Catherine Holborn MSc, PGC, BSc (Hons)
Senior Lecturer
Summary
The majority of my work focuses on Post-Registration and Postgraduate provision in Radiotherapy, Oncology and Supportive Care. My specialist areas are Prostate Cancer, Cancer Rehabilitation & Survivorship, and Personalised Care. I have a keen interest in the delivery of education in this field, that supports the professional development of healthcare professionals working with those affected by cancer and enables them to make a positive impact on the care they receive. My work primarily involves online, distance learning and I have acquired a great deal of experience in this type of delivery. I am also Training & Education Lead at Sheffield Hallam's Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) where our mission is to transform lives through innovations that help people move.
About
As a Senior Lecturer in Radiotherapy & Oncology, I teach on both pre-registration and post-registration, undergraduate and postgraduate courses and modules, related to this field of practice. Most of my teaching focuses on prostate cancer, cancer survivorship and rehabilitation, personalised care, supported self-management, advanced communication skills, collaborative working, symptom management, and shared decision making & informed consent. Previously, I have also taught about Image Guided Radiotherapy and Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy, and I continue to have an active interest in this field. In particular, the impact technical advances in Radiotherapy have on clinical outcomes and patient experience.
Most of my work focuses on post-registration and postgraduate provision. I am passionate about the role that education can play in influencing practice and having a positive impact on those affected by cancer and other health conditions. My role as Training & Education Lead at the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) also allows me to develop educational opportunities that seek to transform practice, as well as building peoples research capacity and inspiring the next generation workforce. It also allows be to contribute to knowledge exchange in a variety of ways, facilitating the delivery of education, including work based learning, that is informed by research & innovation.
I also contribute my expertise to external organisations. For example; I work closely with Prostate Cancer UK and have contributed to the educational resources they provide, for healthcare professionals. I also work with the UK Association of Supportive Cancer Care, helping them to support education in this field and support workforce development. I also help to facilitate a prostate cancer support group at a community wellbeing centre within my local area.
Prior to working at Sheffield Hallam University, I qualified as a Therapeutic Radiographer in 1998 and started work at Cookridge Hospital in Leeds. In 2001, I started work at Nottingham City Hospital, eventually being promoted to the superintendent radiographer/team leader role. In 2003, I started work at Hallam.
Specialist areas of interest
Prostate Cancer
Online learning
Impact on Practice
Teaching
School of Health and Social Care
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
In my role at the AWRC we are working on various CPD initiatives focused on cancer, exercise and rehabilitation.
We are also exploring opportunities to enhance pre-registration health student skills based training in physical activity promotion.
Radiotherapy and Oncology
BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy and Oncology
PGD Radiotherapy and Oncology in Practice (with eligibility for registration)
MSc Prostate Cancer Care
MSc Radiotherapy and Oncology
Personalised care and supported self-management for those affected by cancer
Collaborative working in symptom management
Excellence in prostate cancer treatment & care
Information giving & Informed consent
Advanced communication in supportive care
Research
In my role within Radiotherapy & Oncology, I am working (as part of a wider team) with an upright Radiotherapy company to explore patient experiences of Radiotherapy and their perspectives on this novel approach.
I am also working with colleagues on a service evaluation for a local wellbeing centre, exploring the benefits of their exercise classes and holistic therapy service.
Publications
Journal articles
Hassan, S., Holborn, C., Harris, P.A., Al-Salihi, O., Brazil, L., & Chia, K. (2024). What is the Quality-of-Life impact of surrendering a driving license for patients following Stereotactic Radiosurgery /Radiotherapy for brain metastases at a single centre [abstract only]. Radiography, 30 (Supp 3), S9-S10. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2024.09.019
Cooke, A., & Holborn, C. (2023). Measuring and improving radiotherapy delivery efficiency. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 22. http://doi.org/10.1017/s146039692200005x
Binks, L., Drury-Smith, H., & Holborn, C. (2021). The psychological impact of prostate cancer after treatment: a critical review of the literature. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice. http://doi.org/10.1017/S1460396921000455
Sykes, A., Taylor, A., Holborn, C., Allen, D., Ferguson, C., & Din, O. (2020). Raising the subject – let’s talk about erectile dysfunction. Radiography, 26, S31. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2019.11.078
Hallam, E., & Holborn, C. (2020). A critical evaluation of the impact of the consultant practitioner role in the management of late effects. Radiography, 26, S14-S15. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2019.11.036
Binks, L., & Holborn, C. (2020). The psychological impact of prostate cancer after treatment: a critical review of the literature. Radiography, 26 (Supp1), S33-S34. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2019.11.084
Chauhan, M., Holch, P., & Holborn, C. (2018). Assessing the information and support needs of radical prostate cancer patients and acceptability of a group-based treatment review: a questionnaire and qualitative interview study. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 17 (2), 151-161. http://doi.org/10.1017/S1460396917000644
McConkey, R.W., & Holborn, C. (2018). Exploring the lived experience of gay men with prostate cancer: A phenomenological study. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 33, 62-69. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2018.01.013
Poon, M., Holborn, C., Cheng, K.F., Fung, W.W.K., & Chiu, G. (2017). Evaluation of deformed image-based dose calculations for adaptive radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Medical dosimetry : official journal of the American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.meddos.2017.06.001
Hill, G., & Holborn, C. (2015). Sexual minority experiences of cancer care : a systematic review. Journal of Cancer Policy, 6, 11-22. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpo.2015.08.005
Conference papers
Chetiyawardana, G., Holborn, C., Hoskin, P., & Tsang, Y. (2020). Can empty bladder filling protocol be implemented for localised prostate external beam radiotherapy? RADIOTHERAPY AND ONCOLOGY, 152, S1020.
Ghattaure, M., Holborn, C., & Holch, P. (2016). Assessing the information and support needs of radical prostate cancer patients and acceptability of a group based treatment review: a questionnaire and qualitative interview study. PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, 25, 14-15.
Poon, M., Cheng, K.F., Fung, W.W.K., Chiu, G., & Holborn, C. (2014). Evaluation of Deformed Image-Based Dose Calculations for Adaptive Radiation Therapy of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, 90 (1), S107. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2014.05.523
Book chapters
Holborn, C., & Perry, R. (2019). Image‐guided Radiotherapy and Treatment Verification. In Practical Radiotherapy Physics and Equipment. (3rd). John Wiley & Sons