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Dr Sarah Milosevic
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Sarah Milosevic
Research Associate - Qualitative
Overview
I'm a qualitative researcher interested in evidence-based patient information and informed consent, particularly for women in the perinatal period, and for IVF and genetics patients. My wider interests are in exploring influences on the health decisions of patients and clinicians (particularly risk communication in maternity care) and inequitable healthcare access. I welcome research collaborations in these fields - please get in touch if you are interested in discussing ideas.
I'm currently researching how NHS use of private healthcare can be optimised to help reduce health inequalities, through exploring experiences of health professionals caring for both NHS-funded and privately-paying patients undergoing hip replacement surgery.
I have explored clinician and patient decision-making across a diversity of health studies: e.g. emergency department clinicians' perspectives on treating patients with suspected sepsis, patients and surgeons' understanding of risk in deciding whether to proceed with leg amputation, and factors influencing women's use of birth pools. My work has contributed to a better understanding of the range of factors that affect patient experiences, including information provision, sociodemographic differences, and healthcare environment, policy and culture.
I have expertise in the design and integration of qualitative research in health studies and clinical trials, working as part of the Centre for Trials Research Qualitative Research Group, providing methodological advice to interdisciplinary teams and leading trial process evaluations. I lead Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) activities in the development of research projects and funding bids, and am currently Co-Investigator on 4 grants (NIHR and HCRW) totalling £4.5 million.
I am a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) Women's Network and Scientific Advisory Committee, the UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS) Steering Committee, and Genomics Partnership Wales (GPW) Sounding, Programme and Governance Boards. I also sit on the advisory group of several health studies, including the Obstetric Bleeding Study (OBS) UK. I review for the journals Midwifery and BMJ Open and am experienced in reviewing research proposals and grant applications (e.g. for Wellbeing of Women and Health and Care Research Wales).
Publication
2025
- Sanders, J. et al. 2025. Authors' Reply. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 132(2), pp. 226-227. (10.1111/1471-0528.17960)
2024
- Milosevic, S. et al. 2024. Rehabilitation experiences following major lower limb amputation due to complications of vascular disease: a UK qualitative study. Disability and Rehabilitation 46(26), pp. 6477-6486. (10.1080/09638288.2024.2329747)
- Sanders, J. et al. 2024. Maternal and neonatal outcomes among spontaneous vaginal births occurring in or out of water following intrapartum water immersion: The POOL cohort study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 131(12), pp. 1650-1659. (10.1111/1471-0528.17878)
- Segrott, J. et al. 2024. Integrating qualitative research within a clinical trials unit: developing strategies and understanding their implementation in contexts. Trials 25(1), article number: 323. (10.1186/s13063-024-08124-7)
- Gwilym, B. L. et al. 2024. Long-term risk prediction after major lower limb amputation: 1-year results of the PERCEIVE study. BJS Open 8(1), article number: zrad135. (10.1093/bjsopen/zrad135)
- Randell, E. et al. 2024. Exploring critical intervention features and trial processes in the evaluation of sensory integration therapy for autistic children. BMC Trials 25(1), article number: 131. (10.1186/s13063-024-07957-6)
2022
- Gwilym, B. L. et al. 2022. Short-term risk prediction after major lower limb amputation: PERCEIVE study. BJS Open 109(12), pp. 1300-1311. (10.1093/bjs/znac309)
- Milosevic, S. et al. 2022. Understanding the support experiences of families of children with autism and sensory processing difficulties: A qualitative study.. Health Expectations 25(3), pp. 1118-1130. (10.1111/hex.13465)
- Randell, E. et al. 2022. Sensory integration therapy for children with autism and sensory processing difficulties: the SenITA RCT. Health Technology Assessment 26(29) (10.3310/TQGE0020)
