Holly McCabe - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Holly McCabe

Research paper thumbnail of iCARE: sarcoma patient radiotherapy experience during COVID-19

Radiotherapy and Oncology, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of What Matters to Us: Impact of Telemedicine During the Pandemic in the Care of Patients With Sarcoma Across Scotland

JCO Global Oncology

PURPOSE In Scotland, approximately 350 sarcoma cases are diagnosed per year and treated in one of... more PURPOSE In Scotland, approximately 350 sarcoma cases are diagnosed per year and treated in one of the five specialist centers. Many patients are required to travel long distances to access specialist care. The COVID-19 pandemic brought a number of rapid changes into the care for patients with cancer, with increasing utilization of telemedicine. We aimed to evaluate how the utilization of telemedicine affects professionals and patients across Scotland and care delivery, at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre Sarcoma Unit. METHODS Between June 8 and August 25, 2020, we invited patients and professional sarcoma multidisciplinary team members to participate in separate online anonymous survey questionnaires, to assess their attitudes toward telemedicine. Data were extracted, and descriptive statistics were performed. RESULTS Patient satisfaction (n = 64) with telemedicine was high (mean = 9.4/10) and comparable with traditional face-to-face appointments (mean = 9.5/10). Patients ...

Research paper thumbnail of Optimizing quality and efficiency of respiratory medicines in Scotland

Increasing prevalence of asthma and COPD has increased use of long acting inhalers. Different inh... more Increasing prevalence of asthma and COPD has increased use of long acting inhalers. Different inhalers with patented delivery systems have kept costs high and inhalers among the highest expenditure items in ambulatory care in Scotland. There was a 136.8% increase in their utilisation between 2001 - 2017 alongside a 195.7% increase in expenditure. This is being addressed with branded

Research paper thumbnail of Collaborative critical care prediction and resource planning during the COVID-19 pandemic using computer simulation modelling: future urgent planning lessons

In March 2020, epidemiological modelling of COVID-19 predicted overwhelming demand on healthcare ... more In March 2020, epidemiological modelling of COVID-19 predicted overwhelming demand on healthcare resources, yet data that emerged painted a different picture. Our management science health systems team at the University of Strathclyde collaborated with one NHS organisation to contextualise national policy and predict local resource needs before the pandemic took hold. Using action research, we combined organisational expertise, local and international data, and healthcare systems expertise to create a discrete event simulation model that predicted concurrent resource use over the first 10 weeks of the pandemic with realistic estimates of uncertainty. This allowed the organisation to create an effective strategy for resource planning. Had they followed national guidance, the costs would have been unwieldy and futile. Our decentralised approach delivered valuable information in a timely manner. This case study is unique in healthcare literature and serves as an example of successful m...

Research paper thumbnail of Recent initiatives in Scotland to improve the quality and efficiency of prescribing: findings and implications

Background: Changing demographics with an increase in chronic disease prevalence coupled with mor... more Background: Changing demographics with an increase in chronic disease prevalence coupled with more aggressive management targets, and the continued launch of new premium priced products, has put considerable strain on healthcare systems to continue providing universal, high quality healthcare. High appropriate use of generics in a class where care is not compromised by prescribing generics versus patented products, combined with quality measures, can help with providing quality healthcare. Objective: Assess the utilisation and costs of lipid lowering therapies (C10), Proton-Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) (A02BC), and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) (N06AB) in ambulatory care in Scotland between 2001 and 2015 alongside reforms to provide future guidance. Methods: Utilisation measured in the number of items dispensed to assess prescriptions and reimbursed expenditure captured in GB pounds from NHS Scotland national database. National and regional initiatives to improve the qua...

