Professor Paul McNamee

Paul joined HERU as a Senior Research Fellow in October 2002 and is now Professor of Health Economics. His main research interests include the study of economic aspects of healthy ageing and social care, and the development of methods to design and evaluate self-management strategies in long-term conditions. He is the lead for the Health Behaviour theme within HERU. Current research projects focus on measurement of the impacts of health behaviour change (principally diet and physical activity) on health, well-being and life satisfaction, both in healthy populations and amongst populations with long-term health conditions. Paul's research also encompasses estimation of the cost-effectiveness of interventions that aim to improve healthy lifestyles and mental health.

Paul holds an MA Honours degree in Economics from the 51cg, an MSc in Health Economics from the University of York and a PhD from the University of Newcastle. Prior to his present appointment, he was a Research Associate, then Lecturer, in Health Economics at the University of Newcastle.

Qualifications

PhD Health Economics
2003 - University of Newcastle
MSc Health Economics
1992 - University of York
MA Economics with Accountancy
1990 - 51cg
Certificate Teaching & Learning in Higher Education
1999 - University of Newcastle

Memberships and Affiliations

Internal Memberships: ESRC Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS), Pathway Representative - Health, Families, Relationships & Demographic Change.
External Memberships: Economics of Obesity Special Interest Group, international Health Economics Association (iHEA).

ESRC Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS), Pathway Representative - Health, Families, Relationships & Demographic Change.

Steering Committee, SPARKLE (Supporting Parents and Kids Through Lockdown Experiences) Study, King's College London.

Steering Committee, OPTIMA (On-Line Parent Training for the Initial Management of ADHD referrals) Study, King's College London.

Chair, NIHR Programme Grant Steering Committee, ComBAT (Community-delivered Behavioural Activation for Adolescents with Depression), University of York.

Prizes and Awards

Australian Bicentennial Fellowship, Menzies Centre for Australian Studies, King’s College London, 2011-12.

Royal Society of Edinburgh International Visiting Fellow award, Centre for Social Studies (CSS), Surat, & Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, India, 2008.

Best poster prize: The effect of economic status on care decisions: results arising from the Free Personal Care policy in Scotland. Health in Ageing – Achievements and Potential of Longitudinal Research Conference, Dublin, 2008

Research

Research Overview

My main research interests include the development and application of methods to design and evaluate self-management strategies in long-term conditions. This falls within the Health Behaviour theme within HERU, which I currently lead. My other long-standing interests include the study of economic aspects of healthy ageing and social care. Current research projects focus on measurement of the impacts of health behaviour change (principally diet and physical activity) on health, well-being and life satisfaction, both in healthy populations and amongst populations with long-term health conditions. My research also encompasses estimation of the cost-effectiveness of interventions that aim to improve healthy lifestyles and mental health.

Research Areas

Accepting PhDs

I am currently accepting PhDs in Applied Health Sciences, Economics.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss your research ideas further.

Email Me

Applied Health Sciences

Supervising
Accepting PhDs

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Economics

Supervising
Accepting PhDs

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Nutrition and Health

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Research Specialisms

Health Sciences
Economics
Health and Social Care

Our research specialisms are based on the Higher Education Classification of Subjects (HECoS) which is , published under the licence.

Current Research

1. Does Minimum Unit Pricing for alcohol have unintended consequences for diet quality and health? A natural experiment comparing Scotland and England. Co-Principal Investigator. Funded by Chief Scientist Office. £279,125. 2020-2022.

2. Economic modelling: reducing harms from foods high in fat, sugar or salt. Co-investigator with C Revoredo-Ghia (SRUC/University of Edinburgh). Funded by Scottish Government. £93,330. 2019-2020.

3. Patient-centred care for fibromyalgia: new pathway design (PACFIND). Co-investigator with G Macfarlane (51cg). Funded by Versus Arthritis. £1,1185,671. 2019-2024.

4. A randomised control trial to assess the impact of a lifestyle intervention (ActWELL) in women attending NHS breast screening clinics. Funded by Scottish Government. Co-investigator with A Anderson (University of Dundee). £969,265. 2017-2020.

5. Lessening the Impact of Fatigue in Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases: a randomised clinical trial (LIFT). Co-investigator with N Basu (51cg). Funded by Versus Arthritis. £736,687. 2016-2021.

