It is with regret, but with safety in mind, that the meeting at the Universty of East Anglia, Norwich, originally planned for 18th September, will not be running this year.
Norfolk, with its historic buildings, canal lined streets in the idyllic Norfolk, is the host city of the OPSYRIS 2021 meeting
However, we are delighted that the host, Dr Stephanie Rossit, welcomes us to Norwich for Autumn next year. As always, we look forward to a variety of oral and poster presentation. While it might be a year away, it might be good time to consider what work you would like to submit. It is also time to consider candidates for our rising star award.
The University of East Anglia, with its distinctdistinctive zigurat buildings and spacious grounds, where the OPSYRIS 2021 meeting shall be held
Remember that thankfully there will still be a meeting, allbeit a virtual one, planned for this year, and it is coming soon. The virtual meeting should take place on the 18th of September. Look forward to seeing many of you then.
After the highly successful 2018 OPSYRIS meeting in Glasgow, the next host was the highly prestigious University of Oxford. The meeting took place in Saint Anne’s College on Friday the 4th of October.
Saint Anne’s College, Oxford was the location for the 2019 OPSYRIS meeting
A highlights of the meeting was the talk from keynote speaker Professor Sarah Pendlebury from the host University renowned for her work on clinical neuroscience, geratology and stroke prevention.
Kenote speaker, Oxford University’s Sarah Pendlebury, discusses the risk of dementia after stroke
As with previous OPSYRIS meetings, talks covered a broad range of topics. These included cognitive screening, spacial memory after stroke, prioritising actions for post stroke survivors, screening for visual perception deficits, brain network degeneration, support for carers of stroke survivors, psychoeducation, post-stroke insomnia, reading impairments, rehabilitation and befriending for people with aphasia, ocupational therapy and several others.
One of several interesting “quick-fire” talks whose brevity allow for a wide range of topics to be covered
As with oral presentations, posters covered a wide range of topics. These included rehabilitation tools and strategies for discharged stroke victims, aceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for psychological distress after stroke, feasibility and pilot testing, depression in caregivers, returning to work after stroke, spatial neglect, the effect of brain training on blood flow, associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and cognitive function among others. Several researchers from the host university contributed as well as those from Imperial College and King’s College, Glasgow, Cardiff, Lancaster, Manchester, Nottingham, Aga Khan (Pakistan) and East Anglia Universities.
Poster presentations provided an equally impressive range of topics
On what is becoming a highlight of OPSYRIS meetings, the rising star prize was this time nominated by OPSYRIS members. It was awarded to Dr Niamh Merriman from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). She has made important contributions on interventions improving the outcomes of patients with post stroke cognitive impairment.
Rising star Dr. Niamh Merriman receives her award fom Dr. Satu Baylan
Another feature making a welcome return from last year was the “how to…” sessions. This year they focussed on Patient, Carer and Public Involvement (PCPI) and prioritisation of Cochrane reviews. Following feedback from last years meeting, we also added sessions on implemented innovation in clinical service.
How to session on prioritising research giving valuable advice to researchers
After the meeting, OPSYRIS members looked forward to the next meeting due to be held at the University of East Anglia, Norwich. Until then, many of the speakers have thankfully shared their work and can be found on the shared drive for the Oxford 2019 OPSYRIS meeting.
On Friday 5th of October 2018, OPSYRIS hosted their anual UK meeting in the historic and scenic University of Glasgow.
The University of Glasgow hosted the 2018 OPSYRIS annual meeting
There were a wide range of topics presented. These included depression treatment, post stroke anxiety, using home based tools for assessment and setting up a specialist stroke psychology clinic.
Presentations, oral and poster, covered a wide range of research topics
Speakers came from every corner of the country including those from the Universities of Cambridge, Edinburgh, East Anglia, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham, Nottingham and several from the host city.
One of several useful talks during the meeting
Among those presenting were keynote speaker Dr. Shirley Thomas from the University of Nottingham discussing the BEADS trial looking at behavioural activation for post-stroke depression. The rising star award this year was won by Dr. Yvonne Chun at the University of Edinburgh who has contributed valuable work on anxiety after stroke.
Rising Star Dr. Yvonne Chun and keynote speaker Professor Shirley Thomas show awards at Glasgow OPSYRIS conference for psychological research into stroke
A welcome addition was a “how to” section with experts giving advice on getting published, gaining grant funding and combining research with a clinical post. To this end invited speaker Dr Alan Carson, Associate Editor of the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry presented on getting published.
“How to…” sessions provided valuable information for researchers and practioners including getting funding, setting up a clinic and combining research and clinical work
The meeting was praised for creating a friendly and open environment for presenting work, asking questions, discussions and networking that participants found enjoyable, inspiring, informative and applicable to their practice and research.
Participants of the OPSYRIS meet up in “The Friendly City” of Glasgow
However, it was the first OPSYRIS meeting arranged by the current team and much valuable feedback was taken post event and used for future events. There was much aniticipation for the next UK event at Oxford in 2019.
OPSYRIS Chair Dr. Terry Quinn closes the meeting in Glasgow 2018 as participants look forward to the following meeting in Oxford 2019
