Osteoporosis research publication caps ACP apprenticeship MSc for student Claire

Master’s student Claire Manderson has capped the closing stages of three intensive years of juggling work, study and family life by being published in a leading journal for Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACP).

Claire’s paper for the International Journal of Advancing Practice (IJAP) explores how alendronic acid, a medicine to treat osteoporosis can be safely prescribed for patients after hip fracture.

Working full-time for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust and a mum to three children, Claire began her MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner in 2021, spending the three-year apprenticeship gaining valuable experience around the Trust.

Having qualified as a physiotherapist in the 1990s, her apprenticeship stint has seen Claire go on ward rounds and work in Accident and Emergency to gain an all-around view of what is required for an ACP.

But a long interest in frailty, and the importance of rehabilitation in older people, led Claire to the paper and the chance to match several members of her family by being published.

"Very often the first time patients realise they have osteoporosis is when they fall over and break a hip. Some patients are lucky enough to have a DXA scan, used to diagnose osteoporosis both in patients that have not sustained a fragility fracture, and those that have.

"Alendronic acid is a once-a-week tablet used to build bone density as a treatment for osteoporosis. Most specifically, the focus of my article was for patients that have had a fractured hip and are being discharged home. It was to do with making sure the patient understands the importance of the drug in reducing the risk of future fractures and how to manage possible side effects - which can be a deterrent for some patients who may then feel unable to continue taking it.

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“Then they are then at risk of having further fractures with a possible further devastating impact on their function and independence."

The course itself has seen Claire, one of a 30-strong cohort, work as an apprentice for its three-year duration and benefit from the variety of backgrounds of her fellow students as well as enjoy support from the University’s staff.

Support from staff and fellow students

"We're a relatively specialist course, with a really particular group of healthcare professionals on this Master's course and the tutors are all clinical ACPs themselves. It's a very supportive course and the tutors are, without exception, are our absolute cheerleaders. They've been amazing.

"I cannot fault the tutors on the course and the academic skills team for getting me up to a Masters level. It had been a long time since I'd done anything academic, around 25 years, and working at Masters level is completely different. The library team and the academic skills team have been fantastic with me, and Dr Emma Drydon, my educational supervisor and a Consultant Geriatrician, has guided my clinical practice and been a constant source of encouragement.”

Encouraged by lecturer Liz Drain, Claire expanded her 3,000-word assignment on the safe prescribing of alendronic acid into a paper for the IJAP, and in doing so she joined several members of her family in being published, much to their delight.

“I come from quite an extensively published family, my Dad is very well published. He was a research scientist, so he's got books, papers and a PhD. Both my sisters also have PhDs and have had their work published, so I've often joked that I had a little bit of catching up to do. Once I had the paper in the journal with my name on it, that felt very nice. My family are extremely proud.”