Research paper thumbnail of Fixed dose drug combinations – are they pharmacoeconomically sound? Findings and implications especially for lower- and middle-income countries

Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research

Research paper thumbnail of VP96 Activities To Optimize Quality And Efficiency Of Medicines In Scotland

International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care

IntroductionThe growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, combined with greater recognitio... more IntroductionThe growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, combined with greater recognition of the effectiveness of lipid lowering agents (LLAs), has fuelled their increasing use in recent years. Similarly, increasing recognition of mental health and, arguably, societal expectations and pressures, has driven appreciable growth in antidepressant prescribing in recent years. Concurrent with this, growing resource pressures enhanced by the continual launch of new premium priced medicines necessitates reforms and initiatives within finite budgets. Scotland has introduced multiple measures in recent years to improve both the quality and efficiency of prescribing. There is a need to document these initiatives and outcomes to provide future direction.MethodsAssessment of the utilization (items dispensed) and expenditure of key LLAs (mainly statins) and SSRIs between 2001 and 2017 in Scotland alongside initiatives.ResultsMultiple interventions have increased international non-proprie...

Research paper thumbnail of Ongoing activities to influence the prescribing of proton pump inhibitors within the Scottish National Health Service: their effect and implications

Generics and Biosimilars Initiative Journal

Research paper thumbnail of Prescribing trends of inhaler treatments for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease within a resource-constrained environment in the Scottish national health service: findings and implications

Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine

Research paper thumbnail of Ongoing initiatives within the Scottish National Health Service to affect the prescribing of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and their influence

Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research

Aim: Increasing use of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in Scotland, coupled with ... more Aim: Increasing use of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in Scotland, coupled with safety concerns with some SSRIs, and the increasing availability of generic SSRIs, have resulted in multiple initiatives to improve the quality and efficiency of their prescribing in Scotland. Our aim is to assess their influence to provide future direction. Materials & methods: The prescription costs analysis database was used to document utilization and expenditure on SSRIs between 2001 and 2017 alongside documenting the initiatives. Results: Multiple interventions over the years increased international nonproprietary name prescribing up to 99.9% lowering overall costs. This, coupled with initiatives to limit escitalopram prescribing due to concerns with its value, resulted in a 73.7% reduction in SSRI expenditure between 2001 and 2017 despite a 2.34-fold increase in utilization. Safety warnings resulted in a significant reduction in the prescribing of paroxetine, citalopram and escita...

Research paper thumbnail of PO-1420 iCARE: sarcoma patient radiotherapy experience during COVID-19

Radiotherapy and Oncology

Research paper thumbnail of iCARE: sarcoma patient radiotherapy experience during COVID-19

Radiotherapy and Oncology, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of What Matters to Us: Impact of Telemedicine During the Pandemic in the Care of Patients With Sarcoma Across Scotland

JCO Global Oncology

PURPOSE In Scotland, approximately 350 sarcoma cases are diagnosed per year and treated in one of... more PURPOSE In Scotland, approximately 350 sarcoma cases are diagnosed per year and treated in one of the five specialist centers. Many patients are required to travel long distances to access specialist care. The COVID-19 pandemic brought a number of rapid changes into the care for patients with cancer, with increasing utilization of telemedicine. We aimed to evaluate how the utilization of telemedicine affects professionals and patients across Scotland and care delivery, at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre Sarcoma Unit. METHODS Between June 8 and August 25, 2020, we invited patients and professional sarcoma multidisciplinary team members to participate in separate online anonymous survey questionnaires, to assess their attitudes toward telemedicine. Data were extracted, and descriptive statistics were performed. RESULTS Patient satisfaction (n = 64) with telemedicine was high (mean = 9.4/10) and comparable with traditional face-to-face appointments (mean = 9.5/10). Patients ...

Research paper thumbnail of Optimizing quality and efficiency of respiratory medicines in Scotland

Increasing prevalence of asthma and COPD has increased use of long acting inhalers. Different inh... more Increasing prevalence of asthma and COPD has increased use of long acting inhalers. Different inhalers with patented delivery systems have kept costs high and inhalers among the highest expenditure items in ambulatory care in Scotland. There was a 136.8% increase in their utilisation between 2001 - 2017 alongside a 195.7% increase in expenditure. This is being addressed with branded

Research paper thumbnail of Collaborative critical care prediction and resource planning during the COVID-19 pandemic using computer simulation modelling: future urgent planning lessons

