PhD Study : Antibiotic Misuse and Antimicrobial Resistance – a global pandemic

Summary

Background

The consumption of antibiotics for human use has increased drastically in recent years, causing antimicrobial resistance to be recognised as “one of the worst global health issues” [1] [2]. The release of antibiotics into the environment from household, hospital and industrial wastewaters leads to serious effects on human and animal health [3]. “Antibiotic resistance is a threat to human and animal health worldwide, and key measures are required to reduce the risks posed by antibiotic resistance genes that occur in the environment” [2]. Antibiotics for human use is higher in Northern Ireland than the rest of the UK, being 30% higher than in England [4]. However, there is a lack of information as to the prescribing patterns in the overall use of antibiotics in primary care, secondary care and dental practices and whether this is significant in terms of antimicrobial resistance.

Aim

This project aims to determine antibiotic prescribing patterns and use in Northern Ireland with a view to the link with antimicrobial resistance

Objectives

• To determine antibiotic use and prescribing patterns of World Health Organisation (WHO) priority antibiotics in Northern Ireland.
• To determine and assess mismanagement of antibiotics in prescribers and the public across primary and secondary care.
• To compare with data and studies in developed and developing countries and the link with antimicrobial resistance.
• To provide optimised strategies for administration of appropriate antibiotics

Methods

This project will involve both qualitative and quantitative methodology. Consultation of the prescribing patterns of WHO priority antibiotics in Northern Ireland will be analysed using data and information from the Business Service Organisation [5]. Additional data will be collated using interviews, questionnaires and databases with community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, GPs and dental practices to determine key prescribing patterns and demographics. Statistical packages such as SPSS will be used to analyse the data. There will be a selection of data for key antibiotics of concern in terms of use and previous evidence of contributing to antimicrobial resistance and a comparison with the prescribing patterns in the UK with the rest of the world, in particular developing countries, e.g. Egypt where some prescribing is unregulated. This data will be correlated and compared to studies in the literature where links have been made between antibiotic use, levels detected in the environment and an increase in antimicrobial resistance. Based on these outcomes, recommendations will be made to each of the sectors investigated regards antibiotic use and reduction in antimicrobial resistance. This will involve recommendation of optimised strategies for administration of appropriate antibiotics.

Requisite experience

The applicant must possess a first class or upper second class honours degree in a science subject or health science subject (e.g. Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Biology or other Science degree). Previous experience of data analysis would be desirable.

Please note: Applications for more than one PhD studentships are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living