The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists

Research

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The BAPO and Staffordshire University Research Hub Application

Research project:

The focus of this project will be on exploring and testing the rigidity of AFOs and how prescription design impacts rigidity. The research team consists of Prof. Nachi Chockalingam, Dr Nicky Eddison and Panagiotis Chatzistergos.

Benefits:

The P&O professionals who join the team to work on the project will gain experience of how a real research project works. They will work alongside the team learning how to carry out a literature search, design and execute a research project, collect and analyse data and write a paper for peer-reviewed publication and/or Health Education England report. The individual will be duly recognised within any future publications or reports either as a co-author or acknowledged as a contributor depending on the contributions they make to the overall project.

The process:

Once the applications have been received from BAPO members, the research team will choose two applicants and brief them on the detail of the project. The successful applicants will then be invited to all the research meetings and be included as a full member of the team for the duration of the project.

Who can apply:

Applications are open to all UK Prosthetists and Orthotists who are BAPO members; experience in research, years of practice and current job role are not relevant to the application process. The aim is to give everyone the opportunity to be part of research. Please note: the research hub is only for qualified P&O staff, students are not permitted to apply.

Is there a cost?

There is no cost to the applicant, this is a free-of-charge initiative with the aim of inspiring P&O professionals into research.
 
Complete the application form here
  
Please note deadline for applications – November 30th 2023

Testimonials

“Being part of the ‘Research Hub’ was a great experience, and I’m hugely grateful for the opportunity. I learned so much about the research process starting from literature searches right through to the submission of articles for publication. Huge thanks to Nicky and the team for their work with this initiative, can’t wait to see the finished article in print!”  Nina Darke Orthotist

 

“I think the Research Hub itself is a fantastic initiative which will benefit our community I hope over time it can transform how our profession views and engages with research, and hopefully how other AHPs engage with us! “  Gwen Griffith, Prosthetist

 

“Being part of the research hub, allowed for this interest [in research] to become reality, whilst also acting as a safe space to really navigate and learn the world of research. This opportunity has been exceptional, as it’s acted as a gateway into research, and I would encourage all to take the leap should they be interested” Millar Leask, Orthotist 
 

“I feel very lucky to have been chosen to represent our profession in the workforce project. Having never participated in any formal research previously, this was quite a challenging prospect. I wondered what I’d let myself in for, and questioned when I was going to fit in the additional work. However, the team have been incredibly welcoming and encouraging. I’ve never been given any task that was out of my ability, and it’s been an insightful process to see how much work goes into putting such a piece of work together. At each stage, the team have been really supportive and understanding of clinical workload.  If asked would I do it again…yes!” Caroline Jackson, Orthotist

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CAHPO Awards

The Chief Allied Health Professions Officer awards are a unique opportunity for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), either nominated by their peers or by themselves, to receive recognition for their personal contributions towards delivery of exceptional care for patients.

For More information or nomination criteria see NHS Englands website

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CAHPR Distribution Lists – North West

Did you know that your BAPO membership also gives you access to the Council of Allied Health Professions Research or CAHPR. They have networks of research active AHPs across the country.
 
They offer support and have great guides for starting to develop your skills in research at all levels from developing and interest to building a clinical academic career.
 
Currently the North West Hubs are building their mailing lists. If you live or work in the areas below you can follow the link to share your details and find out about events and support in your region

Cheshire & Merseyside: https://forms.office.com/r/NvL2XXKsT7

Cumbria & Lancashire: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ShareFormPage.aspx?id=gpn262sDxEyyAnrrGUxQZc3JHJk1lWJGkf9L0BdR1uZUQ1BSREdTM0tGSTBXVVZJNjIyVjJPMFkwVC4u&sharetoken=BLAvS7eHHxE1Ifw1gfio

Greater Manchester : https://forms.office.com/r/gJcEZrUnRB

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UK Assistive Products List

BAPO are a stakeholder partner for a new survey launched by the British Assistive Technology Association in collaboration with the WHO-GATE programme. The UK Assistive Products List survey follows on from the original global survey developed by GATE, to which you may have been asked to contribute.

 

Using the original Assistive Products List as a starting template, we are looking to establish a Priority Assistive Products List specific to the UK. We are therefore asking all BAPO members to respond to the simple survey below to highlight which assistive products you feel are of greatest importance to you and your patients.

 

We would really value your input in this collaborative project and welcome your expertise in what we hope will help improve access to quality assistive products and services in the UK.

 

The UK APL survey can be found here: https://bit.ly/UKAPL

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CAHPR Research Practitioner Framework

CAHPR has recently published a framework of research practitioner competencies to support practitioners, managers, educators and leaders to review and plan practitioner roles, activity and support systems within a range of practice settings.

The framework describes the knowledge and skills required of allied health professionals (AHPs) working in research from basic competency to advanced and research leadership levels.

