Professional courses
Dr. Aderemi Adelugba
Biomedical Science (DBMS)
Place of Employment & Job Title
Senior Biomedical Scientist, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, York
What made you decide to come to the University of Portsmouth to study the Professional Doctorate?
It has been my ambition to pursue the biomedical science profession to the highest possible qualification level. Even before I was accepted to study on the professional doctorate, I had offers from two universities to study for a full time PhD by research in completely different aspects of science. As the two offers were based on full-time study, I thought this would impact on my family and also my ability to continue to work. Therefore, I declined them. But because my goal was to focus on the biomedical science area, I became aware of the opportunity to study DBMS on a part-time basis through the reading of the Biomedical Scientist Gazette, and I was glad when I got accepted on the course following my discussion with Professor Graham Mills, Programme Manager.
How did you find the course?
It was a logical choice as I completed my Masters degree in Biomedical Science, and I had the zeal to undertake the PhD programme. I received a strong recommendation from a senior colleague who had completed his DBMS from the University of Portsmouth, and he encouraged me to undertake the course.
What was your project title?
The assessment of reticulocyte and erythrocyte haemoglobin contents, and their use in the evaluation of iron status in hospitalised patients
How do you think this course has helped you to develop your career in your profession?
I enjoyed the Part 1 of the programme immensely. The taught modules helped develop my skills in research methodology and design. I had opportunity to learn about things that I have never heard about. I undertook my Part 2 research at the St James’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, where I was based. I was very fortunate in having an excellent supervisor who assisted me in the design of the research. I learnt the complexity involved in conducting research work at doctoral level. Overall, the understanding gained at studying for the DBMS will enhance my employability to a more senior position if I choose to move away from my current role and into new areas of practise.
Dr. John Harvey
Biomedical Science (DBMS)
Place of Employment & Job Title
Deputy Head of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Department, NHS Blood and Transplant, Filton, Bristol
What made you decide to come to the University of Portsmouth to study the Professional Doctorate?
The NHS agenda for change identified my post as requiring a doctorate as professional qualification. Discussions with a colleague who was a previous DBMS graduate led to my investigating this route to doctoral studies. I liked what I saw and heard concerning the course.
How did you find the course?
I found the course structure suited my professional commitments. Part 1 of the course equipped me with the analytical tools required to complete the part 2 research based component. In many ways this period in my career has been very satisfying. The research and professional development gained, has given me increased confidence when interacting with health care professionals at all levels. I found the support and advice from my course director and university tutor of great value as they prevented me from over extending the work required to complete the course.
What was your project title?
The contribution of molecular testing for histocompatibility in improving haematopoietic stem cell transplant outcomes.
How do you think this course has helped you to develop your career in your profession?
I have significantly increased my interaction with medical consultants over research projects. With this, my professional profile is also raised within my peer group.
Dr Barbara Lloyd
Biomedical Science (DBMS)
Place of Employment and Job Title
Pathology Quality and Governance Manager
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
What made you decide to come to the University of Portsmouth to study the Professional Doctorate?
I heard about the course from Professor David Rogers at the University who encouraged me to apply for a place. Very few universities were offering the Professional Doctorate course at the time I was considering applying.
How did you find the course?
I enjoyed the taught elements of the course and the interaction with students from other health and social care backgrounds. The module on advanced research techniques was especially demanding as I had never come across the subject matter before, working for most of my career in a diagnostic NHS laboratory. I could not have completed the project proposal without the support of the course leader, Professor Graham Mills, and my supervisor, Professor Dave Rogers, as I found this aspect especially demanding. The project work itself was very enjoyable but writing it up took a lot of application and self discipline while working full-time.
What was your project title?
Introducing Professional Change in Histopathology
How do you think this course has helped you to develop your career in your profession?
