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- Building Rural-Urban Healthcare Equity for Scotland (BRUCES) - a multi-methods research programme in cancer, musculoskeletal health and frailty
Building Rural-Urban Healthcare Equity for Scotland (BRUCES) - a multi-methods research programme in cancer, musculoskeletal health and frailty
Project background: What and Why
This research study aims to understand how and why health and healthcare for people living in different types of rural communities differs from those living in urban areas, and how we can improve it. To improve care, we need to better understand why rural health outcomes are poorer and identify ways to make things more equitable. The research will focus on three examples of common long-term health issues: cancer, musculoskeletal conditions and frailty.
Project description: Who and How
The BRUCES project is funded by the Chief Scientist’s Office under the Applied Health Research Programme. It is led by Principle Investigators Prof. Peter Murchie and Prof. Rosemary Hollick at the University of Aberdeen. There will be National Centre representation on the project’s steering group, and we will work closely with the academic team on dissemination and implementation of findings.
The project will bring together learning from the Investigators’ ongoing research using large healthcare datasets to develop a detailed, rural-focused understanding of the health of people with cancer, musculoskeletal conditions or frailty and how they use health services.
Project researchers will interview people living in rural areas with these conditions and ask about their experiences of care. They will also speak with health and social care professionals involved in delivering services to people in these areas.
Working closely with the National Centre, findings will be tested in workshops with patients, carers, health and social care staff, health managers, policymakers and academic experts.
Expected outcome: When and What Difference
Alongside numerous project outputs, an action plan will be created to introduce and measure the impacts of the most promising solutions, producing guidance to support local and national service planning. This is a five-year research programme which will help to build rural health research capacity within Scotland. It is also an exemplar of Patient and Public Involvement throughout the programme development and implementation. https://Chief Scientist Office (scot.nhs.uk)
