapid evidence review.. Occup Environ Med.
Khunti K, Adisesh A, Burton C, Chan XHS, Coles B, Durand-Moreau Q, Jackson T, Ross L, Straube S, Toomey E & Greenhalgh T (2020) The efficacy of PPE for COVID-19-type respiratory illnesses in primary and community care staff. British Journal of General Practice, 70(697), 413-416.
Löwe B, Rief W, Fink P, Burton C & Henningsen P (2020) Functional somatic disorders: A new common classification for research and clinical use. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 133, 110073-110073.
Adam R, Bond CM, Burton CD, de Bruin M & Murchie P (2020) Can-Pain-a digital intervention to optimise cancer pain control in the community : development and feasibility testing. Supportive Care in Cancer. View this article in WRRO
Chandler A, King C, Burton CD & Platt S (2020) The social life of self-harm in general practice. Social Theory and Health. View this article in WRRO
Bashir MT, Iversen L & Burton C (2020) Clinical features in primary care electronic records before diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis : a nested case-control study. BMC Family Practice, 21(1).
Burton C, Fink P, Henningsen P, Löwe B & Rief W (2020) Functional somatic disorders: discussion paper for a new common classification for research and clinical use. BMC Medicine, 18(1). View this article in WRRO
Bekhuis E, Gol J, Burton C & Rosmalen J (2020) Patients’ descriptions of the relation between physical symptoms and negative emotions : a qualitative analysis of primary care consultations. British Journal of General Practice, 70(691), e78-e85. View this article in WRRO
Payne K, Walton E & Burton C (2019) Steps to benefit from social prescription : a qualitative interview study. British Journal of General Practice. View this article in WRRO
Burton C, O'Neill L, Oliver P & Murchie P (2019) Contribution of primary care organisation and specialist care provider to variation in GP referrals for suspected cancer : ecological analysis of national data. BMJ Quality & Safety. View this article in WRRO
Williams P, Murchie P, Cruickshank ME, Bond CM & Burton CD (2019) The use, quality and effectiveness of pelvic examination in primary care for the detection of gynaecological cancer : a systematic review. Family Practice, 36(4), 378-386. View this article in WRRO
Stegink S, Elliott AM & Burton C (2019) Statistical complexity of reasons for encounter in high users of out of hours primary care: analysis of a national service. BMC Health Services Research, 19. View this article in WRRO
Lu F, Zao Z, Cleveland H, Burton CD & Madigan D (2018) Bayesian hierarchical vector autoregressive models for patient-level predictive modeling. PLoS ONE, 13(12). View this article in WRRO
Walton E, Ahmed A, Burton CD & Mathers N (2018) Influences of socioeconomic deprivation on GPs’ decisions to refer patients to cardiology: a qualitative study. British Journal of General Practice, 68(677), e826-e834. View this article in WRRO
Eley E, Jackson B, Burton C & Walton E (2018) Professional resilience in GPs working in areas of socio-economic deprivation: a qualitative study.. British Journal of General Practice. View this article in WRRO
Orchard P, Agakova A, Pinnock H, Burton CD, Sarran C, Agakov F & McKinstry B (2018) Improving prediction of risk of hospital admission in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: application of machine learning to telemonitoring data (Preprint). Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20(9). View this article in WRRO
Burton CD, Elliott AM, Cochran A & Love T (2018) Do healthcare services behave as complex systems? Analysis of patterns of attendance and implications for service delivery.. BMC Medicine, 16. View this article in WRRO
Lehane D, Cunliffe V, Mitchell C & Burton C (2018) Epigenetics and primary care. British Journal of General Practice, 68(666), 8-9. View this article in WRRO
Burton C, Iversen L, Bhattacharya S, Ayansina D, Saraswat L & Sleeman D (2017) Pointers to earlier diagnosis of endometriosis: a nested case-control study using primary care electronic health records. British Journal of General Practice, 67(665), e816-e823. View this article in WRRO