In March 2020, epidemiological modelling of COVID-19 predicted overwhelming demand on healthcare ... more In March 2020, epidemiological modelling of COVID-19 predicted overwhelming demand on healthcare resources, yet data that emerged painted a different picture. Our management science health systems team at the University of Strathclyde collaborated with one NHS organisation to contextualise national policy and predict local resource needs before the pandemic took hold. Using action research, we combined organisational expertise, local and international data, and healthcare systems expertise to create a discrete event simulation model that predicted concurrent resource use over the first 10 weeks of the pandemic with realistic estimates of uncertainty. This allowed the organisation to create an effective strategy for resource planning. Had they followed national guidance, the costs would have been unwieldy and futile. Our decentralised approach delivered valuable information in a timely manner. This case study is unique in healthcare literature and serves as an example of successful m...

Research paper thumbnail of Recent initiatives in Scotland to improve the quality and efficiency of prescribing: findings and implications

Background: Changing demographics with an increase in chronic disease prevalence coupled with mor... more Background: Changing demographics with an increase in chronic disease prevalence coupled with more aggressive management targets, and the continued launch of new premium priced products, has put considerable strain on healthcare systems to continue providing universal, high quality healthcare. High appropriate use of generics in a class where care is not compromised by prescribing generics versus patented products, combined with quality measures, can help with providing quality healthcare. Objective: Assess the utilisation and costs of lipid lowering therapies (C10), Proton-Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) (A02BC), and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) (N06AB) in ambulatory care in Scotland between 2001 and 2015 alongside reforms to provide future guidance. Methods: Utilisation measured in the number of items dispensed to assess prescriptions and reimbursed expenditure captured in GB pounds from NHS Scotland national database. National and regional initiatives to improve the qua...

Research paper thumbnail of Fixed dose drug combinations – are they pharmacoeconomically sound? Findings and implications especially for lower- and middle-income countries

Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research

Research paper thumbnail of VP96 Activities To Optimize Quality And Efficiency Of Medicines In Scotland

International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care

IntroductionThe growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, combined with greater recognitio... more IntroductionThe growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, combined with greater recognition of the effectiveness of lipid lowering agents (LLAs), has fuelled their increasing use in recent years. Similarly, increasing recognition of mental health and, arguably, societal expectations and pressures, has driven appreciable growth in antidepressant prescribing in recent years. Concurrent with this, growing resource pressures enhanced by the continual launch of new premium priced medicines necessitates reforms and initiatives within finite budgets. Scotland has introduced multiple measures in recent years to improve both the quality and efficiency of prescribing. There is a need to document these initiatives and outcomes to provide future direction.MethodsAssessment of the utilization (items dispensed) and expenditure of key LLAs (mainly statins) and SSRIs between 2001 and 2017 in Scotland alongside initiatives.ResultsMultiple interventions have increased international non-proprie...

Research paper thumbnail of Ongoing activities to influence the prescribing of proton pump inhibitors within the Scottish National Health Service: their effect and implications

Generics and Biosimilars Initiative Journal

Research paper thumbnail of Prescribing trends of inhaler treatments for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease within a resource-constrained environment in the Scottish national health service: findings and implications

Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine

Research paper thumbnail of Ongoing initiatives within the Scottish National Health Service to affect the prescribing of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and their influence

Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research

Aim: Increasing use of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in Scotland, coupled with ... more Aim: Increasing use of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in Scotland, coupled with safety concerns with some SSRIs, and the increasing availability of generic SSRIs, have resulted in multiple initiatives to improve the quality and efficiency of their prescribing in Scotland. Our aim is to assess their influence to provide future direction. Materials & methods: The prescription costs analysis database was used to document utilization and expenditure on SSRIs between 2001 and 2017 alongside documenting the initiatives. Results: Multiple interventions over the years increased international nonproprietary name prescribing up to 99.9% lowering overall costs. This, coupled with initiatives to limit escitalopram prescribing due to concerns with its value, resulted in a 73.7% reduction in SSRI expenditure between 2001 and 2017 despite a 2.34-fold increase in utilization. Safety warnings resulted in a significant reduction in the prescribing of paroxetine, citalopram and escita...

Research paper thumbnail of PO-1420 iCARE: sarcoma patient radiotherapy experience during COVID-19

Radiotherapy and Oncology