PhD Study : Patient centred initiatives in Advance care planning

Apply and key information  

Summary

End-of-life (EoL) care is a supportive provision for patients in the final stages of life with the intent to provide the highest quality of life possible at this stage while ensuring their final needs are met with dignity (1). Advance care planning (ACP) may help patients prepare for EoL by discussing and recording their future wishes with those involved in their care and appointment of a surrogate (usually a family member) who will speak for them, should they become incapacitated. (2). For family members, stress is significantly reduced as the burden of EoL decision-making is alleviated which impacts positively on the grieving process (2-3). Key decision making is addressed during the ACP process with the patient themselves and their surrogate, such that they maintain autonomy over their EoL care, e.g. preferred treatment, details of decisions to refuse treatment, and location of EoL care. While decision-making is paramount during the ACP process, there is little research detailing the extent to which patients understand their prognosis (4-5). Advancing patient understanding on prognosis and EoL care is paramount to the development of patient decision-making skills. Results from a Delphi study using ACP specialists showed that knowledge of ACP, patient prognostic awareness, care congruent with patient wishes and nomination of a surrogate were amongst the top outcomes defining successful ACP (6). Comparatively, scant research has been conducted that prioritises patient-reported ACP outcomes. In other words how would patients define successful ACP and are there outcomes that ACP processes are lacking from the patient perspective? Therefore, this project will involve extensive Personal and Public Involvement (PPI) activities.

This project will address the following questions:

(1) What is the extent of prognosis understanding from the patient perspective prior to completion of an ACP?

(2) How can improved prognosis understanding facilitate ACP?

(3) What are the main ACP outcomes of importance to patients and their families?

(4) Does the current ACP process omit important patient reported outcomes?

(5) Can an intervention be developed to increase patients’ education of their condition and decision-making for future care, which aligns with patient prioritised ACP outcomes?

This PhD will address these questions using 4 main methods:

(1) A pre-registered systematic review of the literature to investigate patient education initiatives and impacts on the ACP process.

(2) A mixed methods investigation of patients’ knowledge on their healthcare conditions and prioritised ACP outcomes.

(3) Development and evaluation of an intervention examining the relationship between patient-centred education and EoL decision-making.

Skills required of the applicant:

Experience of qualitative and quantitative research methods, knowledge of end-of-life care including advance care planning. At minimum, a 2:1 in Psychology.

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.

  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
  • A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

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.

  • Hold a Masters degree in Psychology or related area
  • Recognition of the importance of research integrity and Open Science practices

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
Friday 7 February 2020
12:00AM

Interview Date
18 + 19 + 20 March 2020

Preferred student start date
Mid September 2020

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Kelly Norwood

Other supervisors