Adam R, Burton CD, Bond CM, de Bruin M & Murchie P (2017) Can patient-reported measurements of pain be used to improve cancer pain management? A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, 7. View this article in WRRO
Rief W, Burton C, Frostholm L, Henningsen P, Kleinstäuber M, Kop WJ, Löwe B, Martin A, Malt U, Rosmalen J , Schröder A et al (2017) Core Outcome Domains for Clinical Trials on Somatic Symptom Disorder, Bodily Distress Disorder, and Functional Somatic Syndromes: European Network on Somatic Symptom Disorders Recommendations. Psychosomatic Medicine, 79(9), 1008-1015. View this article in WRRO
Olde Hartman TC, Rosendal M, Aamland A, van der Horst HE, Rosmalen JGM, Burton CD & Lucassen PLBJ (2017) What do guidelines and systematic reviews tell us about the management of medically unexplained symptoms in primary care?. BJGP Open, 1(3). View this article in WRRO
Mamas MA, Sperrin M, Watson MC, Coutts A, Wilde K, Burton CD, Kadam UT, Kwok CS, Clark AB, Murchie P , Buchan I et al (2017) Do patients have a worse outcome with heart failure than cancer? A primary care based cohort study with 10-year follow-up in Scotland. European Journal of Heart Failure, 19(9), 1095-1104. View this article in WRRO
Burton CD, McLernon , Lee AJ & Murchie P (2017) Distinguishing variation in referral accuracy from referral threshold: analysis of a national dataset of referrals for suspected cancer. BMJ Open, 7. View this article in WRRO
Chowdhury S & Burton C (2017) Associations of treatment effects between follow-up times and between outcome domains in interventions for somatoform disorders: Review of three Cochrane reviews. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 98, 10-18. View this article in WRRO
Adam R, de Bruin M, Burton CD, Bond CM, Giatsi Clausen M & Murchie P (2017) What are the current challenges of managing cancer pain and could digital technologies help?. BMJ Support Palliat Care. View this article in WRRO
Burton CD, Entwistle VA, Elliott AM, Krucien N, Porteous T & Ryan M (2017) The value of different aspects of person-centred care: a series of discrete choice experiments in people with long-term conditions. BMJ Open, 7. View this article in WRRO
Rosendal M, Olde Hartman TC, Aamland A, van der Horst H, Lucassen P, Budtz-Lilly A & Burton C (2017) “Medically unexplained” symptoms and symptom disorders in primary care: prognosis-based recognition and classification. BMC Family Practice, 18(1). View this article in WRRO
Morton L, Elliott AM, Cleland JA, Deary V & Burton C (2017) A taxonomy of explanations in a general practitioner clinic for patients with persistent “medically unexplained” physical symptoms. Pat EducCouns. View this article in WRRO
den Boeft M, Huisman D, Morton L, Lucassen P, van der Wouden JC, Westerman MJ, van der Horst HE & Burton CD (2016) Negotiating explanations: doctor–patient communication with patients with medically unexplained symptoms—a qualitative analysis. Family Practice, 34(1), 107-113.
Burton C, Szentagotai Tatar A, McKinstry B, Matheson C, Matu S, Moldovan R, Macnab M, Farrow E, David D, Pagliari C , Serrano Blanco A et al (2016) Pilot randomised controlled trial of Help4Mood, an embodied virtual agent-based system to support treatment of depression. J.Telemed.Telecare, 22(6), 348-355.
Burton C & Chowdhury S (2016) Outcome measures for intervention trials in somatic symptom disorders. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 85, 58-59.
Robertson HD, Elliott AM, Burton C, Iversen L, Murchie P, Porteous T & Matheson C (2016) Resilience of primary healthcare professionals: a systematic review. Br.J Gen.Pract., 66(647), e423-e433.
Morton L, Elliott A, Thomas R, Cleland J, Deary V & Burton C (2016) Developmental study of treatment fidelity, safety and acceptability of a Symptoms Clinic intervention delivered by General Practitioners to patients with multiple medically unexplained symptoms. J.Psychosom.Res., 84, 37-43.
Chandler A, King C, Burton C & Platt S (2016) General Practitioners' Accounts of Patients Who Have Self-Harmed. Crisis, 37(1), 42-50. View this article in WRRO
