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Robert Meertens
Lecturer (Medical Imaging) and PhD student
2511
+44 (0) 1392 722511
South Cloisters G.23
South Cloisters, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
Overview
Rob has worked as a Medical Imaging Lecturer at the University of Exeter since March 2013. He teaches on undergraduate modules covering clinical placements, pathology, and radiographic equipment as part of his teaching role. This also includes academic tutoring, supervising undergraduate projects and supervising Masters by Research students.
Previously Rob has accumulated over nine years’ clinical experience as a diagnostic radiographer, including expertise in computed tomography, coronary angiography, neurological angiography and bone mineral densitometry. An interest in CT colonography led Rob to successfully completing an MSc in Health Services Research at the University of York with distinction. This included a systematic review and meta-analysis on the accuracy of radiographer reporting of intra-luminal pathology on CT Colonography examinations. This piece of work went on for publication in Clinical Radiology and for presentation at UKRC 2012. Dissemination was financially supported by the College of Radiographers Industry Partnership Scheme (CoRIPS Application 051).
Qualifications
- MSc (Health Services Research), University of York , 2011
- Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, 2015
- Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, University of Exeter, 2015
- BAppSci (Medical Radiations Technology), Queensland University of Technology, 2003
Research
Research interests
Rob is also currently undertaking a PhD with support from the CoRIPS Doctoral Fellowship Grant. This research project is investigating the microvascular health of bone tissue in people with type 2 diabetes using a novel diagnostic technique: near infrared spectroscopy. Rob also now peer reviews for Radiography and the Cochrane Collaboration's Diagnostic Test Accuracy Editorial Board. He is an active member of the South West's Council for Allied Health Professions Research (SW-CAHPR).
Rob also has an interest in educational research including themes around inter professional working, involving service users in healthcare education and peer assisted learning.
Funding
- College of Radiographers Industrial Partnership Scheme (CoRIPS) Research Award funding £500 for dissemination of “A Systematic Review of the Accuracy of Radiographer Reporting in Gastrointestinal Examinations” (Application 051).
Research projects
- Society and College of Radiographers CoRIPS Doctoral Fellowship Grant: The use of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure the microvascular haemodynamics in bone tissue.
Publications
Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year
Publications by category
Journal articles
Rimes SJ, Knapp KM, Meertens RM, Fox DL (2019). Computed tomography colonography: Radiographer independent preliminary clinical evaluation for intraluminal pathology. Radiography, 25(4), 359-364. Abstract. Full text.
van den Heuvel J, Punch A, Aweidah L, Meertens R, Lewis S (2019). Optimizing Projectional Radiographic Imaging of the Abdomen of Obese Patients: an e-Delphi Study. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 50(2), 289-296. Abstract. Full text.
Gundry M, Knapp K, Meertens R, Meakin JR (2018). Computer-aided detection in musculoskeletal projection radiography: a systematic review. Radiography, 24, 165-174. Abstract. Full text.
Knapp KM, Meertens RM, Seymour R (2018). Imaging in osteoporosis: an update. Geriatric Medicine, 48, 10-12. Full text.
Meertens RM, Casanova F, Knapp KM, Thorn C, Strain WD (2018). Use of Near-Infrared Systems for Investigations of Hemodynamics in Human in Vivo Bone Tissue: a Systematic Review. Journal of Orthopaedic Research Full text.
Meertens RM, Knapp KM, Strain WD, Casanova F (2016). The Effects of Lumbar Sympathectomy on Bone and Soft Tissue Haemodynamics of the Leg recorded using Near Infrared Spectroscopy: a Case Report. Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, 3, 28-32. Full text.
Meertens R (2016). Utilisation of a peer assisted learning scheme in an undergraduate diagnostic radiography module. Radiography, 22(1), e69-e74. Abstract. Full text.
Meertens RM, Strain WD, Knapp KM (2015). A Review of the Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Preventative Treatment of Osteoporotic Fragility Fractures in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Volume 5(Number 1-2), 157-162. Abstract. Full text.
Knapp K, Meertens R, Ashton LR, Hopkins S (2015). Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry beyond bone mineral density measurement: vertebral fracture assessment. Imaging and Oncology for Imaging and Therapy Professionals, 48-53.
