Gareth Treharne

Dr Gareth Treharne received his PhD in psychology from the University of Birmingham in 2004 and subsequently worked as a research fellow for Dudley Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for several years. His PhD research involved a longitudinal study of psychological and physical well-being among people with rheumatoid arthritis for which he received a British Society for Rheumatology Young Investigator Award. Dr Treharne has been a lecturer in psychology at the University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa/New Zealand, since 2007. He teaches health psychology and research methods and heads a collaborative research group with a number of undergraduate and postgraduate students who have diverse academic backgrounds and related research interests, including the role of psychology in treatments for people with rheumatic disease. Dr Treharne has been involved in research into adherence to medications, exercise behaviours and provision of healthcare for people with rheumatic disease and other long-term conditions. Dr Treharne is passionate about patient involvement in research through their participation in qualitative research and more direct advisory roles – meeting patients’ needs rather than testing abstract theories or dehumanising cost-effectiveness of treatments. He has provided written feedback and public talks about his research, as well as providing information for patient support groups and healthcare professionals through organisations such as Arthritis Research UK, Lupus UK, the UK National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society and Arthritis New Zealand. He continues to collaborate with colleagues in rheumatology and physiotherapy and is embarking on research into smoking cessation, exercise preferences and community walking routes for people with rheumatic disease.