The aim of this programme of research is to develop innovative methodology for health related research, particularly primary health care, that provides evidence that is more directly transferable to clinical cases than current dominant research methodologies and takes account of the changing nature of health, health care and the social and physical context. The programme also examines the nature and use of medical technology and its impact on health and society.

The programme draws on research developments from a number of disciplines including social sciences, behavioural sciences, mathematics, computer sciences and biological sciences. Key methodological challenges include:

• understanding the dynamics of complex systems (eg. individuals, families, organisations)
• understanding networks in complex systems, particularly social networks and health
• understanding the nature of emergence and how this understanding feeds back into our research methodology
• understanding diversity through focusing on comparison of cases/persons (in contrast to focusing on variables)
• the design and evaluation of complex interventions
• undertaking research for health care practice

Technology and health is an issue encompased by this multidisciplinary research programme, examining the impact of technology on perceptions of health and health related behaviours.

The programme focuses on developing methodology for primary health care through collaboration with academics and researchers working on substantive clinical issues such as diabetes and back pain and through collaboration with academics from other disciplines including epidemiology, public health, mathematics, sociology, health policy, engineering, organisational sciences.

Current project

Research Development Fund: Complexity Science and Health

Selected publications

• 2007 Complexity science and its relevance for primary health care research. Griffiths F. Annals of Family Medicine. 5 (4): 377-378. DOI: 10.1370/afm.724
• Innes A, Campion PD, Griffiths FE (2005) Complex consultations & the "edge of chaos", BJGP: Vol 55 (510): 47-52
• Munday D, Johnson S, Griffiths FE (2003) Complexity Theory & Palliative Care, Palliative Medicine: Vol 17: pp 308-309
• Sweeney K, Griffiths FE (eds) (2002) Complexity & Health Care: an introduction, Radcliffe Medical Press, Abingdon, 183 pages (ISBN: 1857755596)
• Griffiths F, Byrne D (1998) General Practice & the new science emerging from the theories of "chaos" & complexity, British Journal of General Practice, Vol 48: pp1697-1699

Key people

• Dr Frances Griffiths Associate Clinical Professor (Reader)
• Dr Tim Holt Assistant Clinical Professor
• Dr Dan Munday Honorary Associate Clinical Professor in Palliative Medicine
• Dr Antje Lindenmeyer Research Fellow

Key contact

Dr Frances Griffiths
Health Sciences Research Institute
Warwick Medical School
University of Warwick
Coventry CV4 7AL

T: 44 (0)24 7652 2534
F: 44 (0)24 7657 4893
f.e.griffiths@warwick.ac.uk