Dr. Justine Tomlinson

Biography

I am a pharmacist by background, with experience in both hospital and community settings. I have, since 2016, been involved in research and teaching within the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences at the University of Bradford. My area of interest lies within medication safety, and in particular at transitions of care, and for older people. I am mostly experienced in qualitative methods such as interviews, focus groups and experience based co-design. I have a growing interest in Educational research. As well as my own research, I am PGR co-ordinator for the School and am an Assistant Professor in Medical Education. I teach on the Physician Associates programme, as well as the MPharm. I currently co-supervise 4 PhD students (in the fields of medicines optimisation as well as education & training) and 2 MSc students (in the field of pharmacogenomics). 

I have previously held an NIHR Research for Patient Benefit award (2017- 2021) totalling £156k that aimed to improve post-discharge medicines-related care for older people living with long term conditions (PB-PG-0317-20010). This study involved a systematic review, a longitudinal interview study and intervention modelling. I am also currently involved in a number of translational projects, working with external healthcare organisations such as Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, NHS Leeds CCG and NHS Bradford District and Craven CCG on topics that are important to patients and staff. My latest NIHR-funded projects include the MAGNET study which explores how medicines self-management can be enhanced for people living with dementia (co-app; NIHR203593) and a multi-site feasibility test of a new intervention to support medicines management at hospital discharge (CI; NIHR205391).

My doctoral research (2016-2020) was conducted within the Medicines Optimisation Research Group at the University of Bradford. My time was split between PhD research, clinical practice (as an elderly care pharmacist) at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and teaching activities at the University.  As a PhD candidate working with Dr Jon Silcock & Dr Beth Fylan at the University and Heather Smith at LTHT, I carried out a qualitative. theory-driven research project exploring the lived experiences of post-discharge medicines management for older adults.

Before coming to the University of Bradford I worked for a number of years as a community pharmacist manager. I have also worked as a Learning and Development pharmacist for a large pharmacy multiple, involved in the setting up and facilitating of a foundation pharmacist programme and an elearning platform for staff development. I am passionate about preparing pharmacists and physician associates for Day One practice and beyond. I am a Fellow of the HEA.

Research

• Patient safety
• Medicines management at transitions of care
• Care for the Elderly & Frailty
• Medication safety
• Pharmacogenomics
• Education & Training of healthcare professionals
• Developing research capacity and capability within pharmacy

Research projects

Teaching

• Patient safety
• Medicines optimisation
• Communication Skills
• Clinical Practice & Patient centred Care
• Research skills

Professional activities

Publications