I am Associate Professor in the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professional's Research Unit (NMAHP), in the Faculty of Health Sciences & Sport. I lead research applying behavioural science to issues in cardiovascular care: current funded projects focus on increasing rates of CPR in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and reducing patient delay with serious heart symptoms. Currently, I am funded by a British Heart Foundation NMAHP Career Development Fellowship (2021-2024) exploring whether behavioural science could enhance the critically important role of ambulance call-takers in achieving CPR. I am a Registered General Nurse (and Registered Nurse Teacher) and worked clinically for 13 years in a variety of roles including most latterly as a British Heart Foundation Cardiac Liaison Nurse and as a Team Leader at NHS 24.
I am interested in the psychological aspects of health and illness and have a strong commitment to the generation of high quality evidence for application to health services, in particular to nursing. I am passionate about improving opportunities for nurses to develop research capability.
Florence Nightingale Leadership Scholar 2022-2023 - project surveyed UK nurse research leaders and identified what had helped (and hindered) them to lead research, informing future strategies to increase capability.
Member of RCN Research Forum - serving on expert reference group for RCN Research Strategy and Chair of Scientific Committee for 2024 RCN International Nurse Research Conference.
Supervise MRes and PhD students.
International Liaison Committee for Resuscitation Task Force member (Education, Implementation and Training)
https://ilcor.org/about/task-forces
Honorary Research Fellow University of Aberdeen
Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership Scholar
Invited member of Sigma International Honor Society of Nurses
RCN Research Society Committee Member
https://www.rcn.org.uk/…ty/Meet-the-Team
Research mentor for Association of Cardiovascular Nurses and Allied Professions
https://www.escardio.org/…toring-programme
Psychological aspects of health and illness, in particular how and when people present symptoms to health services. Illness representations and Leventhal’s Commonsense Model of Self Regulation Occupational stress in healthcare workers
Improving outcomes of out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA): applying behavioural science to enhance dispatcher assistance and increase rates of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
PI: Dr Barbara Farquharson
Funded by: British Heart Foundation
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Developing a behavioural intervention to increase lay-people's intentions to initiate CPR in the event of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA)
PI: Dr Barbara Farquharson
Funded by: Medical Research Council
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Using Behavioural Science To Improve The Effectiveness Of Telephone-Assisted CPR
PI: Dr Barbara Farquharson
Funded by: Chief Scientist Office
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Development of Interventions to reduce patient delay with symptoms of Acute Coronary Syndrome: identifying optimal content and mode of delivery
PI: Dr Barbara Farquharson
Funded by: Chief Scientist Office
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Article
Farquharson B, Johnston M, O’Brien R & Clegg G (2025) “All sorts of colours of emotions”: ambulance call-handlers’ perceptions of the barriers to CPR in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Resuscitation Plus, 22, Art. No.: 100904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resplu.2025.100904
Article
Greif R, Bray JE, Djärv T, Drennan IR, Liley HG, Ng K, Cheng A, Douma MJ, Scholefield BR, Smyth M, Weiner G, Abelairas-Gómez C, Acworth J, Anderson N & Farquharson B (2024) 2024 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations: Summary From the Basic Life Support; Advanced Life Support; Pediatric Life Support; Neonatal Life Support; Education, Implementation, and Teams; and First Aid Task Forces. Circulation. https://doi.org/10.1161/cir.0000000000001288
Article
Teaching team competencies within resuscitation training: A systematic review
Farquharson B, Cortegiani A, Lauridsen KG, Yeung J, Greif R & Nabecker S (2024) Teaching team competencies within resuscitation training: A systematic review. Resuscitation Plus, 19, Art. No.: 100687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resplu.2024.100687
Article
‘Hidden’ work and lost opportunities: nursing research and impact case studies submitted to REF2021
Kent B, Ali P, Farquharson B, Harris R, Johnston B, Kelly D, Mckenna H, McMahon A, Taylor RM & Traynor M (2024) ‘Hidden’ work and lost opportunities: nursing research and impact case studies submitted to REF2021. Journal of Research in Nursing, 29 (6), pp. 469-480. https://doi.org/10.1177/17449871241261971
Article
Forsyth F, Deaton C, Kalra PR, Green M, Harrison ME, Tavares S, Dirksen A, Kuhn I, Farquharson B & Austin RC (2024) What services are currently provided to people with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in the UK, and what are their components? A protocol for a scoping literature review. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, Art. No.: zvae119. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjcn/zvae119
Article