Rosendal M, Blankenstein N, Morriss R, Fink P, Sharpe M & Burton C (2015) Enhanced care by generalists for functional somatic symptoms and disorders in primary care, a Cochrane systematic review. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 78(6), 621.
Murchie P, Chowdhury A, Smith S, Campbell NC, Lee AJ, Linden D & Burton CD (2015) General practice performance in referral for suspected cancer: influence of number of cases and case-mix on publicly reported data. British Journal of Cancer, 112, 1791-1798. View this article in WRRO
Burton C, Lucassen P, Aamland A & Hartman TO (2015) Explaining symptoms after negative tests: towards a rational explanation. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 108(3), 84-88.
Burton C, Lucassen P, Aamland A & Hartman TO (2015) Op weg naar een ideale uitleg. Huisarts en wetenschap, 58(9), 468-470.
Sharma P, Scotland G, Cruickshank M, Tassie E, Fraser C, Burton C, Croal B, Ramsay CR & Brazzelli M (2015) Is self-monitoring an effective option for people receiving long-term vitamin K antagonist therapy? A systematic review and economic evaluation. BMJ Open, 5(6), e007758-e007758. View this article in WRRO
Burton C, Pinnock H & McKinstry B (2015) Changes in telemonitored physiological variables and symptoms prior to exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 21(1), 29-36.
Burton C, Cochran AJ & Cameron IM (2015) Restarting antidepressant treatment following early discontinuation—a primary care database study. Family Practice, 32(5), 520-524.
Burton C, Cameron I & Anderson N (2015) Explaining the variation between practices in the duration of new antidepressant treatment: a database cohort study in primary care. British Journal of General Practice, 65(631), e114-e120.
Johnston MC, Porteous T, Crilly MA, Burton CD, Elliott A, Iversen L, McArdle K, Murray A, Phillips LH & Black C (2015) Physical Disease and Resilient Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Resilience Definitions and Study Methods. Psychosomatics, 56(2), 168-180. View this article in WRRO
Johnston M, Black C, Burton C, Crilly M, Elliot A, Iversen L & Porteous T (2014) PP23 The role of physical disease in the development of resilience and resilient outcomes: a systematic review of resilience definitions, study methods and findings. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 68(Suppl 1), a56-a56.
van Gils A, Burton C, Bos EH, Janssens KAM, Schoevers RA & Rosmalen JGM (2014) Individual variation in temporal relationships between stress and functional somatic symptoms. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 77(1), 34-39.
Elliott AM, Burton CD & Hannaford PC (2014) Resilience does matter: evidence from a 10-year cohort record linkage study. BMJ Open, 4(1), e003917-e003917. View this article in WRRO
Burton C (2014) Can we explain medically unexplained symptoms?. Family Practice, 31(6), 623-624.
Maxwell M, Harris F, Hibberd C, Donaghy E, Pratt R, Williams C, Morrison J, Gibb J, Watson P & Burton C (2013) A qualitative study of primary care professionals' views of case finding for depression in patients with diabetes or coronary heart disease in the UK. BMC Family Practice, 14. View this article in WRRO
Wolters M, Burton C, Matheson C, Breso A, Szentagotai A, Martinez-Miranda J, Fuster E, Rosell J, Pagliari C & McKinstry B (2013) Help4Mood--Supporting Joint Sense Making in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. Workshop on Interactive Systems in Healthcare (WISH), Washington DC.
Rolfe A & Burton C (2013) Reassurance After Diagnostic Testing With a Low Pretest Probability of Serious Disease. JAMA Internal Medicine, 173(6), 407-407.
Burton C, Simpson C & Anderson N (2013) Diagnosis and treatment of depression following routine screening in patients with coronary heart disease or diabetes: a database cohort study. Psychological Medicine, 43(3), 529-537.
Burton C, McKinstry B, Szentagotai Tătar A, Serrano-Blanco A, Pagliari C & Wolters M (2013) Activity monitoring in patients with depression: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 145(1), 21-28.
