Karen Marshall is a Nurse Consultant specialising in respiratory medicine at the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals. Karen has been involved in developing a number of services over the years including pulmonary rehabilitation, community early supported discharge and prevention of admission.
Karen’s main area of expertise is the psychological impact of respiratory disease. She completed a post graduate diploma in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in 2003 and developed a CBT treatment specifically for patients with respiratory problems who face psychological difficulties.
Karen completed a National Institute of Health Research PhD Clinical Academic Training Research Fellowship. Her PhD research was the largest RCT into Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for COPD patients who experience anxiety and depression.
Karen has developed a personalised interactive online CBT treatment programme for COPD for patients, similar to Karen’s face to face treatment. She also provides a foundation course in CBT for the physical health setting for staff wanting to learn CBT skills in the physical health setting.
Karen is also interested in research into physical inactivity and deconditioning in respiratory patients and works closely with colleagues at Northumbria University and Bournemouth University.
Karen has represented nurses on a number of committees and guideline groups including the BTS & NICE.
Karen is currently on NHS England’s lung@home Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Self-management task & finish groups.
Karen was Chair of ARNS Research & Education Committee and Co-Chair of the BTS Nurse Advisory Group.
Karen is the first nurse president of the North East Thoracic Society in its 100-year history.