Staff Profile

Research Interests

Speciality Area: Ageing / Geriatric medicine

Current Work

I am from Edinburgh and moved to Newcastle to complete undergraduate medical education in 1995-2000, mostly because I was impressed with the forward thinking curriculum, but also as I liked the city and didn’t want to stray too far south of the border! I have had no reason to want to leave, completing house jobs, membership exams and gaining a training number in general medicine and geriatrics in 2003 in the North East region. During my registrar training I was keen to be involved in research and completed an MD in 2007 entitled “The prevalence, and nature, of Parkinson’s disease in Hai, Tanzania”. This meant that I spent 6 months living in northern Tanzania, a fascinating experience, and one that the University were very supportive of. I have also completed a Certificate of Medical Education at the University.

I have found Newcastle an inspiring place to work, both with the vibrant, enthusiastic and highly internationally regarded researchers who work here, and the talented physicians I have trained with. After completing an NIHR Academic Clinical Lectureship role and gaining CCTs in Geriatrics and GIM, I worked as a consultant geriatrician at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust from 2011-2024. I was Foundation Tutor for the trust from 2017-2024, overseeing core teaching, delivery of the foundation curriculum and developing professionalism training for F2 doctors about research. I have been clinical and educational supervisor for doctors of all levels of training. I run a general geriatrics/frailty clinic at Blyth hospital and lead a community MDT there. I cover the elderly assessment unit at Wansbeck hospital one day a week and contribute to the on call rota.

I joined the AGE Research Group in October 2024, as a Clinical Senior Lecturer and continue to hold an Honorary Consultant post with Northumbria. I am currently supervising 2 PhD projects - one in Tanzania and one in Kenya. I have supervised over 40 Masters of Research projects, the majority completing fieldwork in Tanzania. I am NIHR training lead for a Global Health Research Group - "Transforming Parkinson's disease Care in Africa".

I look forward to widening my research portfolio with the AGE Research Group, developing clinical trial links with Northumbria Trust and helping to deliver research capacity development within the AGE Research Group.

