Mrs Rachel Knight Lozano

Biography

I am a paediatric physiotherapist and academic with a special interest in posture, movement and respiratory health promotion for children and young people with neurodisability.

Prior to joining the University of Plymouth as a Lecturer in Rehabilitation, I worked in healthcare for 15 years, gaining extensive clinical experience in a wide range of paediatric specialities. This included oncology and haematology care at the Teenage Cancer Trust, University College London, cardiorespiratory and developmental care at the Children’s Heart Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in addition to neonatal, musculoskeletal, orthopaedic and neurology speciality care, working across acute hospital and community services.

I am dedicated to undertaking interdisciplinary and participatory paediatric research alongside children with neurodisability. I have been awarded multiple research grants, including the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust Novice Research Award (2019), the National Institute of Health Research Pre-doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship Award (2021) and most recently, the Arts Health Interdisciplinary Fund (2022).

I sit on the National Committee for the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapy, as Publication Officer and core member of the Professional Development Group.

Qualifications

Academic Background

Pre-Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship (2021-2022), National Institute of Health Research, University of Plymouth

2012-2016: MSc (Distinction) Advancing Professional Practice (Paediatrics), Sheffield Hallam University

2003-2006: BSc (1st Honours) Physiotherapy, Manchester Metropolitan University

Clinical Background

2021-2022: Clinical academic fellow, University of Plymouth

2020-2022: Specialist Paediatric Community Physiotherapist, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

2020: Research therapist, University of Plymouth

2016-2020: Highly Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist, (Cardiorespiratory), Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

2012-2016: Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist (Rotational), Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

2012: Senior Paediatric Community Physiotherapist, The Pace Centre, Aylesbury

2010-2012: Senior Paediatric & Adolescent Physiotherapist, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation

2009-2010: Senior Physiotherapist (General Rotational), Brighton and Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

2007-2009: Junior Physiotherapist (General Rotational), Brighton and Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Professional membership

National Committee Officer and member of the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapy

Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Member of the Health and Care Professions Council

Roles on external bodies

Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapy, National Committee Publication Officer

Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapy, Journal Reviewer

Early Career Researcher Forum, Committee member

Research

Research interests

My research interests include paediatric cardiorespiratory, paediatric neurodisability, interdisciplinary research, inclusion and participatory research methods,

The primary aim of my current research is to:

1) Identify what is known about chest health measurement in children with complex neurodisabilities

2) Can physical activity impact on chest health in children with complex neurodisabilities?

I have experience undertaking research methods in systematic review, qualitative evidence synthesis and currently undertaking methods in scoping review, a mixed methods single case study design and a qualitative educational research ethnography.

Other research

My Novice Researcher Award (2018-2019), explored caregiver’s experiences of paediatric inpatient cardiac services using a qualitative evidence synthesis methodology.

Grants & contracts

Grant Awards:

2021-2022: Arts – Health Collaboration Fund, Plymouth Institute of Health Research, Co-Lead Interdisciplinary Grant Holder for £2000.

2021-2022: Pre-Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship, Higher Education England / Nation Institute of Health Research, Principle Grant Holder for £59432.

2019-2020: Novice Researcher Award, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust, Physiotherapy Education Foundation, Lead Grant Holder for £27166.00.

2018: Research training Award, Children’s Heart Unit Foundation, Lead Grant Holder £1,000.

Creative practice & artistic projects

Interdisciplinary Grant Awards:

Arts – Health Collaboration Fund (2021-2022), Plymouth Institute of Health Research, Titled: ‘Chest Health Through the Lens of a Child with Neurodisability’

Publications

Journals

Key Journal Articles

Knight Lozano R, May S, Clarkson C, Sarjeant R. Caregiver experiences of paediatric inpatient cardiac services: A qualitative systematic review. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. 2021 Feb;20(2):147-59. (Lead Author)

Marsden, J., Pavlou, M., Dennett, R., Gibbon, A., Knight-Lozano, R., Jeu, L., Flavell, C., Freeman, J., Bamiou, D.E., Harris, C. and Hawton, A., 2020. Vestibular rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial and cost effectiveness analysis comparing customised with booklet based vestibular rehabilitation for vestibulopathy and a 12 month observational cohort study of the symptom reduction and recurrence rate following treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, BMC neurology, 20(1), pp.1-15. (Contributing Author)

