The social cost benefit analysis of a ‘Connect’ AI support coaching APP intervention to determine the effectiveness in addressing the rising levels of obesity in Ireland

In Ireland 35% of the population reported that they are overweight and a further 21% of the population reported that they are obese. Men are more likely than women to report being overweight or obese (63% and 50% respectively) https:// http://www.gov.ie/en/publication/f9e67-healthy-ireland-survey-2022/#weight. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommend the use of Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) and Cost Utility Analysis (CUA), (NICE, 2013) and the HM Treasury advise the use of Social Cost Benefit Analysis (SCBA) for the evaluation of public health interventions (HM Treasury, 2022). SCBA is the default and preferred option to ascertain whether the benefits of a programme outweigh the costs.

SROI is a pragmatic outcome-focused framework of SCBA which takes account of the economic, environmental, and social value of interventions combining qualitative narratives as well as quantitative/ financial measurements of real-world research. Social Return on Investment (SROI) can provide meaningful insight on economic evaluation of health interventions which is beneficial for policymakers, funders, and practitioners of public health intervention to improve health and wellbeing outcomes. SROI realises in a monetised form the value of a wide range of outcomes, whether these already have a financial value or not. SROI analysis produces a narrative for how an organisation creates value for key stakeholders and provides a Social Value Ratio (SVR) that states how much social value (in £) is created for every £1 of investment.

The aim of this studentship is to conduct an SROI analysis to develop a programme-level theory of change to establish how inputs (e.g., costs, staffing) are converted into outputs (e.g., numbers of Connect users from selected community groups), and subsequently into outcomes that matter to individuals/ stakeholders affected by the Connect intervention (e.g. prevention and management of NCD’s). A mixed methods approach incorporating health economic techniques will be adopted to evaluate the outcome assessments of coach-led digital health platform and evidencing and valuing outcomes for all relevant stakeholders.

Tenure – 4 year PhD

Mandatory Specification

Candidates for this project will require a background in public health, psychology, social sciences, economics, or other cognate discipline. All candidates should have a minimum of 2:1 honours degree (level 8) in the disciplinary area outlined or in a cognate discipline. Candidate should be highly motivated, enthusiastic individuals.

How do I apply?

To apply, please access the following link and complete the application form in full:

https://forms.office.com/e/BJfAZkeMHQ

• Unfortunately, we are unable to provide individual feedback to applicants.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview. 
• At this stage only successful candidates will be contacted to submit CV, transcripts and other relevant documentation.
• For successful candidates, referees will also be contacted at this stage for a reference. 

Applications must include: 

(i) a completed application form 

(ii) English language requirements – see https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/postgraduate/policies-and-guidelines/english-language-requirements.

Deadline: All applications must be made online by 31 May 2024, (12am, midnight)

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure the application form is completed in full and on time. Late and/or incomplete applications will not normally be assessed.

Further information on the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland can be found here: https://www.rcsi.com/

Expected shortlisting date – 10th June 2024

Expected interview dates – 21st, 24th and 25th June 2024

Projected start date of position – 16th September 2024

Supervisor Information

• Professor Mary Lynch
• Dr Tommy Kyaw-Tun (From the School of Medicine, Graduate Entry Medicine)
• Dr Padraic Dunne