Newcastle University

Introduction

I am an experienced medical sociologist committed to delivering both high quality research and teaching and learning.  My research is concerned with understanding people's health and illness experiences throughout the lifecourse and spans a range of clinical areas. I provide a social science perspective and qualitative methodological expertise to clinical research questions, postgraduate research supervision and postgraduate and undergraduate teaching.

Roles and Responsibilities

I am the Institute of Health and Society's Head of Excellence in Learning and Teaching.

I lead IHS Medical Sociology discipline group and the North East ESRC Doctoral Training Centre's Social Science and Health Pathway.

I am a member of:

• Decision Making and Organisation of Care Research Theme
• IHS Learning and Teaching Committee (Chair)
• IHS Executive Committee
• FMS Ethics Committee
• FMS Faculty Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee
• University Internal Subject Review Panel
• University Senate August 2011 - July 2014

 Qualifications

1998 PhD (Sociology) Coventry University "Living with Cancer, Living with Dying"
1993 MA Health Services Studies, University of Leeds
1992 BSc(Hons) Sociology, University of Salford 

 Previous Positions

2003-2009 Lecturer in Medical Sociology, IHS, Newcastle University

1999-2003  Lecturer, Dept Epidemiology and Public Health, Leicester University

1998 -1999 Lecturer, Dept Primary Care, Birmingham University

1997 - 1998 Research Associate, Dept Primary Care, Leicester University

Undergraduate Teaching

I have delivered and led social science teaching to undergraduate medical students in three UK Universities for over 10 years. I led the social science component of the MBBS at Newcastle from 2003 - 2009, and I remain a regular contributor to this course. I also contribute to a third year sociology degree course examining current health concerns.

Postgraduate Teaching

I am actively involved in the design, delivery and assessment of Master level teaching and learning. I am the module leader for the Introduction to Qualitative Methods module and contribute to Health and Society and Further Qualitative Methods modules which are part of the MSc in Public Health and Health Services Research and MSc in Social Sciences and Health Research. I supervise MSc dissertations and welcome enquiries from Masters students regarding possible projects.

I am an external examiner  for the MSc in Public Health, Glasgow University

Research Interests

My research is concerned with examining critically people's - patients and carers - experiences of and decisions about health and health care, and finding ways to improve and enhance these.  As a medical sociologist I work within multidisciplinary research teams, often providing qualitative methodological expertise. My work focuses on those living with chronic disease, and spans a range of clinical areas such as: palliative care, transplantation research, old age psychiatry, primary care medicine and oral health care.

Currently, I am part of research team, led by Professor Louise Robinson, exploring how Advanced Care Planning can be used in dementia care. I am also collaborating with colleagues in the Institute of Transplantation on a number of research projects and lead the qualitative component of a new study led by  Professor Andrew Fisher.

Postgraduate Supervision

I am committed to supporting postgraduate research. I lead the North East ESRC Doctoral Training Centre's Social Science and Health Pathway. I supervise postgraduate research students from social science, applied health research and clinical backgrounds.  

Previous Supervision 

• 2012 Stephanie O’Neill, ESRC Studentship, IHS, Newcastle University
• 2012 Richard Holmes PhD, NIHR Doctoral Fellow, Dental Sciences/IHS, Newcastle University
• 2011 Joanne Lally PhD, Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University 
• 2010 Ben Heaven PhD, Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University
• 2009 Ines Polzer MPhil, Dental Sciences, Newcastle University
• 2008 Justin Durham PhD, Dental Sciences, Newcastle University

Current Doctoral Supervision: 

• Rhiannon Davies, Dental Sciences/IHS, Newcastle University
• Katie Frew, IHS, Newcastle University
• Rachel Green, Dental Sciences/IHS, Newcastle University
• David Hamilton, NIHR Doctoral Fellow, IHS, Newcastle University
• Rebecca Say, NIHR Doctoral Fellow, IHS, Newcastle University
• Samridh Sharma, Dental Sciences/IHS, Newcastle University
• Holly Standing, IHS, Newcastle University 
• Susie Wong, NIHR Doctoral Fellow, IHS. Newcastle University

Esteem Indicators 

2013 - Member of Irish Health Services Research Board Grant Awarding Panel

2013 – Invited panel member North East BSA Medical Sociology Group

2011 (March) - Invited external speaker to SCHARR Seminar Series, Sheffield University

2009 - Invited key note speaker British Society Study of Prosthetic Dentistry conference, York  

2009 - Invited external speaker to Leeds Dental Institute Seminar Series

2006-2010 - Member of MRC College of Experts

2003-2005 - Co-convenor British Sociological Association Medical Sociology Group

Current Research and Funding

NIHR Health Technology Assessment DEVELOP UK A study of donor ex-vivo lung perfusion in UK Lung Transplantation Co-investigator and lead of qualitative workpackage PI Prof A Fisher

NIHR Doctoral Fellowship Decision Making in Laryngeal Cancer: the role of  the multidisciplinary team and developing decision support Lead Supervisor with Prof JA Walker, Prof R Thomson Fellow: Mr David Hamilton  

