Dr Karen Berry is Research Fellow based within the Centre for Health and Community Research in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport. She is an experienced health services researcher with a clinical background in prosthetics and orthotics and extensive experience across applied health research and research management. Her research seeks to improve the care received by patients within health services in the UK. Karen's research focusses on the development, testing and evaluation of interventions within the healthcare setting using qualitative and mixed methods research methods.
In her current role at the University of Stirling she is co-investigator on a Clinical Trial of an Investigational Medicinal Product (CTIMP) aiming to reduce high risk street benzodiazepine use in people on opiate agonist treatment (OAT). This trial follows on from feasibility work that Karen worked on with Chief Investigator Professor Catriona Matheson to develop and feasibility test an intervention which includes prescribing a maintenance dose of diazepam and bespoke psychosocial support for people in drug treatment services with coexisting benzodiazepine and opioid dependency.
Research interests relating to the development, testing and evaluation of healthcare intervention. Specific interest around provision and use of mental health services in drug treatment services.
Article
Matheson C, Berry K, Kilonzo M, Galea-Singer S, Hill D, Ritchie T, Schofield J, Stewart D, Turner M & MacLennan G (2026) A feasibility study of a co-designed intervention to manage benzodiazepine dependence and high-risk use in those receiving opioid agonist treatment. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 12, Art. No.: 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-025-01743-0
Article
Abhyankar P, Wilkinson J, Berry K, Wane S, Uny I, Aitchison P, Duncan E, Calveley E, Mason H, Guerrero K, Tincello D, McClurg D, Elders A, Hagen S & Maxwell M (2020) Implementing pelvic floor muscle training for women with pelvic organ prolapse: a realist evaluation of different delivery models. BMC Health Services Research, 20 (1), Art. No.: 910. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05748-8
Article
Pelvic floor muscle training for women with pelvic organ prolapse: the PROPEL realist evaluation
Maxwell M, Berry K, Wane S, Hagen S, McClurg D, Duncan E, Abhyankar P, Elders A, Best C, Wilkinson J, Mason H, Fenocchi L, Calveley E, Guerrero K & Tincello D (2020) Pelvic floor muscle training for women with pelvic organ prolapse: the PROPEL realist evaluation. Health Services and Delivery Research, 8 (47). https://doi.org/10.3310/hsdr08470
Conference Paper (unpublished)
France E, Hoskins G, Main E, Cunningham S, Glasscoe C, Williams B, Dhouieb E, Hoddinott P, Treweek S, Hagen S & Berry K (2019) Feasibility study of an intervention to increase treatment adherence in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). European Respiratory Society International Congress, Madrid, Spain, 28.09.2019-02.10.2019. https://www.ers-education.org/lr/show-details/?idP=238309
Article
Women's experiences of receiving care for pelvic organ prolapse: a qualitative study
Abhyankar P, Uny I, Semple K, Wane S, Hagen S, Wilkinson J, Guerrero K, Tincello D, Duncan E, Calveley E, Elders A, McClurg D & Maxwell M (2019) Women's experiences of receiving care for pelvic organ prolapse: a qualitative study. BMC Women's Health, 19, Art. No.: 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-019-0741-2
Poster
Experiences of women receiving care for pelvic organ prolapse: are services women-centred?
Hagen S, Abhyankar P, Maxwell M, Wilkinson J, Semple K, Wane S & Uny I (2018) Experiences of women receiving care for pelvic organ prolapse: are services women-centred?. Unmoderated ePoster. International Urogynaecological Association Annual Meeting 2018, Vienna, Austria, 27.06.2018-30.06.2018.
Presentation / Talk
France E, Hoskins G, Hagen S, Dhouieb E, Cunningham S, Main E, Rowland C, Treweek S, McGhee J, Glasscoe C, Allen JM, Hoddinott P, Williams B, Semple K, Grindle M & Duncan K (2018) The SCooP Project: development of an intervention to increase physiotherapy adherence among young children with Cystic Fibrosis.. NHS Lothian Nursing, Midwifery, Allied Health Professions, Psychology, Pharmacy and Health Care Science Research Conference, 16.03.2018-16.03.2018.
Article
Maxwell M, Semple K, Wane S, Elders A, Duncan E, Abhyankar P, Wilkinson JE, Tincello D, Calveley E, MacFarlane M, McClurg D, Guerrero K, Mason H & Hagen S (2017) PROPEL: implementation of an evidence based pelvic floor muscle training intervention for women with pelvic organ prolapse: a realist evaluation and outcomes study protocol. BMC Health Services Research, 17 (1), Art. No.: 843. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2795-x
Article
Mother knows best: Developing a consumer led, evidence informed, research agenda for maternity care
Cheyne H, McCourt C & Semple K (2013) Mother knows best: Developing a consumer led, evidence informed, research agenda for maternity care. Midwifery, 29 (6), pp. 705-712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2012.06.015