6. Biologics Register for Psoriatic Arthritis. Co-Investigator with G Jones (51cg). Funded by British Society of Rheumatology. £1,174,473. 2017-2022.

7. Maintaining Musculoskeletal Health (MAmMOTH): a randomised trial of cognitive behavioural therapy versus usual care for the prevention of chronic widespread pain. Co-Investigator with G Macfarlane (51cg). Funded by Versus Arthritis £809,403. 2016-2020.

8. Mental health and the PATH to Midlife. Co-Investigator with P Butterworth (University of Melbourne/ANU). Australian NHMRC. £375,985. 2016-2019.

Past Research

1. A feasibility study for Walk with Ease UK - a community-based walking programme for adults with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. Co-Investigator with K Martin (51cg). Funded by Arthritis Research UK, £149,519, 2017-2018.

2. A review of the costs of overweight, obesity and diet related illness for Scotland, and critical appraisal of the cost-effectiveness evidence base for interventions to reduce overweight, obesity and diet-related illness. Principal Investigator. Funded by Food Standards Scotland, £49,985, 2017.

3. Enhancing the quality of social care through economic analysis. Principal Investigator. Funded by ESRC & Scottish Government. £45,000, 2015-2018.

4. NHS Lothian Anticipatory Care Planning evaluation. Principal Investigator. Funded by NHS Lothian £50,000, 2016-2017.

5. Vitamin K supplementation to reduce falls in older people - a multicentre trial (K-SWAY). Co-Investigator with M Witham (University of Dundee). Funded by CSO, £213,493 2016-2018.

6. Does oral sodium bicarbonate therapy improve function and quality of life in older patients with chronic kidney disease and low-grade acidosis? A multicentre randomized placebo controlled trial (BICARB). Co-Investigator with M Witham (University of Dundee). Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £1,159,117, 2012-2020.

7. British Society of Rheumatology Biologics Register. Co-Investigator with G Macfarlane (51cg). Funded by British Society of Rheumatology, £884,233, 2012-2017.

8. Maintained physical activity and physiotherapy in the management of distal arm pain. Co-Investigator with G Jones (51cg). Funded by Arthritis Research UK, £666,650, 2010-2015.

9. Engaging with older people to develop and deliver interventions for the self-management of chronic pain (EPIC). Co-Investigator with B Smith (University of Dundee). Funded by the Medical Research Council, £1,058,605, 2010-2014.

10. Technologies to support older people at home: maximising personal and social interaction – TOPS. Co-Investigator with P Wilson (51cg). Funded by dot.rural, £92,569, 2010-2013.

11. Assessment of the cost-effectiveness of magnetic resonance including diffusion-weighted brain imaging in patients with transient ischaemic attack and minor stroke. Co-Investigator with J Wardlaw (University of Edinburgh). Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £264,260, 2010-2012.

12. Surgical Trial In Traumatic intraCerebral Haemorrhage (STITCH). Co-Investigator with D Mendelow (University of Newcastle). Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £2,163,218, 2010-2014.

13. The Scottish Cervical Cancer Prevention Programme: Assessing and modelling the impact of HPV 16/18 immunisation on the performance of current cervical screening. Co-Investigator with M Cruickshank (51cg). Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £515,298, 2010-2015.

14. Feasibility study of use of direct payments for informal care. Joint Principal Investigator with A Ludbrook (51cg). Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £20,000, 2010-2011.

15. Development of practice-based pharmacist-led management of chronic pain in primary care for evaluation by a RCT. Co-Investigator with C Bond (51cg). Funded by the Medical Research Council, £334,123, 2009-2011.

16. Improving the value of screening for diabetic macular oedema using surrogate photographic markers. Co-Investigator with J Olson (51cg). Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £464,949, 2008-2011.

17. Managing Unexplained Symptoms (chronic widespread pain) In primary Care: Involving traditional and Accessible New approaches (MUSICIAN). Co-Investigator with G Macfarlane (51cg). Funded by Arthritis Research Campaign, £376,406, 2007-2010.

18. Glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis of the knee. Co-Investigator with C Black (51cg). Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £80,000, 2008-2009.

19. Early referral strategies for patients with markers of possible early renal disease. Co-Investigator with C Black (51cg). Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £122,302, 2008-2009.

