Author
Stewart W Mercer
Other affiliations: University of Bristol, University of Otago, Glasgow Caledonian University ...read more
Bio: Stewart W Mercer is an academic researcher from University of Edinburgh. The author has contributed to research in topics: Population & Health care. The author has an hindex of 61, co-authored 301 publications receiving 16448 citations. Previous affiliations of Stewart W Mercer include University of Bristol & University of Otago.
Topics: Population, Health care, Medicine, Mental health, Comorbidity
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
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TL;DR: The findings challenge the single-disease framework by which most health care, medical research, and medical education is configured, and a complementary strategy is needed, supporting generalist clinicians to provide personalised, comprehensive continuity of care, especially in socioeconomically deprived areas.
4,839 citations
TL;DR: These estimates provide a starting point for considering the number of individuals that might need to be shielded or vaccinated as the global pandemic unfolds, and focus on underlying conditions rather than other risk factors such as ethnicity, socioeconomic deprivation, and obesity.
766 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Empathy is a complex multi-dimensional concept that has moral cognitive emotive and behavioural components and studies in mental health and in nursing suggest it plays a key role.
Abstract: Empathy is a complex multi-dimensional concept that has moral cognitive emotive and behavioural components Clinical empathy involves an ability to: (a) understand the patient's situation, perspective, and feelings (and their attached meanings); (b) to communicate that understanding and check its accuracy; and (c) to act on that understanding with the patient in a helpful (therapeutic) way. Research on the effect of empathy on health outcomes in primary care is lacking, but studies in mental health and in nursing suggest it plays a key role. Empathy can be improved and successfully taught at medical school especially if it is embedded in the students actual experiences with patients. A variety of assessment and feedback techniques have also been used in general medicine psychiatry and nursing. Further work is required to determine if clinical empathy needs to be, and can be, improved in the primary care setting.
660 citations
TL;DR: Preliminary results support the validity and reliability of the CARE measure as a tool for measuring patients' perceptions of relational empathy in the consultation.
Abstract: Background Empathy is a key aspect of the clinical encounter but there is a lack of patient-assessed measures suitable for general clinical settings. Objectives Our aim was to develop a consultation process measure based on a broad definition of empathy, which is meaningful to patients irrespective of their socio-economic background. Methods Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to develop and validate the new measure, which we have called the consultation and relational empathy (CARE) measure. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlational analysis against other validated measures in a series of three pilot studies in general practice (in areas of high or low socio-economic deprivation). Face and content validity was investigated by 43 interviews with patients from both types of areas, and by feedback from GPs and expert researchers in the field. Results The initial version of the new measure (pilot 1; high deprivation practice) correlated strongly (r = 0.85) with the Reynolds empathy measure (RES) and the Barrett-Lennard empathy subscale (BLESS) (r = 0.63), but had a highly skewed distribution (skew -1.879, kurtosis 3.563). Statistical analysis, and feedback from the 20 patients interviewed, the GPs and the expert researchers, led to a number of modifications. The revised, second version of the CARE measure, tested in an area of low deprivation (pilot 2) also correlated strongly with the established empathy measures (r = 0.84 versus RES and r = 0.77 versus BLESS) but had a less skewed distribution (skew -0.634, kurtosis -0.067). Internal reliability of the revised version was high (Cronbach's alpha 0.92). Patient feedback at interview (n = 13) led to only minor modification. The final version of the CARE measure, tested in pilot 3 (high deprivation practice) confirmed the validation with the other empathy measures (r = 0.85 versus RES and r = 0.84 versus BLESS) and the face validity (feedback from 10 patients). Conclusions These preliminary results support the validity and reliability of the CARE measure as a tool for measuring patients' perceptions of relational empathy in the consultation.
628 citations
TL;DR: Care of patients with multimorbidity could be improved if new technology is used to bring together guidelines on individual conditions and tailor advice to each patient’s circumstances, say Bruce Guthrie and colleagues.
Abstract: Care of patients with multimorbidity could be improved if new technology is used to bring together guidelines on individual conditions and tailor advice to each patient’s circumstances, say Bruce Guthrie and colleagues
444 citations
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TL;DR: Reading a book as this basics of qualitative research grounded theory procedures and techniques and other references can enrich your life quality.
13,415 citations
TL;DR: The development of brown adipose tissue with its characteristic protein, uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1), was probably determinative for the evolutionary success of mammals, as its thermogenesis enhances neonatal survival and allows for active life even in cold surroundings.
Abstract: Cannon, Barbara, and Jan Nedergaard. Brown Adipose Tissue: Function and Physiological Significance. Physiol Rev 84: 277–359, 2004; 10.1152/physrev.00015.2003.—The function of brown adipose tissue i...
5,470 citations
TL;DR: The findings challenge the single-disease framework by which most health care, medical research, and medical education is configured, and a complementary strategy is needed, supporting generalist clinicians to provide personalised, comprehensive continuity of care, especially in socioeconomically deprived areas.
4,839 citations