Boots and the University of Nottingham have embarked on a partnership to advance research into the future of digital and integrated healthcare.
Announced by the university on September 4, the partnership will draw on expertise from pharmacy, medicine, psychology, health policy, data science and communication sciences to “explore how technology-enabled services can improve patient outcomes, increase access to care and support healthier communities”.
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Boots and the University of Nottingham will first focus on “digital healthcare access, patient engagement, health communication, behavioural sciences, data-driven healthcare innovation and the safe, effective and equitable use of emerging treatments”.
The collaboration is eventually expected to “generate new research publications, inform national healthcare conversations, create educational opportunities for students and researchers and contribute to the development of healthcare models that are more accessible, personalised and effective”, the university said.
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It added that the joint venture aims to:
- Improve understanding of how people access and experience digital and integrated healthcare
- Generate real-world evidence that supports safer and more effective healthcare services
- Address inequalities in healthcare access and outcomes
- Support innovation through responsible use of data and technology
- Inform future healthcare policy and practice
- Develop the next generation of healthcare researchers and innovators
Pharmacy perspective
A spokesperson for the University of Nottingham told C+D that pharmacy will contribute as part of a “multi-disciplinary team”, with it position as “one of the most accessible points of care for patients” helping Boots and the university “better understand how technology can support people to access care, improve patient experience and ultimately achieve better health outcomes”.
“From a pharmacy perspective, pharmacists bring expertise in medicines, patient care, healthcare delivery and day-to-day interactions with patients accessing healthcare services,” they added.
“That perspective will help ensure research remains grounded in real-world practice and addresses questions that matter to patients and healthcare professionals.”
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It comes after Boots reported a 20% year-on-year increase across its flu jab bookings.
And it follows the multiple launching private gonorrhoea vaccination in 160 stores after its research found that “90% of UK adults do not routinely look after their sexual health, including checking for STIs”.
