Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) academics are set to embark on two new research projects with the aim of improving health and wellbeing.

Both funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), one will investigate career guidance for older workers, while the other will look at the barriers faced by NHS doctors with disabilities.

Funded by the UK government’s Department of Health and Social Care, the NIHR works to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.

Career guidance for older workers

Led by Professor Peter Robertson from Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Applied Sciences, this research project will explore how career guidance can support adults aged between 50 and 64.

By reviewing existing research, partnering with service providers, and consulting older workers, the study will identify effective approaches and new ways to measure outcomes, laying the groundwork for a larger programme to strengthen career services and help older adults remain healthy, financially secure, and engaged in their communities.

It will look at how affected adults can make decisions about work, stay active, and improve health and wellbeing.

This project is one of 16 given development awards by the NIHR, totalling £1.8m in funding.

As well as Professor Robertson, ENU colleague Dr Vani Naik will work on the project in collaboration with researchers at the University of Leicester, University of Nottingham, The Institute of Occupational Medicine and Prime Cymru. The team can be contacted via CGresearch@napier.ac.uk.

Understanding career progression of doctors with disabilities in the NHS

Led by the University of Aberdeen and involving Professor Iain Atherton from Edinburgh Napier’s School of Health & Social Care, this research will explore and address the issue of doctors with disabilities facing barriers to their career progression.

While the proportion of NHS doctors who report having a disability is significantly lower than the proportion of people with disabilities in the UK population, they are more likely to experience bullying, discrimination and limited career choices than doctors without disabilities.

This new research, which also involves scientists from the University of St Andrews, Edinburgh Napier University and Queens University Belfast aims to identify these barriers and offer practical solutions to create equity.

Iain Atherton, Professor of Nursing and Data Science Edinburgh Napier University said:

"We cannot afford to see capable health care professionals unnecessarily fall short of career aspirations. Ensuring that medics with disabilities can realise ambitions is of benefit to them, to their patients, and to all of us. This is an important study that will provide evidence to ascertain the implications of disability for our future doctors."