PhD Study : Increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour in people with severe mental illness

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Summary

The PhD researcher will work alongside the research team (funded by Horizon2020 Cross-border Healthcare Intervention Trials in Ireland Network (CHITIN)) to test the feasibility of a Walking fOR Health (WORtH) intervention designed to increase activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in people with severe mental illness (SMI).  The research will address the urgent need to improve the physical health and well-being of people with SMI as indicated in national guidelines (https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mediacentre/adultswithsmi.aspx).

This PhD will focus on developing a framework to assess fidelity of the WORtH intervention. The Medical Research Council guidelines recommend evaluating treatment fidelity or the degree to which an intervention is implemented as intended in complex interventions [1]. There are several sets of guidance that inform methods of assessing fidelity [2-6] however these guidelines need to be translated into a methodological framework that can be used to assess fidelity of clinical trials within the area of SMI.

Procedures: The 17 week intervention will be delivered by clinical staff in Northern and Western Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts in Northern Ireland (NI) and in County Louth Mental Health Services, a border county in the Republic of Ireland (ROI). The PhD researcher will work with the research team to develop a manual for training staff as well as developing the fidelity check-lists that could be used in the feasibility trial. We anticipate that a combination of strategies or methods will be used to enhance, establish, and ensure fidelity (eg, intervention manuals) and to assess or monitor it (eg, direct observations). The Borrelli (2011) checklist [4], based on the best practice guidelines and recommendations [2] may also be used.

Outcomes: The development of a framework to assess fidelity of the (WORtH) intervention with respect to intervention training and intervention delivery (both enactment and receipt).

References

1.Craig et al. BMJ. 2008 Sep 29;337:a1655.

2.Bellg et al. Health Psychol . 2004;23:443–451.

3.Hoffmann et al. BMJ . 2014;348:g1687

4. Borrelli, B. J Public Health Dent. 2011;71(suppl 1):S52–S63.–294.

5.Toomey et al. Man Ther . 2014;20:287.

6.O’Shea et al. (2016). Physical Therapy Reviews, 21 (3-6). pp. 207-214.

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.

  • Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal

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.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

Institute of Mental Health Sciences

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 3 December 2018
12:00AM

Interview Date
TBC

Preferred student start date
January 2019

Applying

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