Research making an impact on people’s mental health
Health Data Scientist, Dr Davis is contributing to the future of healthcare through her collaborative work at Mayden, the UK specialist in advanced healthcare web applications, and the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Bath.
Combining her passion for statistical research, mathematics, and mental health, Maths graduate Alice joined Mayden as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate to work on a model to help improve attendance for mental health appointments.
KTPs are an established funding scheme promoting innovative strategic partnerships between academia and industry and a fantastic opportunity for a recent graduate to upskill.
Once I started my degree at Bath, my mathematical eyes were opened.
I quickly found out there was so much more to maths than just algebra. I spent many happy years immersing myself in mathematics and absolutely loved it.
After my Masters, research became my passion so naturally, a PhD was the next step. I loved researching but I wanted my research to have a real-world impact. Finding the KTP role at Mayden provided the perfect opportunity to work in a fast-paced industry and use digital technology to solve real-world health challenges.
Through her statistical analysis of electronic health records, Alice is aiming to statistically model patient engagement in psychological therapy (IAPT services) which deliver talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Across England, 12% of all improving access to psychological therapy (IAPT) appointments are missed, and on average around 40% of first appointments are not attended.
Through her research, Alice is seeking effective ways to intervene and target patients who are most likely to miss their appointments.
Mental health has always been close to my heart.
I hope that in a small way, I’m helping make a difference to people’s health and emotional well-being. Through our work at Mayden, we hope that more patients will access the psychological therapy appointments they need to reduce feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression.
At the end of the project, Alice was offered a full-time position at Mayden. Now, a Research Product Owner at the Bath-based firm she is working at the coalface of medical statistics research.
Working with so many strong female role models is inspiring.
This was the first time that I had conducted research in an all-female team, and I found it extremely motivating and empowering.
It really helped me see myself as an expert in the field.
Alice continues to shape, guide, and grow the research portfolio at Mayden by sourcing additional funding and collaborative opportunities with the University of Bath to contribute to better diagnostics and treatments, improved communication, and more integrated care for NHS Trusts nationally.