Dr Maria Burton PhD, MPhil, BA (Hons), MCSP
Senior Research Fellow/Principal Lecturer
Summary
I am a senior research fellow/principal lecturer in the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing in the Department of Allied Health Professions (AHP).
I have a background in physiotherapy working in the NHS before moving to SHU to join the physiotherapy teaching team.
For many years I was involved in a variety of research projects but my focus now is on issues affecting older adults and cancer. I am predominantly a qualitative researcher but also have experience of process evaluation and mixed methods studies.
About
I joined SHU in 1996 after 17 years as a physiotherapist in the NHS.
During my time as a physiotherapist I was also involved in research, predominantly in adult and children's orthopaedics. Since moving to SHU I have been able to use and enhance my research skills to work on a wide range of studies. Over the past decade I have focused on issues affecting older adults. Studies include older adults' experiences of social exclusion, bathroom independence, bathroom redesign and, cancer and older people.
Since 2012 I have been a researcher on a national multi-centre NIHR programme entitled 'Bridging the Age Gap in Breast Cancer' (BTAG). Being part of a multi-disciplinary team, many with significant clinical expertise in breast cancer, has ensured I have a sound understanding of many issues in breast cancer. I am currently undertaking a process evaluation of the RCT phase of the BTAG programme using the MRC guidelines for reporting of complex interventions.
Breast Cancer in older women
Older people
Outcome Measurement in Health
Impact of design and technology on health and wellbeing
Use of Mixed Methods Research in Health
Teaching
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
'Bridging the Age Gap in Breast Cancer' study team funded by an NIHR programme grant.
Research
Much of my current research is in collaboration with the Department of Oncology and Metabolism at the University of Sheffield.
Current research project
- Bridging the Age Gap in Breast Cancer: Improving outcomes for older women. Helping Older Women Choose. NIHR funded Programme Grant for Applied Research - Working as senior research fellow. On-going study
Studies in development/review
- Dementia and cancer: Optimising outcomes for patients and carers
- Pre-habilitation / rehabilitation in cancer
- Vaginal Laser treatment for Genitourinary Syndrome following Breast
- Cancer: double blinded, parallel group, placebo controlled randomised trial.
- The Future Bathroom - A collaborative project with designers and engineers to investigate the perspectives of bathrooms for older people and the creation of bathroom products and guidelines for users. EPSRC funded project. £560,000 - Reported June 2011
- Social Exclusion of older people in former industrial communities - Big Lottery funded project £250,000 - Reported December 2011
- Evaluation of Health Trainer Service - Wakefield PCT funded project £20,000 - reported November 2011
NIHR
EPSRC
Big Lottery
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Publications
Key Publications
Wyld, L., Reed, M.W.R., Collins, K., Burton, M., Lifford, K., Edwards, A., ... Thomson, A. (2021). 'Bridging the Age Gap in Breast Cancer: Cluster randomised trial of the effects of two decision support interventions for older women with operable breast cancer on quality-of-life, survival, decision-quality and treatment choices'. British Journal of Surgery. http://doi.org/10.1093/bjs/znab005
Wyld, L., Reed, M.W.R., Morgan, J., Collins, K., Ward, S., Holmes, G.R., ... Thomson, A.M. (2021). Bridging the age gap in breast cancer. Impacts of omission of breast cancer surgery in older women with oestrogen receptor positive early breast cancer. A risk stratified analysis of survival outcomes and quality of life. European Journal of Cancer, 142, 48-62. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2020.10.015
Martin, C., Shrestha, A., Morgan, J., Bradburn, M., Herbert, E., Burton, M., ... Wyld, L. (2020). Treatment choices for older women with primary operable breast cancer and cognitive impairment: Results from a prospective, multicentre cohort study. Journal of Geriatric Oncology. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgo.2020.12.006
Todd, A., Martin, C., Morgan, J., Herbert, E., Bradburn, M., Burton, M., ... Wyld, L. (2020). Age specific recruitment and retention to a large multicentre observational breast cancer trial in older women: The Age Gap Trial. Journal of Geriatric Oncology. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgo.2020.10.015
Journal articles
Wyld, L., Reed, M.W.R., Collins, K., Ward, S., Holmes, G., Morgan, J., ... Parmeshwar, R. (2022). Improving outcomes for women aged 70 years or above with early breast cancer: research programme including a cluster RCT. .
