Primary Care & Health Sciences

I am a Health Services Researcher and Social Scientist by background. I first came to Keele as a Research Assistant in 1991 following an undergraduate degree in Social Policy and Administration (Brighton).  After working on a Regional Health Authority project investigating Resource Management in Mental Health Services, I completed an M.Phil (Health Policy) in 1995 using qualitative methods to understand the Internal Market in Mental Health Services. I started working in the field of musculoskeletal health in 1997. For my PhD. I developed, tested and applied a population screening instrument for identifying knee pain and disability in older adults.

I have an interest in Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in health research and lead PPI programme for the Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre (link to PPI section).  I also lead the PPI programme for the West Midlands regional Research Design Service (RDS Link).

My research interests are in the field of osteoarthritis (OA) and joint pain in older adults. I am particularly interested in public health research and have undertaken both quantitative and qualitative studies to investigate the burden and impact of OA in the community. Recent studies have investigated experiences of knee pain and health care use, perceptions of prevention of joint pain, and understanding self management for knee pain in older adults. I am also involved in a study to develop and implement a model osteoarthritis consultation in primary care. Studies of PPI in primary care research include an exploration of Public Priorities for Joint Pain research and an evaluation of PPI at the AR UK Primary Care Centre. I also supervise clinicians and non clinical researchers (PhD, MPhil).

Recent research grants include:

• NIHR: Research for Patient Benefit Grant: Self Care for Knee Pain and Disability (£127,000) (co-applicant).

• Arthritis Research UK: Arthritis Research Campaign Primary Care Musculoskeletal Research Centre (£2,499,968) (co-applicant).

• NIHR: National School for Primary Care Research. Public priorities for joint pain research in Primary Care (£65,296) (lead applicant).

Course leader and module design. Research Practice in Health Care. Masters in Medical Science, Keele University.

Research Methods Module, Masters in Medical Science, Keele University.

• I am a member of the Society for Social Medicine and European Public Health Association.

• I am a member of the Scientific Panel for the Chartered Society for Physiotherapy’s Research Foundation and a member of EUPHA’s scientific panel.

• I am a member of a national Involvement Forum for RDS PPI leads which is facilitated by INVOLVE.

• I am an Associate Editor for BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.