Academic Departments

Dr  Sue Barnard         

Title: Dr

Qualifications: Grad Dip Physiotherapy. MSc (Rehabilitation Studies). PhD (Title: Exploring the older patient/physiotherapy clinician relationship)

Department:  School of Health Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen  (I have an honorary contract with Portsmouth University too!)

Address: Garthdee Campus, Aberdeen AB10 7QG

Email: s.barnard@rgu.ac.uk

What is your role on the Professional Doctorate?  

I teach on the Publication and Dissemination module and have supervised prof doc students in the past.

What is your background?

Physiotherapist by professions.  Lecturer in Physiotherapy at Southampton University from 1995 -2004.  Currently senior lecturer and research co-ordinator for the School of Health Sciences, RGU Aberdeen.  Lots of experience supervising Masters’ projects and some doctoral ones.  I am also the North of Scotland hub leader for the AHP Research network.

What are your research interests?

Inter-professional education, service user health and social care experiences especially in remote and rural compared to inner city environments.  Qualitative research especially grounded theory approach.

How many times have you supervised as:-

Publications (up to three)

Phillips DR, Barnard S, Mullee MM, Hurley MV (2008) Simple anatomical information improves the accuracy of locating specific spinous processes during manual examination of the low back  Manual Therapy   doi:10.1016/j.math.2008.02.009 

Barnard S (2007) Biographical Disruption in long term chronic illness: urban and remote rural experiences.  Research Report.  NHS Orkney and School of Health Sciences, The Robert Gordon University

Barnard S, Wiles R (2001) Evidence Based Physiotherapy: physiotherapists’ attitudes and experiences in the Wessex area.  Physiotherapy vol 87, no 3 115-12

Current Projects:

• Evaluating inter-professional education and its impact
• The role of critical thinking in new graduate occupational therapy practice (PhD supervision)

Past Projects: (selection)

• Biographical disruption in long term chronic illness: an exploration of experiences of people with MS living in remote and rural Orkney communities and inner city Portsmouth
• Accuracy of spinal palpation using two different examination techniques
• Physiotherapists understanding of and engagement with evidence based practice.
• Family Group Conferences:  an evaluation of a new project in Hampshire
• The energy cost of wheelchair propulsion

Define best research/education experience:

Being asked to help with a calving whilst in the middle of a research interview on a remote Scottish island!  And being awarded a highly competitive research training fellowship to undertake my PhD full time.

Favourite relevant quote:

Take a risk.  But do dangerous things carefully!