Long-term care use among individuals diagnosed with cancer: a Scottish population level linked data study

Students will be registered for their degree at either the University of Glasgow or Edinburgh, depending on the project they apply for. This scheme is open to both UK and international applicants.

https://www.crukscotlandcentre.ac.uk/training/phd-studentships

Over the past decades, technological advancements have enhanced detection and treatment for cancer, leading to improvements in survival and mortality. In conjunction with population ageing, such shifts mean that the number of people living with and surviving cancer is increasing. As these changes have progressed, the myth that the needs of cancer patients are purely medical has been well and truly discredited (MacMillan, 2015). In reality, cancer is a chronic condition, requiring care that stems beyond the initial phases of diagnosis and treatment.

A 2015 study by MacMillan Cancer Support found significant unmet long-term care (LTC) need in a sample of cancer patients in the UK (MacMillan, 2015). Most of the time, these needs are directly related to their cancer and the consequences of treatment.

Needs can be met through paid and unpaid channels. For example, through formal social care services delivered by local authorities and private agencies in a person’s home or in a care home, or by family carers and friends who provide unpaid support.

Unmet need for people diagnosed with cancer could have substantial knock-on consequences for the NHS, e.g., through unplanned admissions to hospital for patients who without adequate support at home. Further, as the incidence of cancer rises, so too does demand on LTC services, increasing the likelihood of unmet need arising. Both factors put pressure on already tight budgetary constraints for government, individuals and care providers. Due to the association between cancer incidence and severity, with socio-economic factors including deprivation, unmet need may go hand in hand with inequalities.

At present, research into LTC use by people diagnosed with cancer is scarce. Scotland is in a unique position to contribute to this understanding due its data linkage infrastructure and the way it routinely collects data on adults receiving care and support through personal and nursing care allowances and local authority supported social care. Using these data coupled with national cancer data provide an untapped resource for research on an area of public, professional and policy interest.

This project will seek to fill this important evidence gap and capitalise on Scotland’s unique data infrastructure by exploring the use of LTC among cancer patients in Scotland.

Specifically, it will seek to meet the following objectives:

1) To quantify the utilisation of formal social care services for different cancer types as compared to the general population.

2) To identify the existence of inequalities and possible unmet in formal social care provision

3) To estimate the relationship between unpaid and formal paid care

The project will provide crucial evidence on how people diagnosed with cancer use LTC to inform future planning. The work will identify any inequities in provision to shed light on where outcomes could be improved for patients.

The successful candidate will be supported by a supervisory team with extensive expertise in the Scottish routine data landscape, oncology, economics and social care. They will be encouraged to undertake a range of relevant training and career development opportunities.

To apply please follow this link Cancer Research UK PhD programme The University of Edinburgh and carefully follow all the guidelines.