Biography
Before moving to academic practice I spent twenty five years in general practice, first in northern Canada and then as a partner in a rural practice in North Yorkshire UK. As a result of funding for community based research focusing on epilepsy and other long term conditions the practice developed into a research site with a research assistant and a research nurse. I then moved to a full academic position at the Unit of Primary Medical Care in Sheffield UK where my clinical commitment was in a deprived practice in inner city Sheffield. This gave me an opportunity to experience the similarities and differences between rural and urban practices before taking up my post in UCC in 2014. I am now working in a practice serving a deprived population in the north of the city. The dynamic and changing nature of general practice requires valid evaluation of the service and in straightened times also needs to be part of a cost conscious and cost effective health service. The practice move to a new Primary Care Centre in 2018 where the department will take part in service development and evaluation. General practice is also a fruitful setting for a range of clinical research. I have been involved in studies of childhood asthma, urinary diaries, medicines adherence, decision aids for patients and self-management of epilepsy. My main interest is in the care of people with epilepsy and the impact if the condition on the individual. I am currently working with epilepsy charities to set up registries of epilepsy related death in UK and Ireland. The environment of general practice is changing and the various models of general practice demonstrate this. There are still the traditional models of small practices that are common in rural areas but can also be found in cities. However, with central support for large multi-disciplinary primary care centres housing general practices, dentistry, counselling, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, pharmacies, opticians, podiatry among others have changed the way practices work. The department will provide advice and support for evaluation of models of service.Research Interests
Management of long term conditions in general practice with emphasis on self management and medicines adherence. I have a particularr interest in epilepsy and epilepsy related death: Circumstances leading up to sudden unexpected epilepsy death (SUDEP) and circumstances around death are under researched. I provide academic support for the setting up of a UK and Ireland Epilepsy Deaths Register developed by SUDEP Action and supported by Epilepsy Ireland, both family support charities. This register gives an infrastructure and data repository for a range of research initiatives and Epilepsy Ireland is now a partner to set up the Epilepsy Deaths Registry for Ireland.The UK and Ireland Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register is a prospective register of women with epilepsy who become pregnant. I sit on the Scientific Advisory Group. This register has provided a wealth of data relating to Major Congenital Malformations and anti-epileptic drugs (AED) taken by pregnant mothers with the largest number of completed registrations in the world (over 8,000). Currently we research women with epilepsy but AED are increasingly used in mood disorders and so the Registry Scientific Group is in discussion with some psychiatrists to see if the register can be extended to all women taking AED for whatever indication.
Publications
Books
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2012) | ABC of Epilepsy. Eds Smithson WH and Walker M (2012) ABC of Epilepsy. Hobohen, NJ: Wiley Publishing. [Details] |
Book Chapters
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2017) | 'Ch 13 Self management of epilepsy' Buelow J, Smithson WH (2017) 'Ch 13 Self management of epilepsy' In: Martz E (eds). Promoting self-management of chronic health conditions: theory and practice. New York: OUP. [Details] | |
| (2015) | 'Providing Information about SUDEP: The Benefits and Challenges' Rosemary Panelli, W. Henry Smithson, and Jane Hanna (2015) 'Providing Information about SUDEP: The Benefits and Challenges' In: Claire M. Lathers, Paul L. Schraeder, Jan E. Leestma, Braxton B. Wannamaker, Richard L. Verrier, F.A.C.C., Ph.D., Steven C. Schachter, MD (eds). Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: Mchanisms and New Methods for Analyzing Risks. Boca Raton USA: CRC Press. [Details] | |