Desplenter F, Bond C, Watson M, Burton C, Murchie P, Lee AJ, Lefevre K, Simoens S & Laekeman G (2012) Incidence and drug treatment of emotional distress after cancer diagnosis: a matched primary care case–control study. British Journal of Cancer, 107(9), 1644-1651. View this article in WRRO
Sharpe M, Burton C, Sawhney A, McGorm K & Weller D (2012) Is co-morbid depression adequately treated in patients repeatedly referred to specialist medical services with symptoms of a medical condition?. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 72(6), 419-421.
Castro JC, Estevez S & Wolters M (2012) Psychosocial implications of avatar use in supporting therapy for depression. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 181, 329-333.
Sharpe M, Burton C, Sawhney A, McGorm K & Weller D (2012) Is comorbid depression adequately treated in patients who have been repeatedly referred to specialist medical services?. J.Psychosom.Res., doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2012.03.005.
Pagliari C, Burton C, McKinstry B, Szentatotai A, David D, Blanco AS, Ferrini L, Albertini S, Castro JC, Estevez S & Wolters M (2012) Psychosocial implications of Avatar use in supporting therapy for depression. Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine, 10, 329-333.
Desplenter F, Bond CM, Watson M, Burton C, Murchie P, Lee AJ, Simoens S & Laekeman G (2012) Incidence and drug treatment of emotional distress after cancer diagnosis: a matched primary care case-control study. Br.J.Cancer, 107(9), 644-651.
Burton C, Wolters MK, Serrano-Blanco A, Szentagotai A, Ure J, Pagliari C & McKinstry B (2012) Help4Mood: avatar-based support for treating people with major depression in the community. International Journal of Integrated Care, 12(Suppl1).
Burton C, McGorm K, Richardson G, Weller D & Sharpe M (2012) Healthcare costs incurred by patients repeatedly referred to secondary medical care with medically unexplained symptoms: A cost of illness study. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 72(3), 242-247.
Burton C, Weller D, Marsden W, Worth A & Sharpe M (2012) A primary care Symptoms Clinic for patients with medically unexplained symptoms: pilot randomised trial. BMJ Open, 2(1), e000513-e000513. View this article in WRRO
Burton C, Anderson N, Wilde K & Simpson CR (2012) Factors associated with duration of new antidepressant treatment: analysis of a large primary care database. British Journal of General Practice, 62(595), e104-e112.
Burton C, Wolters MK, Blanco AS, Szentagotai A, Ure J, Pagliari C & McKinstry B (2012) Help4Mood: avatar-based support for treating people with major depression in the community. International Journal of Integrated Care, 12(4).
Burton C, McGorm K, Weller D & Sharpe M (2011) Depression and anxiety in patients repeatedly referred to secondary care with medically unexplained symptoms: a case-control study. Psychological Medicine, 41(3), 555-563.
Burton C, McGorm K, Weller D & Sharpe M (2011) Depression and anxiety in patients repeatedly referred to secondary care with medically unexplained symptoms: A case-control study. Psychological Medicine, 41(3), 555-563.
Burton C, McGorm K, Weller D & Sharpe M (2011) The interpretation of low mood and worry by high users of secondary care with medically unexplained symptoms. BMC Family Practice, 12(1). View this article in WRRO
Madan A, Borckardt D, Borckardt JJ, Herbert J & Cooney H (2010) A New Approach to Tracking the Harmfulness of Medical Errors in Health Care Systems. Quality Management in Health Care, 19(4), 298-303.
McKinstry B, Hammersley V, Burton C, Pinnock H, Elton R, Dowell J, Sawdon N, Heaney D, Elwyn G & Sheikh A (2010) The quality, safety and content of telephone and face-to-face consultations: a comparative study. Quality and Safety in Health Care, 19(4), 298-303.
McGorm K, Burton C, Weller D, Murray G & Sharpe M (2010) Patients repeatedly referred to secondary care with symptoms unexplained by organic disease: prevalence, characteristics and referral pattern. Family Practice, 27(5), 479-486.
Burton C, Heath RA, Weller D & Sharpe M (2010) Evidence of reduced complexity in self-report data from patients with medically unexplained symptoms. Nonlinear Dynamics, Psychology, and Life Sciences, 14(1), 15-25.
