Team members

Adam is Research Lead and Professor of Orthopaedics at Edge Hill University and Honorary Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust. His research focuses on new interventions in elbow surgery and research outcomes and methods, with a particular interest in rare interventions.

Recent publications

Hamoodi Z, Shapiro J, Sayers A, Whitehouse MR, Watts AC. The National Joint Registry Data Quality Audit of elbow arthroplasty. Bone Joint J. 2024;106-B(12):1461-1468. doi:10.1302/0301-620X.106B12.BJJ-2023-1372.R1

Hamoodi Z, Sayers A, Whitehouse MR, Rangan A, Kearsley-Fleet L, Sergeant J, Watts AC. Total elbow arthroplasty in England: analysis of NJR and HES data. Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(11):1312–1320.

Watts AC, McDaid C, Hewitt C, Bateman M, Evans JP, Higgs D, Hughes B, Luokkala T, Smith C, Uppal E, CODER Consensus group. Core Outcome Domains for Elbow Replacement (CODER). The bone & joint journal. 2024 Nov 1;106(11):1306-11.

Watts AC, Jenkins CW, Boyle SP, Crowther MA, Monga P, Packham IN, Smith CC, Thomas WJ, Walton MJ. Superior functional outcome following reverse shoulder arthroplasty compared to hemiarthroplasty for displaced three-and four-part fractures in patients 65 and older: results from a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial-The shoulder hemiarthroplasty or reverse polarity arthoplasty (SHeRPA) trial. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2024 Nov 1;33(11):2335-44.

Hamoodi Z, Gehringer CK, Bull LM, Hughes T, Kearsley-Fleet L, Sergeant JC, Watts AC. Prognostic factors associated with failure of total elbow arthroplasty: a systematic review. Bone & Joint Research. 2024 May;13(5):201.

Lowdon H, Chong HH, Dhingra M, Gomaa AR, Teece L, Booth S, Watts AC, Singh HP. Comparison of Interventions for Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis for Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Pain Outcome. Journal of Hand Surgery. 2024 Apr 28.

Rotman D, Bokhari N, Wright A, Watts AC. The posterolateral ligament of the elbow-anatomy and clinical relevance. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2023 Sep 30:S1058-2746.

Gallego JA, Rotman D, Watts AC. Central band interosseus membrane reconstruction for longitudinal instability injuries of the forearm. The bone & joint journal. 2024 Feb 1;106(2):182-8.

John is Professor of Medical Education at Edge Hill University. His research has a focus on understanding and enhancing academic and clinical performance across the continuum of healthcare professionals, from undergraduate to postgraduate.

Recent important publications

Sumera K, Ilczak T, Bakkerud M, Lane J , Pallas J, Martorell S , Sumera A, Webster C, Quinn T, Sandars J, Siriwardena N (2024) CPR Quality Officer Role to Improve CPR Quality: A Multi- Centred International Simulation Randomised Control Trial Resuscitation Plus Volume 17 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resplu.2023.100537

Cecilio-Fernandes D, Carvalho DR, Sandars J, Santos TM (2024) Self-regulated learning microanalysis feedback for developing clinical skills: a pilot study Medical Teacher 46(10), 1356–1361 https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2024.2308060 

Specan Junior F, Litchfield D, Sandars J, Cecilio-Fernandes D (2024) Use of Eye Tracking in Medical Education Medical Teacher 46(11), 1502 -1509 https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2024.2316863 .

Cecilio-Fernandes, D; Steenhof, N; Sandars, J (2024) The challenge of transfer to clinical practice: the illusion of learning and illusion of teaching 46 (12): 1647-1648 Medical Teacher https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2024.2323243

Sandars J, Jenkins L, Huntley E (2024) Understanding the performance-related psychological characteristics and skills of doctors: a sport psychology perspective Medical Teacher DOI: 10.1080/0142159X.2024.2331049 

Jay R, Sandars J, Patel R, Leonardi-Bee J, Ackbarally Y, Bandyopadhyaya S, Faraj D, ; O’Hanlon M, Brown J,Wilson E. (2024) The Use of Virtual Patients to Provide Feedback On Clinical Reasoning – A Systematic Review October 31, 2024. DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000005908

