Email: p.m.algar@bangor.ac.uk

Phone: 01248 383129

Location: School of Health Sciences, Fron Heulog, Bangor

  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) – Ref PR296885
    Higher Education Academy, 2024
  • PhD: Advancing process evaluation research within the field of neurological rehabilitation
    School of Healthcare Sciences, Bangor University, 2016
  • Pg. Dip Occupational Therapy
    School of Healthcare Sciences, Bangor University, 2010
  • MSc: MRes in Applied Marine Sciences
    Plymouth University, 2004
  • BSc: Marine Sciences
    Universidad de Cadiz, 2002

Current PhD students:

  • Trys Burke - ‘People power’: Modelling feasibility and mapping implementation strategies for Peer Support in Adventure Outdoor Activities as a driver to promote community wellbeing’. School of Health Sciences, Bangor University (KESS funding)

  • Madhur Mrinal – Stroke survivor, life, and family care: Recovery and Rehabilitation in New Delhi (India). School of Medical and Health Sciences (Bangor University)
  • Tom Graham – Exploring the implementation of AI systems for stroke care in Wales. School of Health Sciences (Bangor University)

 

Patricia is a health researcher interested in improving the lives of those affected by a neurological condition. Her research explores the impact that these conditions can have not only on the lives of those affected by them but also on the family as a whole. In 2017 Patricia and her colleagues completed a research project where they designed and evaluated a lay peer support intervention for stroke rehabilitation. Leading from that work Patricia was successful in attracting Welsh Government RCBC Wales post-doctoral fellowship funding. In her fellowship Patricia applied innovative approaches to map the experiences and identify the sources of support of young adults living in families affected by a neurological condition.  Patricia has recently joined the Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research (CADR) where she will continue to develop research focussed on designing and evaluating interventions tailored to support young carers of people living with dementia. She is currently a co-investigator on a randomised controlled trial and feasibility study of the effects of an e-health intervention ‘iSupport’ for reducing distress of dementia carers, especially in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Patricia leads the workpackage focussed on adapting iSupport to meet the needs of young dementia carers. 

Patricia completed a BSc and a Research Master’s degree in Marine Sciences before making a career change and training as an Occupational Therapist in 2009. Her interest in the evaluation and implementation of complex rehabilitation interventions led her to a PhD during which she carried out the process evaluation of the OTCH trial (Occupational Therapy intervention for residents with stroke in UK Care Homes) that investigated the impact of a targeted course of occupational therapy on people living in nursing and residential homes after suffering from a stroke. Patricia was also part of the team based at Bangor University that lead the process evaluation of the PD COMM trial which is a phase III multi centre randomised controlled trial that aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two approaches to speech and language therapy (SLT) compared to no SLT intervention for people with Parkinson’s disease.  

 

I am willing to supervise a PhD

2025

2024

2023

2022

2020

2019

  • PublishedExploring the experiences of young adults living in families affected by a neurological illness
    Masterson Algar, P., 7 Sept 2019.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review
  • PublishedThe Intertidal Zone of the North-East Atlantic Region: Pattern and Process
    Hawkins, S. J., Pack, K. E., Firth, L. B., Mieszkowska, N., Evans, A. J., Martins, G. M., Åberg, P., Adams, L. C., Arenas, F., Boaventura, D. M., Bohn, K., Borges, C. D. G., Castro, J. J., Coleman, R. A., Crowe, T. P., Cruz, T., Davies, M. S., Epstein, G., Faria, J. & Ferreira, J. G. & 24 others, Frost, N. J., Griffin, J. N., Hanley, M., Herbert, R. J. H., Hyder, K., Johnson, M. P., Lima, F. P., Masterson-Algar, P., Moore, P. J., Moschella, P. S., Notman, G. M., Pannacciulli, F. G., Ribeiro, P. A., Santos, A. M., Silva, A. C. F., Skov, M. W., Sugden, H., Vale, M., Wangkulangkul, K., Wort, E. J. G., Thompson, R. C., Hartnoll, R. G., Burrows, M. T. & Jenkins, S. R., Sept 2019, Interactions in the Marine Benthos: Global Patterns and Processes. Hawkins, S. J., Bohn, K., Firth, L. B. & Williams, G. A. (eds.). 1 ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, Vol. 87. p. 7-46 40 p. (Systematics Assocations; vol. Special Volume 87).
    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
  • PublishedWhat is it like to grow up with a parent who has multiple sclerosis?
    Masterson Algar, P., Jul 2019.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review

2018

2017

2016

2014

2012

2024

2023

  • iSupport for Young Carers: An Adaptation of an e-health Intervention for Young Dementia Carers.

    The number of children and adolescents who have caring responsibilities for a family member with dementia is rising. They need help to understand the illness and how it can affect their family member.

    Drawing from the experiences of young dementia carers (n=6, mean age=13.5) and relevant professionals (n=5) we followed a co-design approach to adapt iSupport for young dementia carers. Participants took part in three workshops and provided individual contributions. Feedback was analysed and adaptations organized according to the dimensions of the Ecological Validity Model (e.g., structure, content, context and language). By focussing on these dimensions, we intended to increase the relevance and the acceptability of iSupport to this new target group while keeping to the theoretical premises underpinning it.

    Informed by collated feedback a number of adaptations were carried out. Case scenarios included in the original iSupport were edited and new ones created placing the focus on a young character with caring responsibilities within a family unit. These characters were young people with a parent or grandparent living with dementia. Also, illustrations portraying human characters representing a range of ages and ethnicities were added throughout. These characters emphasised the actions described within the carer case scenarios. Adaptations to the ‘design’ and ‘language’ were also carried out. For example, the quantity and complexity of the text was reduced as much as possible without compromising its readability and meaning. Clarity and appeal were increased by changing font size, style and including brighter colour schemes.