Martin, C., Burton, M., & Wyld, L. (2022). Caregiver experiences of making treatment decisions for older women with breast cancer and dementia. Health & social care in the community, 30 (5), e2058-e2068. http://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13640
Nightingale, J., Sevens, T., Appleyard, R., Campbell, S., & Burton, M. (2022). Retention of radiographers in the NHS: influencing factors across the career trajectory. Radiography, 29 (1), 76-83. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2022.10.003
Battisti, N.M.L., Hatton, M.Q., Reed, M.W.R., Herbert, E., Morgan, J.L., Bradburn, M., ... Bridging the Age Gap TMG, (2021). Observational cohort study in older women with early breast cancer: Use of radiation therapy and impact on health-related quality of life and mortality. Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, 161, 166-176. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2021.06.021
Ring, A., Battisti, N.M.L., Reed, M.W.R., Herbert, E., Morgan, J.L., Bradburn, M., ... Winter, M. (2021). Bridging The Age Gap: observational cohort study of effects of chemotherapy and trastuzumab on recurrence, survival and quality of life in older women with early breast cancer. British Journal of Cancer, 125 (2), 209-219. http://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-021-01388-9
Burton, M., Lifford, K.J., Wyld, L., Armitage, F., Ring, A., Nettleship, A., ... Audisio, R. (2021). Process evaluation of the Bridging the Age Gap in Breast Cancer decision support intervention cluster randomised trial. Trials, 22 (1), 447. http://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05360-z
Daniels, S.L., Burton, M., Lee, M.J., Moug, S.J., Kerr, K., Wilson, T.R., ... Wyld, L. (2021). Healthcare professional preferences in the health and fitness assessment and optimization of older patients facing colorectal cancer surgery. Colorectal Disease. http://doi.org/10.1111/codi.15758
Daniels, S.L., Lee, M.J., Moug, S., Wilson, T.R., Burton, M., George, J., ... Wyld, L. (2021). Protocol for a multi-centre observational and mixed methods pilot study to identify factors predictive of poor functional recovery after major gastrointestinal surgery and strategies to enhance uptake of perioperative optimization. Optimizing the care and treatment pathways for older patients facing major gastrointestinal surgery (OCTAGON). Colorectal Disease, 23 (6), 1552-1561. http://doi.org/10.1111/codi.15603
Holmes, G.R., Ward, S.E., Brennan, A., Bradburn, M., Morgan, J.L., Reed, M.W.R., ... Age Gap Trial Steering Group, (2021). Cost-Effectiveness Modeling of Surgery Plus Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy Versus Primary Endocrine Therapy Alone in UK Women Aged 70 and Over With Early Breast Cancer. Value in health : the journal of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, 24 (6), 770-779. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jval.2020.12.016
Morgan, J.L., Shrestha, A., Reed, M.W.R., Herbert, E., Bradburn, M., Walters, S.J., ... Wyld, L. (2021). Bridging the age gap in breast cancer: impact of omission of breast cancer surgery in older women with oestrogen receptor-positive early breast cancer on quality-of-life outcomes. The British journal of surgery, 108 (3), 315-325. http://doi.org/10.1093/bjs/znaa125
Battisti, N.M.L., Reed, M.W.R., Herbert, E., Morgan, J.L., Collins, K.A., Ward, S.E., ... Ring, A. (2021). Bridging the Age Gap in breast cancer: Impact of chemotherapy on quality of life in older women with early breast cancer. European Journal of Cancer, 144, 269-280. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2020.11.022
Nightingale, J., Burton, M., Appleyard, R., Sevens, T., & Campbell, S. (2021). Retention of radiographers: A qualitative exploration of factors influencing decisions to leave or remain within the NHS. Radiography. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2020.12.008
Wyld, L., Reed, M., Collins, K., Ward, S., Holmes, G., Morgan, J., ... Audisio, R. (2020). 8A Oral Impacts of omission of breast cancer surgery in older women with ER+ early breast cancer. A risk stratified analysis of survival and quality of life outcomes. European Journal of Cancer, 138, S6-S7. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0959-8049(20)30544-X
Wyld, L., Reed, M., Collins, K., Burton, M., Lifford, K., Edwards, A., ... Brain, K. (2020). 8B Oral Cluster randomised trial to evaluate the clinical benefits of decision support interventions for older women with operable breast cancer. European Journal of Cancer, 138, S7. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0959-8049(20)30545-1