Moraes EMB, Carvalho DRS, Sandars J, Ozhata TM, Patel R, Cecilio-Fernandes D, Santos TM (2024) Unravelling the differences between observation and active participation in simulation-based education Medical Teacher https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2024.2396381

 Cecilio-Fernandes D, Sandars J, Gianotto-Oliveira R, Steenhof N (2024) Teaching for transfer of learning in health professions education: AMEE Guide 176 Medical Teacher https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2024.2414823

 Soares, Renata, Pedrosa, RB, Sandars J, Cecilio-Fernandes, D (2024) The importance of combined use of spacing and testing effects for complex skills training: a quasi-experimental study Medical Teacher https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2024.2427735 

SandarsJ, Cecilio-Fernandes D, Patel R (2024) “Showing the Best Version of Yourself”: The Importance of Dynamic Assessment for Trainees Undergoing Workplace-Based Assessments in Postgraduate Training British Journal of Hospital Medicine 85:12 1-12 https://doi.org/10.12968/hmed.2024.0489 

Senior Lecturer in Health and Research Methods. My PhD studies considered the measurement of knee proprioception following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in normative and athletic population. I have published research in MSK injuries in multi-day running events, beginner running programmes, parkrun, rugby, basketball and football. My research focus is lower limb MSK injuries in new exercisers. I have a specific interest in lower-limb injuries in people beginning physical activity for the first time, with focus on injury prevention strategies.

Relevant publications

Relph, N., Owen, M., Moinuddin, M., Noonan, R., Dey, P., Bullas, A., Quirk, H. and Haake, S. (2023) How can UK public health initiatives support each other to improve maintenance of physical activity? Evidence from a cross-sectional survey of runners who move from Couch-to-5k to parkrun. Health Promotion International, 38 (5) https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daad108

Relph, N., Taylor, S.L, Christian, D.L, Dey, P. and Owen, M.B. (2023). “Couch-to-5k or Couch to Ouch to Couch!?” Who Takes Part in Beginner Runner Programmes in the UK and Is Non-Completion Linked to Musculoskeletal Injury? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 20, 6682. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20176682

Relph N, Greaves H, Armstrong R, Prior TD, Griffiths IB, Spencer S, Dey P, and Langley B. (2022). Running shoes for preventing lower limb running injuries in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2022, Issue 8. Art. No.: CD013368. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD013368.pub2.

Dr Ben Langley is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics and is based in the Department of Sport and Physical Activity. Ben’s research aims to develop knowledge which enhances people’s functional capabilities and improves quality of life, by maximising performance, reducing injury risk and/or the influence of musculoskeletal conditions. To achieve this aim he applies gold standard biomechanical assessment methods, primarily 3D motion capture, and contemporary analytical tools to understand musculoskeletal function Ben routinely collaborators with orthopaedic surgeons and physiotherapists, helping to inform clinical decision making, with previous or ongoing projects exploring functional recovery following hip, knee, shoulder and elbow joint replacement. Additionally, Ben has experience working with industry partners, including ASICS, Symbios orthopaedics and Msk.ai/myrecovery. Ben has secured over £300k in research funding.

Key recent publications

Langley, B., Greaves, H., Whelton, C., Page, R., Cramp, M., Morrison, S. C., Dey, P., & Board, T. (2024) Reliability of kinematic waveforms during gait analysis with total hip arthroplasty patients. Journal of Joint Surgery and Research. 2, 1 – 6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjoisr.2023.11.003

Langley, B., & Greig, M. (2023) The gait abnormality index: A summary metric for three-dimensional gait analysis. Gait & Posture. 105, 87 – 91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.281

Langley, B., Page, R. M., Whelton, C., Chalmers, O., Morrison, S. C., Cramp, M., Dey, P., & Board, T. (2023) Exploring pelvis and thigh movement and coordination patterns during walking in patients after total hip arthroplasty. Gait & Posture. 103, 196 – 202. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.05.023

