David Cooper, GPANP

David Cooper, Senior General Practice Advanced Nurse Practitioner

David Cooper

Senior General Practice ANP, Joint injection practitioner, Clinical Doctorate Candidate (MSK)

David Cooper is a Senior General Practice Advanced Nurse Practitioner (GPANP) with extensive experience in the assessment and management of undifferentiated presentations within primary care. He is a Module Tutor in Advanced Practice and an Advanced Nurse Practitioner Clinical Supervisor, supporting the education and development of the future advanced practice workforce.​ 

​ Alongside his primary care role, David is a Minor Surgery and Joint Injection Practitioner with a particular interest in musculoskeletal medicine. Having competed in martial arts for over 20 years, he has developed a longstanding interest in the assessment and management of sports and exercise-related injuries, combining clinical practice with evidence-based musculoskeletal care.​ 

​ David is currently in the final year of a Clinical Doctorate at the University of Stirling. His research explores the experiences of General Practice Advanced Nurse Practitioners in diagnosing and managing suspected cervical radiculopathy in primary care, with a particular focus on improving clinical decision-making and patient care. His interests include musculoskeletal medicine, advanced clinical practice, clinical education and research.​ 

Areas of professional expertise

David’s areas of professional expertise include advanced clinical practice in general practice, assessment and management of undifferentiated presentations, musculoskeletal assessment and management, joint injections, minor surgery, clinical decision-making, clinical supervision and advanced practice education. His research interests centre on musculoskeletal presentations in primary care, diagnostic uncertainty and clinical decision-making. 

Work/role with Arthritis UK and why our training is so important:  

As an Arthritis UK Trainer, David delivers musculoskeletal education for healthcare professionals, drawing on his clinical experience in general practice, MSK practice, advanced practice education and doctoral research. 

He is particularly interested in training that translates evidence into practical clinical decision-making. This includes helping clinicians develop confidence in assessing common musculoskeletal presentations, recognising features that require further investigation or escalation, managing uncertainty, and providing appropriate treatment, safety-netting and onward referral. 

Musculoskeletal presentations form a substantial part of everyday primary care, and effective training can support clinicians to make safe, evidence-informed decisions at the first point of contact while recognising the limits of their assessment and when further specialist input is required. 

Related training