Breiffni Leavy
Lecturer
My research is focused primarily on balance, falls and physical activity among older people in general and more specifically, people with Parkinsons disease. I am interested in exploring these areas using a range of research methodologies – from qualitative methods, to epidemiology and intervention och implementation approaches.
About me
I completed my PhD in 2015 at Uppsala university, where my dissertation investigated fall-related hip fracture using a varied methodological perspectives. I then wished to focus on the group of people at highest risk for falling- people with Parkinsons disease. I chose therefore Erika Franzéns' group at Karolinska Institutet as a post-doc, where I studied the clinical effectivess and implementation of highly challenging balance training for this group. I am also employed at the Research and Development department at Stockholms sjukhem where I am planning my upcoming projects involving tailoring rehabilitation which can be delivered at home to people with Parkinsons disease, using mobile health technology.
Teaching portfolio
I teach at graduate and post-graduate level at the physiotherapy program at Karolinska institutet. I also supervise masters students and co-supervise a doctoral student. I am course coordinator the Physiotherapy for Children and Older adults.
Education
I graduated as a physiotherapist from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland in 2000. I completed my masters at Uppsala University in 2007, and my PhD at Uppsala in 2015. Since then I have completed courses in intervention and implementation science as well as pedagogy at university level.