PhD Study : An Investigation of Hospital Efficiency

Apply and key information  

Summary

This project will be about the efficiency of the operation of hospitals. It involves studying patient flow in hospitals comprising: capacity management, admission policies and the use of modern IT techniques. A central theme will be to compare hospitals that are organized around diseases, by means of clinical pathways, to traditional hospital layouts. The concepts of service design and process management will be important for this research study. These concepts have received research attention in the past but there is limited empirical work examining both factors in the hospital setting. Through operationalizing focus as a service design approach and quality improvement (QI) initiatives as process management efforts, it is hypothesized that focus and QI initiatives affect clinical quality both individually and collectively.

The synergies between service design and process management have been repeatedly argued for in the literature. Service design includes the design of a mix of physical and non-physical components in a service system (Goldstein et al, 2002). Effective service design adopts simplified and standardized components and processes, through which it reduces variations, improves quality and efficiency (Ding, 2015)). Service design approaches and results may vary significantly from industry to industry, service systems and accompanying offerings are largely interlinked through various processes, which can be “‘engineered’ for strategic service positioning purposes” (Shostack, 1987; p.34).

Process management, on the other hand, “involves concerted efforts to map, improve, and adhere to organizational processes” (Benner and Tushman, 2003; p. 238). By orchestrating the inter- linked processes within an organization, process management practices can reduce process variations and increase process control, resulting in reduced operating costs, improved service quality, and better financial outcomes (Ahire and Dreyfus, 2000). Through adopting simplified and standardized processes and components, service design helps reduce the variation in organizational processes and subsequently the complexity in process management (Zu et al., 2008).

The interaction between service design and process management further improves both internal and external quality (Ahire and Dreyfus, 2000). Although the synergies between service design, process management and operational efficiency have received research attention, they are rarely supported with empirical evidence (Ding, 2015). As service design and process management involve standardizing and routing key components in a service system (e.g., technology, facilities, people, processes), their results may not be noticeable in short periods (Hyer et al., 2009).

Prior studies have used cross-sectional approaches which cannot effectively address endogeneity issues e.g., hospitals with larger sizes and longer history are more likely be involved in quality improvement initiatives (Greene, 2008). Through operationalizing focus as a service design approach and quality improvements (QI) initiatives as process management efforts, an investigation of these factors on clinical quality can be performed. The movement toward triple aims (i.e., better health, better care, lower cost) within the healthcare industry provides the justification for a longitudinal study on clinical quality and hospital efficiency

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
  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

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
  • Masters at 65%

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 19 February 2018
12:00AM

Interview Date
12 March 2018

Preferred student start date
20 September 2018

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Alan McKittrick

Other supervisors