NIHR Doctoral Fellowship Engaging women in shared decision making about breech presentation at term: development, usability testing and a pilot trial of decision support and a decision quality instrument. With Prof R Thomson & Prof S Robson Fellow: Dr Beccy Say 

 NIHR Doctoral Fellowship Designing decision support to facilitate choice of urinary drainage procedure after cystectomy Co-supervisor with Prof R Thomson & Prof R Pickard Fellow: Dr Susie Wong 36 Months  

Projects

• A Study of Donor Ex-vivo Lung Perfusion in UK Lung Transplantation (DEVELOP-UK)
  Project Leader(s): Professor Andy Fisher, Dr Catherine Exley ( lead qualitative evaluation)
• Advanced Care Planning in Dementia
  Project Leader(s): Professor Louise Robinson

• Robinson L, Dickinson C, Bamford C, Clark A, Hughes J, Exley C. A qualitative study: Professionals' experiences of advance care planning in dementia and palliative care, 'a good idea in theory but...'. Palliative Medicine 2013, 27(5), 401-408.
• Say R, Thomson R, Robson S, Exley C. A qualitative interview study exploring pregnant women's and health professionals' attitudes to external cephalic version. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2013, 13(1), 4.
• Robinson L, Dickinson C, Rousseau N, Beyer F, Clark A, Hughes J, Howel D, Exley C. A systematic review of the effectiveness of advance care planning interventions for people with cognitive impairment and dementia. Age and Ageing 2012, 41(2), 263-269.
• Exley C, Rousseau N, Donaldson C, Steele JG. Beyond price: individuals' accounts of deciding to pay for private healthcare treatment in the UK. BMC Health Services Research 2012, 12(1), 53.
• Frew K, Exley C, Hughes J, Paes P. Ethical issues: Routine sedation at the end of life. In: 9th Palliative Care Congress. 2012, Gateshead, UK: BMJ Group.
• Durham J, Steele JG, Wassell RW, Exley C, Meechan JG, Allen PF, Moufti AM. Creating a patient based condition-specific outcome measure for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs): Oral Health Impact Profile for TMDs (OHIP-TMDs). Journal of Oral Rehabilitation 2011, 38(12), 871-883.
• May CR, Finch TL, Cornford J, Exley C, Gately C, Kirk S, Jenkings KN, Osbourne J, Robinson AL, Rogers A, Wilson R, Mair FS. Integrating telecare for chronic disease management in the community: What needs to be done?. BMC Health Services Research 2011, 11(1), 131.
• Holmes RD, Steele J, Exley C, Donaldson C. Managing resources in NHS dentistry: using health economics to inform commissioning decisions. BMC Health Services Research 2011, 11, 138.
• Durham J, Steele J, Moufti MA, Wassell R, Robinson P, Exley C. Temporomandibular disorder patients' journey through care. Community Dentistry Oral Epidemiology 2011, 39(6), 532-541.
• Durham J, Steele JG, Wassell RW, Exley C. Living with Uncertainty: Temporomandibular Disorders. Journal of Dental Research 2010, 89(8), 827-830.
• Moffatt S, Noble E, Exley C. "Done more for me in a fortnight than anybody done in all me life." How welfare rights advice can help people with cancer. BMC Health Services Research 2010, 10(1), 259.
• Lally JE, Thomson RG, Exley C, Macphail S. Shared decision making about pain management in labour: expectations and reality. Archives of Disease Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal 2010, 95((suppl 1)), Fa80.
• Robinson L, Bamford C, Beyer F, Clark A, Dickinson C, Emmett C, Exley C, Hughes J, Robson L, Rousseau N. Patient preferences for future care – how can Advanced Care Planning become embedded into dementia care: a study protocol. BMC Geriatrics 2010, 10, 2.
• Exley C, Bamford CH, Hughes JC, Robinson L. Advance Care Planning: An opportunity for person-centred care for people living with dementia. Dementia 2009, 8(3), 419-424.
• Exley C. Bridging a gap: the (lack of) a sociology of oral health and health care. Sociology of Health and Illness 2009, 31(7), 1093-1108.
• Field JC, Rousseau N, Thomason JM, Exley C, Finch T, Steele JG, Ellis JS. Facilitation of implant provision in primary care. British Dental Journal 2009, 207(10), E20.
• Thomason JM, Feine J, Exley C, Moynihan P, Muller F, Naert I, Ellis JS, Barclay C, Butterworth C, Scott B, Lynch C, Stewardson D, Smith P, Welfare R, Hyde P, McAndrew R, Fenlon M, Barclay S, Barker D. Mandibular two implant-supported overdentures as the first choice standard of care for edentulous patients - the York Consensus Statement. British Dental Journal 2009, 207(4), 185-186.
• Exley C, Rousseau NS, Steele J, Finch T, Field J, Donaldson C, Thomason JM, May CR, Ellis JS. Paying for treatments? Influences on negotiating clinical need and decision-making for dental implant treatment. BMC Health Services Research 2009, 9(7).
• Heaven B, Exley C, Finch T, May C. The participation of practice nurses in a randomised controlled trial: Managing intersecting trajectories of work. In: British Sociological Association: Medical Sociology Conference. 2009, University of Manchester, UK.
