Treatment adherence amongst mothers admitted to psychiatric mother and baby units at University of Central Lancashire on FindAPhD.com

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Prof Gill Thomson No more applications being accepted Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Preston United Kingdom Clinical Psychology Health Psychology Psychology Psychotherapy

About the Project

Perinatal mental illness is a leading cause of maternal suicide and has negative implications for maternal and infant wellbeing, and infant behavioural and cognitive development. Untreated perinatal mental health is associated with substantial economic (estimated at 8.1 billion p.a.) and social costs to NHS, public services, and society. Improving perinatal mental health is a UK and global priority.

Each year ~1,300 women in the UK require admissions to a psychiatric Mother & Baby Unit (MBUs). MBUs are specialist, in-patient units designed to nurture positive mother-infant relationships and to provide specialist support (i.e., medication, therapy). Length of stay is generally ~8 weeks, following which a discharge plan is handed over to specialist community health teams (SCMHTs) to oversee and administer. Available evidence reports ~25% readmission rates one-year post-discharge (thus incurring further/extensive costs). Discharge planning is integral for relapse prevention, but as yet there is minimal comprehensive research into treatment adherence post-discharge, nor reasons why women engage (or not) in different treatment options. This PhD aims to address this knowledge gap via a theory-driven mixed-methods project comprising a) analysis of routine anonymised data to monitor treatment adherence (from MBU to SCMHTs) in two MBUs) and b) qualitative interviews with women, MBU and community staff. A PPI (patient, public involvement) group will be consulted at all stages to help co-create suitable and feasible data collection tools.

This study will identify ‘what works’ for more effective discharge planning; to help reduce the risk of relapse and readmission with significant economic, social, and familial benefits.

Further information

Informal project related enquiries about the post can be made to Professor Gill Thomson, [Email Address Removed]

For the application form and full details go to: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/studentships

Completed application forms should be returned to the Research Admissions email [Email Address Removed] quoting the studentship reference number DTC16

Funding Notes

The studentship is tenable for up to 3.5 years full-time (subject to satisfactory progress). The studentship will provide an annual stipend of £17,668 for 3.5 years. Both UK/Home and EU/International Applicants may apply but Tuition Fees will only be covered at the UK/Home rate for up to 3.5 years. EU/International Applicants would be expected to pay the difference between the UK/Home fee rate and EU/International fee rate. Other Allowances include up to £5,000 per annum bench fees.

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