Sam Hider

Biography

I came to Keele in 2007 as an NIHR Walport Clinical Lecturer in Rheumatology. Following undergraduate medical training in Nottingham (1996) I undertook clinical postgraduate training in Manchester with an MSc Clinical Rheumatology (awarded with distinction, 2003) and a Ph.D. (2007) examining clinical and genetic predictors of response to methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis. I was appointed as a consultant rheumatologist and clinical lecturer in 2009 (promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2012, Reader in 2017 and Professor in 2021) and am a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.

Research and scholarship

I am passionate about engaging others with research and as Director of the Keele Doctoral Academy lead our postgraduate researcher community, which aims to enhance the experience of postgraduate researchers providing resources, training, and support to doctoral students and supervisors to facilitate their research journey.

My own research focuses on the optimal diagnosis and management of common inflammatory rheumatological conditions especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA), polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and gout. I am interested in the long-term impacts of chronic inflammatory conditions, especially the overlap between physical and mental health and management of multimorbidity. I undertake research in partnership with patients and clinicians especially at Midlands Partnership University Foundation Trust where I do clinical sessions.

I enjoy supervising postgraduate students and have supervised 4 PhDs (plus one ongoing) and 4 MPhils to completion. I was also involved in establishing the Keele ASPIRE (formerly INSPIRE) medical research programme (which was established with support from North Staffordshire Medical Institute, Academy of Medical Sciences & Wellcome Trust) which aims to engage medical undergraduates with research.

Teaching

I regularly teach medical undergraduates in clinics, seminars and special study modules and has been involved in interprofessional education in rheumatology. I am an educational supervisor for Rheumatology Specialist Trainees and a personal development tutor for undergraduates.

Clinically I work 2 days a week at the Haywood Hospital, Midlands Partnership Trust undertaking general rheumatology, early arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis new and follow up clinics. I also lead our rheumatology ultrasound service and am a consultant medical appraiser. 

Further information

• Currently serves on Haywood Foundation committee and is a member of the West Midlands Rheumatology Speciality Training Committee.
• Previously served on Royal College of Physicians Research and Academic Medicine Committee (2019-1025) and Versus Arthritis Research Expert committee (2022-2025).