Dr Fiona Sampson
PhD, MSc, BA
Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health
Senior Research Fellow
+44 114 222 0687
Full contact details
Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health
Regent Court (ScHARR)
30 Regent Street
Sheffield
S1 4DA
- Profile
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I am a Senior Research Fellow with over 20 years of experience in Health Services Research. I am the Director of the Centre for Urgent and Emergency Care Research (CURE) in ScHARR, a leading centre for urgent and emergency care research with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, high-impact independent research.
I have experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods and am particularly interested in the use of mixed methods research, and the use of non-participant observation within health services research.
I have led and contributed to a number of research projects in the field of emergency and urgent care. In 2011 I was awarded an NIHR Doctoral Research Fellowship to explore how pain management in Emergency Departments can be improved (IMPEDE study). I am currently PI of an NIHR-funded project exploring the use of prehospital pre-alerts and their impact on patients, ambulance service and Emergency Department staff.
I am the School Director for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and sit on the ScHARR Curriculum Inclusivity group, Athena Swan SAT group as well as the University Race Equality Charter self-assessment group. I have worked part-time since 2008.
I run an observational and ethnographic methods research interest group for staff and students at ScHARR.
I currently supervise two PhD students who are undertaking research in the field of prehospital care (Naif Harthi and Melanie Watson) and would be interested in hearing from students interested in undertaking mixed methods research in pre-hospital, urgent and emergency care.
- Research interests
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My research interests are in evaluating health care systems, patient perspectives of health services and the use of observational and ethnographic methods in health services research. I am interested in implementation science, particularly in the field of emergency care.
Current projects:
- Exploring the use of pre-hospital pre-alerts and their impact on patients, ambulance service and Emergency Department staff. (NIHR HS&DR)
- Take home naloxone Intervention Multi-centre Emergency setting feasibility trial - TIME (NIHR HTA)
- Estimating the value of future research to improve guidelines on thromboprophylaxis for women during pregnancy and after delivery (NIHR HTA).
- Service Evaluation of a Prehospital Lateral Flow Testing and Direct Hospital Admissions pathway (Yorkshire Ambulance Service)
- Evaluation of Online NHS 111 (NIHR HS&DR)
- Evaluation of the NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard Culture Change Pilots. (NHS England)
- Publications
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Show: Featured publications All publications
Featured publications
Journal articles
- A qualitative study exploring the experiences of advanced clinical practitioner training in emergency care in the South West of England, United Kingdom. Emergency Medicine Journal. View this article in WRRO
- Take-home naloxone in multicentre emergency settings: the TIME feasibility cluster RCT. Health Technology Assessment, 28(74). View this article in WRRO
- How do emergency departments respond to ambulance pre-alert calls? A qualitative exploration of the management of pre-alerts in UK emergency departments. Emergency Medicine Journal. View this article in WRRO
- What influences ambulance clinician decisions to pre-alert emergency departments: a qualitative exploration of pre-alert practice in UK ambulance services and emergency departments. Emergency Medicine Journal. View this article in WRRO
- Thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy and the puerperium: a systematic review and economic evaluation to estimate the value of future research. Health Technology Assessment, 28(9). View this article in WRRO
- How could online NHS 111 reduce demand for the telephone NHS 111 service? Qualitative study of user and staff views. Emergency Medicine Journal, 41(1), 34-39. View this article in WRRO
- Why is pain management so difficult in the Emergency Department? A systematic mixed studies review and thematic synthesis of staff perceptions of enablers and barriers to pain management within the Emergency Department. Emergency Medicine Journal, 40(8), 606-613. View this article in WRRO
- How can pain management in the emergency department be improved? Findings from multiple case study analysis of pain management in three UK emergency departments. Emergency Medicine Journal, 37(2), 85-94.
- The reality of pain scoring in the emergency department: Findings from a multiple case study design. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 74(4), 538-548. View this article in WRRO
- Do marginal investments made by NHS healthcare commissioners in the UK produce the outcomes they hope to achieve? Observational study.. BMJ Open, 5(11). View this article in WRRO
- Interventions to improve the management of pain in emergency departments: systematic review and narrative synthesis.. Emerg Med J, 31(e1), e9-e18.
- Commissioning processes in primary care trusts: a repeated cross-sectional survey of health care commissioners in England.. J Health Serv Res Policy, 17 Suppl 1, 31-39.
- Improving call-to-balloon times for ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Journal of Paramedic Practice, 3(11), 625-631.
- Is primary angioplasty an acceptable alternative to thrombolysis? Quantitative and qualitative study of patient and carer satisfaction.. Health Expect, 13(4), 350-358.
