Applied Qualitative Health Research

The Edinburgh Applied Qualitative Health Research Group (EQual) is led by Julia Lawton. Their research covers the use of qualitative methods to develop and evaluate interventions to support people living with acute, chronic and complex health conditions.

Research in a Nutshell

EQual are a dedicated team of social scientists specialising in high-quality, applied qualitative research that makes a real difference to people’s health, well-being, and quality of life. They use bespoke qualitative methods to:
  • Explore people’s experiences of living with and managing acute, chronic and complex health conditions
  • Inform development of healthcare interventions to better support these individuals
  • Conduct realist and process evaluations of complex healthcare interventions, from pilot studies to full-scale trials
  • Optimise recruitment into clinical trials, especially those from hard-to-reach populations
They have extensive experience working with people of all ages and backgrounds, as well as their healthcare providers. They are especially committed to engaging with seldom-heard communities, ensuring that their research promotes fair and equitable access to healthcare and life-changing technologies.

Key People

NameRole
Julia LawtonEQual Research Group Lead | Personal Chair of Health and Social Science
David RankinResearch Fellow
Ruth HartResearch Fellow
Rachel DlugatchResearch Fellow (Qualitative)
Mia ClossResearch Fellow (Qualitative)

Themes and Keywords

Scientific Themes

Type 1 Diabetes; Type 2 Diabetes; Cancer; Stroke; Pain; Innovative Health Technologies

Methodology Keywords

Process and Realist Evaluation; Qualitative Research; Pilot and Feasibility Studies; Collaborative Working Group Process; Qualitative Thematic Synthesis

Projects

  • Understanding and supporting automated insulin delivery use in a diverse population with type 2 diabetes. 
  • Barriers and facilitators to recruitment into the STOPPIT-3 trial: qualitative study. 
  • A qualitative evaluation of the Tandem IQ insulin pump and DEXCOM G6 continuous glucose monitoring hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system (control-IQ) on well being and diabetes management in a socio-demographically diverse group of adults with Type 1 diabetes. 
  • Establishing an Islet Autoantibody Positive Registry for children and adults in the UK: the UK-Islet Antibody registry. 
  • Transforming gestational diabetes management in Scotland to optimise outcomes for mothers and children. 
  • UNBIASED: Understanding Inequalities and Barriers to Accessing Diabetes Technology in Children and Young People with Type 1 Diabetes.
  • Reducing the impact of diabetic foot ulcers on patients and the health service: the REDUCE programme.
  • Closed-loop insulin delivery for people living with Cystic Fibrosis related diabetes.

Publications

Publications from this research group can be found on the group lead's Edinburgh Research Explorer page. 

Primary Contact

Julia Lawton

EQual Research Group Lead

Contact details

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