Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Interests
My interest in improvement science has been influenced by my diverse background in nursing and healthcare. My PhD examined measuring the patient perspective of healthcare quality, which resulted in the publication of the Care Experience Feedback Improvement Tool (CEFIT). My research now focuses on understanding why complex interventions succeed in some contexts and not others, with the aim of improving patient safety and care quality. I am predominantly a qualitative researcher with interest in reaslist methodology. I have previous experience of pedogogical research in relation to learning quality improvement. I have expertise and experience in conducting systematic reviews.
Research Expertise
As a recognised expert in quality improvement, Dr Michelle Beattie has a high degree of collaborative involvement with other bodies. Of note:
- She has an Honary contract with NHS Highland and is currently involved in training to become a LEAN leader. Previous work has included measurable improvement following service redesign in Drug and Alcohol Services.
- She is a member of Q at the Health Foundation. Q aims to connect QI expertise across Scotland and the UK. The aim is to create opportunities for people to come together as an improvement community – sharing ideas, enhancing skills and collaborating to make health and care better.
- She has expertise and experience around ethics in relation to quality improvement and research and currently sits on the University of Highlands and Islands Research Committee. She was invited and chaired the East of Scotland Research Ethics Service 8th Annual Conference, Crieff Hydro, May 20th 2016. Invited Conference Chair.
- She is supervising 6 PhD students and been an external examiner for 4 PhDs. She has supervised multiple QI and research Masters dissertations.
- Research and knowledge exchange funding awarded as a Principal Investigator (PI) or co-investigator totalling £465,090 with £55,807 as a PI.
- Published over 27 papers in peer reviewed journals. The majority of my papers are published in journals in the top quartile (Q1) of my field. Current citation count is 602, with an h-index of 9 (the median h-index is 4 for assistant professors in nursing/senior lecturers*) and a Research Gate score of 17.34 (top 35%).
- Delivered impactful implementation science which resulted in measurable improvements in NHS services and peoples’ lives. For example, an implementation science project in the Drug and Alcohol service at NHS Highland demonstrated measurable improvements in people awaiting drug treatment from an average of 56 to 21 days.1 There is evidence of lower mortality for timely access to treatment.
- Leading a programme of research around Care Homes during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Including a collaborative partnership, PI on the Staff Experiences of the Covid-19 Pandemic Project and two further proposals.
- Assistant Head of Research responsible for overseeing processes for 17 PhD students, currently developing proposals for 6 PhDs, and delivering our research vision via our Research Strategy.
Academic Qualifications
- PhD Nursing, University of Stirling 2016
- MSc Nursing Advanced Practice, University of Dundee 2009
- BSc Hons Health and Social Care, Open University 2000
- RN (A) Diploma Tayside School of Nursing and Midwifery 1996
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Health Science, Measuring the Patient Experience of Hospital Quality of Care, University of Stirling
Award Date: 1 Jul 2016
External positions
Lean Leader in Training, NHS Highland
1 Nov 2016 → …
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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SDG 4 Quality Education
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SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
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SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
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SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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Collaborations from the last five years
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Care Home COVID Experience (SFC Research Uplift)
Macaden, L. (CoI), Beattie, M. (PI) & Carolan, C. (CoI)
Project: Research
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An evaluation of Psychological First Aid for improved psychological outcomes among care home sector nursing teams during the COVID-19 pandemic
Beattie, M. (PI)
1/04/21 → 1/02/22
Project: Research
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Mobile App-Supported Self-Management for Chronic Low Back Pain: Realist Evaluation
Hunter, R., Gorely, T. & Beattie, M., 17 Feb 2026, In: JMIR mHealth and uHealth. 14, p. e66435Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
206 DR HOPE: reducing drug-related harm to outreach proactively from emergency care
Beattie, M., Campbell, L. & Terje, A.-K. T., 19 May 2025, In: BMJ Open Quality . 14, 3Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Exploring Care Home Workers' Perceptions of Implementing ECHO: A Qualitative Study
Beattie, M., Muirhead, K. & Carey, N., 1 Mar 2025, In: International Journal of Older People Nursing. 20, 2, p. e70017Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (Scopus) -
Reducing drug-related harm by triggering proactive outreach
Campbell, L., Fraser, B. & Beattie, M., 19 Nov 2025, In: BMJ Open Quality . 14, 4Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Spatial planning constraints in historically marginalised areas: An integrative review
Nyamwanza, S., Chakwizira, J., Beattie, M. & Ingwani, E., 19 Jun 2025, In: Town and Regional Planning. 86, 2025, p. 62-76 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access2 Citations (Scopus) -
Experience-based Modifications of the Bed Band ReAlised through Co-dEsign (EMBRACE)
Beattie, M., Muirhead, K., Gibb, R., Ross, F. & Macaden, L., 28 Mar 2024, In: BMJ Open Quality . 13, 1, e002614.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Exploring barriers to care home research recruitment during the COVID-19 pandemic: The influence of social media recruitment posts and public sentiment
Schoultz, M., McGrogan, C., Carolan, C., Macaden, L. & Beattie, M., 21 Jun 2024, In: PLoS ONE. 19, 6 June, e0303609.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access2 Citations (Scopus)
Press/Media
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UHI Award Associate Professorships
Thomas, A., Beattie, M. & Williams, B.
25/04/26 → 27/04/26
2 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Salmon farms seabed innovator is made associate professor by UHI
Thomas, A., Beattie, M. & Williams, B.
24/04/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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University of the Highlands and Islands Lecturer Receives Prestigious Teaching Award
22/08/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Announcing the winners of the teaching excellence awards
7/08/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Advance HE announces winners of prestigious teaching excellence awards 2024
7/08/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Balhousie staff reveal stress, coping mechanisms
11/04/22
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research