- Euden, J. et al. 2022. PROcalcitonin and NEWS2 evaluation for Timely identification of sepsis and Optimal use of antibiotics in the emergency department (PRONTO): protocol for a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 12(6), article number: e063424. (10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063424)
- Milosevic, S. et al. 2022. PrEdiction of Risk and Communication of outcomE followIng major lower limb amputation: a collaboratiVE study (PERCEIVE)—protocol for the PERCEIVE qualitative study. BMJ Open 12(1), article number: e053159. (10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053159)
2021
- Milosevic, S. et al. 2021. Exploring patients’ experiences of analgesia after major lower limb amputation: A qualitative study. BMJ Open 11, article number: e054618. (10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054618)
- Gwilym, B. L. et al. 2021. The PERCEIVE quantitative study: PrEdiction of Risk and Communication of outcome following major lower-limb amputation: protocol for a collaboratiVE study. BJS Open 5(6), article number: zrab118. (10.1093/bjsopen/zrab118)
- Milosevic, S. et al. 2021. Managing LUTS in primary care: qualitative study of GPs’ and patients’ experiences. British Journal of General Practice 71(710), pp. e685-e692. (10.3399/BJGP.2020.1043)
- Milosevic, S. et al. 2021. Conducting invasive urodynamics in primary care: Qualitative interview study examining experiences of patients and healthcare professionals. Diagnostic and Prognostic Research 5, article number: 10. (10.1186/s41512-021-00100-y)
- Gwilym, B. et al. 2021. PERCEIVE: PrEdiction of Risk and Communication of outcome following major lower limb amputation - a collaboratIVE study. Presented at: National Research Collaborative Meeting 2020 (NRCM 2020), Virtual, 19 November - 10 December 2020, Vol. 5. Vol. Supple. Wiley, (10.1093/bjsopen/zrab032.089)
- Milton, R. et al. 2021. Establishing the safety of waterbirth for mothers and babies: a cohort study with nested qualitative component: The protocol for the POOL study.. BMJ Open 11(1), article number: e040684. (10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040684)
2020
- Milosevic, S., Channon, S., Hughes, J., Hunter, B., Nolan, M., Milton, R. and Sanders, J. 2020. Factors influencing water immersion during labour: qualitative case studies of six maternity units in the United Kingdom. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 20(1), article number: 719. (10.1186/s12884-020-03416-7)
- Pell, B. et al. 2020. PRImary care Management of lower Urinary tract Symptoms in men: protocol for development and validation of a diagnostic and clinical decision support tool (the PriMUS study). BMJ 10(6), article number: e037634. (10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037634)
2019
- Milosevic, S. et al. 2019. Factors influencing the use of birth pools in the United Kingdom: Perspectives of women, midwives and medical staff. Midwifery 79, article number: 102554. (10.1016/j.midw.2019.102554)
- Bosanquet, D. et al. 2019. Perineural local anaesthetic catheter after major lower limb amputation trial (PLACEMENT): results from a randomised controlled feasibility trial. BMJ Open 9(11), article number: e029233. (10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029233)
2018
- Bosanquet, D. C. et al. 2018. Major lower limb amputation audit – introduction and implementation of a multimodal perioperative pain management guideline. British Journal of Pain 12(4), pp. 257-258. (10.1177/2049463718800736)
2015
- Bray, J. et al. 2015. Enabling hospital staff to care for people with dementia. Nursing Older People 27(10), pp. 29-32. (10.7748/nop.27.10.29.s21)
- Bray, J. et al. 2015. Improving the hospital environment for people with dementia. Nursing Older People 27(9), pp. 16-20. (10.7748/nop.27.9.16.s17)
- Bray, J. et al. 2015. Improving activity and engagement for patients with dementia. Nursing Older People 27(8), pp. 22-26. (10.7748/nop.27.8.22.e700)
- Bray, J. et al. 2015. Understanding the needs of people with dementia and family carers. Nursing Older People 27(7), pp. 18-23. (10.7748/nop.27.7.18.e699)
- Evans, S., Brooker, D., Thompson, R., Bray, J., Milosevic, S., Bruce, M. and Carter, C. 2015. Introduction to the transforming dementia care in hospitals series. Nursing Older People 27(6), pp. 18-24. (10.7748/nop.27.6.18.e698)
- Brooker, D., Milosevic, S. and Yemm, H. 2015. Guidance for NHS continuing healthcare assessors: evaluating emotional and psychological needs for people in the later stages of dementia. Alzheimer's Society. Available at: https://www.worc.ac.uk/documents/2015-Guidance-for-NHS-continuing-healthcare-assessors.pdf
Articles
- Sanders, J. et al. 2025. Authors' Reply. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 132(2), pp. 226-227. (10.1111/1471-0528.17960)
