Investigating the Role of Operations Management in Healthcare Transformation to assist the health service to operate more efficiently (with a particular focus on healthcare productivity improvement)

Summary

Healthcare in the UK is complex system encompassing community health, primary care, secondary care (elective care, emergency care, mental health care) and specialist tertiary care. It presents considerable challenges from an operations management perspective particularly regarding coordination and flow.

Add in that many facets of healthcare must deal with considerable and sometimes unpredictable variability and the operations management challenge looks even harder.

Against this there is a rising demand for health services with healthcare systems already stressed with labour shortages, capacity issues, and cost pressures. Demand is principally, but not solely, caused by an ageing population who are living longer in poorer health, often with frailty, multiple long-term conditions and complex co-morbidities rising.

Practising operations management posits that systems can be improved. It is therefore possible for operations management to reduce large system dysfunction through processes that encompass technological and organizational innovation and are embedded in detailed, continuous analysis.

It has long been recognised that productivity Improvements in healthcare will be contingent on established services being delivered more efficiently. This is at the heart of operations management as a discipline.

Understanding how productivity is managed is absolutely critical if healthcare can arrest the tide of increasingly long wait lists for elective care and improving access to primary care and community health.

Whilst many healthcare managers come from a variety of professional backgrounds, most frequently, they come from clinical backgrounds such that operations management capabilities are likely to be limited.

There are several themes that this PHD research will explore with regard to healthcare productivity: the importance of operational variables, the impact of volume, routing patients through healthcare systems, quality control, and managing the improvement process.

This research will focus on the UK NHS. As this is an exploratory study, the principal methods of data collection and analysis will be qualitative.

Specific Skills

Understands core mathematical concepts; able to read and interpret charts and reports and manipulate data. Competent in standard statistical analysis including probability and regression.

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.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement demonstrating interest in the subject area
• Research proposal of no more than 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

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.

• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a First Class Honours Degree in a relevant subject area
• International applicants should hold, or expect to hold a relevant Masters Degree at a level equivalent to a distinction at Ulster
• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a relevant Masters Degree at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

PhD scholarships are available for this project to all applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile, and will cover:

• Tuition fees.
• A maintenance allowance of approximately £22,000 (exact rate is to be confirmed) per annum for three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum.

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, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award.

Part-time PhD scholarships may be available at a 0.5 pro rata rate of the full-time scholarship, which would require a six-year registration period.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

The University will award a successful candidate one of the following scholarships for the project, depending on the funding available at the time an admissions offer is made:

1. Department for the Economy (DfE) PhD Scholarships
2. Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)

Please note that the Terms and Conditions for scholarships are subject to change for 2027/28.