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Vacancy Details | |
| Title: | PhD Studentship |
| Employer: | The University of Manchester |
| Description: | PhD Studentship Health Psychology Research Group Faculty of Medical & Human Sciences Longitudinal study of factors influencing adherence to medication and lifestyle behaviour change in patients with psoriasis Dr Lis Cordingley & Professor Chris Griffiths The objective of this project is to identify biological, social and psychological factors that influence adherence to psoriasis medication and lifestyle advice. It will also investigate impact of non-adherence on disease severity. The studentship provides full support for tuition fees, associated research costs and an annual tax-free stipend at Research Council rates (anticipated to be £13, 490). The project is due to commence October 2010 and is open to UK/EU nationals only due to the nature of the funding. Rationale: Adherence to healthy lifestyle advice and medication is associated with good outcomes in psoriasis but studies of newly-diagnosed psoriasis patients report that 90% fail to adhere effectively to initial treatments. Adherence is easiest when regimens are simple and stable over time allowing integration into daily routines, but this can be challenging for people with psoriasis. The stepped care approach to psoriasis management means that patients are required to try first line topical treatments prior to moving on to physical, systemic or biologic therapies. Two-year prospective data will be collected from 250 patients. Measures will be taken at baseline (point of new psoriasis related prescription) and at 9 and 18 months. The main outcome measures will be adherence and self-assessed disease severity. Treatments involved in the survey include first-line topical treatments and topical therapy, physical therapies (including UVB and photochemotherapy), systemic medication and biologics. Appropriate measures will be derived from these baseline assessments and include disease history, social factors (household structure and socio-economic status), psychological variables (beliefs about psoriasis and its treatment, measures of psychological distress), records of additional co-morbidities etc. Outputs of this study will provide: This project would suit an applicant with a background in psychology who has some postgraduate experience of research in an applied health setting. The successful candidate will develop strong quantitative research skills as well as the ability to work across disciplines in an applied setting. The opportunity to develop patient interviewing skills will be available. Suitable candidates could undertake the Stage 2 component of their training as a chartered health psychologist alongside this PhD allowing for the possibility of acquiring Chartered status as well as the doctorate. Typical career destinations include academic, clinical or combined posts. Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a minimum upper-second honours degree (or equivalent) in psychology or a degree that confers graduate basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society. A Masters qualification in psychology or a health-related area would be beneficial. Please direct applications in the following format to james.k.power@manchester.ac.uk Any enquiries relating to the project and/or suitability should be directed to Dr Lis Cordingley lis.cordingley@manchester.ac.uk. Applications are invited up to and including Thursday 18 February 2010. http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/staff/LisCordingley |
| Working Hours: | Full-time |
| Salary: | [not specified] |
| Location: | North |
| Closing Date: | 18/Feb/2010 |
Address Details | |
| Address: | [not recorded] |
Further Details | |
| Contact Name: | Dr Lis Cordingley |
| Contact Email Address: | lis.cordingley@manchester.ac.uk |
| Website Address: | http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk |
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