- Evaluation of workforce and organizational issues in establishing primary angioplasty in England.. J Health Serv Res Policy, 15(1), 6-13.
- Feeling fixed and its contribution to patient satisfaction with primary angioplasty: a qualitative study.. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs, 8(2), 85-90.
- Impact of same-day appointments on patient satisfaction with general practice appointment systems.. Br J Gen Pract, 58(554), 641-643.
- Noninvasive ventilation in acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema. NEW ENGL J MED, 359(2), 142-151.
- Does Advanced Access improve access to primary health cam? Questionnaire survey of patients. BRIT J GEN PRACT, 57(541), 615-621.
- Impact of advanced access on access, workload, and continuity: controlled before-and-after and simulated-patient study. BRIT J GEN PRACT, 57(541), 608-614.
Conference proceedings papers
- 235 Whose Pain is it Anyway? Qualitative Research Exploring How the 0-10 Pain Score is Used in Practice Within the Adult Emergency Department. Annals of Emergency Medicine, Vol. 70(4) (pp S93-S94)
All publications
Journal articles
- A qualitative study exploring the experiences of advanced clinical practitioner training in emergency care in the South West of England, United Kingdom. Emergency Medicine Journal. View this article in WRRO
- Take-home naloxone in multicentre emergency settings: the TIME feasibility cluster RCT. Health Technology Assessment, 28(74). View this article in WRRO
- How do emergency departments respond to ambulance pre-alert calls? A qualitative exploration of the management of pre-alerts in UK emergency departments. Emergency Medicine Journal. View this article in WRRO
- Take-home naloxone administered in emergency settings: feasibility of intervention implementation in a cluster randomized trial. BMC Emergency Medicine, 24. View this article in WRRO
- What influences ambulance clinician decisions to pre-alert emergency departments: a qualitative exploration of pre-alert practice in UK ambulance services and emergency departments. Emergency Medicine Journal. View this article in WRRO
- Is a randomised controlled trial of take home naloxone distributed in emergency settings likely to be feasible and acceptable? Findings from a UK qualitative study exploring perspectives of people who use opioids and emergency services staff. BMC Emergency Medicine, 24(1). View this article in WRRO
- Pain in the ED: does anyone manage it well?. Emergency Medicine Journal. View this article in WRRO
- Exploring advanced clinical practitioner perspectives on training, role identity and competence: a qualitative study. BMC Nursing, 23(1). View this article in WRRO
- Thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy and the puerperium: a systematic review and economic evaluation to estimate the value of future research. Health Technology Assessment, 28(9). View this article in WRRO
- How consistent are pre-alert guidelines? A review of UK ambulance service guidelines. British Paramedic Journal, 8(4), 30-37. View this article in WRRO
- Estimating the value of future research into thromboprophylaxis for women during pregnancy and after delivery: a value of information analysis. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 22(4), 1105-1116. View this article in WRRO
- How could online NHS 111 reduce demand for the telephone NHS 111 service? Qualitative study of user and staff views. Emergency Medicine Journal, 41(1), 34-39. View this article in WRRO
- PB1532 How Can We Improve Recruitment to Trials for Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism during Pregnancy and the Puerperium? A Qualitative Evaluation of the Patients' Perspective. Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 7, 101939-101939.
- Why is pain management so difficult in the Emergency Department? A systematic mixed studies review and thematic synthesis of staff perceptions of enablers and barriers to pain management within the Emergency Department. Emergency Medicine Journal, 40(8), 606-613. View this article in WRRO
- Journal update monthly top five. Emergency Medicine Journal, 40(3), 235-236.
- Stakeholder perspectives of piloting pre-hospital COVID-19 lateral flow testing and direct admissions pathway: exploring why well-received ideas have low uptake. British Paramedic Journal, 7(3), 15-25.
- 02 Service provider views of the safety, appropriateness and perceived acceptability of telephone advice for calls to the ambulance service triaged as low urgency. Emergency Medicine Journal, 39(9), e5.12. View this article in WRRO
- Evaluation of pre-hospital COVID-19 rapid antigen tests by paramedics and their use in a direct admission pathway. Journal of Infection, 85(3), E53-E55.
- Research priorities for prehospital care of older patients with injuries: scoping review. Age and Ageing, 51(5). View this article in WRRO
- Corrigendum: Impact of NHS 111 Online on the NHS 111 telephone service and urgent care system: a mixed-methods study. Health Services and Delivery Research, 9(21), 148-149.
