from the Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol
Applications are open for The National Institute for Health and Care Research School for Primary Care Research (NIHR SPCR) post-doctoral fellowships to start in October 2024.
These awards provide funding to cover the costs of a 24 month fellowship at one of the nine SPCR member institutions. Applicants should have a strong academic record and wish to develop a career in primary care research.
A new intervention for men with urinary problems trialled across GP practices has shown a sustained reduction in symptoms. Findings from the University of Bristol-led Treating Urinary Symptoms in Men in Primary Healthcare (TRIUMPH) study, involving over 1,000 participants and 30 GP practices, have been published in the BMJ. The study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
The severity and prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms [LUTS] in men increases with age (up to 30% in men over 65 years), with greater numbers likely to be affected as the population ages. Symptoms can have a substantial impact on quality of life but can also influenced by lifestyle factors.
Current therapies recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) include bladder training, controlling fluid intake and lifestyle advice. However, there is a lack of evidence on their effectiveness, and provision by GP practices varies.
Bristol Medical School researchers sought to trial whether a new intervention, comprising a healthcare professional consultation and an information booklet providing conservative and lifestyle guidance, could be more effective than usual care.