• Sherlock Z, Wilson JA, Exley C. Tracheostomy in the acute setting: Patient experience and information needs. Journal of Critical Care 2009, 24(4), 501-507.
• Vesey S, Leslie P, Exley C. A pilot study exploring the factors that influence the decision to have PEG feeding in patients with progressive conditions. Dysphagia 2008, 23(3), 310-316.
• Durham J, Moufti MA, Steele JG, Wassell RW, Exley C. Can we improve the management of patients with Temporomandibular Disorders?. Journal of Dental Research: IADR 2008, 87(Special Issue B), abstract no. 1915.
• Heaven B, Exley C, Finch T, May C. Instability, conflict and regaining epistemological control: An ethnographic account of a trial-team at work. In: British Sociological Association: Medical Sociology Conference. 2008, University of Sussex, Brighton.
• Durham J, Moufti MA, Exley C, Meechan JG, Wassell RW, Steele JG. Item selection for a Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) specific outcome measure. Journal of Dental Research: IADR 2008, 87(Special Issue B), abstract no. 0277.
• Holmes RD, Donaldson C, Exley C, Steele JG. Managing resources in NHS dentistry: the views of decision-makers in primary care organisations. British Dental Journal 2008, 205(6), -.
• Polzer I, Durham J, Exley C, Mundt T, Biffar R, Jepson N. The Exercise of Choice in Prosthodontic Care. In: Pan European Federation of the International Association for Dental Research. 2008, London, UK: Journal of Dental Research: Sage.
• Durham JA, Exley C, Moufti MA, Wassell RW, Steele JG. A comparison of patient and professional perspectives of TMD. In: Journal of Dental Research: BSDR/NOF. 2007, Durham, UK: Sage Publications, Inc.
• Exley C, Allen D. A critical examination of home care: End of life care as an illustrative case. Social Science & Medicine 2007, 65(11), 2317-2327.
• Durham JA, Exley C, Wassell R, Steele JG. 'Management is a black art' - professional ideologies with respect to temporomandibular disorders. British Dental Journal 2007, 202(11), -.
• Heaven B, Exley C, Finch T, May C. Bridging the ontological divide: Different social worlds in the conduct of a randomised controlled trial. In: British Sociological Association: Medical Sociology Conference. 2006, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.
• Durham J, Steele J, Wassell R, Exley C. “Management is a Black Art” – Professional Opinions of Temporomandibular Disorders. In: Journal of Dental Research: British Society for Dental Research (BSDR) conference. 2005, Dundee, UK: Sage Publications, Inc.
• Exley C, Tyrer F. Bereaved carers' views of a hospice at home service. International Journal of Palliative Nursing 2005, 11(5), 242-246.
• Exley C. Interviewing the dying: research issues and dilemmas – a personal account. In: Hallowell, N., Lawton, J., Gregory, S, ed. Reflections on Research: The Realities of Doing Research in the Social Sciences. Buckingham, UK: Open University Press, 2005.
• Exley C, Field D, Jones L, Stokes T. Palliative care in the community for cancer and end-stage cardiorespiratory disease: The views of patients, lay-carers and health care professionals. Palliative Medicine 2005, 19(1), 76-83.
• Tyrer F, Exley C. Receiving care at home at end of life: Characteristics of patients receiving Hospice at Home care. Family Practice 2005, 22(6), 644-646.
• Waterhouse ET, Exley C, Lloyd Williams M. “I Think Experience and Gut Feeling Go Together”: Hospice Nurses’ Accounts of the Hours Immediately Preceding and Following Death. In: Cruz L, ed. Making Sense of Dying and Death. Oxford: Inter-Disciplinary Press, 2004, pp.209-218.
• McKinley RK, Stokes T, Exley C, Field D. Care of people dying with malignant and cardiorespiratory disease in General Practice. British Journal of General Practice 2004, 54(509), 909-913.
• Exley C. Review article: The sociology of dying, death and bereavement. Sociology of Health and Illness 2004, 26(1), 110-122.
• Exley C, Letherby G. Managing a disrupted lifecourse: issues of identity and emotional work. Health 2001, 5(1), 112-132.
• Daniels L, Exley C. Preparation, information and liaison: conducting research in palliative care. International Journal of Palliative Nursing 2001, 7(4), 192-197.
• Exley C. Testaments and memories: Negotiating after death-identities. Mortality 1999, 4(3), 226-249.
• Exley C. The emotional work of the dying. Health and Social Care in the Community 1999, 7(2), 151-154.
• Exley C, Sim J, Reid N, Booth L, Jackson S, West N. The admission of Asian patients to intensive therapy units and its implications for kidney donation. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 1996, 50(4), 447-450.
• Exley C, Sim J, Reid N, Jackson S, West N. Attitudes and beliefs within the Sikh community regarding organ donation: A pilot study. Social Science & Medicine 1996, 43(1), 23-28.
• Durham J, Exley CE, John MT, Nixdorf DR. Persistent Dentoalveolar Pain: The Patient’s Experience. Journal of Orofacial Pain 2013, 27(1), 6-13.