Consultant Physiotherapist graduates from PhD analysing effective treatment for tennis elbow
Dr Marcus Bateman, Upper Limb Consultant Physiotherapist at UHDB, has graduated from his PhD which focuses on his on-going research into improving treatment for patients with tennis elbow.
The PhD project was to develop an optimised physiotherapy treatment package for patients with tennis elbow, which is a condition which causes pain around the outside of the elbow. Following this, the study then tests the feasibility of using it in a clinical trial.
Dr Bateman is now working up a future project in collaboration with York Clinical Trials Unit, along with surgical colleagues from Manchester and Leicester, to run a large national trial that will ultimately define the best treatment pathway for people with tennis elbow.
After applying for the highly competitive Doctoral Fellowship scheme, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust in 2019, Dr Bateman began his studies and research, which involved working with Oxford University, Aberdeen University and Harvard Catalyst (USA) on online training courses during the pandemic. He also undertook leadership training with the King’s Fund and Hult International Business School, while the Fellowship also funded a trip to Brisbane, where Dr Bateman met with some of the world-leading researchers in his field, with whom he has been collaborating.
Dr Bateman said: “I am very grateful to the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust for funding my research and my PhD. I have learned a great deal during the process and am now intending to continue my work to improve the treatment of patients with common musculoskeletal conditions, like Tennis Elbow.”
The Fellowship funded 80% of Dr Bateman's time to work on his research and personal development, as well as providing funds to develop research skills alongside clinical work, with the aim of becoming research leaders of the future and ultimately driving up the quality of care that the NHS provides.