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Alex Hagan is studying medicine at Newcastle University, and is about to enter his third year of training. Recently, Alex joined us for a two-month internship placement, working alongside Dementia Research Fellow, Dr Marie Poole.

In this blog, he shares his reflections on the placement, and what he’s gained from it.

I’m currently studying Medicine and Surgery at Newcastle University (2023-2028), having previously completed an BSc in Psychology and Criminology, followed by an MSc in Clinical Psychology. My research experience spans paediatric neuro-oncology, neurocognitive late effects, and more recently, post-diagnostic care for people living with dementia. I’ve contributed to a range of research projects, from systematic reviews to applied clinical research projects.

I’m particularly interested in neurology, neurocognitive outcomes, and the intersection between clinical care and social/community-based interventions. My academic and clinical experience has focused primarily on paediatric populations, but this internship allowed me to broaden my perspective to older adult neurology and dementia care.

An opportunity to gain first-hand experience

I was motivated by the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the real-world challenges faced by people living with dementia and their families. I was also keen to understand how community-based interventions (i.e., walking football or reminiscence therapy) can meaningfully improve wellbeing. Finally, the internship offered a valuable chance to develop my research skills while working within a well-established team.

During the placement, I contributed to literature reviews and manuscript development, working collaboratively with colleagues to tailor methodological approaches to research questions. I also had the chance to shadow an older adult clinic, which helped me understand the pathway from symptom presentation to diagnosis and the integration of social and community support initiatives.

Alongside this, I joined a virtual meeting with the DEMCOMM fellows, which gave me the opportunity to connect with researchers from other Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) and institutions, and to see the breadth of dementia-related research being undertaken. I also took part in a dementia awareness training session with Newcastle United Foundation staff, designed to enhance their knowledge and understanding of dementia so they could improve the delivery of their popular Memory Café sessions.

The highlights 

One of the highlights of my internship was observing and participating in the Dementia Friendly Walking Football initiative run by the Newcastle United Foundation. It was inspiring to see the positive impact of a community-based initiative on older adults’ social engagement and wellbeing.

The challenges

A challenging aspect of the placement was collating and comparing the wide range of literature on dementia, from peer-reviewed publications to grey literature.

What’s next

I gained valuable methodological understanding, including advanced database searching and critical appraisal skills. I also developed a deeper appreciation for the role of social interventions in dementia care, particularly in terms of scalability and engagement. I will take these teachings with me as a I progress through my academic and clinical career.

Long term, I hope to pursue a career as an academic clinician, integrating clinical practice with research to improve patient outcomes across the lifespan.