ESRC CASE Understanding the challenges of living with Parkinson’s in a post COVID health and social context: a mixed methods project at Lancaster University on FindAPhD.com

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Prof J Simpson, Dr C Murray, Dr F Eccles No more applications being accepted Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

Lancaster United Kingdom Clinical Psychology Counselling Health Psychology Mental Health Nursing Neuropsychology Nursing & Health Psychology

About the Project

About the Project

Applications are invited for a prestigious fully-funded CASE. The award covers payment of tuition fees for the duration of the studentship and an annual maintenance stipend (full-time: £15,285, part-time: £7,462.50 for 2020/21)

Doctoral Award (1+3) to be held at Lancaster University, beginning in October 2021. This studentship is funded by the ESRC North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) - https://www.nwssdtp.ac.uk/

The project is a collaboration with the charity Parkinson's UK. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative condition in the UK, affecting around 145,000 individuals. While age of onset in the early 60s is common, individuals can live with the condition for many years. Physical challenges (such as rigidity and tremor) are most often associated with the condition but psychological difficulties, such as low mood and anxiety, are also reported. Individuals have varying health care needs, requiring, optimally, regular reviews with their consultant and involvement from other health professionals. The current COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with social and economic changes on an unprecedented level, with psychological effects already demonstrated. This context provides the focus of the project.

Research questions and scheme of work

The overall research question for the project is ‘what are the challenges of living with Parkinson’s and helping support people with Parkinson’s in a post COVID health and social context?’

The PhD will comprise a number of separate, although coherently linked, studies. The programme of studies will need to meet the needs of Parkinson’s UK and can be developed with the input of the successful candidate. For this reason the following are the type of studies under consideration but could well change with changes and developments in the response to COVID-19 and any changes in the response priorities of Parkinson’s UK.

1. What are the longitudinal effects of the pandemic on health and well-being on individuals directly affected by Parkinson’s?

This study will involve the continuation of a survey already begun with Parkinson’s UK members. This survey, which has been set up so within subject data can be matched, provides quantitative data and some qualitative data. The survey will be is re-administered at regular intervals. Data will be analysed statistically and content analysis will be used to form a basic thematic overview of the qualitative data.

2. What are the challenges identified by health care staff in delivering services for individuals with Parkinson’s in a post COVID context?

This study will collect data on the service-delivery experiences of health care professionals caring for individuals with Parkinson’s and analyse these using the qualitative approach of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). One-to-one, repeated, semi-structured interviews on delivering service changes prompted by COVID-19 will be carried out with neurologists, Parkinson’s disease nurse specialists and other allied health professionals.

3. What are the challenges identified by carers/partners of individual with Parkinson’s?

This study will collect data on the experience of carers/partners of people with Parkinson’s since they are important sources of support and have their own support needs. Repeated one-to-one semi-structured interviews on changes prompted by COVID-19 will be carried out with 12 carers/partners, recruited through Parkinson’s UK. These will be analysed using IPA.

Interested applicants should send a CV plus a covering letter outlining their experience, academic and other, and why they want to be considered for the project and a completed equal opportunities form to [Email Address Removed]. Specific enquiries about the project should be addressed to Professor Jane Simpson ([Email Address Removed]). Closing date 1st March 2021. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online interview and make a brief presentation (scheduled for 18^th March). They will also be required to complete a full application before their interview.

Applicants are advised to check the ESRC guidance on eligibility for Studentship Awards which can be found on the ESRC website.

Funding Notes

This Studentship is offered on a 3 (for students with at least a high 2:1 and relevant Masters) or 1+3 basis. For 1+3, applicants must have achieved or be predicted to achieve a first class or high 2:1 undergraduate degree. The studentship is suitable for applicants with a background in health or social science. For the first year of the 1+3 studentship, the student will be registered on the Division’s accredited Master’s programme. All applicants should be able to demonstrate an interest in and aptitude for mixed methods research with individuals with a chronic health condition.