• Articles

  • Reay A, Dismore L, Aujayeb A, Dotchin C, Tullo E, Steer J, Swainston K. Analysing the patient experience of COVID-19: Exploring patients' experiences of hospitalisation and their quality of life post discharge. Journal of Clinical Nursing 2024, 33(9), 3634-3641.
  • Walker R, Fothergill-Misbah N, Kariuki S, Ojo O, Cilia R, Dekker MCJ, Agabi O, Akpalu A, Amod F, Breckons M, Cham M, Del Din S, Dotchin C, Guggsa S, Kwasa S, Mushi D, Nwaokorie FO, Park T, Rochester L, Rogathi J, Sarfo FS, Shalash A, Ternent L, Urasa S, Okubadejo N. Transforming Parkinson's Care in Africa (TraPCAf): Protocol for a multimethodology National Institute for Health and Care Research Global Health Research Group project. BMC Neurology 2023, 23, 373.
  • Dua D, Stubbs O, Urasa S, Rogathe J, Duijinmaijer A, Howlett W, Dekker M, Kisoli A, MukaetovaLadinska EB, Gray WK, Lewis T, Walker RW, Dotchin CL, Lwezuala B, Makupa PC, Paddick SM. The prevalence and outcomes of depression in older HIV-positive adults in Northern Tanzania: a longitudinal study. Journal of NeuroVirology 2023, 29, 425–439.
  • Walker J, Dotchin C, Breckons M, Fisher E, Lyimo G, Mkenda S, Walker R, Urasa S, Rogathi J, Spector A. Patient and caregiver experiences of living with dementia in Tanzania. Dementia 2023, 22(8), 1900-1920.
  • Crawley D, Saunders R, Buckman JEJ, Hui E, Walker R, Dotchin C, Spector A. Identifying prognostic indicators for cognitive stimulation therapy for dementia: Protocol for a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis. BJPsych Open 2023, 9(3), e69.
  • Cooper F, Lewis EG, Urasa S, Whitton L, Collin H, Coles S, Wood GK, Ali AM, Mdegella D, Mkodo J, Zerd F, Dotchin C, Gray WK, Walker RW. Social Vulnerability, Frailty, and Their Association With Mortality in Older Adults Living in Rural Tanzania. Journals of Gerontology: Series A 2022, 77(10), 2050-2058.
  • George G, Fricker M, Todd O, Makowa D, Tembo C, Dotchin C, Gray WK, Walker RW, Mbwele B, Paddick S-M. Screening for delirium and dementia in older hospitalised adults in Zambia. Journal of the Neurological Sciences 2022, 436, 120186.
  • Stoner CR, Lakshminarayanan M, Mograbi DC, Vaitheswaran S, Bertrand E, Schimidt Brum P, Durgante H, Ferri CP, Mkenda S, Walker R, Dotchin C, Paddick S-M, Chandra M, Krishna M, Du B, Shaji KS, Fisher E, Spector A. Development and acceptability of a brief, evidence-based Dementia Awareness for Caregivers course in low- and middle-income countries. Dementia 2022, 21(2), 598-617.
  • Kellett-Wright J, Flatt A, Eaton P, Urasa S, Howlett W, Dekker M, Kisoli A, Duijinmaijer A, Thornton J, McCartney J, Yarwood V, Irwin C, Mukaetova-Ladinska E, Akinyemi R, Lwezuala B, Gray WK, Walker RW, Dotchin CL, Makupa P, Paddick S-M. Screening for HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) in Adults Aged 50 and Over Attending a Government HIV Clinic in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Comparison of the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) and IDEA Six Item Dementia Screen. AIDS and Behavior 2021, 25, 542-553.
  • Lewis EG, Breckons M, Lee RP, Dotchin C, Walker R. Rationing care by frailty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Age and Ageing 2021, 50(1), 7-10.
  • Yoseph M, Paddick S-M, Gray WK, Andrea D, Barber R, Colgan A, Dotchin C, Urasa S, Kisoli A, Kissima J, Haule I, Rogathi J, Safic S, Mushi D, Robinson L, Walker RW. Prevalence estimates of dementia in older adults in rural Kilimanjaro 2009–2010 and 2018–2019: is there evidence of changing prevalence?. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 2021, 36(6), 950-959.
  • Gray WK, Paddick S-M, Ogunniyi A, Olakehinde O, Dotchin C, Kissima J, Urasa S, Kisoli A, Rogathi J, Mushi D, Adebiyi A, Haule I, Robinson L, Walker R. Population normative data for three cognitive screening tools for older adults in sub-Saharan Africa [Dados normativos populacionais para três instrumentos de triagem cognitiva para idosos na África subsaariana]. Dementia e Neuropsychologia 2021, 15(3), 339-349.