Morgan, J.L., Holmes, G., Ward, S., Martin, C., Burton, M., Walters, S.J., ... Wyld, L. (2020). Observational cohort study to determine the degree and causes of variation in the rate of surgery or primary endocrine therapy in older women with operable breast cancer. European Journal of Surgical Oncology. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejso.2020.09.029
MacDonald, C., Burton, M., Carachi, R., & O'Toole, S. (2020). Data and data illustrations supporting the analysis of transcripts from interviews exploring the views and experiences of young men and their parents/guardians regarding testicular health. Data in Brief, 32, 106106. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2020.106106
MacDonald, C., Burton, M., Carachi, R., & O'Toole, S. (2020). Why adolescents delay with presentation to hospital with acute testicular pain: a qualitative study. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2020.06.041
Morgan, J., Holmes, G., Ward, S., Martin, C., Burton, M., Audisio, R., ... Wyld, L. (2020). P065: "Bridging the age gap in breast cancer": An analysis of the decision-making preferences of older women with operable breast cancer in the UK. European Journal of Surgical Oncology, 46 (6), e28. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejso.2020.03.104
George, J., Morgan, J., Martin, C., Shrestha, A., Sue, W., Holmes, G., ... Wyld, L. (2020). Bridging the age gap in breast cancer - analysis of the influence of age, comorbidity and frailty on the types of surgery performed in older women with operable breast cancer. European Journal of Surgical Oncology, 46 (2), e22. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejso.2019.11.476
George, J., Morgan, J., Martin, C., Shrestha, A., Sue, W., Holmes, G., ... Wyld, L. (2020). Bridging the Age Gap in Breast Cancer - Analysis of the Complication Rates of Surgery in Older Women. European Journal of Surgical Oncology, 46 (2), e47-e48. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejso.2019.11.089
Probst, H., Barry, J., Clough, H., Lindley, M., Mather, R., Newton, H., ... Burton, M. (2020). Resource to prepare patients for deep inspiration breath hold: the RESPIRE project. Radiography, 26, S10. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2019.11.027
Martin, C., Shrestha, A., Burton, M., Collins, K., & Wyld, L. (2019). How are caregivers involved in treatment decision-making for older people with dementia and a new diagnosis of cancer? Psycho-oncology. http://doi.org/10.1002/pon.5070
Shrestha, A., Martin, C., Walters, S., Collins, K., Burton, M., & Wyld, L. (2019). Quality of life versus length of life considerations in cancer patients: a systematic literature review. Psycho-oncology. http://doi.org/10.1002/pon.5054
Lifford, K.J., Edwards, A., Burton, M., Harder, H., Armitage, F., Morgan, J., ... Brain, K. (2019). Efficient development and usability testing of decision support interventions for older women with breast cancer. Patient preference and adherence, 13, 131-143. http://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S178347
Collins, K., Reed, M., Lifford, K., Burton, M., Edwards, A., Ring, A., ... Wyld, L. (2017). Bridging the age gap in breast cancer: evaluation of decision support interventions for older women with operable breast cancer: protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ open, 7 (7), e015133. http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015133
Burton, M., Kilner, K., Gordon, F., Collins, K., Wyld, L., Lifford, K., ... Reed, M. (2017). Information needs and decision-making preferences of older women offered a choice between surgery and primary endocrine therapy for early breast cancer. Psych-oncology. http://doi.org/10.1002/pon.4429
Naylor, S., Ferris, C., & Burton, M. (2015). Exploring the transition from student to practitioner in diagnostic radiography. Radiography, 22 (2), 131-136. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2015.09.006
Lifford, K.J., Witt, J., Burton, M., Collins, K., Caldon, L., Edwards, A., ... Brain, K. (2015). Understanding older women’s decision making and coping in the context of breast cancer treatment. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 15 (45). http://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-015-0167-1
Morgan, J., Burton, M., Collins, K., Robinson, T.G., Audisio, R., Cheung, K.L., ... Wyld, L. (2015). The balance of clinician and patient input into treatment decision-making in older women with breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 24 (12), 1761-1766. http://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3853
