This is an exciting opportunity to study alongside an inter-disciplinary team of researchers and PhD students at the School of Nursing and Midwifery QUB. A tailored programme in research is available with excellent opportunities for attending research seminars and research training.

TITLE: Determining the theoretical and practical feasibility of implementing a family initiated escalation of care scheme to detect and refer patient deterioration in hospital: application of the MRC framework

Project Description

Families have been recognised as key stakeholders in the prevention of patient deterioration in hospital. As a result a number of family initiated escalation of care schemes have been implemented to allow family members or carers to call for help either through a Rapid Response System (RRS) protocol or separate system. However, evidence highlights the poor quality and lack of systematic research approach of studies to date.  The aim of this study is to develop and test the acceptability and feasibility of a RRS family initiated escalation of care scheme on two acute wards in a hospital in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland using a case study mixed method approach.  

For more information on the proposed research please view abstract here

Supervision and training:

This is an exciting opportunity to study alongside an inter-disciplinary team of researchers and PhD students at the School of Nursing and Midwifery QUB. A tailored programme in research is available with excellent opportunities for attending research seminars and research training. 

Required Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have a degree in a social science subject (e.g. nursing/midwifery, sociology or psychology), class 2.1 or above and/or a master’s degree qualification in a relevant social science topic. She/he will be familiar with qualitative research methods and techniques of systematic reviews of literature. She/he will have excellent organisational and communication skills to allow him/her to work with health professionals, patients and family carers and be willing to travel.

Closing date for Applications: 1st November 2017

To apply: please submit to QUB portal

There is no need to submit a research proposal. Candidates should state how their experience and education to date would prepare them to take on this PhD study.

Informal enquiries may be made directly to the Principal Investigator: Dr Jenny McGaughey

Start date of project: February 2018

Mode of study: Full time

Funding

The PhD fellowship is funded by the Health Services Executive of Ireland as part of the Programme for Health Service Improvement. The stipend is £14,553 with tuition fees of £4,195 paid annually (with annual incremental increase).