PhD Study : Physical activity in survivors of critical illness following hospital discharge

Summary

Background:

The consequences of critical illness are substantial (1). One of the main rehabilitation goals for survivors of critical illness is to return home and progressively resume pre-admission physical activity levels. Currently little is known about the measurement of physical activity in survivors of critical illness during recovery. Additionally, specific goal setting as part of a rehabilitation intervention could support patients to increase their physical activity levels.

Aims and objectives:

Aim: To explore physical activity in survivors of critical illness following discharge home.

Objectives:

1.To explore the use of physical activity instruments and the physical activity levels (step counts/time spent waling) in patients discharged home after critical illness.

2.To determine feasibility of using a commercially available physical activity monitor to assess step counts and time spent walking in patients discharged from hospital following critical illness.

3.To describe physical activity goals and explore changes in physical activity levels across a 6 week rehabilitation intervention in survivors of critical illness following discharge home.

Methods

-A Systematic Review will be used to explore what physical activity instruments have been used in patients discharged home after critical illness, and the patterns of physical activity as patients recover.

-Data will be collected relating to the feasibility (uptake, use and acceptability) of using a watch to measure step counts and time spent walking in a cohort of patients undertaking a rehabilitation intervention.

-Physical activity goals and physical activity levels will be collected from a cohort of patients participating in a 6 week rehabilitation intervention in survivors of critical illness following discharge home.

This research will contribute data to help advance knowledge and understanding about physical activity levels in this population. The proposed research is part of a larger funded study testing a rehabilitation intervention in patients after critical illness.

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the 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.

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.

• Masters at 65%
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain

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