Patients’ and clinicians’ use and experiences of point of care tests in primary care for the diagnosis of possible cancer

The overall aims of the CanTest Collaborative are to develop strategies that explore and accelerate improvement in cancer outcomes nationally and internationally through the transformative implementation in primary care of triaging and testing approaches to support early detection of cancer (www.cantest.org).

The PhD will involve several components:
Two review of reviews of the use and experiences of:
o Point of care tests (POCTs) for possible cancer in secondary care settings
o POCTs for other conditions in primary care
Systematic review of the scope of potential POCTs for possible cancer in primary care, where and how they fit into diagnostic pathways, early economic modelling, and acceptability to patients and primary care clinicians
Horizon scanning and identification of ongoing studies of the use of POCTs for possible cancer in primary care in the UK and/or international settings
Data collection & analysis (predominantly qualitative) from patients and clinicians regarding use and experiences (including – for example - feasibility, acceptability, patient safety, implementation, and cognitive, behavioural and cultural factors influencing decision-making and informed choice) of POCTs in the diagnostic pathways of possible cancer.

Environment
You will be based in the Division of Primary Care, Palliative Care and Public Health, within Leeds Institute or Health Sciences (LIHS), University of Leeds. LIHS has a thriving post-graduate research community of over 100 students studying for a variety of doctoral awards. LIHS offers a high-quality Graduate Research Training Programme at University and Institute level which has led to ESRC recognition. The University’s Doctoral College provides more than 50 generic training courses relevant to meeting individual training needs (see http://www.sddu.leeds.ac.uk/research-innovation/post-grad-research-students/). Second and third year students are expected to make oral presentations to academic staff at the Institute’s annual postgraduate symposium where feedback is provided. We have an Institute equality and diversity committee whose remit includes ensuring that we retain promising academics early in their careers by offering support and training to all those who are academically strong. The School of Medicine received a Silver award under the Athena SWAN Charter for Women in Science in September 2016 and has an ambitious 3-year Action Plan aimed at supporting and developing the careers of female academics, developed with substantial input from LIHS staff.

The Institute’s key area of excellence is applied health research. Our work focuses on understanding and closing the gap between healthcare evidence and practice. Research within the Institute has rapidly expanded in recent years, with academic staff bringing in £5 million of nationally-competitive funding during 2015/2016. With strengths in both quantitative and qualitative research and an extensive network of national and international collaborators we have maintained a portfolio of high quality and high-impact research. The University of Leeds is one of the Russell Group UK Universities, ranked in 10th place nationally for research power and 9th place for the impact of its research outside academia. Our teaching activities are of a high standard as judged by external review and sustained popularity with students.

Eligibility
You should hold a first degree equivalent to at least a UK upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject. The project would suit a student with a strong background in psychology, social sciences, health sciences, laboratory sciences or similar discipline.

The Faculty minimum requirements for candidates whose first language is not English are:

• British Council IELTS - score of 6.5 overall, with no element less than 6.0
• TOEFL iBT - overall score of 92 with the listening and reading element no less than 21, writing element no less than 22 and the speaking element no less than 23.

The standard period of study for this PhD is 3 years, however the funding will also support successful candidates for an additional 12 months during their writing up period, up until their thesis deadline.

How to apply

To apply for this scholarship applicants should complete a Faculty Scholarship Application form using the link below http://medhealth.leeds.ac.uk/download/3551/fmh_scholarship_application_2017_18 and send this alongside a full academic CV, degree certificates and transcripts (or marks so far if still studying) to the Faculty Graduate School [Email Address Removed]

We also require 2 academic references to support your application. Please ask your referees to send these references on your behalf, directly to [Email Address Removed] by no later than Friday 19 January 2018.

Any queries regarding the application process should be directed to [Email Address Removed] or to Prof Richard Neal [Email Address Removed] (Please note that Prof Neal will be away from 8 January and will have limited access to emails).