Deborah O'Connor Reader
Director of Placements and Partnerships
I have strategic responsibility for all placement provision across the Faculty of Health and Education, working with departments, academic teams and professional services colleagues to ensure the best experience for students in practice settings.
My profile
Biography
Qualifications
Reader
MSc Physiotherapy
Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Post graduate Certificate in Academic Practice
Practitioner roles
Co-chair Greater Manchester Practice Education Centre of Excellence.
Private Physiotherapy Practitioner working independently in the community across the North of Greater Manchester.
External examiner at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen for Master Physiotherapy programme
Membership of professional associations
HCPC registered
Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology
Impact
As GM PECE co-chair, I have been working strategically to support and develop practice education, multi-professionally, across the region. Decisions made at GM PECE also feed discussions with NW colleagues and NHS England at both regional and national level.
The work I have completed for The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) has facilitated national conversations, news publications and webinars to influence and shape the future of Practice Education in Physiotherapy. As a result of this research project, the CSP developed a set of Practice- Based Learning Principles, in collaboration with The Royal College of Occupational Therapy, based on the findings of the project and the recommendations made within the final report. These principles shape and influence expectations of all placement providers in the future and have created interest and have since been adopted by ten Allied Health Professions.
Projects
2022- 2024: I am an invited research scholar working on an international research project at Elon University, North Carolina, with colleagues from across the world. This is a multi-national, multi-institutional and multi-professional project exploring how practice-based learning supports belongingness within healthcare professions.
Teaching
Why do I teach?
I am a Physiotherapist with extensive experience in neurological rehabilitation. I have always had a passion for teaching and learning and developing the professionals of the future. I teach because I love what I do and I love my profession. I want to see Physiotherapy continue to grow and I want to be a part of developing the professionals of the future. I have continued to pursue my clinical career alongside my academic work at the University as I feel it enables my teaching to be current and evidence based, and allows me to use real examples in the classroom.
Why study…
Is there anything more fascinating than the brain? How we think, feel, understand and move is what makes us individual and unique. But what happens when things go wrong? Understanding neurology and the systems that comprise the nervous system is a key component of physiotherapy practice and underpins the way that humans move and function.
Subject areas
Neurology, inter-professional learning, rehabilitation, leadership, work-based learning
Research outputs
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Chapters in books
Hamshire, C., Jack, K., O'Connor, D. (2019) 'Collaborative and reflective spaces for developing professional practitioners.' Reframing Space for Learning. IOE press,
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Journal articles
Stade, L., Selzer, R., Bennett, C.C., Lauck, H.N., O'Connor, D. (2023) 'Transforming students into healthcare professionals: a literature review exploring the interrelationships between work-integrated learning, belongingness, and health professions students.' The Advisor: The Journal of the National association of Advisors for the Health Professions, 43(3) pp. 1-7.
O'Connor, D.A., Baird, T., Jack, K., Wilkinson, R.G., Chambers, A., Hamshire, C. (2023) 'Supporting physiotherapy learners in practice settings: a mixed methods evaluation of experiences of physiotherapy educators.' Physiotherapy Theory and Practice: an international journal of physical therapy, pp. 1-14.
Stephens, M., Kelly, S., O'Connor, D., McRae, S. (2023) 'Reflections on an interprofessional student placement initiative in care homes.' Nursing Older People, 35(3) pp. 36-40.
Forsyth, R., Hamshire, C., O'Connor, D., Barlund, E., Hyrkkanen, U. (2020) 'Developing inter-cultural competencies without travelling: Internationalising the curriculum for healthcare students.' Student Engagement in Higher Education Journal, 3(1) pp. 167-189.