    Adaptations resulted in the creation of iSupport for Young Carers which is the first e-health intervention of its kind and aims to support the mental health, knowledge, and skills of young dementia carers. This new adaptation provides opportunities for other countries and demographic groups to translate and adapt iSupport for Young Carers to their specific cultural context.

    17 Oct 2023

    Links:

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
  • BU-IIA Funded Project: iSupport Young Carers as a driver of change in how we support young people living in families affected by dementia

    iSupport for Young Carers (iSupport YC) is the only online interactive support tool for young dementia carers in the world. We propose a plan of work that will allow this innovation to be rolled out and implemented across health, social, charity and education sectors in 1. Wales and the UK, and 2. In Brazil and Spain.

    Funding awarded through the Bangor University Innovation and Impact Award (Research Wales Innovation Funding). Value = £33,956

    1 Aug 2023 – 31 Jul 2024

    Activity: Other (Contributor)
  • Psychosocial Applications of Technology for Health and Wellness Coaching of Older Adults with Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment and their Carers in Rural Areas

    External reviewer

    Jul 2023

    Activity: Examination (Examiner)

2021

  • Universal challenges of being a dementia carer: experiences from Brazil and UK

    Across the world those who care for a loved one with dementia share similar challenges. In this seminar, Patricia will explore these challenges and explain the work they have done with carers in Santos (Sao Paolo, Brazil) and in Rhyl (Wales, UK). Carers were invited to share their thoughts in group discussions and also using simple art materials to draw (doodle). During the seminar, the audience will also be able to watch a short film where Brazilian and British carers themselves share their thoughts on what it is like to care for someone with dementia on opposite sides of the world.

    13 Oct 2021

    Links:

    Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
  • Universal challenges of being a dementia carer: experiences from Brazil and UK

    Across the world those who care for a loved one with dementia share similar challenges. In this seminar, we will explore these challenges and explain the work they have done with carers in Santos (Sao Paolo, Brazil) and in Rhyl (Wales, UK). Carers were invited to share their thoughts in group discussions and also using simple art materials to draw (doodle). During the seminar, the audience will also be able to watch a short film where Brazilian and British carers themselves share their thoughts on what it is like to care for someone with dementia on opposite sides of the world.

    28 Sep 2021

    Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
  • Using art-based methods and ‘doing’ to explore human experiences

    School of Health Sciences Research Summer School 2021

    5 Jul 2021

    Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
  • Working together under the OneHealth approach

    Interdisciplinary workshops - Global Challenges Research Fund

    Working together under the OneHealth approach

    The overall aim of these workshops was for them to act as a path to establish collaborative interdisciplinary research working groups under the WHO One Health approach. More specifically these workshops aimed to:

    - Be an opportunity to share knowledge/expertise between the UK and Brazilian researchers already working in this interdisciplinary area (environment-art-health).

    - Identify research links to the OneHealth agenda, closely linked to addressing key Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) (SDG3, Good Health and Well-being; SDG10, Reduced Inequality; SDG11, Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG14 Life underwater)

    - Develop a pathway for future collaborations under the OneHealth/Agenda 2030 global agendas.

    1 May 2021 – 15 Jun 2021

    Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)
  • Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research (CADR) A time of change; A time to change?

    The overall theme of the conference is Past, Present and Future in relation to the global pandemic and the effect that it has had on the lives and livelihoods of older people. The event will cover topics such as environments of ageing, housing, transport, cognition and dementia, employment and creative arts.

    24 Mar 2021

    Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)
  • Exploring the impact of Covid-19 on the care and quality of life of people with dementia and their carers: A scoping review of published Research.

    Exploring the impact of Covid-19 on the care and quality of life of people with dementia and their carers: A scoping review of published Research.

    24 Mar 2021

    Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)

2019

  • Exploring the experiences of young adults living in families affected by a neurological illness

    5 Sep 2019

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
  • What is it like to grow up with a parent who has a multiple sclerosis?

    Background

    More than 12 million people in the UK are affected by a neurological illness such as MS. Strong evidence suggests that these conditions generate a variety of socio-economical stresses that can have a damaging impact on the way the person and their family live their lives.

    Aim

    The overall aim of this study was to investigate the impact that having a parent with a neurological illness such as MS can have on young adults’ experiences of growing up. This study also explored support networks of these young adults and investigated the accessibility of current peer support initiatives.

    Method

    The study design followed a case-study approach. Within the MS case study the researcher: 1. Carried out semi-structured interviews with young adults living in families affected by MS (n=15); 2. Organized 1-day workshop in which all participants were given the opportunity to provide feedback and critique initial themes identified during the analysis of interview data. During the workshop, young adults were also asked to identify and represent their support networks using a variety of materials such as Lego or Play Dough in order to engage in meaningful discussion.

    Findings

    Four themes were identified across all case studies: 1. The illness has shaped my family, and me; 2. They (people outside my family) do not understand; 3. Thrown into the deep end (learning as I go along); 4. I need to talk about this. Support networks were identified as being highly reliant on the ‘closed knit family’. Young adults overwhelmingly stated that due to lack of understanding of their peers and teachers and fear of being stigmatized they rarely shared their challenges or asked for help.

    Conclusion

    More needs to be done to support young people growing up in a family affected by MS. Schools in particular need to address this need and provide opportunities to share knowledge and generate meaningful conversations around these neurological conditions and their impact on everyday life

    4 Jul 2019

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

2016

2015

  • Federal University of the State of Sao Paolo

    Invited to give a talk to the Occupational Therapy research department. Title of the talk: "OTCH Process Evaluation"

    Feb 2015

    Activity: Visiting an external academic institution (Visiting researcher)

2013

2012