  • Bristow C, George G, Hillsmith G, Rainey E, Urasa S, Koipapi S, Kisoli A, Boni J, Saria GA, Ranasinghe S, Joseph M, Gray WK, Dekker M, Walker RW, Dotchin CL, Mukaetova-Ladinska E, Howlett W, Makupa P, Paddick S-M. Low levels of frailty in HIV-positive older adults on antiretroviral therapy in northern Tanzania. Journal of NeuroVirology 2021, 27(1), 58-69.
  • Yemm H, Robinson L, Paddick SM, Dotchin C, Goodson ML, Narytnyk A, Poole M, Mc Ardle R. Instrumental activities of daily living scales to detect cognitive impairment and dementia in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 2021, 83(1), 451-474.
  • Paddick S-M, Yoseph M, Gray WK, Andrea D, Barber R, Colgan A, Dotchin C, Urasa S, Kissima J, Haule I, Kisoli A, Rogathi J, Safic S, Mushi D, Robinson L, Walker RW. Effectiveness of App-Based Cognitive Screening for Dementia by Lay Health Workers in Low Resource Settings. A Validation and Feasibility Study in Rural Tanzania. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology 2021, 34(6), 613-621.
  • Howarth-Maddison M, Gamassa E, Safic S, Andrea D, Urasa S, Walker RW, Gray WK, Haule I, Dotchin CL, Paddick S-M. Development of a brief screening method for identification of depression in older adults in Sub-Saharan Africa. Aging and Mental Health 2021, 26(1), 40-47.
  • Reay A, Aujayeb A, Dotchin C, Tullo E, Steer J, Swainston K, Dismore L. A qualitative study exploring the impact and effects following hospital discharge of COVID-19. Journal of Respiration 2021, 1(3), 216-222.
  • Del Din S, Lewis EG, Gray WK, Collin H, Kissima J, Rochester L, Dotchin C, Urasa S, Walker R. Monitoring walking activity with wearable technology in rural-dwelling older adults in Tanzania: a feasibility study nested within a frailty prevalence study. Experimental Aging Research 2020, 46(5), 367-381.
  • Lewis EG, Whitton LA, Collin H, Urasa S, Howorth K, Walker RW, Dotchin C, Mulligan L, Shah B, Mohamed A, Mdegella D, Mkodo J, Zerd F, Gray WK. A brief frailty screening tool in Tanzania: external validation and refinement of the B-FIT screen. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research 2020, 32, 1959-1967.
  • Akinyemi RO, Owolabi MO, Ihara M, Damasceno A, Ogunniyi A, Dotchin C, Paddick S-M, Ogeng'o J, Walker R, Kalaria RN. Stroke, cerebrovascular diseases and vascular cognitive impairment in Africa. Brain Research Bulletin 2019, 145, 97-108.
  • Olakehinde O, Adebiyi A, Siwoku A, Mkenda S, Paddick S-M, Gray WK, Walker RW, Dotchin CL, Mushi D, Ogunniyi A. Managing dementia in rural Nigeria: feasibility of cognitive stimulation therapy and exploration of clinical improvements. Aging and Mental Health 2019, 23(10), 1377-1381.
  • Howorth K, Paddick S-M, Rogathi J, Walker R, Gray W, Oates LL, Andrea D, Safic S, Urasa S, Haule I, Dotchin C. Conceptualization of depression amongst older adults in rural Tanzania: a qualitative study. International Psychogeriatrics 2019, 31(10), 1473-1481.
  • Lewis G, Wood GK, Howorth K, Shah B, Mulligan L, Kissima J, Dotchin C, Gray WK, Urasa S, Walker RW. The prevalence of frailty in older community-dwelling Tanzanians by Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment. Journal of American Geriatrics Society 2018, 66(8), 1484-1490.
  • Lewis EG, Coles S, Howorth K, Kissima J, Gray W, Urasa S, Walker R, Dotchin C. The prevalence and characteristics of frailty by frailty phenotype in rural Tanzania. BMC Geriatrics 2018, 18(1), 283.