Boulton O & Farquharson B (2024) Does moral distress in emergency department nurses contribute to intentions to leave their post, specialisation, or profession: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances, 6, p. 100164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2023.100164
Article
Farquharson B (2024) What helps or hinders nurses to lead funded research projects? A survey of UK nurse lead‐investigators. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 80 (4), pp. 1464-1472. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15932
Article
Farquharson B, Dixon D, Williams B, Torrens C, Philpott M, Laidlaw H & McDermott S (2023) The psychological and behavioural factors associated with laypeople initiating CPR for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a systematic review. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, 23 (1), Art. No.: 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-022-02904-2
Article
Schnaubelt S, Garg R, Atiq H, Baig N, Bernardino M, Bigham B, Dickson S, Geduld H, Al-Hilali Z, Karki S, Lahri S, Maconochie I, Montealegre F, Tageldin Mustafa M & Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Low-Resource Settings Group (2023) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in low-resource settings: a statement by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, supported by the AFEM, EUSEM, IFEM, and IFRC. Lancet Global Health, 11 (9), pp. e1444-e1453. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2214-109x%2823%2900302-9
Article
Farquharson B, Calveley E, Clegg G, Williams B, Ramsay P, Macinnes L, Torrens C & Dixon D (2022) Increasing lay-people's intentions to initiate CPR in out of hospital cardiac arrest: Results of a mixed-methods 'before and after' pilot study of a behavioural text-message intervention (BICeP). Resuscitation Plus, 12, Art. No.: 100312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resplu.2022.100312
Article
Farquharson B, Johnston M, Williams B, Smith K, Dombrowski S, Jones C, Treweek S, Dougall N, Grindle M, Savinc J & Abyhankar P (2022) Reducing patient delay in acute coronary syndrome: Randomized controlled trial testing effect of behaviour change intervention on intentions to seek help. British Journal of Health Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12619
Article
Whittaker A, Elliott L, Taylor J, Dawe S, Harnett P, Stoddart A, Littlewood P, Robertson R, Farquharson B & Strachan H (2022) The Parents under Pressure parenting programme for families with fathers receiving treatment for opioid dependency: the PuP4Dads feasibility study. Public Health Research, 10 (3), pp. 1-153. https://doi.org/10.3310/YOWK7214
Article
Den Daas C, Hubbard G, Johnston M, Dixon D, CHARIS Consortium, Allan J, Fitzgerald N, Farquharson B, Hunt K, Macaden L, Maltinsky W & O'Carroll R (2021) Protocol of the COVID-19 Health and Adherence Research in Scotland (CHARIS) study: understanding changes in adherence to transmission-reducing behaviours, mental and general health, in repeated cross-sectional representative survey of the Scottish population. BMJ Open, 11 (2), Art. No.: e044135. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044135
Article
Charlton J, Gill J, Elliott L, Whittaker A, Farquharson B & Strachan M (2020) A review of the challenges, glycaemic risks and self-care for people with type 1 diabetes when consuming alcoholic beverages. Practical Diabetes, 37 (1), pp. 7-12c. https://doi.org/10.1002/pdi.2253
Article
Clinical decisions and time since rest break: An analysis of decision fatigue in nurses
Allan JL, Johnston DW, Powell DJH, Farquharson B, Jones MC, Leckie G & Johnston M (2019) Clinical decisions and time since rest break: An analysis of decision fatigue in nurses. Health Psychology, 38 (4), pp. 318-324. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000725
Article
Johnston DW, Allan JL, Powell DJH, Jones MC, Farquharson B, Bell C & Johnston M (2019) Why does work cause fatigue? A real-time investigation of fatigue, and determinants of fatigue in nurses working 12 hour shifts. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 53 (6), pp. 551-562. https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kay065
Article
Farquharson B, Abhyankar P, Smith K, Dombrowski SU, Treweek S, Dougall N, Williams B & Johnston M (2019) Reducing delay in patients with acute coronary syndrome and other time-critical conditions: a systematic review to identify the behaviour change techniques associated with effective interventions. Open Heart, 6 (1), Art. No.: e000975. https://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2018-000975
Article
Farquharson B, Johnston M, Smith K, Williams B, Treweek S, Dombrowski SU, Dougall N, Abhyankar P & Grindle M (2017) Reducing patient delay in Acute Coronary Syndrome (RAPiD): Research protocol for a web-based Randomised Controlled Trial examining the effect of a behaviour change intervention. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 73 (5), pp. 1220-1234. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13191
Article
Johnston DW, Bell C, Jones MC, Farquharson B, Allan JL, Schofield P, Ricketts I & Johnston M (2016) Stressors, Appraisal of Stressors, Experienced Stress and Cardiac Response: A Real-Time, Real-Life Investigation of Work Stress in Nurses. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 50 (2), pp. 187-197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-015-9746-8
Other
Symposium: Developing effective complex interventions
France E, Farquharson B, Hoskins G, Wells M & Duncan E (2016) Symposium: Developing effective complex interventions. Royal College of Nursing (RCN) international nursing research conference, 08.04.2016-08.04.2016.