- Milosevic, S. et al. 2024. Rehabilitation experiences following major lower limb amputation due to complications of vascular disease: a UK qualitative study. Disability and Rehabilitation 46(26), pp. 6477-6486. (10.1080/09638288.2024.2329747)
- Sanders, J. et al. 2024. Maternal and neonatal outcomes among spontaneous vaginal births occurring in or out of water following intrapartum water immersion: The POOL cohort study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 131(12), pp. 1650-1659. (10.1111/1471-0528.17878)
- Segrott, J. et al. 2024. Integrating qualitative research within a clinical trials unit: developing strategies and understanding their implementation in contexts. Trials 25(1), article number: 323. (10.1186/s13063-024-08124-7)
- Gwilym, B. L. et al. 2024. Long-term risk prediction after major lower limb amputation: 1-year results of the PERCEIVE study. BJS Open 8(1), article number: zrad135. (10.1093/bjsopen/zrad135)
- Randell, E. et al. 2024. Exploring critical intervention features and trial processes in the evaluation of sensory integration therapy for autistic children. BMC Trials 25(1), article number: 131. (10.1186/s13063-024-07957-6)
- Gwilym, B. L. et al. 2022. Short-term risk prediction after major lower limb amputation: PERCEIVE study. BJS Open 109(12), pp. 1300-1311. (10.1093/bjs/znac309)
- Milosevic, S. et al. 2022. Understanding the support experiences of families of children with autism and sensory processing difficulties: A qualitative study.. Health Expectations 25(3), pp. 1118-1130. (10.1111/hex.13465)
- Randell, E. et al. 2022. Sensory integration therapy for children with autism and sensory processing difficulties: the SenITA RCT. Health Technology Assessment 26(29) (10.3310/TQGE0020)
- Euden, J. et al. 2022. PROcalcitonin and NEWS2 evaluation for Timely identification of sepsis and Optimal use of antibiotics in the emergency department (PRONTO): protocol for a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 12(6), article number: e063424. (10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063424)
- Milosevic, S. et al. 2022. PrEdiction of Risk and Communication of outcomE followIng major lower limb amputation: a collaboratiVE study (PERCEIVE)—protocol for the PERCEIVE qualitative study. BMJ Open 12(1), article number: e053159. (10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053159)
- Milosevic, S. et al. 2021. Exploring patients’ experiences of analgesia after major lower limb amputation: A qualitative study. BMJ Open 11, article number: e054618. (10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054618)
- Gwilym, B. L. et al. 2021. The PERCEIVE quantitative study: PrEdiction of Risk and Communication of outcome following major lower-limb amputation: protocol for a collaboratiVE study. BJS Open 5(6), article number: zrab118. (10.1093/bjsopen/zrab118)
- Milosevic, S. et al. 2021. Managing LUTS in primary care: qualitative study of GPs’ and patients’ experiences. British Journal of General Practice 71(710), pp. e685-e692. (10.3399/BJGP.2020.1043)
- Milosevic, S. et al. 2021. Conducting invasive urodynamics in primary care: Qualitative interview study examining experiences of patients and healthcare professionals. Diagnostic and Prognostic Research 5, article number: 10. (10.1186/s41512-021-00100-y)
- Milton, R. et al. 2021. Establishing the safety of waterbirth for mothers and babies: a cohort study with nested qualitative component: The protocol for the POOL study.. BMJ Open 11(1), article number: e040684. (10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040684)
- Milosevic, S., Channon, S., Hughes, J., Hunter, B., Nolan, M., Milton, R. and Sanders, J. 2020. Factors influencing water immersion during labour: qualitative case studies of six maternity units in the United Kingdom. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 20(1), article number: 719. (10.1186/s12884-020-03416-7)
- Pell, B. et al. 2020. PRImary care Management of lower Urinary tract Symptoms in men: protocol for development and validation of a diagnostic and clinical decision support tool (the PriMUS study). BMJ 10(6), article number: e037634. (10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037634)
- Milosevic, S. et al. 2019. Factors influencing the use of birth pools in the United Kingdom: Perspectives of women, midwives and medical staff. Midwifery 79, article number: 102554. (10.1016/j.midw.2019.102554)