  • Stone L, Heward J, Paddick S-M, Dotchin CL, Walker RW, Collingwood C, Thornton J, Yarwood V, McCartney J, Irwin C, Mkenda S, Kissima J, Swai B, Gray WK. Screening for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Balance Between Task Shifting, Simplicity, Brevity, and Training. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology 2018, 31(5), 248-255.
  • Heward J, Stone L, Paddick S-M, Mkenda S, Gray WK, Dotchin CL, Kissima J, Collingwood C, Swai B, Walker RW. A longitudinal study of cognitive decline in rural Tanzania: rates and potentially modifiable risk factors. International Psychogeriatrics 2018, 30(9), 1333-1343.
  • Hindley G, Kissima J, Oates LL, Paddick S-M, Kisoli A, Brandsma C, Gray WK, Walker RW, Mushi D, Dotchin CL. The role of traditional and faith healers in the treatment of dementia in Tanzania and the potential for collaboration with allopathic healthcare services. Age and Ageing 2017, 46(1), 130-137.
  • Lewis EG, Banks J, Paddick S-M, Duinmaijer A, Tucker L, Kisoli A, Cletus J, Lissu C, Kilonzo K, Cosker G, Mukaetova-Ladinska EB, Dotchin C, Gray W, Walker R, Urasa S. Risk Factors for Delirium in Older Medical Inpatients in Tanzania. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders 2017, 44, 160-170.
  • Gray WK, Orega G, Kisoli A, Rogathi J, Paddick S-M, Longdon AR, Walker RW, Dewhurst F, Dewhurst M, Chaote P, Dotchin C. Identifying Frailty and its Outcomes in Older People in Rural Tanzania. Experimental Aging Research 2017, 43(3), 257-273.
  • Paddick S-M, Mkenda S, Mbowe G, Kisoli A, Gray WK, Dotchin CL, Ternent L, Ogunniyi A, Kissima J, Olakehinde O, Mushi D, Walker RW. Cognitive stimulation therapy as a sustainable intervention for dementia in sub-Saharan Africa: feasibility and clinical efficacy using a stepped-wedge design. International Psychogeriatrics 2017, 29(6), 979-989.
  • Paddick S-M, Gray WK, McGuire J, Richardson J, Dotchin C, Walker RW. Cognitive screening tools for identification of dementia in illiterate and low-educated older adults, a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Psychogeriatrics 2017, 29(6), 897-929.
  • Paddick S-M, Kisoli A, Mkenda S, Mbowe G, Gray WK, Dotchin C, Ogunniyi A, Kisima J, Olakehinde O, Mushi D, Walker RW. Adaptation and validation of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale – Cognitive (ADAS-Cog) in a low-literacy setting in sub-Saharan Africa. Acta Neuropsychiatrica 2017, 29(4), 244-251.
  • Dotchin CL, Gray WK, Gaskin E, Hartley S, Walker RW. Frequency, nature and outcomes of hospital admissions in centenarians in an area of North-East England. Geriatrics & Gerontology International 2016, 16(8), 969-975.
  • Paddick SM, Gray WK, Ogunjimi L, Iwezuala B, Olakehinde O, Kisoli A, Kissima J, Mbowe G, Mkenda S, Dotchin CL, Walker RW, Mushi D, Collingwood C, Ogunniyi A. Validation of the Identification and Intervention for Dementia in Elderly Africans (IDEA) cognitive screen in Nigeria and Tanzania. BMC Geriatrics 2015, 15, 53.
  • Paddick SM, Kisoli A, Longdon A, Dotchin C, Gray WK, Chaote P, Teodorczuk A, Walker R. The prevalence and burden of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in rural Tanzania. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 2015, 30(8), 815-823.
  • Paddick SM, Kisoli A, Dotchin CL, Gray WK, Chaote P, Longdon A, Walker RW. Mortality rates in community-dwelling Tanzanians with dementia and mild cognitive impairment: a 4-year follow-up study. Age and Ageing 2015, 44(4), 636-641.
  • Frost L, Liddie Navarro A, Lynch M, Campbell M, Orcutt M, Trelfa A, Dotchin C, Walker R. Care of the Elderly: Survey of Teaching in an Aging Sub-Saharan Africa. Gerontology and Geriatrics Education 2015, 36(1), 14-29.
  • Grey K, Longdon A, Paddick S, Kisoli A, Dotchin C, Gray W, Dehurst F, Chaote P, Teodorczuk A, Dewhurst M, Jusabani A, Walker R. The Prevalence of Dementia Subtypes in Rural Tanzania. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 2014.
