The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists

Research

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University of Warwick – Warwick Medical School – Warwick Clinical Trials – Research Post on an Insole study

This is an exciting and challenging role for an experienced researcher to support the delivery of 
a new multi-centre clinical trial funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). We 
wish to appoint a podiatrist, orthotist or physiotherapist or other related specialism with 
experience in musculoskeletal or foot and ankle research. You will join the Big Toe Inserts trial 
team in delivering a UK wide randomised controlled trial evaluating carbon fibre shoe stiffening 
inserts, compared to sham inserts, for people with osteoarthritis of the big toe joint – the first 
metatarsophalangeal joint. 

You will be responsible for assisting the Chief Investigators and the Big Toe trial team in 
delivering the trial. Supported by the trial team, core responsibilities will include 1) preparing trial 
intervention materials (practitioner and participant manuals); 2) engaging with trial sites, deliver 
Big Toe Insert Trial practitioner training, and facilitating trial implementation at each recruitment 
site; and 3) providing ongoing support to Big Toe Insert practitioners at each site to aid timely 
participant recruitment, trial delivery, follow-up, and successful trial completion. We seek 
someone with research experience to undertake qualitative interviews with participants and 
practitioners. A willingness and ability to travel to clinical and research sites is required. 


Warwick CTU has an extensive track record and portfolio of NIHR funding and has successfully 
delivered numerous multi-centre trials evaluating complex interventions in clinical populations, 
published in high impact journals. The Surgery, Pain and Rehabilitation research group is an 
active multi-disciplinary clinical academic team, conducting a number of trials and observational 
studies to advance clinical practice in musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary disease. The Big 
Toe trial is led by Chief Investigator Dr Michael Backhouse, supported by leading UK clinicians 
and academics in musculoskeletal research. 


The wider team includes clinical trials expertise, health psychology, statistics, health economics, 
qualitative researchers, a senior project manager, trial coordinator and administrators. This post 
is based mainly at Warwick CTU, a purpose designed premises at the University of Warwick’s 
Gibbet Hill campus, with offices also based at UHCW Clinical Sciences Building. Warwick CTU 
is an NIHR registered CTU with around 120 staff. You will also support the research group to 
develop and enhance its academic output and reputation.

Please note:

1.Due to the nature of this role, the successful applicant will be required to undergo 
enhanced level disclosure before commencing research with hospital sites. Clearance 
obtained via another institution or body cannot be transferred. 
2.The successful applicant will be required to undergo a Pre-Employment Medical Check 
before commencing work with the University. This will involve a medical history 
questionnaire, a Hepatitis B vaccination (if not already had) and may also require an 
appointment with a member of the University’s Occupational Health team. 
This post is intended for a physiotherapist, orthotist, or podiatrist or other related specialism
with a clinical or research background in musculoskeletal or foot and ankle rehabilitation, 
wishing to undertake research and pursue a clinical academic career. We are looking for an 
exceptional, highly motivated individual with expertise in musculoskeletal health research. 
Qualitative research and clinical trials experience is desirable but not essential. The post will be 
fully integrated within a successful and productive research group undertaking NIHR funded 
trials in surgery, pain and rehabilitation. 

More Information

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Do you have a passion for tackling healthcare inequalities?

Have you wondered about opportunities to contribute to patient welfare and outcomes by pursuing clinical research?

A fully-funded, salary-matching programme is recruiting cohorts of AHPs, nurses and midwives to pursue research projects tackling healthcare inequalities in Leicestershire.

Could this be right for you?

 

 

What you need:
– To be a clinically active AHP, nurse, midwife or GP
– To be passionate about healthcare inequalities and research
What you don’t need:
– A Masters degree
– Any formal research training
– A specific project idea
The programme includes:
– The possibility to be seconded from your post to participate
– A continuation of your salary, along with increments, pension contributions etc.
– Comprehensive fully-funded research training
– Experienced supervisor support
– Team support from your fellow cohort members
What you can expect from this programme:
– To graduate with a doctorate
– To directly impact patient well-being and contribute to knowledge on healthcare inequalities
– To boost your career opportunities in clinical research

Important information
Eligibility
For full eligibility criteria, please see here: https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/funded- opportunities/leicestershire-healthcare-inequalities-improvement-dtp.
How to apply
• In order to apply, please first have a look at the list of projects being advertised for the coming cohort. A brief description can be found on the application page, and more detail about the projects and the primary supervisors can be found here.
• For general recommendations on how to craft a competitive CV and personal statement (and also how to prepare for interview) please see our guidance here.
• Once you are ready, please click on:

 

 

 

 

 

at the bottom of this page and fill out your application.
Dates
Applications open: now
Application deadline: 31 January 2024
Programme start: 1 October 2024
Questions
If you have any questions about the programme, please email lhiip@le.ac.uk.

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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.