IAHS STUDENTSHIP: Chronic pain: from public health impact to impact on public health policy

Chronic pain represents a frequent and disabling condition and it is generally acknowledged that it represents an important public health problem and economic burden. A recent meta-analysis of studies in the UK estimated that 43% of adults reported chronic pain (Fayez et al, 2016). Pain also imposes an economic burden with, as an example, persons with chronic low back pain in the UK having double the healthcare costs (~£1000 per annum) compared to matched persons without, excess costs attributed to primary care, secondary care and pain relief medications (Hong et al, 2013). Internationally the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project demonstrated that musculoskeletal disorders (of which back and neck pain are the main contributors) are now the leading cause of years lived with disability internationally (www.healthdata.org/ibd ). Within the UK the importance of chronic pain research has been highlighted by the £24m Advanced Pain Discovery Platform of which the proposed supervisors are members of two consortia and one project.

Despite this, however, chronic pain has had a low profile with respect to the policy agenda (Goldberg 2011). Pain does not feature on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals nor does chronic pain represent a priority for the World Health Organisation. Why is that? What factors have contributed to pain remaining low on global policy agendas? What strategies could be employed by academics and institutions to help chronic pain become a priority for local, national and global policymakers. Could chronic pain become a public health priority? If not, why and if so, what would need to change to make this happen?

This PhD will address issues around chronic pain as a public health priority. It will be shaped by the student, but is envisaged, in outline, that it would address the following issues:

• What evidence exists on factors which contribute to health conditions becoming a public health priority
• To what extent is chronic pain a public health priority at a local, national and international level?
• What specific strategies could aid chronic pain to become a public health priority, and how could these be supported by existing or new evidence?

The methods to be used in the PhD will involve literature reviews of research and policy evidence and primary data collection through interviews and observations of meetings. Data is likely to be collected from patients with chronic pain, health professionals, health administrators and policy makers. The analyses involved will be both quantitative and qualitative, synthesising the evidence available to come up with specific recommendations for researchers and practitioners. The PhD could focus on ongoing chronic pain research, examining how the research and policy actors engage in debates about opportunities, strategies and evidence needed to help priories chronic pain. Potential impacts of the research include specific recommendations for chronic pain researchers on how to increase their policy impact; a case study describing policy impact creation; the stimulation of a global working group aiming to agree definitions and a strategy to support chronic pain policies; and empirical and theoretical contributions to the wider debates about evidence use and policy impact. 

Reading:

Blyth FM, Briggs AM, Schneider CH, Hoy DG, March LM. The Global Burden of Musculoskeletal Pain-Where to From Here? Am J Public Health. 2019 Jan;109(1):35-40.

Phillips, C., Main, C., Buck, R., Aylward, M., Wynne-Jones, G.,Farr, A., 2008. Prioritising pain in policy making: the need for a whole systems perspective. Health policy. 2008; 88(2-3):166-175.

Candidate Background:

• Applicants should hold a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject. Those with a 2:2 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) may be considered, provided they have (or are expected to achieve) a Distinction or Commendation at master’s level.

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

For further project information please contact Dr Rosemary Hollick ([Email Address Removed])

Candidates should contact the lead supervisor to discuss the project in advance of submitting an application, as supervisors will be expected to provide a letter of support for suitable applicants.

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APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

International applicants are eligible to apply for this studentship but will have to find additional funding to cover the difference between overseas and home fees (approximately £14,000 per annum).

• Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php
• You should apply for Applied Health Science (PhD) to ensure your application is passed to the correct team for processing.
• Please clearly note the name of the supervisor and exact project title on the application form. If you do not mention the project title and the supervisor on your application, it will not be considered for the studentship.
• Applicants should hold a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject. Those with a 2:2 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) may be considered, provided they have (or are expected to achieve) a Distinction or Commendation at master’s 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.
• Please note: you DO NOT need to provide a research proposal with this application
• General application enquiries can be made to [Email Address Removed]