Langley, B., Page, R. M., Whelton, C., Chalmers, O., Morrison, S. C., Cramp, M., Dey, P., & Board, T. (2023) Do patients with well-functioning total hip arthroplasty achieve typical sagittal plane hip kinematics? A proof of concept study. Hip International. 33 (2), 247 – 253. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/11207000211044471

Relph, N., Greuel, H., Armstrong, R., Gichuru, P., Prior, T., Griffiths, I., Spencer, S., Dey, P., & Langley, B. (2022) Footwear for preventing lower limb running injuries in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013368.pub2

Dr. Christina Heaton is a Consultant Nurse and Research Leader specializing in falls prevention, osteoporosis, and elderly care. With over 32 years of nursing experience, she has developed and led innovative community healthcare programs and multidisciplinary falls clinics. She holds a Professional Doctorate in Health & Society and actively contributes to research, education, and NHS service development. A recognized leader in clinical research, she mentors healthcare professionals and promotes a research culture within the NHS. Dr. Heaton has presented at numerous international conferences and received awards for her exceptional leadership in healthcare innovation.

Honorary Senior Lecturer. Dula is an experienced Consultant pharmacist specialising in frailty with subspeciality interests in movement disorders, bone health and polypharmacy reviews. Co-chair of British Geriatric Society Pharmacy Group, Honorary Senior Lecturer at Edge Hill University and Royal Pharmaceutical Society Advanced Pharmacist Assessment Panel Member. Research interests include bone health outcomes in frailty, polypharmacy reviews and falls and fracture prevention in dopamine disorders. Recent publications below:

• Managing Multiple Medications Toolkit from Royal College of Physicians Acute care toolkit 17: Managing multiple medications | RCP London
• Atkinson A, Alicehajic-Becic D. Reducing delays in administration of first dose denosumab through introduction of ACP led consent process during inpatient stay. BGS Autumn 2024 Conference Poster 2024_bgs_autumn_abstract_book.cleaned.pdf poster 2663
• Alicehajic-Becic D, Mitchell A. Advancing Professional Development in Older People’s Healthcare: A Survey of BGS and UKCPA Pharmacy Professionals. BGS Autumn 2024 Conference Poster 2024_bgs_autumn_abstract_book.cleaned.pdf poster 2775
• Alicehajic-Becic D, Smith H. Medicines and Falls – what does the audience participation indicate about future learning needs? BGS Spring 2024 Conference Poster 2285 Medicines and falls—what does the audience participation indicate about future learning needs? | Age and Ageing | Oxford Academic (oup.com)

• Quartano M, Alicehajic-Becic D. Retrospective study of inpatient falls resulting in patient harm April – September 2023. Comparing our care to the British Geriatric Society Guidelines. BGS Spring 2024 Conference Poster. 2242 Retrospective study of inpatient falls resulting in patient harm April–September 2023. Comparing our care to the BSG guidelines. | Age and Ageing | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
• Alicehajic-Becic D. Polypharmacy reviews in outpatient setting – starting the structured medication review in bone health clinic. BGS Autumn Conference Poster 2023 2052 Polypharmacy reviews in outpatient clinics – beginning the structured medication review in bone health clinic | Age and Ageing | Oxford Academic (oup.com)

Katy is a specialist upper limb physiotherapist, working with people with complex musculoskeletal conditions at Wrightington Hospital. Katy’s clinical academic career is in its early stages. She completed the R&D Northwest Early Career Researcher Programme in 2022 and is currently an NIHR Pre-Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellow. Katy’ research interests include how information can empower people’s decision-making and improve their musculoskeletal health. Katy also has experience as a Research Physiotherapist, contributing to set up and delivery of a range of local, national, and international studies and collaborating with NIHR, academic and industry partners.

Publications

Boland, K., Smith, C., Bond, H., Briggs, S., & Walton, J. (2021). Current concepts in the rehabilitation of rotator cuff related disorders. Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma, 18, 13-19.

Boland, K., Pigott, T., & Forbes, R. (2022). ‘I am the educator and the learner at the same time’: a qualitative survey of the knowledge and use of adult learning theory in UK musculoskeletal physiotherapists’ patient education. International Journal of Therapy And Rehabilitation, 29(7), 1-18