Julia Lawton is a British health services researcher. She is the current Professor of Health and Social Science[1] at the University of Edinburgh Medical School's Usher Institute and a member of the Chief Scientist Office's Health Improvement Committee.[2]

Research

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Having studied Social Anthropology at the University of Cambridge's Department of Social Anthropology, Lawton specialises in qualitative research in the fields of medical sociology and the sociology of health and illness. Lawton has contributed significantly to the understanding of a number of health related fields including medication adherence, diabetes, obesity and sexual and reproductive health. For a number of years she served as a lead editor on the journal Sociology of Health and Illness[3] and has authored over 80 publications in books and peer-reviewed journals.[4]

Key publications

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Lawton's first book, titled The Dying Process: Patient Experiences of Palliative Care took an ethnographic look at dying within a hospice setting in modern day Britain. The book has been described as 'lifting the lid' on the challenging ethical practices of palliative care and despite proving controversial at the time of release remains a definitive text in this field.[5]

Lawton has conducted a considerable amount of research into the lived illness experiences and management of health conditions, including much research in the field of diabetes. Within this field Lawton has contributed to our understanding of the barriers to effective diabetes (self-)management and the benefits of tailored health education programmes.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Julia Lawton | The University of Edinburgh". Ed.ac.uk. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  2. ^ "Health Improvement, Protection and Services Research Committee – Chief Scientist Office". Cso.scot.nhs.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  3. ^ "Sociology of Health & Illness - Editorial Board - Wiley Online Library". Sociology of Health & Illness. doi:10.1111/(ISSN)1467-9566.
  4. ^ "Julia Lawton - Edinburgh Research Explorer". Research.ed.ac.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  5. ^ "The Canon: The Dying Process: Patients' Experiences of Palliative Care by Julia Lawton | Times Higher Education (THE)". Times Higher Education. 18 November 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  6. ^ "Research highlights barriers to lifelong management of type 1 diabetes". Sheffield Clinical Research. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2017.