- Impact of NHS 111 online on the NHS 111 telephone service and urgent care system: a mixed-methods study. Health Services and Delivery Research, 9(21). View this article in WRRO
- Protocol for Take-home naloxone In Multicentre Emergency (TIME) settings: feasibility study. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 6(1). View this article in WRRO
- What does the ideal urgent and emergency care system look like? A qualitative study of service user perspectives. Emergency Medicine Journal, 37(4), 200-205. View this article in WRRO
- How can pain management in the emergency department be improved? Findings from multiple case study analysis of pain management in three UK emergency departments. Emergency Medicine Journal, 37(2), 85-94.
- The reality of pain scoring in the emergency department: Findings from a multiple case study design. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 74(4), 538-548. View this article in WRRO
- Do marginal investments made by NHS healthcare commissioners in the UK produce the outcomes they hope to achieve? Observational study.. BMJ Open, 5(11). View this article in WRRO
- Interventions to improve the management of pain in emergency departments: systematic review and narrative synthesis.. Emerg Med J, 31(e1), e9-e18.
- Commissioning processes in primary care trusts: a repeated cross-sectional survey of health care commissioners in England.. J Health Serv Res Policy, 17 Suppl 1, 31-39.
- Improving call-to-balloon times for ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Journal of Paramedic Practice, 3(11), 625-631.
- The cost-effectiveness of primary angioplasty reply. HEART, 97(2), 163-163.
- Health utility and survival after hospital admission with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema.. Emerg Med J, 28(6), 477-482.
- Is primary angioplasty an acceptable alternative to thrombolysis? Quantitative and qualitative study of patient and carer satisfaction.. Health Expect, 13(4), 350-358.
- The impact of Advanced Access on antibiotic prescribing: a controlled before and after study.. Fam Pract, 27(5), 554-555.
- Evaluation of workforce and organizational issues in establishing primary angioplasty in England.. J Health Serv Res Policy, 15(1), 6-13.
- The Development of a Simple Risk Score to Predict Early Outcome in Severe Acute Acidotic Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema The 3CPO Score. CIRC-HEART FAIL, 3(1), 111-117.
- Primary angioplasty versus thrombolysis for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction: an economic analysis of the National Infarct Angioplasty project.. Heart, 96(9), 668-672.
- A multicentre randomised controlled trial of the use of continuous positive airway pressure and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in the early treatment of patients presenting to the emergency department with severe acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema: the 3CPO trial.. Health technology assessment (Winchester, England), 13(33), 1-106.
- A multicentre randomised controlled trial of the use of continuous positive airway pressure and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in the early treatment of patients presenting to the emergency department with severe acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema: the 3CPO trial. HEALTH TECHNOL ASSES, 13(33), 1-+.
- How should continuity of care in primary health care be assessed?. British Journal of General Practice, 59(561), 276-282.
- How should continuity of care in primary health care be assessed?. The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, 59(561).
- Feeling fixed and its contribution to patient satisfaction with primary angioplasty: a qualitative study.. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs, 8(2), 85-90.
- Impact of same-day appointments on patient satisfaction with general practice appointment systems.. Br J Gen Pract, 58(554), 641-643.
- Noninvasive ventilation in acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema. NEW ENGL J MED, 359(2), 142-151.
- Diagnostic value of CT for deep vein thrombosis: results of a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Clin Radiol, 63(3), 299-304.
- The value of clinical features in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism: systematic review and meta-analysis.. QJM, 100(12), 763-769.
- Does Advanced Access improve access to primary health cam? Questionnaire survey of patients. BRIT J GEN PRACT, 57(541), 615-621.
- Impact of advanced access on access, workload, and continuity: controlled before-and-after and simulated-patient study. BRIT J GEN PRACT, 57(541), 608-614.
- The accuracy of MRI in diagnosis of suspected deep vein thrombosis: systematic review and meta-analysis.. Eur Radiol, 17(1), 175-181.
- Implementation of advanced access in general practice: postal survey of practices. BRIT J GEN PRACT, 56(533), 918-923.
- Optimal algorithm for evaluating suspected DVT. Journal of Family Practice, 55(9), 754.
- Meta-analysis of plethysmography and rheography in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.. Emerg Med J, 23(8), 630-635.
- Measurement of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of non-invasive diagnostic testing strategies for deep vein thrombosis.. Health technology assessment (Winchester, England), 10(15).
- Measurement of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of non-invasive diagnostic testing strategies for deep vein thrombosis. Health Technology Assessment, 10(15).
- How should we diagnose suspected deep-vein thrombosis?. QJM, 99(6), 377-388.
- Meta-analysis: The value of clinical assessment in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 30(2), 250-251.
- Advanced access: more than just GP waiting times?. Fam Pract, 23(2), 233-239.
