- Overview
- Research Interests
- Research Publications
- Teaching & Learning
- Activities & Awards
Alison is a Chartered Physiotherapist, specialised in Oncology and Haematology with a wide range of clinical experience including neuromusculoskeletal, respiratory and neurology physiotherapy.
Prior to her degree in Physiotherapy Alison completed higher education training in Health Science and Physiology in Carlow Institute of Technology, Ireland. After completing her BSc (Hons) degree in Physiotherapy, Alison has worked clinically for the NHS within two of the largest teaching hospitals in London: Guys and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation trust and St Georges Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
From working in a wide range of hospital outpatient and inpatient departments her main area of focus has been Oncology and Haematology and improving the quality of life of those diagnosed with cancer through research and clinical practice. In 2016 Alison entered a competitive research process and was awarded a fully funded masters studentship in Clinical Research by the Health Education England (HEE) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). Alison completed her Masters in Clinical Research at St Georges University of London in 2017. Alison then trained and worked as a Disability Analysist and Functional Assessor assessing and reviewing clients with complex medical conditions on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions, before moving to Scotland and entering into academia full time at Queen Margaret University.
Alison has been involved in the development, design and implementation of clinical projects, service evaluations and various clinical audits within the NHS across a wide range of departments. As a lecturer in physiotherapy she is also involved in various student projects in the form of systematic reviews, primary data collection studies and secondary analysis of data predominately relating to patients with oncology and hematological conditions.
Other research interests also include:
- The use of wearable sensors and mobile health technology in Oncology and the improvement of adherence to exercise programs and its associated effect on quality of life and self-efficacy.
- Prehabilitation across cancer support as part of the broader rehabilitation pathway in cancer care.
- The use of exercise testing in preoperative assessment and perioperative management including prehabilitation in patients with cancer.
- Inequalities in cancer treatment and survival.
- Person Centered Care.
Active research interests:
- Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy and Surgical Prehabilitation in patients with cancer.
Research Methods:
- Quantitative Study Designs
- Qualitative Methods
- Mixed Methods
- Systematic Reviews
- Audit and Service evaluation studies
Alison is currently the module coordinator for a level three module on the BSc Physiotherapy Programme titled “Advancement of Clinical Management”. Alison also teaches a range of subjects across the BSc and MSc Physiotherapy programme. Other main areas of teaching include Neuromusculoskeletal, Advancement of Clinical Management, Research Methods, Supporting Health & Well Being and Contextualizing Physiotherapy.
In 2016 Alison was awarded a fully funded Masters yearlong studentship training scholarship in Clinical Research by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and Health Education England (HEE).
Alison is also an active member of the following organisations:
2006 to date. Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
2009 to date. Member of the Health and Care Professions Council.
2012 to date. Member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Oncology and Palliative Care.