| (2005) | 'Part 2 SUDEP in clinical practice Smithson H' Eds Chapman D, Moss B, Panelli R, Pollard R (2005) 'Part 2 SUDEP in clinical practice Smithson H' In: Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: a global conversation. Camberwell, Victoria: Epilepsy Australia Ltd. [Details] | |
| (1997) | 'Epilepsy: a general practice problem' Martin EE, Hall WW, Smithson WH (1997) 'Epilepsy: a general practice problem' In: Epilepsy: a general practice problem. London: RCGP publications. [Details] |
Peer Reviewed Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2014) | 'Using professional interpreters in undergraduate medical consultation skills teaching' Bansal A, Swan J, Smithson WH (2014) 'Using professional interpreters in undergraduate medical consultation skills teaching'. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, in press [Details] | |
| (2014) | 'Malformation risks of antiepileptic drug monotherapies in pregnancy: updated results from the UK and Ireland Epilepsy and Pregnancy Registers' E Campbell, F Kennedy, A Russell, W H Smithson, L Parsons, P J Morrison, B Liggan, B Irwin, N Delanty, S J Hunt, J Craig, J Morrow (2014) 'Malformation risks of antiepileptic drug monotherapies in pregnancy: updated results from the UK and Ireland Epilepsy and Pregnancy Registers'. Journal of Neurology Neurosurgical Psychiatry, [Details] | |
| (2014) | 'The Relative Effectiveness of Pumps Over MDI and Structured Education (REPOSE): study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial' White D on behalf of the REPOSE group (2014) 'The Relative Effectiveness of Pumps Over MDI and Structured Education (REPOSE): study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial'. British Medical Journal, 4 (4:e006204 doi:10.113) [Details] | |
| (2014) | 'Patients’ perspectives on anti-epileptic medication: relationships between beliefs about medicines and adherence among patients with epilepsy in UK primary care' Chapman S. C. E, Horne R, Chater A, Hukins D, Smithson W. H. (2014) 'Patients’ perspectives on anti-epileptic medication: relationships between beliefs about medicines and adherence among patients with epilepsy in UK primary care'. Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, [Details] | |
| (2014) | 'Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: addressing the challenges' Smithson WH, Colwell B (2014) 'Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: addressing the challenges'. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, 14 [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'Levetiracetam in pregnancy: Results from the UK and Ireland Epilepsy and Pregnancy Registers' Mawhinney E, Craig J, Morrow J, Russell A, Smithson WH, Parsons L, Morrison PJ, Liggab B, Irwin B, Delanty N, Hunt SJ (2013) 'Levetiracetam in pregnancy: Results from the UK and Ireland Epilepsy and Pregnancy Registers'. Journal of Neurology, 80 (4):400-405 [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'A community based study of adults with epilepsy: self-management and adherence' Smithson WH, Hukins D, Allgar V, Buelow J, Dickson J. (2013) 'A community based study of adults with epilepsy: self-management and adherence'. Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'The development of academic family medicine in central and eastern Europe since 1990' Krztoń–Królewiecka A, Švab I, Oleszczyk M, Seifert B, Smithson W H, Windak A (2013) 'The development of academic family medicine in central and eastern Europe since 1990'. BMC family practice, [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'Preventing and lessening exacerbations of asthma in school-age children associated with a new term (PLEASANT): study protocol for a cluster randomised control trial' Horspool J Michelle, Julious A Steven, Boote Jonathan, Bradburn J Mike, Cooper L Cindy, Davis Sarah, Elphick Heather, Norman Paul, Smithson Henry W, van Staa Tjeerd. (2013) 'Preventing and lessening exacerbations of asthma in school-age children associated with a new term (PLEASANT): study protocol for a cluster randomised control trial'. Trials, [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'The effect of socio-economic status on treatment and pregnancy outcomes in women with epilepsy in Scotland' Campbell E, Hunt S, Kinney MO, Guthrie E, Smithson WH, Parsons L, Morrison PJ, Morrow J, Craig J, Russell AJ (2013) 'The effect of socio-economic status on treatment and pregnancy outcomes in women with epilepsy in Scotland'. Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'Developing a method to identify medicines non-adherence in a community sample of adults with epilepsy' Smithson WH, Hukins D, Colwell B, Mathers N (2012) 'Developing a method to identify medicines non-adherence in a community sample of adults with epilepsy'. Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'Valproate and the risk for congenital malformations; is formulation and dosage regime important?' Mawhinney E, Campbell J, Craig J, Russell A, Smithson W, Parsons L, Robertson I, B. Irwin B, P. J. Morrison PJ, B Liggan B, N. Delanty N, S. Hunt S, Morrow J. (2012) 'Valproate and the risk for congenital malformations; is formulation and dosage regime important?'. Seizure : the journal of the British Epilepsy Association, 21 (3):215-218 [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'Training for Leadership' Rughani A, Godden A, Patterson D, Smithson H (2012) 'Training for Leadership'. British Journal of General Practice, [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'Nurses Beliefs, Attitudes and Behaviours in Palliative Sedation: Evidence from a Multicentre Study in the UK' Brown J, Seymour J, UNBIASED Group (2012) 'Nurses Beliefs, Attitudes and Behaviours in Palliative Sedation: Evidence from a Multicentre Study in the UK'. Palliative Medicine, [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'A comparison of the Incidence and Characteristics of Sedation Practice in the End-Of-Life care for Cancer patients in UK Hospice and Hospital Settings' Brown J, Bird L, Seymour J and Unbiased Group (2012) 'A comparison of the Incidence and Characteristics of Sedation Practice in the End-Of-Life care for Cancer patients in UK Hospice and Hospital Settings'. Palliative Medicine, [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'Valproate and the risk for congenital malformations; is formulation and dosage regime important?' Mawhinney E, Campbell J, Craig J, Russell A, Smithson WH, Parsons L, Morrison PJ, Liggan B, Irwin B, Delanty N, Hunt SJ, Morrow J (2012) 'Valproate and the risk for congenital malformations; is formulation and dosage regime important?'. Seizure-European Journal Of Epilepsy, 21 (3):215-218 [Details] | |
| (2011) | '‘Prevention of coronary heart disease in primary medical care in Poland: results from the LIPIDOGRAM study’' Tomasz Tomasik, Jacek Jozwiak, Adam Windak, Katarzyna Rygiel, Miroslaw Mastej, W. Henry Smithson, Nigel Mathers, Maciej Tomaszewski, Bernhard M. Kaess, Andrzej Tykarski, Ewa Konduracka, Wladyslaw Grzeszczak, Witold Lukas. (2011) '‘Prevention of coronary heart disease in primary medical care in Poland: results from the LIPIDOGRAM study’'. European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation, [Details] | |
| (2009) | '‘Folic acid use and major congenital malformations in offspring of women with epilepsy: A prospective study from the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register’' Morrow JI, Hunt SJ, Russell AJ, Smithson WH, Parsons L, Robertson I, Waddell R, Irwin B, Morrison PJ, Craig JJ. (2009) '‘Folic acid use and major congenital malformations in offspring of women with epilepsy: A prospective study from the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register’'. Journal of Neurology Neurosurgical Psychiatry, [Details] | |
| (2008) | 'Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of epilepsy care in general practice – a case note review' Smithson WH, Hukins D (2008) 'Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of epilepsy care in general practice – a case note review'. Primary Health Care Research and Development, 9 :291-298 [Details] | |
| (2008) | 'Topiramate in pregnancy; experiences of the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register' S. Hunt, Russell A, Smithson WH, Parsons L, Robertson I, Waddle R,Irwin B, Morrison PJ, Morrow J, Craig J (2008) 'Topiramate in pregnancy; experiences of the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register'. Journal of Neurology, 71 (4):272-276 [Details] | |
| (2002) | 'Internet-based risk assessment and decision support for the management of familial cancer in primary care: a survey of GPs’ attitudes and intentions’' Dejana Braithwaite, Stephen Sutton, Smithson WH, and Jon Emery (2002) 'Internet-based risk assessment and decision support for the management of familial cancer in primary care: a survey of GPs’ attitudes and intentions’'. Family Practice, [Details] | |
| (2002) | 'Epilepsy death-what next? (Ed)' Smithson WH, Hanna NJ (2002) 'Epilepsy death-what next? (Ed)'. British Journal of General Practice, 52 (483):795-796 [Details] | |