Mallett, R., Bakker, E., & Burton, M. (2014). Is physiotherapy self-referral with telephone triage viable, cost-effective and beneficial to musculoskeletal outpatients in a primary care setting? Musculoskeletal Care, 12 (4), 251-260. http://doi.org/10.1002/msc.1075
Burton, M., Collins, K., Lifford, K., Brain, K., Wyld, L., Caldon, L., ... Reed, M. (2014). The information and decision support needs of older women (>75 yrs) facing treatment choices for breast cancer : a qualitative study. Psycho-Oncology, 24 (8), 878-884. http://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3735
Burton, M., Collins, K., Caldon, L.J.M., Wyld, L., & Reed, M.W.R. (2014). Information needs of older women faced with a choice of primary endocrine therapy or surgery for early-stage breast cancer : a literature review. Current Breast Cancer Reports, 6 (3), 235-244. http://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-014-0159-7
Burton, M., Walters, S.J., Saleh, M., & Brazier, J.E. (2012). An evaluation of patient-reported outcome measures in lower limb reconstruction surgery. Quality of Life Research, 21 (10), 1731-1743. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-011-0090-6
Burton, M., Reed, H., & Chamberlain, P. (2011). Age-related disability and bathroom use. Journal of Integrated Care, 19 (1), 37-43. http://doi.org/10.5042/jic.2011.0034
McLean, S., Burton, M., Bradley, L., & Littlewood, C. (2010). Interventions for enhancing adherence with physiotherapy: a systematic review. Manual Therapy, 15 (6), 514-521. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2010.05.012
Whitby, E.H., Bell, M.J., Rigby, A.S., & Burton, M. (2007). Measuring hip development using magnetic resonance imaging. Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 27 (8), 898-902. http://doi.org/10.1097/bpo.0b013e31815a5ff1
Ali, A.M., Burton, M., Hashmi, M., & Saleh, M. (2003). Outcome of complex fractures of the tibial plateau treated with a beam-loading ring fixation system. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume, 85 (5), 691-699.
Ali, A.M., Burton, M., Hashmi, M., & Saleh, M. (2003). Treatment of displaced bicondylar tibial plateau fractures (OTA-41C2&3) in patients older than 60 years of age. Journal of orthopaedic trauma, 17 (5), 346-352. http://doi.org/10.1097/00005131-200305000-00005
El-Shazly, M., Dalby-Ball, J., Burton, M., & Saleh, M. (2001). The use of trans-articular and extra-articular external fixation for management of distal tibial intra-articular fractures. Injury, 32 Suppl 4, SD99-S106. http://doi.org/10.1016/s0020-1383(01)00159-0
TRIVELLA, G., ZAMBITO, A., ALDEGHERI, R., LESO, P., & BURTON, M. (1991). Functional and Aesthetic Results of Leg Lengthening in Achondroplastic Patients. Physiotherapy, 77 (11), 724-726. http://doi.org/10.1016/s0031-9406(10)62040-8
BURTON, M. (1991). Regimes of Leg Lengthening at Sheffield Children's Hospital. Physiotherapy, 77 (11), 727-732. http://doi.org/10.1016/s0031-9406(10)62041-x
Saleh, M., & Burton, M. (1991). Leg lengthening: patient selection and management in achondroplasia. The Orthopedic clinics of North America, 22 (4), 589-599.
Conference papers
Wyld, L., Reed, M.W.R., Collins, K., Ward, S., Holmes, G., Morgan, J., ... Audisio, R. (2020). Bridging the age gap in breast cancer: optimisation of survival and quality of life outcomes in older women with early breast cancer. BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT, 180 (2), 594.
Burton, M., Lifford, K.J., Wyld, L., Armitage, F., Collins, K., Reed, M., ... Edwards, A. (2020). Process evaluation of the bridging the age gap in breast cancer decision support intervention cluster randomised trial (ABSTRACT ONLY). Breast cancer research and treatment, 180 (2), 577. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-019-05514-3
Burton, M., Lifford, K.J., Wyld, L., Armitage, F., Collins, K., Reed, M., ... Edwards, A. (2019). Process evaluation of the Bridging the Age Gap in Breast Cancer decision support intervention cluster randomized trial [abstract only]. FUTURE ONCOLOGY, 15 (7S), 14. https://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/10.2217/fon-2019-0070
Shrestha, A., Martin, C., Burton, M., Collins, K., Holmes, G., Ward, S., ... Wyld, L. (2018). Comparison of quality of life of older women treated with surgery or primary endocrine therapy for early breast cancer: propensity score matched analysis of a large prospective multicentre cohort study. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER, 92, S3-S4.