- Can we use routine data to evaluate organizational change? Lessons from the evaluation of business process re-engineering in a UK teaching hospital.. Health Serv Manage Res, 18(4), 265-276.
- How is deep vein thrombosis diagnosed and managed in UK and Australian emergency departments?. Emerg Med J, 22(11), 780-782.
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for deep vein thrombosis.. BMC Med Imaging, 5, 6.
- The impact of NHS Direct on the demand for out-of-hours primary and emergency care.. Br J Gen Pract, 55(519), 790-792.
- Meta-analysis: The value of clinical assessment in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis.. Ann Intern Med, 143(2), 129-139.
- Variation in the diagnostic performance of D-dimer for suspected deep vein thrombosis.. QJM, 98(7), 513-527.
- Aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma - Economics of high-dose therapy. PHARMACOECONOMICS, 22(4), 207-224.
- Do different types of nurses give different triage decisions in NHS Direct? A mixed methods study.. J Health Serv Res Policy, 9(4), 226-233.
- Why are patients removed from their doctors' lists? A comparison of patients' and doctors' accounts of removal.. Fam Pract, 21(5), 515-518.
- Evaluation of advanced access in the national primary care collaborative.. Br J Gen Pract, 54(502), 334-340.
- Nurses' views of using computerized decision support software in NHS Direct.. J Adv Nurs, 45(3), 280-286.
- Aggressive Non-Hodgkin. PharmacoEconomics, 22(4), 207-224.
- A review of the natural history and epidemiology of multiple sclerosis: Implications for resource allocation and health economic models. Health Technology Assessment, 6(10).
- Functional benefits and cost/benefit analysis of continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion for the management of severe spasticity.. J Neurosurg, 96(6), 1052-1057.
- Cost-effectiveness of high-dose chemotherapy in first-line treatment of advanced multiple myeloma.. Br J Haematol, 113(4), 1015-1019.
- General practitioners' reasons for removing patients from their lists: postal survey in England and Wales.. BMJ, 322(7295), 1158-1159.
- The cost-effectiveness of high dose chemotherapy in the treatment of relapsed Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.. Br J Cancer, 82(1), 81-84.
- What role for statins? A review and economic model.. Health Technology Assessment, 3(19).
- Cholesterol and coronary heart disease: screening and treatment. QUAL HEALTH CARE, 7(4), 232-239.
Conference proceedings papers
- 2245 Mixed methods study exploring factors influencing ambulance clinician decisions to pre-alert emergency departments (EDs) of a patient’s arrival. RCEM Annual Scientific Conference Glasgow 2023 Meeting Abstracts (pp 875-875)
- EP09 Feasibility of methods and intervention for administration of take-home naloxone in emergency settings: a cluster randomised trial. 999 EMS Research Forum 2023 meeting abstracts (pp A4.2-A5)
- EP11 What is a pre-alert? Exploring ambulance service perspectives of pre-alerts and the pre-alert process. 999 EMS Research Forum 2023 meeting abstracts (pp A5.2-A5)
- PP31 How do pre-alerts influence patient care in the emergency department? Findings from qualitative research within three UK ambulance services. 999 EMS Research Forum 2023 meeting abstracts (pp A13.1-A13)
- PP33 Which patients receive a prealert? Analysis of linked data in three ambulance services. 999 EMS Research Forum 2023 meeting abstracts (pp A14.1-A14)
- PP32 What factors affect pre-hospital pre-alerts? Analysis of routine ambulance data. 999 EMS Research Forum 2023 meeting abstracts (pp A13.2-A13)
- PP34 Which patients should be prealerted? Review of UK ambulance service guidelines. 999 EMS Research Forum 2023 meeting abstracts (pp A14.2-A14)
- PP35 What factors affect ambulance clinician prealert decision-making? A qualitative study. 999 EMS Research Forum 2023 meeting abstracts (pp A14.3-A15)
- Thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy and the puerperium: A systematic review, qualitative study and economic evaluation to estimate the value and acceptability of future research. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Vol. 130(S1) (pp 20-20). Birmingham, United Kingdom View this article in WRRO
- EP12 Emergency services provision of take home naloxone to people at risk of opiate overdose: perspectives of potential recipients – a qualitative study. Emergency Medicine Journal, Vol. 39(9) (pp e5-e5). Sheffield, UK, 14 June 2022 - 14 June 2022. View this article in WRRO
- PP27 NHS 111 staff and user views of online NHS 111: a useful adjunct to the NHS 111 telephone service. Emergency Medicine Journal, Vol. 39(9) (pp e5-e5). Sheffield, UK, 14 June 2022 - 14 June 2022. View this article in WRRO
- PP39 Emergency service provider perspectives of feasibility and acceptability of emergency services distribution of take home naloxone. Emergency Medicine Journal, Vol. 39(9) (pp e5-e5). Sheffield, UK, 14 June 2022 - 14 June 2022. View this article in WRRO
