12 noon - 1pm

Tuesday 2 May 2023

School of Psychology Seminar Series: “Psycho-pharmacy: how psychology influences the outcome of pharmaceutical treatments

We are delighted to announce our speaker: Professor Rob Horne, Professor of Behavioural Medicine at University College London.

Free

35 AC 04
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 7XH
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Speakers

  • Prof Rob Horne, Professor of Behavioural Medicine Director, Centre for Behavioural Medicine UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London

Abstract

In developed health economies pharmaceutical medicines represent the single biggest investment other than staff. This seminar will examine how psychology influences the outcomes of these treatments. The World Health Organisation estimates that about a half of medicines prescribed for long-term conditions are not taken as advised. Nonadherence is a behavioural fault line in medicine compromising health outcomes and costs. We will discuss how developments in health psychology theory and research help us to understand nonadherence and how to address it. We will consider how people make decisions about medicines and the conscious and unconscious processes shaping our motivation to start and continue with a treatment. We will also review how psychological processes directly influence the clinical outcomes of pharmaceuticals through non-specific effects (the placebo and nocebo components of active drugs).

Biography

Rob Horne is Professor of Behavioural Medicine at University College London. His research focuses on the role of psychological and behavioural factors in explaining variation in response to treatment.

Rob trained in pharmacy and health psychology. A key theme in his research is the understanding of patient and public perspectives of illness and treatment and how this can be applied to help get the best from essential treatments for the benefit of individuals and society. His work has resulted in internationally applied tools and guidelines for supporting adherence to treatment and improving patient care.

He has over 250 peer-reviewed publications (>31,000 citations H-index 81) supported by grants of over £30 million (£4.9 million as Principal Investigator) in the last decade. He is a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine. He is founding Director of Spoonful of Sugar Ltd, a UCL Business company providing consultancy focused on implementing his research into practice.

ALL STUDENTS, UNIVERSITY STAFF AND EXTERNAL VISITORS WELCOME

No registration required.   

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