Rimes SJ, Fox D, Knapp KM, Meertens R (2015). The development and evaluation of an audit tool for measuring reporting accuracy of radiographers compared with radiologists for intra-luminal pathology detected at computed tomography colonography (CTC). Radiography, 21(3), 264-268. Abstract. Full text.
Meertens R, Brealey S, Nightingale J, McCoubrie P (2013). Diagnostic accuracy of radiographer reporting of computed tomography colonography examinations: a systematic review. Clinical Radiology
Knapp KM, Meertens RM, Seymour R (2013). Imaging in Osteoporosis. CME Journal: Geriatric Medicine, 10 Full text.
Conferences
Meertens RM, Knapp KM, Casanova F, Ball SE, Strain WD (2019). Exploring the potential relationships between microvascular haemodynamics and density in bone: a feasibility study utilising near infrared spectroscopy. UKIO 2019. 10th - 12th Jun 2019. Full text.
Gundry M, Meertens RM, Meakin JR, Knapp KM (2017). Computer-aided detection in musculoskeletal plain radiography: a systematic review. Abstract.
Meertens RM, Casanova F, Strain WD, Knapp K, Thorn C (2017). The use of near-infrared systems for investigations of microvascular haemodynamics in human in vivo bone tissue: a systematic review. International Society of Oxygen Transfer to Tissue Annual Meeting 2017. 19th - 23rd Aug 2017.
Meertens R, Knapp K, Strain D, Casanova F (2016). NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY: a POTENTIAL TOOL FOR ASSESSING HAEMODYNAMIC MARKERS OF THE MICROVASCULAR BLOOD SUPPLY WITHIN BONE TISSUE. Author URL. Full text.
Al-Rubeyi S, Farah W, Furmully M, Meertens R, Shepherd J, Green D, Strain WD, Knapp KM (2016). Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the radiography population: Are we at risk?. Abstract.
Meertens RM, Al-Rubeyi S, Farah W, Furmully M, Knapp K, Green D (2016). Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the radiography population: Are we at risk?. UKRC 2016.
Meertens RM (2015). An Evaluation of Service Users as an Educational Resource in an Undergraduate Diagnostic Radiography Module. UKRC 2015. 29th Jun - 1st Jul 2015. Full text.
Publications by year
2020
Meertens R (2020). Supplementary Thesis Data: Chapter 3 Included Studies Data Extraction File.
2019
Rimes SJ, Knapp KM, Meertens RM, Fox DL (2019). Computed tomography colonography: Radiographer independent preliminary clinical evaluation for intraluminal pathology. Radiography, 25(4), 359-364. Abstract. Full text.
Meertens RM, Knapp KM, Casanova F, Ball SE, Strain WD (2019). Exploring the potential relationships between microvascular haemodynamics and density in bone: a feasibility study utilising near infrared spectroscopy. UKIO 2019. 10th - 12th Jun 2019. Full text.
van den Heuvel J, Punch A, Aweidah L, Meertens R, Lewis S (2019). Optimizing Projectional Radiographic Imaging of the Abdomen of Obese Patients: an e-Delphi Study. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 50(2), 289-296. Abstract. Full text.
Meertens RM, Knapp KM, Casanova F, Ball SE, Strain WD (2019). The reproducibility of near infrared spectroscopy markers of microvascular haemodynamics at the proximal tibia and gastrocnemius. Full text.
2018
Gundry M, Knapp K, Meertens R, Meakin JR (2018). Computer-aided detection in musculoskeletal projection radiography: a systematic review. Radiography, 24, 165-174. Abstract. Full text.
Knapp KM, Meertens RM, Seymour R (2018). Imaging in osteoporosis: an update. Geriatric Medicine, 48, 10-12. Full text.
Meertens RM, Casanova F, Knapp KM, Thorn C, Strain WD (2018). Use of Near-Infrared Systems for Investigations of Hemodynamics in Human in Vivo Bone Tissue: a Systematic Review. Journal of Orthopaedic Research Full text.
2017
Gundry M, Meertens RM, Meakin JR, Knapp KM (2017). Computer-aided detection in musculoskeletal plain radiography: a systematic review. Abstract.
