The British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics

Research

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Calling all members! AHP Workforce Consultation Survey

An important consultation is taking place, and this is your opportunity to ensure that what matters to you is prioritised for research.

The AHP Workforce Research Partnership (AHP WRaP) is consulting with those working in frontline services delivered by Allied Health Professions, or in AHP management, leadership, academic, or policy roles to find out what questions about the AHP workforce need answering by research.

If you would like to learn more and/or take part in the survey, please click this link: 

https://research.shu.ac.uk/ahpwrap/ahp-psp/ahp-workforce-survey/

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Gait Evaluation in UK Prosthetics & Orthotics Survey

Survey Flyer for Gait Evaluation in UK Prothetics & OrthoticsDownload

We would like to invite you to take part in a short anonymous online survey exploring how registered prosthetists and orthotists working in UK clinical practice use gait assessment/evaluation. It is part of an important research project designed to build a clearer picture of current practice, challenges, and opportunities in gait assessment across the profession.

 

We are particularly interested in understanding:

  • The actual and desired use of different methods of gait assessment
  • The challenges and enablers influencing gait assessment use
  • The perceived benefits of gait assessment in clinical practice

 

Your contribution will help establish a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of how gait assessment is applied in UK clinical prosthetics and orthotics. Your input is vital to ensuring this research reflects the breadth of experiences within the profession.

 

A pilot with clinicians suggests the survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.

 

Please see the attached participant information sheet for further details. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch (J.Reay@salford.ac.uk). 

 

Click on this link to access the survey:

https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/salford/final-draft-gait-evaluation-in-uk-prosthetics-and-orthotics-dup

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Programme Grants for Applied Research – NOW OPEN

The PGfAR funding opportunity opens for applications on 7th October 2025. This is a ring-fenced call for programmes of applied health research designed to respond to NIHR PGfAR brief – ‘Research inspired by under-represented disciplines and specialisms to drive transformational changes for patients and the public’. 

Opening date: 7 October 2025 at 1:00 pm

Closing date: 2 December 2025 at 1:00 pm

For more information on this exciting opportunity for AHPs, please visit the website at: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/programme-grants-applied-research-october-2025/2025350-2025351-2025352

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Calling All AHP Practice Placement Professionals!

Have you been involved in AHP placement delivery within the past 5 years? The Health Sciences University need your insights!

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan aims to increase AHP training places by 25%, reaching over 18,800 by 2031/32. However, the challenge of providing enough clinical placements is well-known and has significant implications for the future pipeline of AHPs.

To address this, the Health Sciences University has been commissioned by NHS England to conduct a research study on the development and delivery of practice placements. This study aims to support the expansion of placements and drive a positive return on investment for providers by recommending innovative solutions to overcome barriers.

Your participation in this brief survey will help to gather valuable data on the Enablers and Barriers to practice placements.

Please complete and share the survey: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/aeccuc/removing-barriers-to-placements-hsu

For any queries, please contact Dr. Michelle Holmes at mholmes@aecc.ac.uk

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Call for Responses: A questionnaire looking at the perceived quality of referrals received by orthotics services

A referral acts as a snapshot of a patient’s experience and is written with the intention of continuing their care in an appropriate setting. However, the quality of information provided can vary based on factors such as the referring clinician, the format it is submitted in, and the language used. Often these factors are outside of the patient’s control. If a patient can then be rejected from care based not on their clinical presentation, but on the quality of a referral, it introduces an inequality to our clinical process. For this reason, we ask you to answer a short questionnaire to help us better understand any common trends in the quality of referrals sent to orthotics services in the UK.
We would love to hear from you if you are:
▪ An Orthotist
▪ Working in the UK
▪ Happy to share your experiences with clinical referrals

To respond, please either scan the QR Code: Or follow this link: https://forms.office.com/e/k5PFtgZ3YB

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A poster presentation guide

BAPO are delighted to launch ‘a poster presentation guide’ as a resource for our members to encourage and empower engagement with research. BAPO are committed to supporting all sectors of the P&O workforce to engage with research, including prosthetists, orthotists, technicians, support workers, students, and apprentices.

Click here to access a poster presentation guide in resources: https://my.bapo.com/public/report.aspx?memberqueryid=685E3D60-1639-4D77-9F66-F931F5C80B39&nodeid=B8491F55-7765-412B-B9D4-A29656132500

To access the guide:

  1. Log in to your BAPO account.
  2. Select “resources” from the top menu
  3. Select “Posters” from the left side menu
  4. Select the document you would like to download

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The Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework provides Master’s level qualifications.

LOTS OF BURSARIES ARE STILL AVAILABLE

Apply now to take master’s level courses aligned with the Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework. The qualifications are for all experienced healthcare practitioners who want to take on leadership roles in clinical research delivery. Bursaries are available to pay the course fees for regulated Health and Care Professionals, except doctors and dentists. The deadline for bursary applications is 1 August 2024. For further information, please visit the NIHR website.

 

The bursaries are part of a wider HCP funding program which has ten streams of work to develop careers within specific professions. Consequently, the bursaries are not available for some professions including doctors, dentists and clinical research practitioners. We recognise the impact this has on many colleagues who have a desire to undertake these courses and we are continuing to work with the Department of Health and Social Care in trying to address this. This restriction applies only to bursary and not course applications; all professions are eligible to apply for a place on one of the courses.

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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