Professor Christi Deaton PhD, RN, FESC, FAHA

Christi holds a joint post as Professor of Nursing at the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, and University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UHSM).  She leads the cardiovascular disease and diabetes research team at the School and is engaged in teaching and supervising MPhil/PhD students. At UHSM Christi works to build research capacity and evidence-based practice for nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals.

Currently Christi is Chair of the Council of Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Health Professionals (CCNAP) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2008 - 2010.  She represents CCNAP on the ESC Council on Primary Cardiovascular Care, and serves on the Congress Planning Committee.   

• Council of Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Health Professionals (CCNAP) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 
• ESC Council on Primary Cardiovascular Care
• American Heart Association Council of Cardiovascular Nursing, and Quality/Outcomes Working Group
• Royal College of Nursing
• Diabetes and Obesity Research Network
• Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes Research Consortium (CFRDNet)
• Sigma Theta Tau International Honour Society of Nursing

My research interests are broadly focused on patients with heart disease and diabetes, patients with cystic fibrosis related diabetes, and building research capacity among nurses and allied professionals. My clinical experience and desire to improve patient outcomes and services offered to patients are the motivating factors for my programme of research. 

• Abnormal glucose regulation in patients with heart failure, and prevention of progression to diabetes in patients with heart failure and impaired glucose tolerance through lifestyle interventions.  We beginning data collection for a HF clinical registry and biorepository in 3 centres to begin to address these issues.  We are also conducting a systematic review and qualitative study focusing on adherence to physical activity/exercise in patients with HF.
• I lead the Heart Disease Implementation Theme of the Greater Manchester Collaborative Leadership for Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) programme funded by NIHR.  Our theme is improving care by implementing evidence into practice in primary and secondary care for patients with HF and/or atrial fibrillation.  The CLAHRC is focused on improving care for patients with vascular disease through both new research and implementation of research.
• Patients with heart disease and/or type 2 diabetes, especially interaction of the two conditions; coordinated health services and self-management of both conditions, functional status, cardiovascular events and procedures.
• Psychological issues in patients with long-term conditions; and the effect of depression and anxiety on patient outcomes.
• Patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing revascularisation for coronary heart disease especially reducing risk and improving outcomes for higher risk patients.
• Supported self-management in patients with cystic fibrosis related diabetes.
• Mentored support for building research capacity.
• Cost-effectiveness of interventions and nurse-led services.

My research is primarily quantitative, although I have some qualitative experience.  I have experience in clinical trials, longitudinal observational studies, and in analyses using large clinical datasets.  In addition to standard statistical knowledge, I am interested in using structural equation modelling and multi-level modelling. 

• Supervision of MPhil/PhD and MSc students
• Online Tutor for Core Research Methods course unit (post-graduate)
• Statistics for the MRes Programme
• Quantitative methods for the MRes Programme
• Undergraduate lectures: Coronary Heart Disease and Diabetes (Epidemiology and Public Health) and Coronary Heart Disease Management (Primary Care and Chronic Illness)

Christi brings years of clinical experience in practice and research to her work in Manchester.  She began her nursing career in 1977, and gained broad experience in a variety of areas (operating theatre, neonatal ICU, critical care) before focusing on cardiology practice in 1984.  Christi achieved national certification in both operating room (CNOR) and critical care practice (CCRN) in the U.S. 

She has been staff nurse, manager, nurse consultant, and outcomes manager in acute cardiology care in the U.S., and very early in her career was interested in research and evidence to guide practice.  After earning her PhD, Christi was Coordinator of Outcomes Research for Emory Heart Centre in the U.S., and Associate Director of Cardiovascular Health Services Research at Emory University (1995 - 1997).

In 1997 Christi took up an academic post at Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing (NHWSN), Emory Universtiy, U.S., while maintaining her links to Emory Heart Centre and helping to develop Emory Centre for Outcomes Research.  She counts herself as extremely fortunate to have been mentored by Professor William S. Weintraub and Professor Sandra Dunbar at Emory.  While at Emory, Christi developed her research interests in older patients with heart disease, and was a post-doctoral fellow in interdisciplinary research in gerontology, and was selected as a Hartford Institute Geriatric Nursing Research Fellow in 2001. 

While in the U.S. Christi was extremely active in the American Heart Association, serving nationally as Programme Chair for the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing, and a member of the Committee on Scientific Sessions and Programmes.

In 2003, Christi moved to the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work (NMSW) at the University of Manchester as senior research fellow.  She was promoted to Professor of Nursing in 2004, a joint post with the University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UHSM). 

Her research has developed out of her clinical experience and desire to improve outcomes in patients with heart disease, especially in patients who are older and/or also have diabetes. 

• 1977 AS Nursing
• 1986 BS Nursing
• 1988 Master's Degree Adult Health/Critical Care
• 1994 PhD
• Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology, and American Heart Association

• Dr. Mamas Mamas
• Professor Martin Gibson
• Dr. Martin Rutter
• Professor Ludwig Neyses
• Dr. Simon Ray
• Dr. Simon Williams
• Dr. Anne Cooper
• Professor William S. Weintraub
• Professor Sandra Dunbar
• Professor Karina Lovell
• Dr. Linda McGowan
• Dr. Chris Dickens
• Dr. Stephanie Tierney
• Professor Kevin Webb
• Dr. Andy Jones
• Dr. Rachel Rowe
• Nurse and AHP Consultants at University Hospital of South Manchester: Valerie Beaumont, Michael Connolly,  Mary Dodd, Jackie Edwards, and Tarnya Hulme