Burton C, Irshad T & Sheikh A (2010) Understanding the experiences of allergy testing: a qualitative study of people with perceived serious allergic disorders. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 86(1020), 591-596.
Smith BJ, McGorm KJ, Weller D, Burton C & Sharpe M (2009) The identification in primary care of patients who have been repeatedly referred to hospital for medically unexplained symptoms: A pilot study. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 67(3), 207-211.
Burton C, Weller D & Sharpe M (2009) Functional Somatic Symptoms and Psychological States: An Electronic Diary Study. Psychosomatic Medicine, 71(1), 77-83.
Burton C, Knoop H, Popovic N, Sharpe M & Bleijenberg G (2009) Reduced complexity of activity patterns in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a case control study. BioPsychoSocial Medicine, 3(1), 7-7. View this article in WRRO
Jacobs C, Rawson R, Campion C, Caulfield C, Heath J, Burton C & Kavalier F (2007) Providing a community-based cancer risk assessment service for a socially and ethnically diverse population. Familial Cancer, 6(2), 189-195.
Burton C, Weller D & Sharpe M (2007) Are electronic diaries useful for symptoms research? A systematic review. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 62(5), 553-561.
Burton C & Maxwell M (2007) Depression as chronic disease [6]. British Journal of General Practice, 57(540), 582.
Burton C, Isles C, Norrie J, Hanson R & Grubb E (2006) The safety and adequacy of antithrombotic therapy for atrial fibrillation: A regional cohort study. British Journal of General Practice, 56(530), 697-702.
Love T & Burton C (2005) General practice as a complex system: a novel analysis of consultation data. Family Practice, 22(3), 347-352.
Burton C & Love T (2004) The scientific method(s) of primary care. British Journal of General Practice, 54(504), 553.
Love T & Burton C (2004) Complexity - not as complicated as it looks. NZ Family Physician, 31(3), 139.
Burton C (2003) Beyond somatisation: A review of the understanding and treatment of medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS). British Journal of General Practice, 53(488), 231-239.
Burton C (2003) Beyond Somatisation: a review of the understanding and management of medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS). Br.J.Gen.Pract., 53, 233-241.
Burton C, StC Hamilton K, Isles C & Norrie J (2001) . Journal of Cardiovascular Risk, 8(5), 307-309.
Fox KAA, Burton C, Chadwick R, Christie B, Morrison C, Durrington PN, Sutherland KA, Dawson P, Roberts D, Payne N & Panel C (1999) Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Consensus Conference on Lipid Lowering to Prevent Vascular Events, 17 and 18 March 1999. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MEDICINE, 21(4), 464-467.
Panel C (1999) Royal college of physicians of Edinburgh, consensus conference on lipid lowering to prevent vascular event, 17 and 18 March 1999. Journal of Public Health, 21(4), 464-467.
Burton C, Waktare J, Li-Saw-Hee FL, Lip G, Narayan SM & Isles CG (1998) A 69-year-old man with atrial fibrillation, previous duodenal ulcer and peripheral arterial disease. Coronary Health Care, 2(2), 91-98.
Burton C (1996) The use of a near patient serological test for H. pylori [1]. British Journal of General Practice, 46(409), 492.
Burton CD (1993) Hyperventilation in patients with recurrent functional symptoms. British Journal of General Practice, 43(375), 422-425.
Burton C () Developing and Testing Complex Interventions in Psychosomatic Medicine. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 1-5.
Lassa S, Burton C & Dickson JM () GPs’ experience of difficult decisions in patients with dementia and an acute illness. BJGP Open, BJGPO.2024.0074-BJGPO.2024.0074.
Kumar A, Husk K, Simpson R, Johnson GD & Burton C () Use of emergency departments by children and young people following telephone triage: a large database study. Emergency Medicine Journal.
