About the Project
Even for very effective medicines, irregular medication use (‘non-adherence’) by patients is common, leading to poor health outcomes and increased health care costs. The Adherence Improving Self-Management Strategy (AIMS) intervention has demonstrated effectiveness (improving adherence and clinical outcomes) and cost-effectiveness (improving quality of life while saving money). AIMS has been developed and tested in the context of HIV care, but could readily be adapted for other conditions where non-adherence may be preventing the achievement of optimal treatment outcomes.
The aim of this PhD is to adapt and pilot test the adapted AIMS intervention in other conditions, such as difficult to control asthma, cancer treatment, or depression. This PhD studentship would involve a literature review, working with patient and health care providers to adapt AIMS in their setting, and to run one or more pilot studies. The research would include the evaluation of effects on adherence barriers, adherence itself (measured continuously with electronic pill bottles), and clinical outcomes; and the relation between these variables. The results would set the stage for running a large scale trial in that area after the PhD project. The successful applicant would have or would develop expertise in behaviour change and mixed methods research.
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. Please state the name of the supervisor(s) and the title of the project you wish to apply for in the application form. Please also apply for admission to the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Health Sciences to ensure that your application will be sent to the correct school for processing.
Funding Notes
This project is part of a competition funded by the Institute of Applied Health Sciences. Full funding is available to UK/EU candidates only. Overseas candidates can apply for this studentship but will have to find additional funding to cover the difference between overseas and home fees (approximately £10,000 per annum).
Applicants should have (or expect to achieve) a First Class undergraduate degree, or a Distinction at Masters level or equivalent. We cannot consider applicants who do not meet these criteria.
Candidates will be informed after the application deadline if they have been shortlisted for interview.
References
(1) de Bruin, M., Hospers, HJ., van den Borne, HW., Kok, G. & Prins, JM. (2005). 'Theory- and evidence-based intervention to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected patients in the Netherlands: a pilot study'. AIDS Patient Care and STDs, vol 19, no. 6, pp. 384-94.
(2) de Bruin, M., Hospers, HJ., van Breukelen, GJP., Kok, G., Koevoets, WM. & Prins, JM. (2010). 'Electronic monitoring-based counseling to enhance adherence among HIV-infected patients: a randomized controlled trial'. Health Psychology, vol 29, no. 4, pp. 421-428.
(3) de Bruin, M., Oberje, E., Viechtbauer, W., Nobel, H-E, Hiligsmann, M., van Nieuwkoop, C., Veenstra, GJ., Pijnappel, FJ., Kroon, F., van Zonneveld, L., Groeneveld, PHP., van Broekhuizen, M., Evers, SM. & Prins, JM. (in press). 'Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of the Adherence Improving self-Management Strategy: A Multi-Centre Randomized Clinical Trial of a Nurse-Based Intervention in HIV-Care'. Lancet Infectious Diseases.
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