I think I became a different kind of person whilst doing the course, no longer suited to the demands of operational management but better at working on strategic developments where there is more time to reflect on the impact of change on both patients and staff. A new role was created for me within my organisation which makes better use of my experience and interests which, although the same grade as my previous position of Histopathology Manager, carries less ?hands-on? day-to-day responsibility for the service, meanwhile enabling me to continue working on improving systems and processes across pathology to satisfy the demands of accreditation and regulation in the different areas. I am still available to advise my successors on various issues, such as the Human Tissue Act, but find the role less stressful but equally interesting! An ideal outcome since I am coming up to retirement (3-5 years)!
Dr Gary Moore
Biomedical Science (DBMS)
Employment
Consultant Biomedical Scientist, Centre for Haemostasis & Thrombosis, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation, Trust, London
What made you decide to come to the University of Portsmouth to study the Professional Doctorate?
I was studying for a traditional PhD at another university and was about to transfer from the MPhil when I became aware that the University of Portsmouth were recruiting for their first intake of Professional Doctorate students. Whereas a PhD is (usually) purely research focused, the research required for a PD must have a focus, and potential impact, on professional practice. This additional dimension proved more appealing to me.
How did you find the course for Part 1?
Knowledge and skills acquired during the taught component were invaluable whilst preparing my doctoral thesis. Critical evaluation of papers used as references was enhanced through the advanced research techniques unit, facilitating more informed choices of which references to use. My research itself resulted in the publication of three papers in the journal Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis.
Although the first paper had been published prior to the publication and dissemination unit, and the second was in draft format, useful further experience of the process was gained. In particular, it was informative to enter the intellectual debate engendered by the peer review process, gaining insight into how this part of the process is undertaken and presented. A notable improvement in research paper writing skills was evident in the preparation of the final paper, which required fewer drafts before submission.
Reflective practice was covered at the beginning of the course and was valuable to the generation of the final two chapters of the thesis. The research was scientifically based and the tools and theories gained, such as the type of language to use, were useful to discussion and evaluation of the impact of the research on professional issues. The ability to undertake evaluation of research findings in a wider, professional context is crucial to the generation of a professional doctorate thesis, which sets it apart from the traditional PhD thesis.
How did you find the course for Part 2?
Unlike my fellow students, much of my research was done prior to starting Part 1 as a result of two years MPhil work and I completed the rest concurrently with Part 1. This meant I began my thesis write-up immediately after finishing Part 1 and was the first student to complete the course.
Nonetheless, I had undertaken research that was professionally relevant, and my supervisor provided first-class guidance on the thesis write-up. Crucial to my ability to undertake the research outside standard boundaries was my previous learning about the subject. It was rewarding to achieve this and recognise that I am capable of original thought within my area of science and to progress to publishing papers as first author.
The experience of publishing research findings was invaluable, in particular, learning to be concise and entering into intellectual debate by responding to the expert referees. I built on this experience with the two subsequent publications and have gained skills that I will use and develop for the rest of my career.
What was your project title?
Optimisation of the diagnostic potential of coagulation assays for the laboratory diagnosis of lupus anticoagulants
How do you think this course has helped you develop your career in your profession?
Biomedical scientists largely operate within a necessarily highly standardised remit applying recognised scientific practices and techniques to the diagnostic process. I have achieved something that few others in the profession have done; that is to invent and standardise a new and novel test. The research is of potential clinical importance and has already had a direct impact on local professional practice and patient care.
The novel assay and modifications of existing assays are now integral to the diagnostic repertoire of the UK's largest specialist centre for the diagnosis and treatment of haemostatic disease in which I work, resulting in some patients now receiving positive diagnoses that would have been missed prior to my research. We also receive requests from external laboratories when their conventional repertoires are unable to detect lupus anticoagulants. Other laboratories from the UK and abroad have also taken on board some of the findings.
In a wider professional context, it has facilitated my recognition as an independent researcher in my field. It has also extended the research interests of our department, which had previously concentrated on research into bleeding disorders.
