PhD Study : Aiding health professionals to communicate and support persons with obesity and mental health issues using technologies: developing a resource

Apply and key information  

Summary

Rationale:

Obesity and mental health are two of the global public health issues (World Health Organization, 2021). Within Northern Ireland, 65% of adults are either overweight (38%) or obese (27%) (Department of Health NI, 2020). Around a fifth (19%) had a high GHQ12 score, which could indicate a mental health problem (18%) (Department of Health NI, 2020). A review found that people who were obese had a 55% increased risk of developing depression over time, whereas people experiencing depression had a 58% increased risk of becoming obese (Priory, 2010). A recent UK largescale study provides further evidence that being overweight causes depression and lowers wellbeing and indicates both social and physical factors may play a role in the effect (Casanova et al. 2021). Health professionals (HPs) have a role in communicating the risks of obesity and mental health to the public (Moorhead et al. 2013). The advances in technologies have a role in communicating health messages (Moorhead, 2018), which has been highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unknown how HPs can use the advances in technologies to communicate and support persons with obesity and mental health issues.

Research Question:

How can health professionals use the advances in technologies to communicate and support persons with obesity and mental health issues?

Aim:

To investigate how health professionals can use the advances in technologies to communicate and support persons with obesity and mental health issues in order to develop a resource.

Methodology

The research design is a mixed methods study. This project has a theoretical underpinning using the Biophyschosocial model of health (Engel, 1977) and the resource will be developed based on Yardley et al.’s (2015) guiding principles. This project will consist of four stages:

Stage 1. Systematic literature review – on the use of technologies for persons with obesity and mental health issues.

Stage 2. – Needs assessment Online survey and focus groups – to explore the communication and support needs from persons with obesity and mental health issues. Recruitment will be from user groups from charities that one of the supervisors (AM) have contacts. Interviews – the purpose is to find out from HPs what technologies they currently use, and also how they communicate and support their patients.

Stage 3. Exploring technologies A scoping exercise will be conducted to find out the range of technologies available that can be used by HPs to communicate and support persons with obesity and mental health issues.

Stage 4. Development of a resource The findings from stages 1-3 will inform the content, format and mode of delivery of the resource. Professional bodies will be contacted and HPs will be asked to evaluate the resource using our usability questionnaire.

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.

  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
  • Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal

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.

  • First Class Honours (1st) Degree
  • Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
  • Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
  • 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

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 28 February 2022
12:00AM

Interview Date
11 & 12 April 2022

Preferred student start date
mid September 2022

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Anne Moorhead

Other supervisors