PhD Study : Development of a web-enabled mobile training system for health professionals to enhance their communication among patients who are overweight/obese

Summary

Background: This PhD project addresses a priority health problem of obesity using advances in technologies. This connected health and healthy communities project proposes to develop a web-based M-training system for primary-care and community-based health professionals (i.e. GPs and nurses) to enhance their ability to communicate on bodyweight issues among patients who are overweight and obese in clinical practice. Rationale: Obesity is a global public health issue that must be addressed (World Health Organization, 2017).

Obesity is also a key public health issue in Northern Ireland, as over a quarter of adults (27%) were classed as obese with a further 36% classed as overweight (Department of Health, 2017). Findings from the Weight Care Project (lead by the Chair of this proposed supervisory team) highlighted that health professionals need continued support and training to enable them to effectively address weight-related issues in a sensitive manner that is acceptable to the patient (Moorhead et al. 2013). E-learning is an useful medium for providing training, which has a wide reach and can be achieved at minimal costs. However, at present no evidence-based e-learning tool is available to address these identified training needs (Moorhead et al. 2013). Research Question: Does a web-based M-training system for primary-care and community-based health professionals enhance their ability to communicate on bodyweight issues among patients who are overweight and obese in clinical practice?

Aim: To develop and evaluate web-based M-training system for primary-care and community-based health professionals to enhance their ability to communicate on bodyweight issues among patients who are overweight and obese in clinical practice.

Methods to be used: The project will progress in accordance with the guidelines in the Medical Research Council (MRC) Framework for Developing and Evaluating Complex Interventions, 2008. This project will consist of four stages:

Stage 1. Systematic literature review - This will be completed to inform the design and development of the M-training system for primary-care and community-based health professionals, and the trial design.

Stage 2. Designing the M-training system - To design a M-training system for primary-care and community-based health professionals to enhance their ability to communicate on bodyweight issues among patients who are overweight and obese in clinical practice.

Stage 3. Development of the M-training system- The M-training system will consist of two components, education and decision support.

Stage 4. Evaluation of the M-training System –  The evaluation will be in two parts, 1. Lab-based, and 2. Pilot intervention study. The purpose of the lab-based work will be to test the usability of the M-Training system. The pilot study will determine whether the system can feasibly enhance health professionals’ ability to communicate on bodyweight issues among patients who are overweight and obese in clinical practice.

Outcome: The expected outcome and impact of this project will be an evidence-based M-training system for training and supporting primary-care and community-care health professionals on communicating bodyweight issues within clinical practice.

References

Department of Health (2017).  Health Survey Northern Ireland: Results from the 2016/2017 Survey.  Belfast: Department of Health.

Moorhead, S.A., Coates, V.E. Gallagher, A.M. Nolan, G. Murphy, K., Hazlett, D.E.  Obesity communication among patients by health professionals: Findings from the Weight Care Project. Health, 2013, 5: 8A3: 100-109.

Medical Research Council (2008) Framework for Developing & Evaluating Complex Interventions (new guidance). MRC. Available from: http://www.mrc.ac.uk/documents/pdf/complex-interventions-guidance/ World Health Organization. (2017) Obesity and overweight Factsheet. www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/ Accessed on 015/11/17.

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.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• 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