| (2000) | '‘A national UK audit into epilepsy-related deaths’' Smithson H (2000) '‘A national UK audit into epilepsy-related deaths’'. British Journal of General Practice, [Details] | |
| (1999) | 'Intergrating the algorithm into clinical practice' Smithson WH (1999) 'Intergrating the algorithm into clinical practice'. Journal of Neurology, 53 (8(supp5)):567-571 [Details] |
Published Reports
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2002) | A National Sentinel Audit of Epilepsy Deaths: death in the shadows. Hanna NJ, Black M, Sander J, Smithson WH (2002) A National Sentinel Audit of Epilepsy Deaths: death in the shadows. The Stationery Office Norwich, Norwich. [Details] |
Professional Activities
Honours and Awards
| Year | Title | Awarding Body | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | RCGP Paul Freeling Award for innovative work in the field of vocational training in the field of vocational training shared with Drs Amar Raghani, Dominic Patterson and Andy Godden | RCGP | |
| 1997 | Prince of Wales RCGP/Nat. Soc. for Epilepsy Educational Fellow in Epilepsy 1997- 1999 | Prince of Wales RCGP/Nat. Soc. for Epilepsy | |
| 2012 | Fellow National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence London UK | National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence |
Professional Associations
| Association | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence | Chair Epilepsies Guidelines Development Group | 02-JUN-03 / 05-JUL-06 | |
| Department of Health UK | Member Expert Panel Qualities and Outcomes Framework | 07-JUL-06 / 02-JUN-08 | |
| South Yorkshire Comprehensive Local Research Network UK | Executive member | 04-AUG-08 / 28-FEB-14 | |
| Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health | Advisory board Child Health Outcomes Mortality in Epilepsy | 18-JUN-12 / 25-OCT-13 | |
| National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence | Member Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee | 07-AUG-06 / 01-MAY-09 | |
| National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence | Chair Guidelines Development Group Medicines Adherence | 07-AUG-06 / 08-JUN-09 | |
| National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence | NICE Fellow | 16-JUL-12 / 03-MAR-14 | |
| International League against Epilepsy UK Chapter | Member of Council | 06-NOV-07 / 22-JUL-11 |
Employment
| Employer | Position | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| University College Cork | Professor of General Practice | 03-MAR-14 / | |
| The Pas Health Clinic | Family Practitioner | 04-AUG-80 / 30-JUL-82 | |
| University of Sheffield UK | Clinical Senior Lecturer | 01-SEP-08 / 28-FEB-14 | |
| Hull York Medical School | Hon Clinical Senior Lecturer | 02-SEP-02 / 31-JUL-08 | |
| NHS (UK) | General Practice Principal | 05-JUL-82 / 29-AUG-08 |
Education
| Year | Institution | Qualification | Subject | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | University of Dundee | MB CHB | Medicine/Surgery | |
| 2002 | University of York | MSc | Health Science & Clinical Evaluation | |
| 2008 | University of Dundee | MD | Medicne |
Other Activities
| Description | |
|---|---|
Conference presentations I have presented at national and international conferences for 20 years relating to aspects of epilepsy care, medical education and medicines adherence. Selected recent presentations Platform presentation: ‘Developing a Registry of Epilepsy Related Deaths: The Research Power of Registries’ Smithson H X111 Kongres Medycyny Rodzinnej 20-23 June 2013 Poznan Poland Poster Presentation P192 “Developing a method to identify medicine non-adherence in a community sample of adults with epilepsy” Smithson WH, Hukins D, Colwell B, Mathers N 30th International Epilepsy Congress (IEC) Montreal 24-26th June 2012 Platform presentation ‘Defining medicines non-adherence’ Smithson WH X11 Kongres Medycyny Rodzinnej Warsaw Poland June Invited and funded to join workshops at the first North American National Conference on sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) in Chicago 2012. This was a privilege because only 3 people from the UK were invited to attend and this was because of my interest in SUDEP and medicines non-adherence ‘Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy’ Lecture Hawkes Bay District Health Board NZ ‘Shared Decisions and Self-Management of Epilepsy October 2012 8th European Congress on Epileptology Berlin 2008: Poster presentation (BERL08-393): 'How adults manage their epilepsy and how general practice can identify those people at risk from poor self-management' Smithson WH |