Mrs Rachael Malthouse
Profiles

Mrs Rachael Malthouse

Honorary Research Fellow

School of Health Professions (Faculty of Health)

Biography

Biography

Qualifications

2022- Current: PhD studentship. Occupation and technology. University of Plymouth

2015: Masters in Interprofessional Development. Distinction. University of the West of England

2002-2005: BSc (Hons) 2:1 Physiotherapy Degree University of Birmingham

 

Background

Research Assistant. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Service. Band six. November 2020- Present

● Research, Service evaluation and audit work for MS Service, University Hospital Plymouth

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Band Seven Serious Incident Investigator. October 2017 to November 2020

●   Internal investigator for serious incidents within the Trust

NHS Professionals. Band Six Physiotherapist. October 2017 – Dec 2019                  

●   NHS Bank Physiotherapist. Working with the Tavistock Community Rehabilitation Team with clients presenting with a broad range of conditions.

Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK. Visiting Specialist Lecturer. May 2017 - Present

●   Ad hoc teaching on the BSc Hons Physiotherapy Programme

Livewell Southwest, Tavistock, UK. Community Physiotherapist. July 2016 – April 2017

●   Providing physiotherapeutic management to clients in the community setting and on the medical ward at Tavistock Community hospital

Royal United Hospital (RUH), Bath, UK. Band Six Specialist Physiotherapist/ Physiotherapy Researcher, Older People’s Unit. June 2008-July 2014

Core role:

●   Involvement in complex discharge planning involving liaison with community and other external services

Additional roles / service development activities:

●   Physiotherapy Researcher: Project Manager of a piece of qualitative research which explored activity with people with dementia and the carers

●   Implementation of electronic referral system for the physiotherapy department

●   Networking with Trusts in the South West of England leading to the establishment of a series of workshops for physiotherapists in the care of older people

●   Manual handling champion within physiotherapy department

Western Health, Melbourne, Australia: Grade Two Locum Physiotherapist, Rehabilitation. February 2008- April 2008

●   Taught neurology to fourth year physiotherapy students as a clinical educator

●   Clinical management of in-patients and out-patients with a neurological diagnosis

Band five rotational posts at; Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre and Western Health Melbourne, Australia and Neville Hall Hospital Abergavenny, Wales: March 2006-August 2007


Professional membership

Member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) 



Roles on external bodies

Co-Treasurer AGILE (Chartered Physiotherapists Working with Older People)

Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

I currently teach on the undergraduate occupational therapy programme at the School of Health Sciences.

Research

Research

Research interests

PhD Title: 

How is everyday occupational engagement of older people living in Extra Care housing informed by the use of technology?

My research is investigating the use of technology in all its forms by older people living within Extra Care housing facilities to ascertain if technology can enhance occupational engagement, improve care provision and promote participation in community life. The research is being undertaken in three distinct phases:

  1.  A scoping review of literature to develop understanding around how technology facilitates occupational engagement for older people living in assisted living facilities (including extra care housing). 
  2.  An ethnographic study, exploring everyday life in Extra Care housing facilities through observations, conversations, interviews and focus groups with residents, their family and friends and staff.
  3.  A feasibility study of an occupation- focused, technology driven intervention that aims to promote positive health and well-being outcomes for older people in an Extra Care facility

Other research

Whilst working clinically I undertook a research project titled Exploring experiences of physical activity among people with Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) and their spouse carers. This qualitative work involved interviewing people with dementia and their carers to develop understanding of barriers and facilitators to activity.

Grants & contracts

Research related activity, service development projects and training and development

●   April 2020 and 2019 NIHR Pre-DRF Applicant (not successful but recommended for funding)

●   January 2020 – Co-applicant on Abbeyfield Research Grant Proposal

●   September 2019 – British Geriatric Society Postural Stability Conference, Representing Participation in everyday life (PIEL) research group, University of Plymouth

●   February 2019 – Co-applicant on UKOTRF Research Grant

●   October 2017 – Present: Member PIEL research group University of Plymouth

●   October 2012 – March 2013: NIHR CATP Internship (£10,000 grant)

●   April 2011 – June 2014. Awarded £11,500 by the Research & Development Committee, RUH, Bath to carry out a qualitative feasibility study entitled, Exploring experiences of physical activity among people with Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) and their spouse carers: A qualitative study.

●   June 2010 – January 2011. Panel member for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Research Priorities Project. This involved selecting and prioritising topics in the mental health and well-being category, under four criteria.

●   March 2010. Research grant submission to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Physiotherapy Research Foundation (shortlisted from 140 applicants to 10)

●   January 2009. Research grant submission to the Dunhill Medical Trust

●   May 2007. Neurological Aquatic Therapy Course Level Two. Melbourne.

●   January 2007. Basic Bobath Course (3 weeks). Melbourne.


Publications

Publications

Journals

Malthouse, R and Gunn, H (2021) Journal Review: Long term follow-up exercise interventions aimed at preventing falls in older people living in the community: A systematic review and meta-analysis. AGILITY

Malthouse, R and Gunn, H (2020) Journal Review: Telerehabilitation for Stroke Survivors: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. AGILITY,

Malthouse, R and Fox, F (2014) Active living: what works. Journal of Dementia Care.

Malthouse, R and Fox, F (2014) Exploring experiences of physical activity among people with Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) and their spouse carers: A qualitative study. PHYSIOTHERAPY. 100(2), pp. 169-175

Rachael Wilkinson “Physiotherapy Assessment of Parkinsonian Features” (2012) AGILITY, Autumn-Winter Edition pp 10-13

October 2011: Acknowledged for my involvement in the “Physiotherapy works dementia care” documentation, which was circulated to GP’s to promote the value of physiotherapy interventions and physical activity for people with dementia.