20. Family Labour Supply Effects of Psychiatric Morbidity in Elders. Joint Principal Investigator with V Wilcox-Gök, (Northern Illinois University). Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £22,000, 2008.

21. Valuation of informal care: comparison, development and application of methods. Principal Investigator with M Ryan (51cg). Funded by the Medical Research Council, £56,296, 2005-2008.

22. Non-pharmacological interventions for adults with impaired glucose tolerance. Co-Investigator with N Waugh (51cg). Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £80,000, 2006-2008.

23. An evaluation of an adapted United States model of pharmaceutical care to improve psychoactive prescribing for care home residents in Scotland. Co-Investigator with M Kind (51cg). Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £18,944, 2006-2007.

24. Measurement and valuation of inequality aversion and distribution of outcomes in maternal health. Co-Investigator with D Newlands (51cg). Funded by the Gates Foundation and the Department for International Development, £19,000, 2006-2007.

25. The economic valuation of maternal mortality and morbidity. Co-Investigator with D Newlands (51cg). Funded by the Gates Foundation and the Department for International Development, £19,000, 2005-2007.

26. The measurement and valuation of productivity costs: a household level analysis. Co-Investigator with D Newlands (51cg). Funded by the Gates Foundation and the Department for International Development, £19,000, 2005-2007.

27. The role of automated level two grading within the Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Collaborative Network. Co-Investigator with J Olson (51cg). Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £183,743, 2005-2007.

28. A cluster randomised trial to investigate the use of a decision aid for the diagnosis of active labour in term pregnancy. Co-Investigator with H Cheyne (University of Stirling). Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £201,538, 2005-2007.

29. Effective treatment of fertility. Co-Investigator with S Bhattacharya (51cg). Funded by The Wellcome Trust, £775,757, 2005-2007.

30. Wanless Social Care Review: effects of Free Personal Care in Scotland. Principal Investigator. Funded by the King’s Fund, £4,350, 2005-2006.

31. Screening for Type II diabetes: literature review. Co-Investigator with N Waugh (51cg). Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £80,000, 2005-2006.

32. A feasibility study for a future economic evaluation of instalment dispensing for newly prescribed medicines. Co-Investigator with J Miller (51cg). Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £20,320, 2005.

33. The role of automated grading of diabetic retinopathy in a primary care screening programme. Co-Investigator with J Olson (51cg). Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £203,827, 2003-2005.

34. A feasibility study of supervised administration of buprenorphine in community pharmacies. Co-Investigator with C Matheson (51cg). Funded by the Chief Scientist Office, £20,374, 2003-2004.

35. A Study of the Impact of New Drugs for Alzheimer’s Disease (SINDAD). Co-Investigator with J Bond (University of Newcastle). Funded by The Wellcome Trust, £115,894, 2002-2004.

36. Early screening for fetal anomalies. Co-Investigator with S Robson (University of Newcastle). Funded by NHS Executive R&D, £75,000, 2000-2003.

37. A randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of nurse-led screening and brief alcohol interventions in primary care. Co-Investigator with E Kaner (University of Newcastle). Funded by NHS Executive R&D, £139,226, 1999-2002.

38. Randomised controlled trial of the cost-effectiveness of upper limb therapies for stroke. Co-Investigator with H Rodgers (University of Newcastle). Funded by NHS Executive R&D, £75,000, 1999-2002.

39. Randomised controlled trial of the cost-effectiveness of palliative therapies for patients with oesophageal cancer. Co-Investigator with SM Griffin (University of Newcastle). Funded by NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, £569,599, 1998-2002.

40. Direct GP access for children with urinary tract infections. Co-Investigator with M Coulthard (University of Newcastle). Funded by Newcastle and North Tyne Health Authority, £75,000, 1998-2001.

Knowledge Exchange

Health Economics Advisor, Short-Life Scottish Government/Public Health Scotland Working Group, Unintended Consequences of Restrictions on Foods High in Fat, Sugar and Salt 2018-19
Member, Scottish Food and Drink Research, Evaluation, Evidence Collaborative 2017-18
Health Economics Academic Advisor, Scottish Medicines Consortium, 2009-14
Health Economics Academic Advisor, Scottish Health Technologies Group, 2011-19
Advisor to Scottish Government Service Improvement Group (SIG) in Chronic Pain, NHS Grampian 2012-14

Collaborations

University of Iceland (see https://english.hi.is/conciv_team)

University of Michigan, USA (see https://english.hi.is/conciv_team)

University of Wollongong, Australia

Supervision

My current supervision areas are: Applied Health Sciences, Economics.

