National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Patient Safety Research Collaborative (PSRC) PhD studentships.

Award summary

To improved patient safety, including medication safety in those with Multiple Long-Term Conditions (MLTCs).

New research collaborations will address patient safety challenges NIHR

100% of home tuition fees paid and an annual stipend of £19237.

Overview

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Patient Safety Research Collaborations (PSRCs) are partnerships between universities and NHS trusts that support patient safety research.

The NIHR Newcastle Patient Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC), and the NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC) have come together to offer a joint PhD Studentship. This PhD will align with the Improving Medication Safety Theme in the Greater Manchester PSRC and the Safer Management of Polypharmacy in Multiple Long-term Conditions (MLTCS) in the Newcastle PSRC.

This PhD will identify the effects of admission to critical care on medication-related risks in older patients (≥65 years of age), leading to the development of an in-hospital intervention suitable for routine implementation in clinical practice.

This PhD will examine the relationship between polypharmacy, multimorbidity and clinical frailty on adverse outcomes in older people (e.g. cognitive impairment, cardiotoxicity, falls and prolonged hospital stay) in critical care. The research will involve characterising problematic polypharmacy in older patients within the context and complexity of a critical care admission. It will then develop an intervention to address these problems that is feasible for implementation in the NHS. It will involve developing skills in systematic reviews, case note reviews and epidemiological investigation, development of a critical care specific medication portfolio for older patients, and a co-produced medication-focused intervention package.

Quantitative and qualitative research skills will be required. This studentship provides an unparalleled opportunity for post-graduate training and interdisciplinary work in the field of medication safety and MLTCs, including public engagement. The student will benefit from a strong capacity development programme designed to train the patient safety researchers of the future, delivered across two NIHR Patient Safety Research Collaborations.

Number of awards

1 Award

Start date

January 2025

Award duration

3 Years

Application closing date

16^th September 2024

Sponsor

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

NuTH and Newcastle University

NIHR Greater Manchester PSRC, The University of Manchester

The successful applicant will have the choice of enrolling in either Newcastle University or The University of Manchester to undertake this PhD.

Name of supervisor/s

Darren Ashcroft — The University of Manchester

Professor Andy Husband – Newcastle University

Dr Richard Bourne – The University of Manchester

Eligibility Criteria

A 2:1 or higher honours degree in Pharmacy (MPharm). This studentship is open to Home applicants only. Please provide evidence of meeting this criterion.

How to apply

Please follow this link:

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/pharmacy/psrc/training-professional-development/

Contact Details

richard.bourne@manchester.ac.uk