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  Comprehensive meta-analyses of surgical repair of groin hernia


   School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition

  , , Dr George Ramsay  Applications accepted all year round  Self-Funded PhD Students Only

About the Project

Applications are invited for this self-funded 48 Month project within the Institute of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Aberdeen.

Repair of groin hernia is one of the most common surgical procedures with over 20 million operations carried out worldwide each year. However, there are still uncertainties about which surgical approach leads to the best patient outcomes and there are multiple components that need to be considered when choosing a repair including: open versus keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery, the type of surgical approach, whether to use synthetic mesh and the method of mesh fixation. More recently robotic surgery has also been used and there are increasing patient concerns about the use of mesh. Important patient outcomes include rates of recurrence (reoperation) and chronic pain. Due to the large volume of literature and the complex multicomponent nature of the research question, conducting a comprehensive systematic review of all randomised evidence is challenging. 

This project involves conducting a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of the available randomised evidence, building on the foundations of previous research to minimise research waste. The first step will be to conduct updated overviews of existing systematic reviews to finalise definitions of outcomes and components. Novel methods will then be used, where appropriate, to answer clinically relevant research questions about the effect of each component of surgical repair. Network meta-analysis (NMA) can be used to combine both direct and indirect evidence in a single analysis. Recently new techniques such as component network meta-analysis (CNMA) and multilevel network meta-analysis have been proposed to help disentangle the various components of a more complex evidence synthesis. This PhD is suitable for a candidate with a background in medical statistics, quantitative evidence synthesis or a related field. Full support will be provided by the supervisory team which includes expertise in medical statistics (Dr Neil Scott), evidence synthesis (Prof Miriam Brazzelli) and surgery (Dr George Ramsay).

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Applicants to this project should hold a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to having a diverse, inclusive team.

Informal enquiries are encouraged, please contact Dr Neil Scott | People () for further information.

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APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Please note: This is a self-funded opportunity.

  • Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php
  • You should apply for Applied Health Sciences(PhD) to ensure your application is passed to the correct team.
  • Please clearly note the name of the supervisor and the project title on the application form. If this is not included, your application may not be considered for the project.
  • Candidates should have (or expect to achieve) a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) at undergraduate level.
  • Your application must include: a personal statement, an up-to-date copy of your academic CV, and clear copies of your educational certificates and transcripts.
  • If you are still undertaking your undergraduate degree, it is helpful to the selection panel if you could provide documentation showing your grades to date (this can be a screenshot from an online portal).
  • Please note: Project supervisors will not respond to requests for funding assistance.
  • If you require any additional assistance in submitting your application or have any queries about the application process, please don't hesitate to contact us at 
Medicine (26) Nursing & Health (27)

Funding Notes

This is a self-funding opportunity. Our typical start dates for this programme are February or October, however, we may be able to accommodate start dates in other months if this is preferred.

Tuition fee rates for the 2024/2025 academic year are £4,786 pa. for Home/UK students and £21,700 pa. for international students.


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