The Value and Costs of Unpaid Care in China. Huixuan Gao, 2019-current.

Enhancing Quality in Social Care through Economic Analysis. Kevin Momanyi, 2015-19.

Economic Methods to Optimise Self-Management. Laura Dysart, 2014-18.

Valuing Outcomes in Economic Evaluations of Maternal and Reproductive Health Care Interventions. Graham Scotland, 2005-11 (part-time candidate).

Testing Methods to Value Health Outcomes in Developing Countries using Stated Preference Techniques. Laura Ternent, 2005-11 (part-time candidate).

Economic Issues of Informal Care: Values and Determinants. Manos Mentzakis, 2005-08.

Teaching

Courses

Economics Of Health Behaviour PU5542

Publications

Update

51cg

Biography

Qualifications

Memberships and Affiliations

Prizes and Awards

Research Overview

Research Areas

Accepting PhDs

Applied Health Sciences

Economics

Nutrition and Health

Research Specialisms

Current Research

Past Research

Knowledge Exchange

Collaborations

Supervision

Courses

HOPE-AO overprescribing in older adults with chronic pain: a protocol for qualitative interviews with patients and healthcare professionals

Reduction in Sugar Intake after the Introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing for Alcohol in Scotland: a Difference-in-Differences Analysis

Chronicity rhetoric in health and welfare systems inhibits patient recovery: a qualitative, ethnographic study of fibromyalgia care

Exploring attitudes towards healthy and sustainable diets: a Q-methodology study

The gendered impact of Covid-19 on health behaviours and mental health: Evidence from the UK

Monetary values of changes in Body Mass Index: do spouses play a role?

The Division of Labour Within the Household and Life Satisfaction

Patient preferences for models of care for fibromyalgia: A discrete choice experiment

Cost-effectiveness of cognitive behavioural and personalised exercise interventions for reducing fatigue in inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Bringing the Walk with Ease Programme to the UK: A mixed-methods study to assess the relevance, acceptability and feasibility of implementation for people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.

The Web-Based Pain-at-Work Toolkit With Telephone Support for Employees With Chronic or Persistent Pain: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Feasibility Trial

Effectiveness of Behavioural Economics Informed Interventions for the Prevention, Screening, and Antiretroviral Treatment of HIV Infection: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Study protocol for a Critical Realist pilot cluster-randomised controlled trial of a whole-school-based mindfulness intervention (SBMI) promoting child and adolescent mental wellbeing in Rwanda and Ethiopia

The individual private cost of problematic alcohol use: a compensating income variation approach

Life satisfaction and body mass index: estimating the monetary value of achieving optimal body weight

Generating EQ-5D-5L health utility scores from BASDAI and BASFI: a mapping study in patients with axial spondyloarthritis using longitudinal UK registry data

The effects of minimum unit pricing for alcohol on food purchases: Evaluation of a natural experiment

Remotely delivered cognitive behavioural and personalised exercise interventions for fatigue severity and impact in inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a multi-centre randomised controlled parallel open-label group trial (LIFT)

Expenditure and Nutritional Impact of Banning the Promotion of Foods High in Fat, Sugar and Salt in Scotland

The Effects of Retirement on Health and Health Behaviour among Retirees and their Partners: Evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Associations between Frailty, Physical Performance, and Renal Biomarkers in Older People with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease

The transmission of partner mental health to individual life satisfaction: Estimates from a longitudinal household survey

Maintaining musculoskeletal health using a behavioural therapy approach: a population-based randomised controlled trial (the MAmMOTH Study)

Evaluating the effectiveness of and user experiences with a smartphone application for the self-management of chronic pain

The cost-effectiveness of a volunteer lifestyle coaching weight reduction programme for women attending routine breast cancer screening - results from the actwell trial

Impact of an anticipatory care planning intervention on unscheduled acute hospital care using difference-in-difference analysis

The BSR-PsA: study protocol for the British Society for Rheumatology psoriatic arthritis register

