Investigating the routine follow-up of complex cardiac conditions

Many complex cardiac conditions require lifelong surveillance, the optimal frequency of which is often not evidence based. In the post-covid19 era the need for social distancing places burden on the physical hospital estate. If fewer patients can now be seen in hospital it becomes important to identify those that can be seen less frequently safely, and ensure that patients who need to be seen are not disadvantaged.

This project will involve data collection and analysis from a large tertiary centre adult congenital heart disease (>3000 patients), inherited cardiac conditions (>2000 patients), and implantable device (>1800 patients) populations. The aim is to 1) document the natural history of specific disease entities within these services.
2) document the existing routine clinical follow-up from a health economics, and patient, perspective
3) investigate the healthcare impact of interruptions to routine care posed by the COVID pandemic
4) model alternative arrangements that may be forward compatible with healthcare based COVID restrictions.

The ideal candidate for this position will be a clinically qualified individual currently training in cardiology with an enduring interest in the patient populations that are the focus of the study. Prior exposure to clinical research (research ethics, systematic review/metanalysis, or health economics modelling) would be a distinct advantage.

MBBS (or equivalent) are the minimum requirements. MRCP and GMC registration would be an advantage but not essential if clinical work is not envisaged during the research degree. An intercalated BSc (or higher) with a minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) demonstrating competence in clinical research (research ethics, systematic review/metanalysis, or health economics modelling) are highly desirable. Subspecialty interest in inherited cardiac conditions, adult congenital heart disease, or pacing device recipients would be ideal.