PhD Study : Exploring an intervention using couple therapy for people dealing with palliative conditions

Summary

Internationally, palliative care is accepted as a holistic approach that promotes quality of life for both patients and their families, who are dealing with the problems associated with life-threatening illness.   With improvements in diagnosis and treatment, palliative conditions are increasingly perceived as chronic conditions, and whilst this is a positive development, the demands of adjustment the consequences physically and psychologically and the emotional challenges of survivorship can all put strain on inter-personal and intimate relationships with partners.  Couple therapy for Depression has been promoted by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, as helpful for depression, a symptom frequently associated with palliative care patients.  However, access to this approach is inconsistent in the UK generally, and despite being advocated for the general population, studies of its benefits and uptake in palliative care contexts is under-researched.

Aim: To explore the role and perceived impact of couple therapy in palliative care.

Objectives:

1.To summarize the evidence for couple counselling in palliative care.

2.To profile existing couple therapy services, role, usage and links to palliative care services.

3.To explore professional, patient and partner perceptions of the importance of couple therapy as part of  palliative care provision care.

4.To synthesize the findings to inform the development of an intervention  to improve care of couples in the palliative care journey

Methodology

Sequential mixed methods study comprised of four phases, linked to the objectives:

1.A scoping review of the policy and literature guided by guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Scoping Review 7-8 protocol will be undertaken to examine gaps and types of evidence and policy that informs practice in this area.   This will synthesize the current state of the literature and inform future work.

2.Profile of services – a cross sectional survey of all hospices located across the UK and the island of Ireland will be undertaken to establish availability, relationship, role and usage (if available) with counselling/couple therapy/psychological interventions for couples.

3.Data collection will be conducted via two methods:

1) Qualitative Focus Group study with a purposive sample of multi-disciplinary health and social care professionals and psychological therapists, such as counsellors, psychotherapists, clinical psychologists, to gain insight into their understanding and perception of couple therapy and its role in palliative care provision. Semi-structured interviews will elicit data on the perceptions and experiences of professionals and about barriers or facilitators to an effective response to couple’s support needs.  Audio-recorded transcripts transcribed and analysed thematically.

2) One to one interviews will be undertaken with a purposive sample of palliative care patients and their partners to explore their perceptions, experiences and need for therapy in palliative care.  Semi-structured interviews based on literature and analysed thematically.  Deliberative panels (n=2) will be held with key stakeholders including palliative and generalist health care professionals, psychological therapists, such as counsellors, psychotherapists, clinical psychologists and palliative care patients and their partners.  Aim of panels will be to reflect on the findings of the study and develop key recommendations to inform development of couple theory in palliative care.

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.

• 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