Psychology and its application in Health Technology Research

Researchers in the Centre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare (CATCH) represent a range of disciplines from Health Services Research, Human Communication Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Sociology, Automated Control and Systems Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology. Our interdisciplinary nature allows us to tackle health technologies research in a holistic manner.

CATCH researcher Dr Katherine Easton has recently been accredited as a Chartered Psychologist by the British Psychological Society.

Dr Easton feels this recognition is important, both for her academic standing and in demonstrating the expertise of the Centre.

“As a Health Service Researcher (HSR) it is my role to identify the most effective ways to organise, manage, and deliver high quality healthcare. In a pragmatic way health service researchers use theory to undertake research that can be applied by health professionals and managers who make decisions or deliver care in the health care system. The field is multi-disciplinary and very often researchers have an additional profession or background, such as a clinical qualification in Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Medicine, Physiotherapy or Pharmacy. Being accredited by the British Psychological Society as a Chartered Psychologist demonstrates my expertise in the field of Psychology and gives other researchers and external organisations and collaborators an idea of the kind of approach I might personally take to address important health research questions”.

The application of psychological theory and principles features heavily in much of the research we conduct in RATs and CATCH. Whether it be considering the role of self-management and behaviour change in interventions, examining the relationship between individuals and technology or the impact of technology for members of a healthcare organisation”.

Dr Easton and HSR researcher Claire Bentley are co-founders of the research interest group ‘Technology for Psychological Health and Wellbeing’ that spans RATS, CATCH and the technology and mental health themes  theme of the Yorkshire and Humber CLAHRC.

If you are a student, researcher, or commercial company, charity or clinician and would like to find out more about the work we are doing please get in touch with Katherine or Claire on: k.a.easton@sheffield.ac.uk or C.bentley@sheffield.ac.uk

Written by Dr Katherine Easton