MRes BPhyst MCSP Senior Physiotherapist
Success Story
My career aspiration has always been to become an advanced clinical specialist within my musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy role and a leader within my field of practice. In my Band 7 Senior MSK Physiotherapy role I have gained extensive experience to become a specialist and have developed my clinical expertise in this area to continuously ensure I provide evidence-based, effective and efficient practice.
In 2011 I felt that I could do more to contribute to improving the outcomes of healthcare: to deliver care that is safer, more effective, and providing a better experience for patients, through developing and advancing my knowledge and skills in research while simultaneously continuing to develop my clinical skills. I felt that I was advanced in clinical practice but a novice in research and aspired to bridge the gap between academia and clinical practice by embarking on a clinical academic career pathway. I applied for the NIHR Masters of Research (MRes) in Clinical Research Studentship which I was successful in obtaining in September 2011. Since completing my two-year part-time MRes at the University of Southampton December 2013, I was awarded further funding for internships to continue my pilot work through the Solent NHS Trust Research Capability Funding, Health Education Wessex: Clinical Academic Training Programme (CATP) Internship and Solent NHS trust Clinical Academic Careers Funding.
The internships provided a great opportunity to continue developing my research and clinical skills, which has enabled me to demonstrate the ability to work productively within a team. This continued support enhanced future research capacity and capability within my clinical practice, to ensure evidence-based practice, networking between academia and clinical practice. The continuity afforded by this interim support enabled me to have a strong application for the NIHR Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship, which I was successful in obtaining and began my PhD in March 2015 at Southampton. The Fellowship will give me the opportunity to further develop my career post-PhD, giving me the scope to deliver research in a clinical setting, while developing my clinical research leadership skills.