Academic Departments
Dr Graham Heale
Chiropractic
Place of Employment & Job Title
Self employed Chiropractor
What made you decide to come to the University of Portsmouth to study the Professional Doctorate?
The only one available in the UK that covered the chiropractic disciplines
How did you find the course?
I enjoyed every part of it, particularly the taught aspects in Part 1 which gave the programme structure. I was lucky to be supported very well by my tutor, had I not been I am not sure I could have completed it. The selection of and training of tutors to my mind is critical. I hadn’t realised the pivotal role they play in the final part of the project.
What was your project title?
CPD and Practice Change: the Chiropractors’ Perspective
How do you think this course has helped you to develop your career in your profession?
It has helped me become more involved in the international chiropractic community by putting me in a position where I can be involved in lecture programmes. It has enhanced my status and contributed to my involvement with European accrediting agencies and research symposia.
Dr Hugh Hurst
Chiropractic
Place of Employment & Job Title
Clifton Chiropractic Clinic, Bristol
What made you decide to come to the University of Portsmouth to study the Professional Doctorate?
There is a need for a stronger evidence base to underpin the practice of Chiropractic. Having just finished a post-graduate MSc in Clinical Chiropractic it seemed the natural progression to enrol on the DChiro programme at the University of Portsmouth.
How did you find the course?
The taught component was of a very high standard and most helpful in preparing the student for practice-based research. Some of the momentum was lost once the taught component was finshed and students no longer visited the University on a regular basis. Course Leader, Professor Graham Mills excellent at keeping in touch and making sure student were on track to complete the course. Professionally-based University supervision on the DChiro pathway lacking as there is not a great deal of expertise in Chiropractic at the institution, but they sourced an excellent external supervisor to help me in my practice-based research project and this was completed successfully.
What was your project title?
Outcomes of back and neck pain patients undergoing chiropractic treatment and can these be predicted?
How do you think this course has helped you to develop your career in your profession?
In my own practice I am able to give patients a much more accurate prediction of likely treatment outcome to avoid patient expectations not being met. I have had one or two papers published in the peer-reviewed literature and have been disseminating the knowledge gained doing the DChiro to enable my peers to meet patient expectations.