Sheldon E, Ezaydi N, Desoysa L, Young J, Simmonds-Buckley M, Hind PD & Burton PC () Barriers to help-seeking, accessing and providing mental health support for medical students: a mixed methods study using the candidacy framework. BMC Health Services Research, 24(1).
Nagel C, Queenan C & Burton C () What are medical students taught about persistent physical symptoms? A scoping review of the literature. BMC Medical Education, 24(1).
Conroy S, Brailsford S, Burton C, England T, Lalseta J, Martin G, Mason S, Maynou-Pujolras L, Phelps K, Preston L , Regen E et al () Identifying models of care to improve outcomes for older people with urgent care needs: a mixed methods approach to develop a system dynamics model. Health and Social Care Delivery Research, 1-183.
Williams P, Murchie P, Cruickshank ME, Burton C & Bond C () What influences the performance of pelvic examination in primary care: a qualitative investigation. British Journal of General Practice, BJGP.2022.0363-BJGP.2022.0363.
Lewis J & Burton C () Understanding the consequences of GP referral thresholds: taking the instrumental approach. BMJ Quality & Safety.
Stone J, Burton C & Carson A () Recognising and explaining functional neurological disorder. BMJ, m3745-m3745.
Toomey EC, Conway Y, Burton C, Smith S, Smalle M, Chan X-HS, Adisesh A, Tanveer S, Ross L, Thomson I , Devane D et al () Extended use or reuse of single-use surgical masks and filtering face-piece respirators during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: A rapid systematic review. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 1-9.
Sharma P, Boyers D, Scott N, Hernández R, Fraser C, Cruickshank M, Ahmed I, Ramsay C & Brazzelli M () The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of open mesh repairs in adults presenting with a clinically diagnosed primary unilateral inguinal hernia who are operated in an elective setting: systematic review and economic evaluation. Health Technology Assessment, 19(92), 1-142.
Sharma P, Scotland G, Cruickshank M, Tassie E, Fraser C, Burton C, Croal B, Ramsay CR & Brazzelli M () The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of point-of-care tests (CoaguChek system, INRatio2 PT/INR monitor and ProTime Microcoagulation system) for the self-monitoring of the coagulation status of people receiving long-term vitamin K antagonist therapy, compared with standard UK practice: systematic review and economic evaluation. Health Technology Assessment, 19(48), 1-172.
Mills ED, Burton CD & Matheson C () Engaging the citizenship of the homeless—a qualitative study of specialist primary care providers: Table 1.. Family Practice, cmv036-cmv036.
Rosendal M, Blankenstein AH, Morriss R, Fink P, Sharpe M & Burton C () Enhanced care by generalists for functional somatic symptoms and disorders in primary care. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Pinnock H, Burton C, Campbell S, Gruffydd-Jones K, Hannon K, Hoskins G, Lester H & Price D () Clinical implications of the Royal College of Physicians three questions in routine asthma care: a real-life validation study. Primary Care Respiratory Journal, 21(3), 288-294.
Burton C () Heavy Tailed Distributions of Effect Sizes in Systematic Reviews of Complex Interventions. PLoS ONE, 7(3), e34222-e34222. View this article in WRRO
Burton C & Worth A () UK Resuscitation Council guidelines on emergency treatment of anaphylactic reactions: a primary care perspective. Primary Care Respiratory Journal, 17(2), 60-61.
Toomey E, Conway Y, Burton C, Smith S, Smalle M, Chan X-H, Adisesh A, Tanveer S, Ross L, Thomson I , Devane D et al () Extended use or re-use of single-use surgical masks and filtering facepiece respirators: A rapid evidence review.
Burton C, Coles B, Anisesh A, Smith S, Toomey E, Chan XH, Ross L & Greenhalgh T () Performance and impact of disposable and reusable respirators for healthcare workers during pandemic respiratory disease: a rapid evidence review..
McCleary N, Francis JJ, Campbell MK, Ramsay CR, Burton CD & Allan JL () Antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infection: exploring drivers of cognitive effort and factors associated with inappropriate prescribing. Family Practice.