Social media use and emotional and behavioural outcomes in adolescence: Evidence from British longitudinal data

WHAT ARE THE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN RENAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE IN OLDER PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE? FINDINGS FROM THE BICARB TRIAL COHORT

A novel approach to increasing community capacity for weight management a volunteer-delivered programme (ActWELL) initiated within breast screening clinics: a randomised controlled trial

Sodium bicarbonate to improve physical function in patients over 60 years with advanced chronic kidney disease: the BiCARB RCT

Clinical and cost-effectiveness of oral sodium bicarbonate therapy for older patients with chronic kidney disease and low-grade acidosis (BiCARB): a pragmatic randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Clinical and cost-effectiveness of oral sodium bicarbonate therapy for older patients with chronic kidney disease and low-grade acidosis: The BiCARB randomised controlled trial

Effect of vitamin K2 on postural sway in older people who fall: a randomised controlled trial

Cost-utility of maintained physical activity and physiotherapy in the management of distal arm pain: an economic evaluation of data from a randomised controlled trial

Maintained physical activity and physiotherapy in the management of distal arm pain: a randomised controlled trial

Improving access to a multi-component intervention for caregivers and people with dementia

Protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled parallel-group trial to compare the effectiveness of remotely delivered cognitive-behavioural and graded exercise interventions with usual care alone to lessen the impact of fatigue in inflammatory rheumatic diseases (LIFT)

Changes in health-related quality of life: a compensating income variation approach

Out-of-pocket costs, primary care frequent attendance and sample selection: Estimates from a longitudinal cohort design

Arm Pain Trial: Study materials

Designing and Undertaking a Health Economics Study of Digital Health Interventions

Do Some Patients with Distal Upper Limb Pain Benefit More Than Others from Advice to Remain Active?

The Maintaining Musculoskeletal Health (MAmMOTH) Study: Protocol for a randomised trial of cognitive behavioural therapy versus usual care for the prevention of chronic widespread pain

The British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Registers in Ankylosing Spondylitis (BSRBR-AS) study: Protocol for a prospective cohort study of the long-term safety and quality of life outcomes of biologic treatment

Effects of education to facilitate knowledge about chronic pain for adults: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Advice to Remain Active While Awaiting Physiotherapy Is Associated with Superior Long-Term Outcome Among Patients with Distal Arm Pain - Results from a Randomised Controlled Trial

Collagenase clostridium histolyticum for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture: systematic review and economic evaluation

Surgical trial in traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage (STITCH): A randomised controlled trial of early surgery compared with Initial conservative treatment

Early surgery versus initial conservative treatment in patients with traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage [STITCH(Trauma)]: the first randomized trial

Long-term effects of cognitive behaviour therapy and exercise for chronic widespread pain

Pharmacist-led management of chronic pain in primary care: costs and benefits in a pilot randomised controlled trial

Predictors of poor functional outcome of an episode of distal upper limb pain: the Arm Pain Trial

Systematic review of the clinical and cost effectiveness of cholecystectomy versus observation/conservative management for uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones or cholecystitis

The effect of chronic pain on life satisfaction: evidence from Australian data

"I try and smile, I try and be cheery, I try not to be pushy. I try to say 'I'm here for help' but I leave feeling... worried": a qualitative study of perceptions of interactions with health professionals by community-based older adults with chronic pain

Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of cholecystectomy compared with observation/conservative management for preventing recurrent symptoms and complications in adults presenting with uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones or cholecystitis: a systematic review and economic evaluation

Systematically searching for and assessing the literature for self-management of chronic pain: a lay users' perspective

An Evaluation of A Comic Book for Children Explaining Chronic Pain in Older Adults: A Qualitative Study of Older People's Views on the Value of “Medikidz Explain Pain"

An assessment of the cost-effectiveness of magnetic resonance, including diffusion-weighted imaging in patients with transient ischaemic attack and minor stroke: a systematic review, meta-analysis and economic evaluation

From The Minimum Clinically Important Difference To The Minimum Cost Effective Difference For Eq-5d In Patients With Chronic Widespread Pain

Long-Term Results from a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) Of Telephone Delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TCBT) And Exercise In The Management Of Chronic Widespread Pain (CWP), And Predictors Of Treatment-Effectiveness