Prof S Ryder, Assoc Prof N McMahon
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
Population ageing is a significant concern worldwide. Frailty typically arises through age-related decline and therefore is also a growing problem, as is unnecessary polypharmacy in this patient group, for whom the aims of drug therapy generally focus on symptom control and maintaining function rather than preventative strategies aimed at life prolongation. Accordingly, medicines that are considered worthwhile in other young and old patient groups may be less valuable in the frail elderly, and increase the risk of drug-related problems. While there has been considerable research into medication optimization for the general elderly population, resources to support prescribing and deprescribing in the frail elderly are far more limited. This research project is designed to address that deficit.
The project will be based in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Trinity College Dublin under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Sheila Ryder and Adj. Asst. Prof. Niamh McMahon (Pharmacy Lead on the National Clinical Programme for Older People). It will therefore benefit from the University’s and research group’s extensive clinical connections: The two largest teaching hospitals in Ireland are linked to the University and it has memoranda of understanding with several other clinical facilities.
This post is supported by a Provost’s PhD Project Award. It is generously funded through alumni donations and Trinity’s Commercial Revenue Unit. Funding covers full-time PhD fees (EU or non-EU) plus an annual stipend of €16,000 for four years.
Project Objectives
The objective of this project is to enhance medication management in frail elderly patients through the optimization of practical prescribing and deprescribing supports specifically for this patient population.
Expected Outcomes
The project will utilize a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodology to explore inappropriate prescribing in the frail elderly. Key outcomes will include the optimization of potential tools and procedures for deprescribing in frail elderly patients, and determination of their utility in a range of clinical environments.
Closing Date for Applications
Applications will close 1 June 2018. As we expect great interest in this funded PhD studentship early application is advised.
Application Requirements
Candidates must have a minimum 2.1 grade in an honours degree (GPA of 3.2/4) to be considered for entry to Trinity College Dublin. Individual PI's may have additional specific entry requirements. General information on entry to Trinity College Dublin is available at: www.tcd.ie/courses/postgraduate/faculty/
How to Apply
Interested candidates should contact the PI for this project directly, Prof. Sheila Ryder E: [Email Address Removed] in the first instance. Additional information on how to apply to our PhD programmes is available at: www.tcd.ie/courses/postgraduate/research/az.php
Funding Notes
This Trinity College Dublin, Provost’s PhD Project Award is open to EU and Non-EU candidates and includes full tuition fees and an annual stipend of €16,000 for four years, beginning in September 2018. These prestigious doctoral awards are generously funded through alumni donations and Trinity’s Commercial Revenue Unit.