Stockley, R.C., O'Connor, D.A., Smith, P., Moss, S., Allsop, L., Edge, W. (2017) 'A Mixed Methods Small Pilot Study to Describe the Effects of Upper Limb Training Using a Virtual Reality Gaming System in People with Chronic Stroke..' Rehabilitation research and practice, 2017
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Conference papers
Buczkowski, B., O'Connor, D. (2022) 'Motivations to study and experiences of campus interactions in a diverse community of learners: connecting students’ experience and its influence on awarding gaps..' In EuroSoTL2022. Manchester, 15/6/2022 - 17/6/2022.
O'Connor, D., Hamshire, C., Jack, K., Wilkinson, R. (2022) 'Supporting learners in practice: building a community of practice to promote a shared vision for the future.' In European conference of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (EUROSoTL) 2022. Manchester Metropolitan University, 16/6/2022 - 17/6/2022.
Wilkinson, R., Jack, K., O'Connor, D., Ashworth, V., Hamshire, C. (2022) ': The importance of staff-student partnerships in practice physiotherapy education.' In European Conference of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (EUROSoTL). Manchester, United Kingdom, 16/6/2022 - 17/6/2022.
O'Connor, D., Hamshire, C., Jack, K. (2021) 'Place-based learning - utilising innovative pathway approaches for learning in practice.' In EuroSoTL Connect. Manchester Metropolitan University, 14/6/2021 - 18/6/2021.
Jack, K., O'Connor, D., Hamshire, C. (2021) 'Inter-pro Exchange: An Innovation to Enhance Inter-professional Learning.' In World Physiotherapy Congress 2021. Online, 9/4/2021 - 11/4/2021.
O'Connor, D.A., Stockley, R.C., Smith, P., Moss, S., Edge, P. (2016) 'Using virtual reality for upper limb recovery post stroke: a pilot study.' In European Stroke Conference. Venice, 13/4/2016 - 15/4/2016.
O'Connor, D.A., Hamshire, C. (2014) 'Engaging staff in Pedagogical Change: using mobile video technologies to enhance student learning.' In RAISE Annual Conference. Manchester, 11/9/2014 - 12/9/2014.
O'Connor, D.A., Hamshire, C. (2012) 'Putting the Patient at The Heart of Physiotherapy Student Education: Supporting Development and Life Long Learning Using Eportfolios.' In ePIC 2012, 10th international ePortfolio and Identity conference. London, UK, 9/7/2012 - 11/7/2012.
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Presentations
Jack, K., O'Connor, D., Hamshire, C. (2021) Facilitating Partnerships between Clinical Teams and Healthcare Students. [Presentation] Online,28/4/2021.
O'Connor, D., Forsyth, R., Hamshire, C. (2019) Walking INSTEP (INternationalising STudent Education in Physiotherapy): connecting, creating, collaborating and celebrating!. [Presentation] Geneva, Switzerland,11/5/2019.
Hamshire, C., O'Connor, D., Forsyth, R., Barlund, E. (2018) Taking the next step to walking INSTEP: INternationalising STudent Engagement in Physiotherapy.. [Presentation] RAISE Conference, Sheffield Hallam University,5/9/2018.
Hamshire, C.H., O'Connor, D., Barlund, E., Hyrkkanen, U., Forsyth, R.M. (2017) An International adventure – co-curricular design for Physiotherapy students in Finland and the United Kingdom. [Presentation] Calgary, Canada,11/10/2017.
Hamshire, C.H., Forsyth, R., O'Connor, D., Hyrkkanen, U., Barlund, E. (2016) Working better together: embedding quality processes in international collaborations.. [Presentation] 25/11/2016.
Hamshire, C.H., O'Connor, D., Wibberley, C. (2014) ‘It allowed me to engage more and contribute to discussions’ - Supporting learning and teaching using iPads. [Presentation] Alaska,31/5/2014.
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Posters
Ashman, J., O'Connor, D., Hellawell, M., Graham, C., Ashworth, V. (2023) 'Development and evaluation of a sustainable digital placement offer for physiotherapy students in a UK university context.' [Poster] In World Physiotherapy Congress. Date viewed 3/6/2023.
