School of Health and Life Sciences

Funded PhD Studentship Project

Project Title: Patient experience of isolation for infection prevention in today’s NHS: a qualitative study.

Project Reference Number: S2018SHLS011

Key words: Infection prevention & control; nursing; health psychology

Applications are invited for a full-time PhD research studentship at Glasgow Caledonian University within the School of Health and Life Sciences. The studentship of £19,300 per year is for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress. The studentship covers the payment of tuition fees (currently £4,500 for UK/EU students or £15,000 for International students) plus an annual stipend of £14,800 for UK/EU students or an annual scholarship of £4,100 for International students.

Background
In an era where resistance to antibiotics is of growing international concern, the need to prevent the transmission of micro-organisms associated with healthcare provision in hospitals is of paramount importance. The use of isolation, where patients who are colonized or infected with specific micro-organisms are cared for in single rooms away from other patients, is a corner-stone of hospital infection prevention measures. Previous research has identified both advantages and disadvantages of isolation from the patients’ perspective; however contemporary patterns of healthcare, with shorter hospital stays andmore single room provision, and wider social changes with ready access to communication technologies and greater appreciation of privacy means that the context of isolation in today’s NHS has changed.
Aims
This aim of this PhD project is touse an appropriate qualitative research methodology to explore and explain the patient experience of isolation in the context of contemporary hospital care delivery.
Impact:
There is a need to explore the contemporary patient experience of isolation in today’s NHS in order to provide an evidence base for best patient-centred isolation care practice. Findings from this research will be disseminated to NHS policy makers and managers, infection prevention practitioners, clinical care staff, healthcare educators in order to shape the delivery of isolation care with resultant positive outcomes for clinical practice and patient care.

Research Supervisor(s)

Candidates are encouraged to contact the following researchers for further details:

  • Prof Kay Currie,
  • Dr Caroline King
  • Dr Adele Dickson

Mode of Study

The studentship is available as a 3 year full-time PhD.

Eligibility

Applicants will normally hold a UK honours degree 2:1 (or equivalent); or a Masters degree in a subject relevant to the research project. Equivalent professional qualifications and any appropriate research experience may be considered. A minimum English language level of IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) with no element below 6.0 is required. Some research disciplines may require higher levels.

Specific requirements of the project:

The successful applicant will have a background in nursing,psychology, or other relevant healthcare discipline, preferably holding a Masters degree. Previous research experience is desirable.

How to Apply

Candidates are encouraged to contact the research supervisor(s) for the project before applying.

Applicants should apply usingthe online application process via the ‘How to Apply’ pagequoting the Project Title and Reference Number stated above.

For this studentship applicants should attach a brief (2-3page) outline research proposal(see Guidance on writing a research proposal) that is related to the project.

Shortlisted Applicants will be contacted for interview.

Application Deadline

The closing date for applications is Friday 11th May 2018

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