- Bosanquet, D. et al. 2019. Perineural local anaesthetic catheter after major lower limb amputation trial (PLACEMENT): results from a randomised controlled feasibility trial. BMJ Open 9(11), article number: e029233. (10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029233)
- Bosanquet, D. C. et al. 2018. Major lower limb amputation audit – introduction and implementation of a multimodal perioperative pain management guideline. British Journal of Pain 12(4), pp. 257-258. (10.1177/2049463718800736)
- Bray, J. et al. 2015. Enabling hospital staff to care for people with dementia. Nursing Older People 27(10), pp. 29-32. (10.7748/nop.27.10.29.s21)
- Bray, J. et al. 2015. Improving the hospital environment for people with dementia. Nursing Older People 27(9), pp. 16-20. (10.7748/nop.27.9.16.s17)
- Bray, J. et al. 2015. Improving activity and engagement for patients with dementia. Nursing Older People 27(8), pp. 22-26. (10.7748/nop.27.8.22.e700)
- Bray, J. et al. 2015. Understanding the needs of people with dementia and family carers. Nursing Older People 27(7), pp. 18-23. (10.7748/nop.27.7.18.e699)
- Evans, S., Brooker, D., Thompson, R., Bray, J., Milosevic, S., Bruce, M. and Carter, C. 2015. Introduction to the transforming dementia care in hospitals series. Nursing Older People 27(6), pp. 18-24. (10.7748/nop.27.6.18.e698)
Conferences
- Gwilym, B. et al. 2021. PERCEIVE: PrEdiction of Risk and Communication of outcome following major lower limb amputation - a collaboratIVE study. Presented at: National Research Collaborative Meeting 2020 (NRCM 2020), Virtual, 19 November - 10 December 2020, Vol. 5. Vol. Supple. Wiley, (10.1093/bjsopen/zrab032.089)
Monographs
- Brooker, D., Milosevic, S. and Yemm, H. 2015. Guidance for NHS continuing healthcare assessors: evaluating emotional and psychological needs for people in the later stages of dementia. Alzheimer's Society. Available at: https://www.worc.ac.uk/documents/2015-Guidance-for-NHS-continuing-healthcare-assessors.pdf
Research
Grants
2024: GW4 Crucible Seed Funding: Does the use of private clinics for elective procedures reduce or accentuate health inequalities? An exploratory qualitative and spatial study (Joint-up study), (Principal Investigator) £3,502
2024: NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme: Randomised trial examining clinical and cost effectivness of three antithrombotic regimens following endovascular lower limb revascularisation for chronic limb threatening ischaemia: CLARITY, (Co-Applicant) £2,575,967.
2023: NIHR Research for Patient Benefit Programme - Enhancing communication with bereaved relatives about emergency and critical care trials (ENHANCE), (Co-Applicant) £243,352.
2022: NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme: Perineural local anaesthetic catheter after major lower limb amputation (PLACEMENT), (Co-Applicant) £1,635,918
2020: Health and Care Research Wales RfPPB programme - PrEdiction of Risk and Communication of outcomE followIng major lower limb amputation - a collaboratiVE study (PERCEIVE), (Co-Applicant) £229,225.
Current studies
Joint-up study: An exploratory qualitative and spatial study of how NHS use of private healthcare can be optimised to help reduce health inequalities.
PLACEMENT: A randomised controlled trial of perineural local anaesthetic catheter after major lower limb amputation.
CLARITY: Randomised trial examining clinical and cost effectivness of three antithrombotic regimens following endovascular lower limb revascularisation for chronic limb threatening ischaemia.
Completed studies
PRONTO: A randomised controlled trial of Procalcitonin and NEWS2 evaluation for timely identification of sepsis and optimal use of antibiotics in emergency departments.
PERCEIVE: Prediction of risk and communication of outcome following major lower limb amputation - A collaborative study. Qualitative protocol published here.
POOL: Evaluating the safety of waterbirths. The qualitative aspect of the study aimed to identify factors influencing the use of birth pools in the UK. Part 1 of the qualitative work is published here and Part 2 is published here.
SenITA: A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of sensory integration therapy versus usual care for sensory processing difficulties in children with autism. Qualitative work on the support experiences of UK families of children with autism and sensory processing difficulties published here.
PriMUS: Primary care management of lower urinary tract symptoms in men. Development and validation of a diagnostic and clinical decision support tool. Qualitative work on urodynamics in primary care published here; work on management of lower urinary tract symptoms in primary care published here.
