Physio Rachel Young says the Sheffield-based healthy ageing project is 'an exciting opportunity'
In an exclusive PhysioUpdate Q&A, neurological physiotherapist Rachel Young tells Ian A McMillan about her career highlights. Rachel, who knew physiotherapy was her vocation in her mid-teens, 'loves mixing theory and practice' and, after spells in the NHS and private sector, now works at the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University. Having recently completed her PhD, her key focus is on how rehabilitation technologies can have a positive impact in the real world.
Tell us when and where you graduated in physiotherapy and what initially attracted you to the profession?
I decided at the age of 15 that I wanted to become a physiotherapist and studied at the University of Northumbria from 1992 to 1995. During my student years I had a part-time job in a nursing home as a care assistant and this inspired an interest in supporting older adults and people living with stroke. My first job as a junior physiotherapist was at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield where there is a specialist neurosciences directorate, which enabled me to gain experience in neuro rehabilitation.
Have your aspirations been realised?
I have always loved my career in physiotherapy and have made the most of the diversity of roles that exist within the profession. I have worked clinically in the NHS, delivered teaching in higher education and also worked within the private and industrial sectors. I have always enjoyed mixing theory and practice so integrating academic and clinical roles has really suited me. Research evidence has demonstrated the benefits of exercise for clinical populations and older adults, however, as physiotherapists we understand how difficult it can be for people living with complex health changes to engage in physical activity.
Over the past 10 years this has become central to my career direction and building relationships with manufacturers such as Innerva, specialists in power-assisted exercise equipment, has created the opportunity to co-develop exercise solutions.
What is your current title at Sheffield Hallam and your job remit?
My current role as a principal researcher is based at the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University. My key focus is on rehabilitation technologies which creates the opportunity to work with research participants who benefit from the interventions we trial and guide industrial collaborators to develop technologies which have impact in the real world. I work in a multidisciplinary team which includes exercise scientists, engineers and health care professionals. Patient and public involvement and engagement is central to our projects.
It's really important to spend time with service users to understand their priorities and challenges. This increases the likelihood of us developing technologies and innovations which are adopted within the community.
It’s important to move with the times; rehabilitation has changed since the 1990s when I first qualified. Inpatient stays are shorter, and we need to develop solutions which enable sustained engagement with rehabilitation activities across multiple settings
What drew you into being a researcher?
It’s important to move with the times; rehabilitation has changed since the 1990s when I first qualified. Inpatient stays are shorter, and we need to develop solutions which enable sustained engagement with rehabilitation activities across multiple settings. I wanted to make sure that physiotherapy expertise is represented in this rapidly evolving world of 'health-tech' and so a step towards research has enabled me to achieve this.
If you’re interested in taking up research as a career direction then here are three tips
- connect with your local clinical research network, there will be continuing professional education events and short courses which enable you to learn about current methods and approaches
- look out for secondments into research projects which give clinicians the opportunity to experience research
- identify research questions relevant to your area of practice and consider how they might be addressed
Tell us about the healthy ageing project at Sheffield Hallam
The AGE4A project was an exciting opportunity to advance power assisted exercise technology with funding from Innovate UK. We implemented co-design methods to explore users’ preferences regarding gamification of the technology to create prototypes of a futuristic exercise programme.
The engineering team at Sheffield Hallam worked closely with the manufacturers to build the new technology which was implemented at a community exercise venue in West Yorkshire. We evaluated the new technology during focus groups and surveys with the members at the venue to explore their experiences of using the new technology.
How do you relax away from work?
I have two teenage children and a big dog who keep my husband and me very busy! Our son loves playing football and climbing, while our daughter enjoys going to the gym and cooking, so we spend a lot of time driving them to various places. However, I turned 50 last year and managed to escape for six days to the Isle of Skye where we did a sea kayak expedition which was a great way to start my sixth decade!
Rachel Young is a neurological physiotherapist at Sheffield Neuro Physiotherapy. She is a principal researcher is based at the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University. X (formerly Twitter): @PhysioYoung
Author: Ian McMillan
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