Chapters

Burton C (2002) Introduction to complexity In Sweeney K & Griffiths F (Ed.) (pp. 1-18). Oxford: Radcliffe.
Fink P, Burton C, De Bie J, Söllner W & Fritzsche K () Current state of management and organisation of care, Medically Unexplained Symptoms, Somatisation and Bodily Distress (pp. 97-123). Cambridge University Press

Conference proceedings papers

Lehane D, Oliver P, Mitchell C & Burton C (2020) Interpreter costs across clinical commissioning groups in England 2017–2018 : a cross sectional survey using ‘freedom of information’ requests. British Journal of General Practice, Vol. 70(Suppl 1). London, UK, 12 March 2020 - 12 March 2020. View this article in WRRO
Burton C, Morton L, Elliott A, Deary.DV. , Cleland J & Thomas RE (2015) Multiple Symptoms Study 2 - feasibility of training GPs to deliver the Symptoms Clinic Intervention. Symptom Research in Primary Care. Vejle, Denmark, 2015.
Wolters MK, Szentagotai-Tatar A, Matu S, Moldovan R, David D, McKinstry BH & Burton CD (2014) eHealth Support for People with Depression in the Community: A Case Study Series. Proceedings of HCI Korea (pp 138-144). Seoul, Republic of Korea

Other

Lassa S, Saddiq M, Owen J, Burton C & Balen J (2023) Evolving Power Dynamics in Global Health: From Biomedical Hegemony to Market Dynamics in Global Health Financing; A Response to the Recent Commentaries. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 12, 8264-8264.
Rosmalen JGM, Burton C, Carson A, Cosci F, Frostholm L, Lehnen N, olde Hartman TC, Rask CU, Rymaszewska J, Stone J , Tak LM et al (2021) The European Training Network ETUDE (Encompassing Training in fUnctional Disorders across Europe) : a new research and training program of the EURONET-SOMA network recruiting 15 early stage researchers. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 141.
Rosmalen JGM, Burton C, Carson A, Cosci F, Frostholm L, Lehnen N, Olde Hartman T, Rask C, Rymaszewska J, Stone J , Tak L et al () ICPM NEWS: The European Training Network ETUDE (Encompassing Training in Functional Disorders across Europe) Is Recruiting 15 Early-Stage Researchers. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 1-2.

Preprints

Burton C, Dawes H, Goodwill S, Thelwell M & Dalton C (2022) Symptom variation, correlations, and relationship to physical activity in Long Covid: intensive longitudinal study, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Orchard P, Agakova A, Pinnock H, Burton CD, Sarran C, Agakov F & McKinstry B (2017) Improving prediction of risk of hospital admission in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: application of machine learning to telemonitoring data (Preprint), JMIR Publications Inc..
Burton C, Stone T, Oliver P, Dickson JM, Lewis J & Mason S () High use of the emergency department shows typical features of complex systems: analysis of multicentre linked data.

Research group: My current PhD students (first supervisor) are Hani Al-Ghamdi (ScHARR) and Ben Jackson (AUPMC). I am keen to supervise PhD students from any relevant discipline interested in clinical communication and physical symptoms or health services research.

Grants

Burton C, Bath P, Kadirkamanathan V: Re-engineering Services for Health to maximise person-centred care (RESHAPE-CARE) NIHR SEISMIC Systems Engineering Development Award £198,000 September 2023 for 15 months

Burton C, Leaviss J, Booth A, Davis S, Dawes H, Deary V, Fryer K, Ren S, Sutton A Effectiveness of Interventions For Fatigue in Long Term Conditions (EIFFEL) NIHR HTA July 2023 for 18 months

Guthrie E, Burton C, Mason S, Bojke C, West R, Ariss S, van der Feltz-Cornelis C, Relton S, Lee W, Dykes S. Frequent users of the Emergency Department: Improving and standardizing services- a mixed methods study NIHR HS&DR £1,327,296 March 2022 for 36 months

Jackson B, Ariss S, Burton C, Mitchell C. Framework development for action on health inequities in primary care NHS England £258,900 April 2021 for 18 months

Oliver P, Burton C, Huddy V, Horspool M. Joining up primary and specialist care for people with complex mental health problems: a mixed methods study NIHR RfPB £293,575 January 2021 for 19 months