O'Connor, D., Cornell, G., Shorney, L., Heggs, K., Schofield, R. (2023) 'Time for a change? Developing a new system wide model for capacity management and allocation of practice placements.' [Poster] In World Physiotherapy Congress. Date viewed 3/6/2023.
O'Connor, D., Hamshire, C., Jack, K., Wilkinson, R., Baird, T. (2023) 'Supporting practice-based learning: what do educators need to fulfil this vital role?.' [Poster] In World Physiotherapy Congress. Date viewed 3/6/2023.
Hamshire, C., Jack, K., O'Connor, D., Wilkinson, R. (2023) 'Collaborative Physiotherapy Education: the role of student partnerships.' [Poster] In World Physiotherapy Congress. Date viewed 2/6/2023.
Hamshire, C., Jack, K., O'Connor, D. (2021) 'PLATO – A Practice Education Tool to enhance Physiotherapy students learning.' [Poster] In World Physiotherapy Congress 2021 online. Date viewed 9/4/2021.
O'Connor, D., Hamshire, C., Jack, K., Chambers, A., Nicholson, J., Lea, A. (2021) 'Place-based learning: Reimagining Clinical Placements in community settings..' [Poster] In World Physiotherapy Congress 2021, online. Date viewed 9/4/2021.
Hamshire, C.H., O'connor, D. (2017) 'INSTEP - Internationalising Student Education in Physiotherapy.' [Poster] In WCPT Congress 2017, Cape Town, South Africa. Date viewed 4/7/2017.
Driver, E., O'Connor, D.A. (2017) 'The use of Aerobic exercise to improve functional walking capacity within the first 6 weeks post stroke.' [Poster] In ACPIN conference 2017. Date viewed 23/3/2017.
Clark, M., O'Connor, D.A. (2017) 'There's no place like home... or is there? What do stroke patients really think about Early Supported Discharge Services?.' [Poster] In ACPIN conference 2017. Date viewed 23/3/2017.
Minshull, S., O'Connor, D.A. (2016) 'Is Cardiovascular fitness training beneficial for Chronic Stroke Survivors?.' [Poster] In European World Confederation for Physical Therapy. Date viewed 11/11/2016.
Moss, S., O'Connor, D.A., Edge, S., Stockley, R.C. (2016) 'Setting and reaching goals: evaluation of a unique community service for people with acquired brain injury: the Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries Charity, UK.' [Poster] In European Stroke Conference. Date viewed 14/4/2016.
Hirst, F., O'Connor, D.A. (2016) 'The role of the Higher Centres in Strength Training of the Hand.' [Poster] In ACPIN and INPA International Neuro Physiotherapy conference. Date viewed 17/3/2016.
Kinder, L., O'Connor, D.A. (2016) 'Does Respiratory muscle training improve functional outcomes for stroke survivors?.' [Poster] In ACPIN and INPA International Neuro Physiotherapy Conference. Date viewed 17/3/2016.
Smith, G., O'Connor, D.A. (2016) 'Early Physiotherapy Assessment post stroke: what is the evidence supporting practice?.' [Poster] In ACPIN and INPA International Neuro Physiotherapy Conference. Date viewed 17/3/2016.
O'Connor, D.A., Stockley, R.C., Moss, S., Smith, P., Allsop, L., Edge, W. (2015) 'A qualitative investigation of stroke survivors perceptions' of a virtual reality upper limb rehabilitation tool.' [Poster] In UK Stroke Forum. Date viewed 2/12/2015.
Moss, S., Edge, W., O'Connor, D.A., Stockley, R.C. (2015) 'An Evaluation of Service Users' perceptions of the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Charity.' [Poster] In UK Stroke Forum. Date viewed 2/12/2015.
Moss, S., Edge, W., Allsop, L., Stockley, R.C., O'Connor, D.A. (2015) 'Virtual Reality in the Community Setting: Is this the way forward?.' [Poster] Date viewed 2/12/2015.