Dennett, R., Knight Lozano, R., Sorrell, L., Jones, B.G. and Marsden, J. What is the clinical effectiveness of moving visual stimulus interventions in adults with peripheral and/or central vestibular or cerebellar dysfunction. (Second Author)

Professional Journal Articles

R. Knight Lozano, R. Evans, J. Bell, A. Hebda-Boon, L. James, K. McGarrity, L. Walsh (2020) APCP Practice and Experiences of Paediatric Physiotherapists during the COVID 19 Pandemic - Survey Results: Research and Education. Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists Journal; 11(2)pp.62-73. (Lead Author)

J. Bell, A. Hebda-Boon, R. Knight-Lozano, K. McGarrity, R. Evans, L. James, L. Walsh (2020)APCP Practice and Experiences of Paediatric Physiotherapists during the COVID 19 Pandemic - Survey Results: Changes to Role. Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists Journal; 11(2)pp.12-27. (Contributing Author)

R. Evans, R. Knight Lozano, A. Hebda-Boon, J. Bell, K. McGarrity, L. Walsh, L. James (2020)APCP Practice and Experiences of Paediatric Physiotherapists during the COVID 19 Pandemic - Survey Results: Caseload Management. Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists Journal; 11(2)pp.28-39. (Second Author)

K. McGarrity, A. Hebda-Boon, J. Bell, R. Evans, R. Knight Lozano, L. James, L. Walsh K. (2020)APCP Practice and Experiences of Paediatric Physiotherapists during the COVID 19 Pandemic - Survey Results: Technology. Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists Journal; 11(2)pp.40-50. (Contributing Author)

A. Hebda-Boon, L. James, R. Knight Lozano, L. Walsh, J. Bell, R. Evans, K. McGarrity (2020)APCP Practice and Experiences of Paediatric Physiotherapists during the COVID 19 Pandemic - Survey Results: Continuing Professional Development. Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists Journal; 11(2)pp.51-61. (Contributing Author)

L. James, A. Hebda-Boon, J. Bell, R. Evans, R. Knight-Lozano, K. McGarrity, L. Walsh (2020)APCP Practice and Experiences of Paediatric Physiotherapists during the COVID 19 Pandemic - Survey Results: Wellbeing. Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists Journal; 11(2)pp.74-88. (Contributing Author)

L. Walsh, A. Hebda-Boon, K. McGarrity, L. James, J. Bell, R. Knight Lozano, R. Evans (2020) APCP Practice and Experiences of Paediatric Physiotherapists during the COVID 19 Pandemic - Survey Results: Moving Forwards. Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists Journal; 11(2)pp.89-99. (Contributing Author)

A. Hebda-Boon, R. Knight Lozano, L. Walsh, L. James, K. McGarrity, J. Bell, R. Evans (2020) Are we there yet? The journey towards defining our professional identity during time of crisis – the APCP COVID-19 Survey. Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists Journal; 11(2)pp.100-108. (Second Author)

Conference Papers

Knight Lozano, R and May, S. (2016) Caregiver experiences of paediatric inpatient cardiac services: A Qualitative Systematic Review. [Oral Presentation] Annual Therapy Conference, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Presentations and posters

Knight Lozano, R., Marsden, J., Shannon, H., Rapson, R. & Morris, C. (2021) A stakeholder engagement process to co-design a study protocol for children with complex neurodisabilities and their families. [Poster Presentation], Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists Annual Conference.

Knight Lozano, R., Marsden, J., Shannon, H., Rapson, R. & Morris, C. (2021) Rebound for Respiratory in Children and Young People with Neurodisability: A Final Protocol. [Poster Presentation]. Torbay Clinical School conference, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

Knight Lozano, R., Kent, G. and Rapson, R. (2021) Paediatric Community Respiratory Physiotherapy Caseload Audit during COVID 19. [Poster Presentation]. Torbay Clinical School conference, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

Knight Lozano, R. and Makinson, K. (2015) “Motor Development in Acute Hospital Care” [award winning Poster Presentation], Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists Annual Conference 2015, Newcastle, Gateshead

Knight Lozano, R. and Ferguson, J. (2014) Infants At Risk: Identifying an In-patient Population of Infants At Risk of Developmental Delay [award winning Poster Presentation], Annual Therapy Conference, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Profiles

Lecturer in Rehabilitation (Postgraduate Studies)

School of Health Professions (Faculty of Health)