  • Paddick S-M, Longdon A, Gray WK, Dotchin C, Kisoli A, Chaote P, Walker R. The association between educational level and dementia in rural Tanzania Associação entre nível educacional e demência na zona rural da Tanzânia. Dementia e Neuropsychologia 2014, 8(2), 117-125.
  • Mushi D, Rongai A, Paddick SM, Dotchin C, Mtuya C, Walker R. Social representation and practices related to dementia in Hai District of Tanzania. BMC Public Health 2014, 14, 260.
  • Collingwood C, Paddick SM, Kisoli A, Dotchin CL, Gray WK, Mbowe G, Mkenda S, Urasa S, Mushi D, Chaote P, Walker RW. Development and community-based validation of the IDEA study Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IDEA-IADL) questionnaire. Global Health Action 2014, 7, 1-11.
  • Akinyemi RO, Izzeldin IMH, Dotchin C, Gray WK, Adeniji O, Seidi OA, Mwakisambwe JJ, Mhina CJ, Mutesi F, Msechu HZ, Mteta KA, Ahmed MAM, Hamid SHM, Abuelgasim NAA, Mohamed SAA, Mohamed AYO, Adesina F, Hamzat M, Olunuga T, Maro VP, Walker R. Contribution of Noncommunicable Diseases to Medical Admissions of Elderly Adults in Africa: A Prospective, Cross-Sectional Study in Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2014, 62(8), 1460-1466.
  • Dotchin CL, Paddick SM, Longdon AR, Kisoli A, Gray WK, Dewhurst F, Chaote P, Dewhurst M, Walker RW. A comparison of caregiver burden in older persons and persons with Parkinson's disease or dementia in sub-Saharan Africa. International Psychogeriatrics 2014, 26(4), 687-692.
  • Longdon A, Paddick S, Kisoli A, Dotchin C, Gray W, Dehurst F, Chaote P, Teodorczuk A, Dewhurst M, Jusabani A, Walker R. The prevalence of dementia in rural Tanzania: a cross-sectional community based study. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 2013, 28(7), 728-737.
  • Paddick S-M, Longdon AR, Kisoli A, Dotchin C, Gray WK, Dewhurst F, Chaote P, Kalaria R, Jusabani AM, Walker R. Dementia prevalence estimates in sub-Saharan Africa: comparison of two diagnostic criteria. Global Health Action 2013, 6, 19646.
  • Aris E, Dotchin C, Gray W, Walker R. Autonomic function in a prevalent Tanzanian population with Parkinson's disease and its relationship to disease duration and 5-year mortality. BMC Research Notes 2013, 6, 535.
  • Dewhurst F, Dewhurst MJ, Gray WK, Orega G, Howlett W, Chaote P, Dotchin C, Longdon AR, Paddick SM, Walker RW. The prevalence of disability in older people in Hai, Tanzania. Age and Ageing 2012, 41(4), 517-523.
  • Mshana G, Dotchin CL, Walker RW. 'We call it the shaking illness': perceptions and experiences of Parkinson's disease in rural northern Tanzania. BMC Public Health 2011, 11, 219.
  • Dotchin C, Jusabani A, Walker R. Three year follow up of levodopa plus carbidopa treatment in a prevalent cohort of patients with Parkinson's disease in Hai, Tanzania. Journal of Neurology 2011, 258(9), 1649-1656.
  • Dotchin C, Shanshal Y. Medical care of osteoporotic pelvic bone fracture: The United Kingdom experience. Clinical Geriatrics 2010, 18(10), 52-56.
  • Dotchin C, Van Den Ende C, Walker R. Delivering global health teaching: The development of a global health option. Clinical Teacher 2010, 7(4), 271-275.
  • Dotchin CL, Jusabani A, Walker RW. Non-motor symptoms in a prevalent population of patients with Parkinson's disease in Tanzania. Parkinsonism and Related Disorders 2009, 15(6), 457-460.
  • Dotchin C, Msuya O, Kissima J, Massawe J, Mhina A, Moshy A, Aris E, Jusabani A, Whiting DR, Masuki G, Walker RW. The prevalence of Parkinson's disease in rural Tanzania. Movement Disorders 2008, 23(11), 1567-1572.
  • Dotchin CL, Walker RW. The prevalence of essential tremor in rural northern Tanzania. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 2008, 79(10), 1107-1109.
  • Dotchin CL, Msuya O, Walker RW. The challenge of Parkinson's disease management in Africa. Age and Ageing 2007, 36(2), 122-127.

• Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstracts)

  • Reay A, Dismore L, Aujayeb A, Dotchin C, Tullo E, Steer J, Swainston K. Analysing the Patient Experience of COVID-19: Exploring Patients’ Experiences of Hospitalisation and Their Quality-of-Life Post-Discharge. In: British Psychological Society Division of Health Psychology 2023 Annual Conference. 2023, Sheffield.
  • Paddick SM, Gray WK, Dotchin C, Kisoli A, Mbowe G, Kisima J, Mkenda S, Lwezaula F, Mushi D, Teodorczuk A, Ogunniyi A, Walker R. Validation of the idea cognitive screening tool for older adults in hospital inpatient, and rural community settings in Tanzania. 2015, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London: BMJ Group.
  • Paddick SM, Dotchin C, Gray WK, Kisoli A, Kisima J, Chaote P, Walker R. Utility of the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) for identification of dementia in a low-literacy setting in rural Tanzania. In: British Geriatrics Society Communications to the Spring Meeting. 2015, Nottingham, UK: Oxford University Press.
  • Paddick SM, Gray WK, Dotchin C, Kisoli A, Mbowe G, Kisima J, Lwezaula F, Mkenda S, Mushi D, Teodorczuk A, Ogunniyi A, Walker R. Prevalence of delirium in older hospitalised adults in Tanzania. The IDEA (Identification and Interventions for Dementia in Elderly Africans) Study. In: 28th British Neuropsychiatry Association AGM. 2015, London: BMJ Publishing Group.
  • Dewhurst F, Dewhurst M, Orega G, Longdon A, Dotchin C, Paddick S, Gray W, Walker R. The prevalence of disability in the elderly population of Hai, Tanzania, as measured using the Barthel Index with comparison to a European population. In: Age and Ageing: British Geriatrics Society Spring Meeting. 2011, Liverpool: Oxford University Press.
  • Longdon A, Paddick SM, Dotchin C, Dewhurst F, Gray WK, Dewhurst M, Kisolie A, Walker R. Screening for dementia in rural Tanzania: Results from the screening phase of the Hai Dementia Prevalence Study. In: Age and Ageing: British Geriatrics Society Spring Meeting. 2011, Liverpool: Oxford University Press.

• Letters

  • Lyus R, Kissima J, Yoseph M, Damas A, Gray W, Walker R, Paddick S-M, Robinson L, Dotchin C. Proportions of Dementia Subtypes in Rural Tanzania. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 2022, 30(3), 424-425.
  • Lewis E, Paddick SM, Banks J, Duinmaijer A, Tucker L, Kisoli A, Cletus J, Lissu C, Dotchin C, Gray W, Walker R, Urasa S. Prevalence of Delirium in Older Medical Inpatients in Tanzania. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2016, 64(9), E28-E29.
  • Dotchin C, Jusabani A, Gray WK, Walker R. Projected Numbers of People With Movement Disorders in the Years 2030 and 2050: Implications for Sub-Saharan Africa, Using Essential Tremor and Parkinson's Disease in Tanzania as an Example. Movement Disorders 2012, 27(9), 1199-1200.

• Reviews

  • Gray WK, Richardson J, McGuire J, Dewhurst F, Elder V, Weeks J, Walker RW, Dotchin CL. Frailty Screening in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2016, 64(4), 806-823.
  • Dotchin C, Walker R. The management of Parkinson's disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics 2012, 12(6), 661-666.