The Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Innovation (IMHI) Study Day
In this month’s Clinical Insight, we highlight the programme for the upcoming IMHI Study Day, taking place on 4 September 2026.
The Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Innovation (IMHI) at Health Sciences University brings together clinicians, researchers and educators to share knowledge, support professional development and advance musculoskeletal healthcare. The IMHI Study Day on 4 September provides an opportunity to explore contemporary challenges in practice, learn from leading MSK experts and connect with colleagues across the profession.
Why This Programme Matters for Clinicians
Clinical practice has never been more complex. Musculoskeletal clinicians are increasingly expected to navigate diagnostic uncertainty, recognise serious pathology, manage persistent pain, support psychological recovery, engage with research, and continually develop their professional capabilities. Delivering high-quality care requires more than technical expertise; it requires curiosity, critical thinking, reflection, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
This programme has been designed to bring together leading clinicians, researchers, and educators to explore the contemporary issues that shape musculoskeletal practice. Each session has been selected to challenge thinking, encourage discussion, and provide practical knowledge that can be applied immediately in clinical settings.
Making Sense of Red Flags in Clinical Practice
We will begin by exploring one of the most challenging areas of practice: making sense of red flags. Rather than simply memorising lists of symptoms, this session will consider how clinicians can use red flags within the wider context of clinical reasoning, helping to improve decision-making while reducing unnecessary anxiety and investigations.
Navigating Complexity
Building on this, the session on complexity in clinical reasoning acknowledges the reality that many patients do not present with textbook conditions. Clinicians frequently work in situations where information is incomplete, evidence is evolving, and certainty is unattainable. Developing confidence in managing uncertainty is a hallmark of expert practice and is essential for safe, person-centred care.
Developing Research and Clinical Expertise
Research is fundamental to advancing the profession. The introduction of the Clinical Research Community of Practice offers clinicians an opportunity to become involved in research regardless of previous experience. Whether through audit, service evaluation, quality improvement, or collaborative research, developing research capability strengthens both individual practice and the evidence base that underpins musculoskeletal healthcare.
Professional development extends beyond knowledge acquisition. Understanding competency, capability, and career progression enables clinicians to take ownership of their development and appreciate the pathways available towards advanced and consultant practice. This session on Competency and Capability in MSK Practice encourages clinicians to reflect not only on what they know, but also on how they continue to grow as practitioners and leaders within the profession.
Understanding Pain and Supporting Recovery
Pain remains one of the most common reasons people seek musculoskeletal care, yet our understanding of pain continues to evolve. Exploring contemporary pain science encourages clinicians to move beyond traditional biomedical models and adopt more person-centred, evidence-informed approaches that improve communication, enhance patient understanding, and support better clinical outcomes.
Our final session of the day will explore how successful rehabilitation is not solely determined by physical recovery, but by psychological factors too. Psychological readiness, confidence, motivation and fear all influence return to sport and activity. Recognising these factors allows clinicians to provide more holistic care and better support patients in achieving meaningful recovery.
A Day of Learning, Reflection and Connection
Perhaps the greatest value of the IMHI Study Day programme lies not in the individual sessions themselves, but in the opportunity for clinicians to reflect on their own practice. Reflection remains one of the most powerful tools for professional development, enabling practitioners to question assumptions, integrate new evidence, and continually refine their clinical reasoning. Learning alongside peers, sharing experiences, and engaging with recognised experts creates an environment where knowledge is translated into practice, and we really hope to see as many as possible at the event.
IMHI Study Day Programme – 4 September 2026
9.00–9.45 – Opening Lecture: Making Sense of Red Flags in Clinical Practice
Laura Finucane/Sam Simmonds: Visiting Associate Professor/Fellow
9.45–10.30 – Complexity in Reasoning: Dealing with Uncertainty
Neil Langridge/Matt Low: Associate Professor/Visiting Fellow
10.30–11.00 – Break
11.00–12.45 – Research Breakout Session: Introducing the Clinical Research CoP
Michelle Holmes/Neil Langridge: Senior Researcher/Associate Professor
12.45–1.45 – Lunch
1.45–2.30 – Competency and Capability in MSK Practice: Career Progression in MSK Advanced and Consultant Practice
Tim Noblet/Sharon Chan-Braddock: Visiting Associate Professor/Visiting Fellow
2.30–3.15 – Contemporary Pain Concepts
Prof Dave Newell
3.15–3.45 – Break
3.45–4.30 – Psychological Considerations for Return to Sport
Prof Stewart Cotterill
Connecting Learning, Research and Practice
Ultimately, this programme is about more than education. It is about supporting clinicians to become thoughtful, adaptable, evidence-informed practitioners who are equipped to manage the complexity of modern musculoskeletal practice. By investing in professional development, clinicians enhance not only their own confidence and capability but also the quality, safety, and outcomes of the care they provide for their patients.
To find out more about the IMHI Study Day and secure your place, visit: https://healthworkforce.hsu.ac.uk/course?id=123082