- PP28 Stakeholder perspectives of piloting pre-hospital COVID-19 lateral flow test and direct admissions pathway: exploring why well received ideas have low uptake. Emergency Medicine Journal, Vol. 39(9) (pp e5-e5). Sheffield, UK, 14 June 2022 - 14 June 2022. View this article in WRRO
- PP26 Exploring the use of pre-hospital pre-alerts and their impact on patients, ambulance service and emergency department staff: protocol for a mixed methods study. Emergency Medicine Journal, Vol. 39(9) (pp e5-e5). Sheffield, UK, 14 June 2022 - 14 June 2022. View this article in WRRO
- 28 Are we measuring what we think we are measuring? Qualitative research exploring the role of the 0-10 pain score within the adult emergency department.. Emerg Med J, Vol. 34(12) (pp A879-A879). England
- 235 Whose Pain is it Anyway? Qualitative Research Exploring How the 0-10 Pain Score is Used in Practice Within the Adult Emergency Department. Annals of Emergency Medicine, Vol. 70(4) (pp S93-S94)
- Non-invasive ventilation in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema: The 3CPO trial (a multicentre randomised controlled trial). THORAX, Vol. 62 (pp A8-A8)
Posters
Preprints
- Understanding good communication in ambulance pre-alerts to Emergency Department. Findings from a qualitative study of UK emergency services, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
- What factors predict ambulance pre-alerts to the emergency department? Analysis of routine data from three UK ambulance services., Research Square Platform LLC.
- Is a definitive trial of Take-Home Naloxone in emergency settings indicated? Results of a cluster randomised feasibility study, Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
- What influences women’s decisions to participate in trials for prevention of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy and the puerperium: a qualitative study, Research Square Platform LLC.
- How do Emergency Departments respond to ambulance pre-alert calls? A qualitative exploration of the management of pre-alert in six UK Emergency Departments, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
- Variation in ambulance pre-alert process and practice: Cross-sectional survey of ambulance clinicians, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
- What influences ambulance clinician decisions to pre-alert Emergency Departments: a qualitative exploration of decision-making in three UK Ambulance Services, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
- What factors predict ambulance pre-alerts to the emergency department? Analysis of routine data from 3 UK ambulance services, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
- Is a randomised controlled trial of take home naloxone distributed in emergency settings likely to be feasible and acceptable? Findings from a UK qualitative study exploring perspectives of people who use opioids and emergency services staff, Research Square Platform LLC.
- Will online NHS 111 reduce demand for the telephone NHS 111 service? Mixed methods study of user and staff views, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
- Protocol for Take home naloxone In Multicentre Emergency setting (TIME): Feasibility Study, Research Square Platform LLC.
- Protocol for Take home naloxone In Multicentre Emergency setting (TIME): Feasibility Study, Research Square Platform LLC.
- Research group
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I run an observational and ethnographic methods research interest group for staff and students at ScHARR.
PhD supervision
I currently supervise two students:
- Grants
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- Title: Improving pain management in Emergency Departments: a mixed methods study. Funder: National Institute for Health Research doctoral research fellowship programme. November 2011. £280,000. Principal Investigator: Fiona Sampson (2011-2017)
- Title:Evaluation of PCT and practice-based commissioning: identifying which commissioning processes produce successful outcomes. Funder: Department of Health Policy Research Programme.November 2008.£489,045 Principal Investigator: Alicia O'Cathain
- Title: The cost-effectiveness of investigation and hospital admission for minor (GCS 13-15) head injury. Funder: NHS Health Technology Assessment. £181,039 January 2009. Principal Investigator: Steve Goodacre
- Title:Evaluation of the National Infarct Angioplasty Project Pilots. Funder: NHS Service Delivery and Organisation. £275,000. March 2005 Principal investigator: Steve Goodacre
- Title: An Evaluation of Advanced Access in general practice. 2002-2005 Funder:NHS Service Delivery and Organisation. £350,000 April 2004 Principal Investigator: Chris Salisbury
- Teaching activities
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I was the Director of the MSc Advanced Emergency Care from 2018-2022 and Joint Deputy Director for the MSc Clinical Research from 2019-2020 and have led and contributed to a number of research methods modules. My teaching interests are in research methods, shared decision-making and evidence-based health care. I supervise MSc dissertation projects and provide personal tutor support to MSc students.