PhD researchers

Supervised by: Prof Juanita Hoe and Prof Snorri Rafnsson 

Title of project: A Mixed-methods Investigation into the Factors which Influence Frequent Use of Emergency Departments by People with Dementia    

Start date: February 2022 

Biography: I first became interested in research in Dementia and ageing while studying for my Master’s degree in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience at Goldsmiths. When I graduated, I worked as part of the National Audit of Dementia at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which focuses on quality improvement of care in acute hospitals. I was able to learn more about the experiences of people living with dementia in healthcare and how they can benefit from research which can inform policy in their care. 

I gained further experience of research in the field working across multiple projects around improving care of the elderly and people living with dementia at Kings College London, Cicily Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation and City, University of London. I worked with both quantitative and qualitative research techniques and favour mixed methods approaches. 

Project aim: To investigate why people living with dementia attend emergency departments frequently and examine the environmental, social, and health related factors that may contribute to their attendance. 

Supervised by: Prof Juanita Hoe and Dr Andy Northcott

Title of project: What is the lived experience of paramedics providing person centred care for people with Dementia?

Start date: September 2023

Biography: I became interested in the care provided for people living with dementia after personal experience working as a paramedic in London. I experienced first-hand how caring for a person who may not be able consent to care or treatment can be challenging.  

My experiences covered a range of different clinical settings including emergency care, primary care and working in hospitals. I focused on the role of power and perceptions in the relationship between paramedics and persons living with dementia for my master’s degree. When I entered academia as a senior lecturer teaching undergraduate paramedic students, it became evident that there is a lack of evidence, policy, and research to support the way paramedics think about how they care for persons living with dementia. My previous research has highlighted that the education and development of paramedic clinical practice would benefit from a greater understanding of the nature of the relationship between paramedics and persons living with dementia. This would help in understanding paramedic thinking (in the emergency context) regarding this population and the resulting impacts on the health of this group.  

Project aim: To Explore which factors which influence how paramedics think about and care for people living with dementia.  

Develop a theoretical framework which describes and supports the way in which paramedics engage with and provide care for people living with dementia.