Prof R Shaw, Dr J Gibson
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Dr Rachel Shaw and Professor Jon Gibson
This PhD will continue an on-going project invested in improving services and the quality of life of people living with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The candidate will join an inter-disciplinary team involving health psychologists, ophthalmologists, and support workers in the NHS and third sector organisations. The PhD will fit within a qualitative methodology because the focus is on making sense of patients’ and clinicians’ experiences. It will investigate information provision, consent to treatment, and support for patients diagnosed with AMD. AMD is the largest cause of blindness in the UK and is set to rise as the population ages. Information and support for AMD has significant limitations for those with visual impairment because it is limited to written formats. In our previous research we have found that patients can be reticent about asking questions during clinical consultations which can lead to misunderstandings about the condition and its treatment. Treatment is costly and may be spread over several months. Patients like the contact with the clinic but may be better serviced by organised support groups which provide companionship, information about visual aids, using technology and adapting one’s environment and lifestyle to accommodate low vision. This PhD will involve a series of interconnected studies using an experience-based design. These are likely to include a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative evidence, qualitative data generation techniques, recordings of consultations, and qualitative analysis methods e.g. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), framework analysis.
The high quality of research in Aston’s School of Life and Health Sciences was confirmed in the last Research Assessment Exercise (RAE): research in Allied Health Professions and Studies ranked 3rd out of 63 UK Higher Education Institutions. Additional information about research in the School can be found at http://www1.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/
Application Requirements:
● Eligible Applicants should hold at least a Bachelor (Hons.) Degree in Psychology of either First Class/Upper Second Class or hold a Master’s Degree in Health Psychology or related discipline. Candidates must be interested in Applied Health Research and be skilled in Research Methods. It would suit candidates with Stage 1 training in Health Psychology. Funds to undertake the Stage 2 training in Health Psychology are included in this studentship for those who are qualified. The Supervisory team includes an HCPC Registered Health Psychologist and Clinical Ophthalmologist.
● EU Applicants will need to demonstrate adequate proficiency in English Language skills, with a minimum overall score of 101 (Internet Based) (with a minimum score in each section of: R: 23, W: 26, L: 23 and S: 22) in TOEFL or IELTS with minimum marks of 6.5 in each section and an overall band of 7.0.
● Informal enquiries should be addressed to the Principal Supervisor, Dr Rachel Shaw (E-mail: [Email Address Removed]).
• To apply please complete the on-line application form at
http://www1.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/postgraduate-research/apply/ quoting the Reference: ‘LHS_PSY_Shaw’ on all applications.
● The Closing Date for All Applications is: Friday, 7th November 2014.
Funding Notes
The studentship comprises of a tax-free stipend of £13,863 p.a. and payment of Home/EU tuition fees only. The studentship is available for three years, subject to satisfactory progress review at the end of the first year, with an anticipated Registration date of 1st January 2015. Please Note: The Funding is only available to Home/EU Applicants and Overseas Applicants are not eligible to apply.
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