Collins, K.A., Burton, M., Lifford, K.J., Reed, M.W.R., Armitage, F., & Wyld, L. (2017). Bridging the Age Gap in Breast Cancer (BTAG) trial update [abstract only]. FUTURE ONCOLOGY, 13 (8s), 14. http://doi.org/10.2217/fon-2017-0071
Burton, M., Armitage, F., Collins, K., Richards, P., Nettleship, A., Lifford, K., & Wyld, L. (2016). The development of an on-line decision tool for health care professionals to aid collaborative decision making with older women with breast cancer. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER, 57, S136.
Lifford, K., Brain, K., Edwards, A., Collins, K., Burton, M., Caldon, L., ... Wyld, L. (2015). The development of a decision support intervention for older women with a choice of surgery or primary endocrine therapy to treat breast cancer. FUTURE ONCOLOGY, 11 (4), 19-20.
Richards, P., Ward, S., Morgan, J., Francis, M., Collins, K., Burton, M., ... Wyld, L. (2015). Bridging The Age Gap in Breast Cancer - improving treatment decisions for older women using routine data. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE, 24, 62.
Lifford, K.J., Brain, K., Collins, K., Burton, M., Witt, J., Caldon, L., ... Reed, M. (2014). DEVELOPING COLLABORATIVE DECISION SUPPORT INTERVENTIONS FOR OLDER WOMEN (75 YEARS PLUS) WITH BREAST CANCER. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 21, S75.
Collins, K., Burton, M., Caldon, L., Lifford, K., Brain, K., Wyld, L., & Reed, M. (2014). The Information and decision support needs of older women (> 75 yrs) facing treatment choices for breast cancer: A qualitative study. PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, 23, 9.
Collins, K.A., Burton, M., Caldon, L., Lifford, K., Brain, K., Wyld, L., & Reed, M.W.R. (2014). The information and decision support needs of older women (>75 yrs) facing treatment choices for their breast cancer: A qualitative study. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER, 50, S125.
Book chapters
Chamberlain, P., Reed, H., Burton, M., & Mountain, G. (2011). Future bathroom: A study of user-centred design principles affecting usability, safety and satisfaction in bathrooms for people living with disabilities. In Research and development work relating to assistive technology 2010-11. (pp. 28-29). Department of Health: http://fastuk.org/pagedocuments/file/S22%20Report%202010-11%20final%20v9.pdf
Chamberlain, P., Reed, H., Burton, M., & Mountain, G. (2011). ‘Future Bathroom’, What to make? Or How to Make? Challenges in meeting sustainable needs. In Bartolo, H. (Ed.) Sustainable Intelligent manufacturing. (pp. 777-784). Portugal: IST Press: http://sim.ipleiria.pt/
Burton, M., & Saleh, M. (1991). Leg Lengthening: Patient selection and Management in Achondroplasia. In The Orthopedic clinics of North america. W B Saunders
Reports
Chamberlain, P., Reed, H., Burton, M., Yoxall, A., Akan, E., Can, A., ... Çakırusta, A. (2017). Inclusive bathroom design as we age. Turkey: Vitra. http://vitra.com.tr/App_Assets/Catalogs/20499/inclusive-bathroom.pdf
Wheat, J., Fleming, R., Burton, M., Penders, J., Choppin, S., & Heller, B. (2006). Establishing the accuracy and feasibility of Microsoft Kinect in various multi-disciplinary contexts. Sheffield Hallam University for EPSRC Engineering for Life. http://www.depthbiomechanics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/10/EFL-report.pdf
Theses / Dissertations
Taylor, A.V. (2020). Defining compassion and compassionate behaviours in radiotherapy. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Robert, A., Hodgson, D., Burton, M., Collins, K., & Probst, H. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00373
Xerri de Caro, J. (2014). The Bologna Process and physiotherapy education across Europe. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Gordon, F., Kirshbaum, M., Burton, M., & Richardson, B.
Images
Gent, S., Burton, M., & Heller, B. (n.d.). Physiofun - Engineering for Life. [Jpeg].
Other activities
Former Chair Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Yorkshire and the Humber Network. Current Secretary
Postgraduate supervision
I have completed a doctoral supervision training programme and have experience of doctoral supervision taking two doctoral candidates to completion.
Currently, I am Director of Studies for two doctoral students and a supervisor for a further three.
2 - 1 PhD, 1 DProf