Meertens RM, Abd Hakip FH, Hassan H, Aboo Samah SN, Pg Zulkifli R (2017). The effect of exposure index on subjective image quality.
Meertens RM, Casanova F, Strain WD, Knapp K, Thorn C (2017). The use of near-infrared systems for investigations of microvascular haemodynamics in human in vivo bone tissue: a systematic review. International Society of Oxygen Transfer to Tissue Annual Meeting 2017. 19th - 23rd Aug 2017.
Meertens RM, Mills J, Green D, Pollard S (2017). Use of RIPLS questionnaire to evaluate medical imaging and medical students inter professional learning experience.
2016
Meertens RM, Rehman M, Senya E, Morina E, SSekatawa S (2016). Determining image quality based on displayed exposure index.
Meertens R, Knapp K, Strain D, Casanova F (2016). NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY: a POTENTIAL TOOL FOR ASSESSING HAEMODYNAMIC MARKERS OF THE MICROVASCULAR BLOOD SUPPLY WITHIN BONE TISSUE. Author URL. Full text.
Meertens RM, Knapp KM, Strain WD, Casanova F (2016). The Effects of Lumbar Sympathectomy on Bone and Soft Tissue Haemodynamics of the Leg recorded using Near Infrared Spectroscopy: a Case Report. Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, 3, 28-32. Full text.
Meertens R (2016). Utilisation of a peer assisted learning scheme in an undergraduate diagnostic radiography module. Radiography, 22(1), e69-e74. Abstract. Full text.
Al-Rubeyi S, Farah W, Furmully M, Meertens R, Shepherd J, Green D, Strain WD, Knapp KM (2016). Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the radiography population: Are we at risk?. Abstract.
Meertens RM, Al-Rubeyi S, Farah W, Furmully M, Knapp K, Green D (2016). Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the radiography population: Are we at risk?. UKRC 2016.
2015
Meertens RM, Strain WD, Knapp KM (2015). A Review of the Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Preventative Treatment of Osteoporotic Fragility Fractures in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Volume 5(Number 1-2), 157-162. Abstract. Full text.
Knapp KM, Rimes S, Meertens RM (2015). Accuracy of radiographer primary clinical evaluation of intraluminal pathology at computed tomography colonography. Abstract.
Meertens RM (2015). An Evaluation of Service Users as an Educational Resource in an Undergraduate Diagnostic Radiography Module. UKRC 2015. 29th Jun - 1st Jul 2015. Full text.
Knapp K, Meertens R, Ashton LR, Hopkins S (2015). Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry beyond bone mineral density measurement: vertebral fracture assessment. Imaging and Oncology for Imaging and Therapy Professionals, 48-53.
Knapp KM, Rimes S, Meertens RM (2015). Survey of current clinical practice of radiographers performing computed tomography colonography. Abstract.
Rimes SJ, Fox D, Knapp KM, Meertens R (2015). The development and evaluation of an audit tool for measuring reporting accuracy of radiographers compared with radiologists for intra-luminal pathology detected at computed tomography colonography (CTC). Radiography, 21(3), 264-268. Abstract. Full text.
2013
Meertens R, Brealey S, Nightingale J, McCoubrie P (2013). Diagnostic accuracy of radiographer reporting of computed tomography colonography examinations: a systematic review. Clinical Radiology
Knapp KM, Meertens RM, Seymour R (2013). Imaging in Osteoporosis. CME Journal: Geriatric Medicine, 10 Full text.
External Engagement and Impact
Committee/panel activities
- Society and College of Radiographers Research Group Member (2016-ongoing).
Awards
- Invitation to the 2015 American Society of Radiologic Technology (ASRT) Leadership Academy for Educators in Albuquerque, United States.
Teaching
Rob is module lead on two undergraduate modules:
- PAM1017: Clinical Imaging 1
- PAM3005: Practice Placement 3
Rob also teaches on several modules including:
- PAM1014: Radiation Physics
- PAM2012: Pathology for Radiographers
- PAM2901: Medical Imaging: Principles and Applications
Outside of this Rob also is an academic tutor and supervises Masters by Research and undergraduate research projects.
Modules
2020/21
- PAM2006 - Practical Placement2
- PAM2007 - Project Studies 1
- PAM3004 - Project Studies 2
- PAM3014 - Placement for Health Science