Bath P, Strong M, Burton C, Weich S, Alvarez Lopez M, Willkinson M, Hopfgartner F Using Artificial Intelligence to Tackle Multiple Long-Term Conditions - Multimorbidity in South Yorkshire, NIHR £107,968 January 2021 for 12 months

Burton C, Walker T, Rosmalen JGR. ETUDE – Encompassing Training in Functional Disorders across Europe. EU Marie Curie Integrated Training Network, £265,016 January 2021 for 4 years

Jackson B, O’Hara R, Burton C. Integrating Advanced Clinical Practitioners into General Practice teams through clinical supervision: a realist evaluation. Royal College of GPs, £11,978 January 2021 for 24 months

Nagel C, Marshall M, Burton C. In-Practice Fellowship. NIHR, £123,921 September 2020 for 30 months

Cooper C, Burton C. Supporting reach and inclusivity in research in primary care. Sheffield CCG (RCF) £19,888 October 2020 for 6 months

Chatters R, Burton C, O’Cathain A, Cooper C. Learning from COVID-19 related trial adaptations to inform efficient trial design - a sequential mixed methods study. NIHR £70,579 October 2020 for 12 months

Burton C, Dickson JM, Booth A. Association of persistent physical symptoms and socio-economic deprivation Sheffield CCG (RCF) £25,128 October 2019 for 6 months

Conroy S, Mason S, Martin G, Street A, Burton C, Brailsford S, Preston L, Riley P, Jagruti L, Identifying models of care to improve outcomes for older people with emergency and urgent care NIHR HS&DR £931,654, September 2018 for 36 months

Burton C, Deary DV, Rowlands GR, Waheed W, Greco M, Nielson A, Cooper C, Dawson J, White D, Thomas R. Thomas S. Multiple Symptoms Study 3: pragmatic trial of a community based clinic for patients with persistent (medically unexplained) physical symptoms) NIHR HS&DR £1,194,291; February 2018 for 40 months.

Burton C, Hodges V, Jackson B, Sanders T. Wiser Testing Sheffield CCG (RCF) £9,859 October 2017 for 6 months

Burton C, Weich S, Christensen H, Blackmore C, Easton K. Technology Assisted Recovery Goal Elicitation and Transaction (TARGET) Preparatory Work.Sheffield Health & Social Care Trust. £20,000, September 2017 for 6 months.

Burton C, Bhattacharya S, Iversen L, Ayansina, D, Saraswat L, Sleeman D. Longitudinal History Patterns For Earlier Diagnosis Of Endometriosis, Chief Scientist Office, £28,500, August 2015 for 6 months.

McKinstry B, Anderson S, Agakov F, Pinnock H, Burton C. Learning to Care. MRC Confidence in Concept £65,361 August 2014 for 6 months

Burton C, Entwistle V, Ryan M, Elliott A, Krucien N, Porteous T. Discrete Choice Experiment to value patient preferences for self-management. The Health Foundation £159,000 March 2014 for 15 months.

Burton C, Elliott A, Deary V, Thomas R, Multiple Symptoms Study 2. A feasibility study to manualise, teach and demonstrate the delivery of the Symptoms Clinic intervention. Chief Scientist Office £139,962 March 2014 for one year

Platt S, Burton C, Chandler A. General Practitioner understanding and management of patients who self-harm: a qualitative study. Chief Scientist Office £47,084. March 2013 for 15 months.

McKinstry B, Burton C, Wolters M, Pagliari C, Matheson C, in partnership with institutions in Spain, Italy and Romania. Help4Mood, a computational distributed system to support the treatment of patients with major depression. European Union (FP7 programme). January 2010 to June 2014 (total €2.8M, Edinburgh €455,398)

Burton C, Simpson C. Analysis of antidepressant prescribing data using the Scottish Primary Care Clinical Informatics Unit database. Scottish Government Directorate of Health Delivery. 2010 (£6,875)

Teaching activities: MBChB: I lead the Critical Appraisal SSC in Phase 1 and contribute to teaching on evidence based medicine. I contribute to the introductory lectures to the Research Attachment SSC in Phase 2 and regularly host groups of students on attachment. In later years I’m interested to teach advanced clinical communication techniques including effective reassurance.