CAPC researcher wins excellence in primary care award

Dr Sam Creavin from the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol has been named Junior Champion in Research 2014 for excellence in the field of Primary Care Research by the Vasco De Gama Movement, which promotes junior GPs and family physicians who combine research skills with patient care.

Dr Creavin, who is from the Centre for Academic Primary Care, is aiming to identify whether it is possible for GPs to make a diagnosis of dementia, in some people, in general practice without referral. His project, “Towards improving the diagnosis of memory loss in general practice (TIMeLi)”, is part-funded by the National Institute for Health Research’s School for Primary Care Research.

“Diagnosing dementia is something that GPs find difficult, but are increasingly being asked to do,” said Dr Creavin. “Our work aims to identify if it is feasible for GPs to diagnose dementia, in some people, without involving a specialist. We hope to identify a more evidence-based approach for GP diagnosis of dementia and a more streamlined diagnostic pathway for patients and families.”

His submission was put forward by a UK selection panel, and was then reviewed by an international panel which evaluated submissions from 11 countries. The panel selected Dr Creavin’s as one of three winners for the final at the World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians (WONCA) Europe 2014 conference in Lisbon this month.