From a personal perspective, my resulting professional development has been considerable. The research was conceived, performed and evaluated almost entirely by myself, with the majority of support and advice received during the write-up and publication stages.
Following the successful publication of the research, I took an advanced role with a greater emphasis on science, research and development and teaching activities. I have since published a number of refereed articles as first author. This is now integral to my role in the department and has led to regular requests to act as a reviewer/referee for a number of international medical journals in my field.
I progressed from Chief Biomedical Scientist, through Principal Biomedical Scientist to Consultant Biomedical Scientist, which has been both challenging and rewarding.
Overall, I found the DBMS a rewarding and fascinating experience that has allowed me to develop new skills, knowledge and experiences and I am far more content in the workplace as a result.
Dr Geoff Poole
Biomedical Science (DBMS)
Place of Employment and Job Title
Director, Welsh Blood Service, Llantrisant, South Wales
What made you decide to come to the University of Portsmouth to study the Professional Doctorate?
Some years ago I had begun a PhD degree, but at that time there were too many conflicting demands with my role as Senior Scientist in an NHS reference laboratory, and I reluctantly discontinued my studies. Then I became aware of the Professional Doctorate in Biomedical Science course at Portsmouth. I realised that the two-part design of the course was much more likely to be compatible with my job, even given the additional management responsibilities that I had acquired. Furthermore, I felt that the professional element in both parts of the course would be of immediate interest and of practical value in the long term.
How did you find the course?
I enjoyed the course from the very first day of my Part 1 studies. With my scientist background, I found some of the reflective work hard going, but ultimately rewarding and useful. The coursework on qualitative and quantitative research was particularly valuable, and I learned a great deal about research methodology. I was able to miss out on the publication and dissemination module through the APEL scheme, as I already had sufficient publications that I could use to gain the necessary credits.
I undertook my Part 2 research in the research laboratories in the National Blood Service building in Bristol, where I was based. I was very fortunate in having a superb supervisor at my workplace, and I also received excellent advice from Portsmouth University staff too. With their guidance and encouragement, I was able to complete my studies, and submit my thesis, within the time-frame that I had set myself at the outset.
What was your project title?
‘The production of soluble proteins having blood group activity, and their use in quantifying red cell antibodies in pregnant women’.
How do you think this course has helped you to develop your career in your profession?
I was appointed to my current post as Director of the Welsh Blood Service during the final stages of my thesis write-up. I think that the appointing panel were looking for an expert in the field of blood transfusion, and that my professional achievements would have been significant factors for them in their choice. In this new post, I feel equally confident in discussions with consultant haematologists, senior scientists and senior managers; hopefully, I have earned their respect.
Dr Carmel Sheppard
Biomedical Science (DBMS)
Place of Employment & Job Title
Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust / University of Southampton. Consultant Nurse - Breast Cancer
What made you decide to come to the University of Portsmouth to study the Professional Doctorate?
At the time of applying to join the professional doctorate I had been working as a clinical nurse specialist. The role of consultant nurse which would be the next in my career required the attainment of a doctorate. Portsmouth was one of the first universities to offer a Clinical Doctorate and rather than a PhD. I wanted support and development in both research skills, but also in professional development and the doctorate at Portsmouth offered both.
How did you find the course?
Part 1 was extremely valuable. It helped both refine my research questioning as well as giving me the opportunity to develop a professional portfolio during part 1 of the course.
During Part 2 of the course the academic staff were wonderful in the support and confidence they gave me leading to the successful completion of a randomised controlled trial exploring point of need access for patients with breast cancer two years following diagnosis.
What was your project title?
A randomised controlled trial examining point of need access versus routine clinical review for patients following the diagnosis of breast cancer
How do you think this course has helped you to develop your career in your profession?
This ultimately led me to be successfully appointed as Consultant Nurse, and as a result of the support I received during this programme I have been able to present the findings of my research at national and international level and am in the process of seeking publication. The course has certainly given me credibility in being a good researcher and has since opened other doors to further research.