PhD Study : Exploration of experiences of social interactions for patients and their families following head and neck cancer as a result of eating difficulties

Summary

Eating difficulties are common following treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC), with over 50% of long-term HNC survivors indicating problems with eating (Funk et al 2012).  For many of these people, eating has entirely lost its social dimension, becoming a purely private, isolating, daily chore instead of a pleasurable part of life, remaining long after completion of treatment. Losing the ability to eat well, reduces quality of life by diminishing social interactions, which negatively impacts health and wellbeing (Burges Watson et al 2018).

Findings from Ganzer et al’s (2015) systematic review of qualitative studies demonstrated the devastating impact on the experience of eating and changed meaning of food, following treatment for HNC.  This study concluded there was a clear lack of exploration on the social context of eating. Family meals are widespread and commonplace in all cultures.  Commensality, or eating together, especially at the same table, plays a fundamental role in creating and reinforcing social relationships. Research has shown that through eating shared meals that we express love, obtain psychological comfort, which promotes a sense of closeness, connectedness and stability (Whitbourne 2015). To-date, within HNC, researchers have primarily focused on shorter-term, treatment–related toxicities impacting altered eating and managing its nutritional consequences.

There is a paucity of studies exploring the impact surrounding the social context of eating with the family following treatment for HNC and how this changes over time.  A more ‘person-centred’ and less ‘disease-focused’ approach is required to address this broader and pertinent challenge of how HNC-related eating difficulties curtails and impacts peoples’ social enjoyment, interactions and relationships with their family members. This project is clearly aligned to the recent National Cancer Research Initiative (2018) top UK research priorities for living with and beyond cancer.

Aim: The overall aim of this project is to explore how eating difficulties influences social interactions for patients and their family members, throughout the first year of treatment for HNC.

Methods: A longitudinal qualitative methodology, utilising semi-structured interviews will be employed.  Using purposeful sampling, patients, family members and healthcare professionals (HCPs) will be recruited. Patients will be recruited who are embarking on treatment for HNC with curative intent, being interviewed with at least one significant family member at pre-treatment (baseline), 3-months (early) post-treatment and 12-months (later) post-treatment. The final data collection time point (12 months) is strongly correlated and representative of long-term impact or ‘new normal’ after HNC treatment.  HCPs delivering care to this patient population will be interviewed once. Interviews will take place within the Healthcare trust and/or the patients’ homes.

Data will be analysed using thematic analysis as recommended by Miles and Huberman (1994).

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