The generation and application of research should be embedded in health and social care practice in order to improve services, promote health, wellbeing and safety of service users, and to optimise the effective use of resources. This new resource offers a practical framework to support making research ‘core business’ to practice whilst also forging pathways and career progression for AHPs to become leaders in the field of applied health research.

The framework is available on the CAHPR website at: https://bit.ly/2sp2X4Z.

 

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CAHPR Bursary Scheme

The CAHPR conference bursary scheme for 2019 is now open to support students and early career researchers throughout the UK in presenting their research at conferences. The scheme will provide funding to attend conferences using the model set up by the London hub last year, but is open UK-wide.

The bursary scheme is competitive and is primarily aimed at supporting student and early career researchers, who have abstracts accepted for poster or platform presentations at conferences.

AHP applicants may request £500 to support attendance at an international conference or £250 for a national conference. Awards will be made on a competitive basis and will be reviewed by volunteers from the hubs.

Deadline 14 August 2019. Further details via the link below. Please do circulate to your contacts.

Information is available on the CAHPR website at: https://cahpr.csp.org.uk/content/cahpr-conference-bursary-2019

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Doctoral School Opportunities

Up to 10 fully funded, four-year PhD studentships are available in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Prosthetics and Orthotics, commencing in October 2019. The CDT in Prosthetics and Orthotics will build a world leading engineering and physical science workforce to help ensure that “no one is left behind”.

The CDT provides training that supports exciting careers in a global healthcare industry that meets the needs of diverse user groups and stakeholders. The CDT combines expertise from the University of Salford, Imperial College London, University of Strathclyde and the University of Southampton, with more than 25 industry partners and national facilities. Our industry partners estimate a demand for our graduates is measured in the hundreds.

Key elements of the EPSRC CDT in Prosthetics & Orthotics include:

•             Ambitious PhD projects that blend high quality training with practical experiences that enhance employability.

•             Training in research skills relevant to prosthetics, orthotics and the wider healthcare technology industry.

•             Integrated training in engineering, physical, medical and clinical sciences, as well as business, entrepreneurial and other professional skills.

•             Opportunities to work on research projects directly with industry and users, and understand the journey from user need to product or service implementation. Interested? For more information of this exciting opportunity please visit https://www.salford.ac.uk/research/doctoral-training-in-prosthetics-and-orthotic/home or email CDT@Salford.ac.uk. Applications close at 4pm 20th May 2019.

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CAPHR / Research

CAPHR helps promote research at all levels and is currently advertising two schemes which may be useful for new professors or post-doctoral researchers.

Academy of Medical Science Professorship Scheme.
The Academy of Medical Sciences is delighted to announce the inaugural call for applications to its Professorship Scheme. Working in partnership with UK Higher Education Institutions, we will be providing an attractive package of support to biomedical and healthcare researchers taking up their first full Professorship. Deadline 17 May 2019.

https://acmedsci.ac.uk/grants-and-schemes/grant-schemes/academy-of-medical-sciences-professorship-scheme

NIHR Advanced Fellowship
The Advanced Fellowship is for those at a post-doctoral level and aimed at several specific points of a researcher’s career development. The fellowship is between 2 and 5 years and can be completed on full-time or part-time basis. Between 50% and 100% whole time equivalent (WTE).
Advanced Fellowships will be available with a ‘clinical academic’ option whereby clinical applicants will have the option to request up to 40% of their time be dedicated to clinical service/development which would be covered by the Fellowship. Deadline 4 June 2019.

https://www.nihr.ac.uk/our-research-community/NIHR-academy/nihr-training-programmes/fellowship-programme/nihr-advanced-fellowship.htm

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A Universe of Opportunities for AHPs

A brand new online careers resource has just been launched by Health Education England. It aims to raise awareness of the many opportunities for progression that are available to allied health professionals, including Prosthetists and Orthotists

A Universe of Opportunities for Your AHP Career is available on the e-Learning for Healthcare website and focuses on the range of development opportunities open to AHPs, covering eight potential areas for career progression. Clinical, management/leadership, research, education, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, public health and fellowships. For each of the eight areas, the resource includes an overview of the opportunities with useful resources and links, alongside a series of talking heads from across the AHP professions.

Many AHPs including Prosthetists/Orthotists taking all sorts of different careers paths appear in video and share what they have achieved and the barriers they have overcome

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CAHPR Public Health Research Awards

CAHPR Public Health Research Awards 2019 – now open

2019 will be the fifth year CAHPR has run the awards. We are delighted to welcome involvement this year from AHPs4PH. In 2019, systematic reviews will be eligible for entry for the first time.

Three prizes will be awarded. Winners each receive the opportunity to showcase their poster at the Public Health England conference in September 2019 and £500 towards associated expenses.
The deadline for awards is 29 April 2019.

For further information and to apply, visit the Public Health Research Awards page for details. Information and guidance on how to enter is on the CAHPR website at: https://cahpr.csp.org.uk/content/cahpr-public-health-research-awards. The deadline for entries is 29 April 2019.