Edith Poku MSc

HEDS, ScHARR
The University of Sheffield
Regent Court
30 Regent Street
Sheffield
S1 4DA
UK

Office:

Tel: (+44) (0)114 222 0692
Fax: (+44) (0)114 272 4095

E-mail: e.poku@sheffield.ac.uk

Biography

I joined ScHARR in April 2009, having gained my MSc in Medical and Health Sciences from the University of Sheffield in 2007. I have a background in medicine, and worked in higher education as a lecturer in Infection Control before joining the department.

I am currently reviewing evidence related to clinical effectiveness in type 2 diabetes as well as the use of diagnostics in atrial fibrillation.

I have also been involved in the following projects:

• Reviewing the impact of visual acuity on health state utilities and the appropriateness of the EQ-5D in diabetic macular edema
• Developing the case for the cost-effectiveness of Vectibix in the third-line treatment of metastatic colonic cancer
• A systematic review of current treatment of osteoarthritis, patient pathways and guidelines, identification of comparator technologies and key relationships of intermediate markers to patient related outcomes
• Amphetamines for the management of treatment-resistant depression

Research interests

My research interests are:

• Evidence-based practice in healthcare
• Health policy and decision-making

Teaching interests

I am involved in teaching systematic review methods to both undergraduate and postgraduate students within our faculty. I also supervise dissertations of students enrolled on Masters programmes in ScHARR.

Professional activities

As a member of the ScHARR Technology Assessment Group and ScHARR Systematic Reviewers´ Academic Group, I contribute to the improvement of skills and capacity for undertaking health technology appraisals. In addition to these activities, I undertake consultancy work for international pharmaceutical companies.

I am a co-author of the following invited presentation at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Annual Congress, Liverpool, 25-27 May 2010.

• Brazier J, Poku E, Carlton J. Does vision matter: a systematic review of the relationship between visual acuity and utilities

Current projects

I am currently working on the following projects:

• Echocardiography in newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation patients
• Gliptins or thiazolidinediones as add-on to metformin in type 2 diabetes