Article
Farquharson B, Dombrowski SU, Pollock A, Johnston M, Treweek S, Williams B, Smith K, Dougall N, Jones C & Pringle S (2014) Reducing patient delay with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome: a research protocol for a systematic review of previous interventions to investigate which behaviour change techniques are associated with effective interventions. Open Heart, 1 (1). https://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2014-000079
Article
Allan JL, Farquharson B, Johnston DW, Jones MC, Choudhary CJ & Johnston M (2014) Stress in telephone helpline nurses is associated with failures of concentration, attention and memory, and with more conservative referral decisions. British Journal of Psychology, 105 (2), pp. 200--213. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.12030
Article
Stoddart K, Bugge C, Shepherd A & Farquharson B (2014) The new clinical leadership role of senior charge nurses: a mixed methods study of their views and experience. Journal of Nursing Management, 22 (1), pp. 49-59. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12008
Article
Farquharson B, Bell C, Johnston D, Jones M, Schofield P, Allan J, Ricketts I, Morrison K & Johnston M (2013) Nursing stress and patient care: real-time investigation of the effect of nursing tasks and demands on psychological stress, physiological stress, and job performance: study protocol. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 69 (10), pp. 2327-2335. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.12090
Article
Frequency of nursing tasks in medical and surgical wards
Farquharson B, Bell CL, Johnston D, Jones M, Schofield P, Allan J, Ricketts I, Morrison K & Johnston M (2013) Frequency of nursing tasks in medical and surgical wards. Journal of Nursing Management, 21 (6), pp. 860--866. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12110
Conference Abstract
Spontaneous and prompted expression of illness representations in urgent healthcare consultations
Farquharson B, Johnston M & Bugge C (2012) Spontaneous and prompted expression of illness representations in urgent healthcare consultations. Psychology and Health, 27 (Supplement 1), pp. 203-203. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2012.707817
Article
Appraisal and illness delay with symptoms of ACS: A questionnaire study of illness representations
Farquharson B, Johnston M & Bugge C (2012) Appraisal and illness delay with symptoms of ACS: A questionnaire study of illness representations. British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, 7 (10), pp. 493-499. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjca.2012.7.10.493
Article
Farquharson B, Allan JL, Johnston DW, Johnston M, Choudhary CJ & Jones MC (2012) Stress amongst nurses working in a healthcare telephone-advice service: relationship with job satisfaction, intention to leave, sickness absence, and performance. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68 (7), pp. 1624-1635. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2012.06006.x
Research Report
Stoddart K, Bugge C, Shepherd A & Farquharson B (2011) The experience of SCN/M in relation to the implementation of 'Leading Better Care' and their views about the impacts upon patient care, themselves and colleagues: Final Report to NHS Forth Valley: August 2011.
Conference Abstract
Stress, cognitive failures and information processing in telephone helpline nurses
Allan JL, Farquharson B, Johnston DW, Jones MC, Choudhary CJ & Johnston M (2011) Stress, cognitive failures and information processing in telephone helpline nurses. Psychology and Health, 26 (Supplement 2), pp. 7-7. http://apps.webofknowledge.com.ezproxy.stir.ac.uk/full_record.do?product=WOS&search_mode=GeneralSearch&qid=14&SID=Z2gbpcgaLl7lojgA4af&page=1&doc=1; https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2011.617182
Conference Abstract
Johnston DW, Allan JL, Choudhary CJ, Farquharson B, Jones MC & Johnston M (2011) Real time assessment of stress in telephone health services: cardiac consequences for nurses of stressful consultations. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 41 (Supplement 1), p. S235. http://link.springer.com/journal/12160/41/1/suppl/page/1
Article
How people present symptoms to health services: a theory-based content analysis
Farquharson B, Johnston M & Bugge C (2011) How people present symptoms to health services: a theory-based content analysis. British Journal of General Practice, 61 (585), pp. 267-273. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp11X567090
Article
Allan JL, Farquharson B, Choudhary CJ, Johnston DW, Jones MC & Johnston M (2009) Stress in telephone helpline nurses: research protocol for a study of theoretical determinants, physiological aspects and behavioural consequences. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65 (10), pp. 2208-2215. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2009.05118.x
Conference Abstract
Farquharson B, Johnston M & Bugge C (2008) Illness representations (IRs) in acute clinical presentations: Retrospective Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) and real-time data compared. Psychology and Health, 23 (Supplement 1), pp. 116-117. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440802299543
Fellowship of Higher Education Academy
