Exploring family experiences, beliefs, and perspectives on service provision for Somali children and their families living with type 1 diabetes in Bristol.

We are looking for a suitably qualified MRes student to study how Somali families view the diagnosis and care received when their child is diagnosed with Type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes. Through the Opportunity Bristol scheme aiming to widen participation in Post-Graduate Research Programmes, funding including a stipend, may be available for those who self-identify as being from a Black, African, Black British, or Caribbean, or mixed background. In other cases, there is no identified funding, but this would be suitable for those who can self-fund their studies.

Children with type 1 diabetes who are of Somali heritage, tend to achieve glucose control that compares unfavourably with those of Northern European extraction. This in all likelihood, is due to patient and family education packages and clinical services that are not orientated towards differing cultural and belief systems that those of Somali heritage hold. In order to improve glucose control that is intimately linked to the long-term risk of complications, this study will examine the views and beliefs of our Somali patients and their families at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC). This will be achieved using qualitative research methods that allow in depth analysis of patient and family experiences through audio-recorded face to face, telephone or internet-mediated interviews. Using well established analytical techniques which the student will learn within the programme, we will examine cultural understandings of, and barriers and facilitators to treatment and management. The findings will be used to inform and develop culturally appropriate services to ensure our patients of Somali heritage can fully benefit from the myriad of new technologies and educational packages that our other patients and families already have access to.

The student will be supervised by Professor Julian Hamilton-Shield (University of Bristol) who runs a children’s diabetes clinic at BRHC and runs a research theme in the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (Nutrition theme) on optimising nutrition in children with chronic disease, Dr Sabi Redwood (University of Bristol and NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West) who is an expert qualitative methodologist and experienced in developing participatory community based approaches to studying the experiences of health and illness in minority ethnic and migrant communities in order to shape interventions to reduce inequalities in health; and Dr Aidan Searle (University of Bristol and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (Nutrition theme) who undertakes research exploring perceptions of illness and treatment, and engagement in delivery of healthcare services. Both SR and AS are very experienced qualitative researchers.

A prospective student must be accepted for entry to a research-related, master's-level programme (as defined by Faculties and specified above) in Academic Year 2020-21;

How do I apply?
Candidates who wish to apply for this opportunity should first complete the online application )http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/) for entry to their preferred programme on the main postgraduate study application page noting their interest in the Opportunity Bristol programme within their application if applicable.
Please choose Faculty of Health Science and Transnational Health Science MRes.

This funding is only available to UK applicants. EU and International students may apply but would need to provide their own funding.
Detailed guidance on this process for each master’s programme is available at on the postgraduate study search page.
Candidates who wish to be considered for these awards must submit a complete, online application before Monday 22 June 2020.

Informal initial enquiries are welcomed: [Email Address Removed]; [Email Address Removed]; and [Email Address Removed]