Developing a digital front door to support streamlining of common conditions seen in primary care in Sunderland

1 Year Funded MPhil Project (with option to upgrade to PhD)

Developing a digital front door to support streamlining of common conditions seen in primary care in Sunderland

This MPhil research project will be instrumental in creating a digital patient information portal that provides an alternative route of access to General Practice in the city of Sunderland and is an innovative, exciting collaboration between the University of Sunderland's Faculty of Technology, Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Research Institute, and Sunderland GP Alliance.

Taking a user-centred design perspective and using techniques from methods such as Design Thinking, the researcher will engage with a variety of stakeholders including patients, GP practices, and service providers to develop a web-based digital portal that will promote patient self-care, providing information on conditions (as defined by the clinical lead) and guided access to a range of services and online consultations. 

The research focus will examine the impact of portal design features on patients’ subsequent decision making and behaviour. This will be achieved through iterative usability and user experience testing and the integration of insights from behavioural models and web analytics.

Eligibility Criteria: The candidate should have at least first class or upper second-class honours degree in Computer Science or related discipline, with demonstrable web and mobile development skills. The patient information portal must be developed from a user-centred perspective. Therefore, the candidate should have a passion for user-centred design and be able to complement their software development skills with a strong focus on gathering and integrating the findings of user research into the software development process.

This fully-funded MPhil studentship is a collaboration between the Faculty of Technology, Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Research Institute at the University of Sunderland, and Sunderland GP Alliance, with supervision across both organisations. The studentship is full-time only, based on campus at the University of Sunderland. The successful candidate would be expected to live in the Northeast for the duration of the MPhil. A stipend will be paid in line with UKRI rates. Candidates are permitted to work a maximum of 6 hours per week outside the studentship. The MPhil will commence October 1, 2023. The terms of the MPhil are not negotiable.

Application process: (please do not apply through any other method)

1.     Interested applicants should email Professor John Murray at [Email Address Removed] to request an Expression of Interest form. Please allow yourself sufficient time to complete the application process.

2. The completed Expression of Interest (EOI) form, along with a current CV, academic transcripts and covering letter to Professor John Murray, Academic Dean, Faculty of Technology at: [Email Address Removed] by the closing date of Friday, August 18th,2023 17:00 GMT. Any applications received after this date/time or without all documentation will not be considered.

2.      The EOIs will be reviewed by the academic panel and shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview to be held on Teams.

3.     To be successful, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for MPhil candidates set by the University of Sunderland.

4. Progression to PhD will be considered after satisfactory progress and will be based on the needs of the project.

For any informal enquiries, please email Professor John Murray ([Email Address Removed]). Please do not send your CV unless it is part of the application process above.