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Dr Robert Meertens

Dr Robert Meertens

Senior Lecturer (E&S)

 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 and supervising both postgraduate and undergraduate projects.

Rob is also an early career researcher having recently completed his PhD investigating the use of near infrared spectroscopy for the investigation of heamodynamic markers in bone in vivo. He continues to collaborate on research involving diagnostics of bone health based on near infrared spectroscopy, DXA, and MRI and quantitative ultrasound based techniques. 

Rob also has an interest in educational research including themes around inter professional working, involving service users in healthcare education, simulation education techniques, and peer assisted learning.

Qualifications

  • PhD (Medical Studies), University of Exeter, 2020
  • Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, 2015
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, University of Exeter, 2015
  • MSc (Health Services Research), University of York , 2011
  • BAppSci (Medical Radiations Technology), Queensland University of Technology, 2003

Career

Previously Rob has accumulated over nine years’ clinical experience as a diagnostic radiographer in both Australia and the UK, 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).

Research

Research interests

Rob has recently completed a PhD with support from the CoRIPS Doctoral Fellowship Grant.  This research project is investigating the microvascular health of bone tissue 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, simulation education techniques, 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).
  • Society and College of Radiographers CoRIPS Doctoral Fellowship Grant (£24,974): The use of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure the microvascular haemodynamics in bone tissue.

Publications

Journal articles

Shepherd J, Lourida I, Meertens RM (In Press). Radiographer-led Discharge for Emergency Care Patients, Requiring Projection Radiography of Minor Musculoskeletal Injuries: a Scoping Review.  Abstract.
Meertens R, Hancock A, Hyde E (2023). Editorial: Patient voice and the patient experience. Radiography (Lond), 29 Suppl 1, S1-S2. Author URL.
Manning F, Mahmoud A, Meertens R (2023). Understanding patient views and acceptability of predictive software in osteoporosis identification. Radiography, 29(6), 1046-1053.
Alghamdi F, Owen R, Ashton REM, Obotiba AD, Meertens RM, Hyde E, Faghy MA, Knapp KM, Rogers P, Strain WD, et al (2022). Post-acute COVID syndrome (long COVID): What should radiographers know and the potential impact for imaging services. Radiography, 28, S93-S99.
Shepherd J, Meertens RM, Lourida I (2022). Radiographer-led discharge for emergency care patients, requiring projection radiography of minor musculoskeletal injuries: a scoping review (vol 22, 70, 2022). BMC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, 22(1). Author URL.
Shepherd J, Lourida I, Meertens RM (2022). Radiographer-led discharge for emergency care patients, requiring projection radiography of minor musculoskeletal injuries: a scoping review. BMC Emerg Med, 22(1). Abstract.  Author URL.
Hudson DM, Heales C, Meertens R (2022). Review of claustrophobia incidence in MRI: a service evaluation of current rates across a multi-centre service. Radiography, 28(3), 780-787.
Meertens R, Knapp KM, Strain WD, Casanova F, Ball S, Fulford J, Thorn C (2021). In vivo Measurement of Intraosseous Vascular Haemodynamic Markers in Human Bone Tissue Utilising Near Infrared Spectroscopy. Frontiers in Physiology, 12 Abstract.
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.
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.
Gundry M, Knapp K, Meertens R, Meakin JR (2018). Computer-aided detection in musculoskeletal projection radiography: a systematic review. Radiography, 24, 165-174. Abstract.
Knapp KM, Meertens RM, Seymour R (2018). Imaging in osteoporosis: an update. Geriatric Medicine, 48, 10-12.
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
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.
Meertens R (2016). Utilisation of a peer assisted learning scheme in an undergraduate diagnostic radiography module. Radiography, 22(1), e69-e74. Abstract.
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.
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.
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

Conferences

Meertens R, Gundry M (2023). PRE-CLINICAL STUDY EVIDENCING AN OPPORTUNISTIC SCREENING APPROACH IN SECONDARY CARE TO IMPROVE PRIMARY CARE REFERRAL FOR PATIENTS AT HEIGHTENED FRACTURE RISK. Royal Osteoporosis Society Conference 2023. 13th - 14th Sep 2023.
Meertens R, Gundry M (2023). RADIAL BONE DENSITY MEASUREMENT AS a PREDICTOR OF OSTEOPOROSIS AND 10- YEAR FRACTURE RISK AT THE FEMORAL NECK – AN OPTION FOR TREATMENT DECISIONS WHERE FEMORAL NECK AREAL BONE MINERAL DENSITY CANNOT BE OBTAINED?. Royal Osteoporosis Society Conference 2023. 13th - 14th Sep 2023.
Meertens R, Knapp K, Casanova F, Ball S, Strain W (2020). Near infrared spectroscopy for the investigation of vascular haemodynamics in human bone in vivo. Bone Research Society Annual Meeting. 6th - 8th Jul 2020.
Meertens R, Knapp K, Casanova F, Ball S, Fulford J, Merson S, Strain W (2020). Sex-based differences in vascular haemodynamics at the proximal tibia. European Congress of Radiology. 15th - 19th Jul 2020.
Meertens R, Knapp K, Casanova F, Ball S, Fulford J, Merson S, Strain W (2020). Vascular measurements of the proximal tibia and their associations with bone mineral density. European Congress of Radiology. 15th - 19th Jul 2020.
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.
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.
Meertens R (2016). Peer Assisted Learning in Diagnostic Radiography. SCoR Achieving Excellence in Radiography Education and Research Conference. 25th - 26th Nov 2016.
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 (2015). An Evaluation of Service Users as an Educational Resource in an Undergraduate Diagnostic Radiography Module. UKRC 2015. 29th Jun - 1st Jul 2015.


Robert_Meertens Details from cache as at 2023-09-30 19:43:42

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External Engagement and Impact

Committee/panel activities

  • Society and College of Radiographers Research Group Member (2016-2020). 

Awards

  • Invitation to the 2015 American Society of Radiologic Technology (ASRT) Leadership Academy for Educators in Albuquerque, United States.
  • Bone Research Society New Investigator Award 2020

Teaching

Rob is module lead on three undergraduate modules:

  • PAM2006:  Practice Placement 2
  • PAM2007: Project Studies 1
  • PAM3004: Project Studies 2

Rob also is module lead of one degree apprenticeship module:

  • RAD2002DA: Professional Practice 2

 

Modules

2023/24

Information not currently available


Supervision / Group

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