A team from the University of Exeter write about evidence gap maps, a way of visually presenting an overview of the available evidence on health topics and showing where the gaps are.
Author archives: Malcolm Turner
About Malcolm Turner
Having retired from paid employment in 2006 I have undertaken a wide range of public participation roles mainly in health-related issues or health research. Having lived experience of Type 2 Diabetes I describe myself as a ‘helper, carer, facilitator and friend’ to those in my local community. My father suffered with disseminated sclerosis and my younger brother with schizophrenia. Prior to my early retirement I gained an MSc in Local Economic Development awarded by the University of Glasgow. My paid employment included working in both the public and private sectors. The culmination of a long and varied career was a role as CEO of Bridging the Gap (Bristol) Ltd from 1999-2006. Bridging the Gap supported individuals from disadvantaged groups to gain meaningful and sustainable employment. In June 2016 I became a member of the Peninsula Patient Engagement Group (PenPEG previously PenPIG). The following year I also became an elected Public Governor of the Somerset Partnership NHS Trust and served a three-year term of office. My membership of PenPEG has resulted in my involvement in a wide range of varied and different roles including the following; From February 2017 I have been a patient & public representative on the University of Exeter, College of Medicine & Health Patient Involvement in Medical Education (PIME) Group representing PIME on the BMBS Board of Studies at the university. An additional role I fulfil is on the College of Medicine & Health Research Ethics Committee. In May 2020 I became a Committee Member of the NIHR Evidence Synthesis Advisory Group. I also undertake work as a lay-reviewer for the South West Regional Design Service. When time permits, additionally I have a role on the South West Ambulance Service Foundation Trust on the Patient Involvement in Research Group (PIRG). As a result of my involvement and progression in PenPEG I have become a co-applicant across a wide range of research programmes including an ESP Policy Research Programme and a number of other programmes relating mainly to Primary Care. Having an interest in health-related research and wanting to better understand the process I undertook a Cochrane Interactive Learning programme and completed all the modules on Conducting an Intervention Review. I also participate in the Cochrane Crowd. When I’m not involved in health research topics I enjoy travel, music, reading, walking, wildlife & the countryside and watching all sport.