PLACEMENT Feasibility: A randomised controlled feasibility trial of perineural local anaesthetic catheter after major lower limb amputation. Qualitative work on patient experiences of analgesia after amputation published here; work on patient experiences of rehabilitation following amputation published here.
Biography
Career Overview
- Research Associate, Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, 2018 - present
- Research Officer, Qualifications Wales, 2016 - 2018
- Fast Stream Social Researcher, Office for National Statistics, 2015 - 2016
- FOI Information & Records Manager, States of Jersey Government, 2014 - 2015
- Research Assistant, University of Worcester, 2013 - 2014
Qualifications
- PhD Social Policy, University of Worcester, 2016
- PGCert Research Methods (Merit), University of Worcester, 2012
- MSc Housing & Professional Practice, Cardiff University, 2009
- BSc (Hons) Psychology, Swansea University, 2007
Honours and awards
Highly Commended for the Heather Trickey Essay Prize on women's reproductive health, 2024
Selected for GW4 Crucible 2024, focusing on tackling health inequalities through interdisciplinary collaboration
Speaking engagements
- London Maternity & Midwifery Festival 2021, Online: What influences waterbirth rates? A case study exploration of three obstetric and three midwifery units
- Health and Care Research Wales Conference 2020, Online: Exploring patient acceptability of invasive urodynamic testing in primary care
- Qualitative Research Symposium 2020, Bath: Using timelines in qualitative interviews: Exploring the journey of parents of children with autism
- Wales and South West Maternity & Midwifery Festival 2019, Cardiff: Why do so few women use a pool for labour and birth?
- British Society of Gerontology Annual Conference (Emerging Researchers in Ageing) 2013, Oxford: Exploring access to direct payments by people with dementia living in rural communities
- People, Policy and Practice Research Focus Conference 2013, Worcester: How has the personalisation of social care impacted on service users with dementia?
Poster presentations
- Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC) Annual Scientific Meeting 2021, Online: Testing a prototype clinical decision support tool for the management of male lower urinary tract symptoms
- UK Society for Behavioural Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting 2021, Online: Experiences and acceptability of sensory integration therapy for children with autism and sensory processing difficulties
- Wales and South West Maternity & Midwifery Festival 2020, Online: What influences waterbirth rates? A case study exploration of three obstetric and three midwifery units
- South West Society for Academic Primary Care Conference 2019, Southampton: Exploring patient acceptability of invasive urodynamic testing in primary care
- IDEAL International Conference 2018, Bristol: Patient experiences of pain relief following major lower limb amputation in the PLACEMENT randomised study
Committees and reviewing
Board / Committee Membership
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG): Women's Network and Scientific Advisory Committee
- UK Obstetric Surveillance Study (UKOSS) Steering Committee
- Genomics Partnership Wales (GPW) Sounding Board and Programme/Governance Board
- Genetic Counsellor Registration Advisory Board (GCRAB) Public Interest and Participation Group
- Obstetric Bleeding Study UK (OBS UK) Advisory Group
- UK Citizens Jury on Genome Editing (2022)
- Human Developmental Biology Initiative (HDBI) Insights Group and Public Dialogue Oversights Group
- GP-SUS (access to General Practice) Study Advisory Group
Reviewing
- Journal reviewing: Midwifery; BMJ (British Medical Journal) Open; Disability & Rehabilitation
- Grant reviewing: Wellbeing of Women; Health and Care Research Wales
- Conference abstract reviewing: Society for Academic Primary Care
- Assessor, Longitude Prize on Dementia
Supervisions
Current supervision
Annabel Welsh, MSc Genetic and Genomic Counselling. Exploring attitudes towards reproductive decision-making in individuals with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, a qualitative study.
Areas of supervision
- Topics: Health decision-making, Patient information, Informed consent, Health inequalities
- Fields: Maternity, IVF, Genetics, Public health
- Methods: Qualitative, Mixed methods, Systematic literature reviews
Past projects
Amarachi Ihenacho, MSc Public Health. Exploring the experiences of Black women in relation to their engagement with maternity care services in the United Kingdom (2021) (Distinction)
Engagement
I am Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) Lead for the PLACEMENT and CLARITY trials.
Contact Details
Research themes
Specialisms
- Qualitative research methods
- Decision making
- Patient information
- Maternity
- Health equity