Project title
Developing a tool for assessing acceptability of health and care interventions in people with long-term conditions
Supervisory team
About the project
Despite widespread awareness of the importance of producing health interventions that are acceptable to those receiving and delivering them, there are no reliable and evidence-based quantitative methods for assessing intervention acceptability.
The Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) and accompanying questionnaire (TFA-Q, both developed by supervisor Dr Mandeep Sekhon), is one of the most widely used approach to assessing acceptability. Yet the TFA-Q has not been psychometrically tested and currently it does not specify acceptability thresholds.
Building on the TFA, this PhD will review the evidence for the application of the TFA in assessing acceptability of healthcare interventions, refine and psychometrically test the TFA-Q in a range of long-term health conditions, and develop recommendations for using the psychometrically validated TFA-Q to assess acceptability of interventions for people with long-term health conditions in practice and research settings.
Specifically, the use of the psychometrically validated TFA-Q will help to assess the acceptability of an intervention across various domains (e.g., burden, self-efficacy) and identify where intervention refinement may be needed to enhance acceptability and maximise patient adherence, ultimately leading to enhanced treatment effectiveness.
The candidate will join the Prevention, Healthcare and Rehabilitation section and work with an internationally leading and rapidly growing team of health psychologists, implementation scientists, academic clinicians and allied health care professionals. Research focuses on disease prevention (including behaviour change trials), mental health research, primary care research, evidence-based health care, consequences and rehabilitation of people with long term conditions, and personalised self-management support. There will be an opportunity for collaboration and learning.
Skills acquisition
The student will develop knowledge and acquire skills in:
- Systematic evidence syntheses
- Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement
- Qualitative methods (semi structured interviews / focus groups, thematic analysis, framework analysis)
- Quantitative methods (psychometric testing, COSMIN Guidelines)
- Co-design methods (participatory workshops)
- Implementation science methods (opportunity to engage with the Implementation Science theme within the NIHR ARC South London)
Entry requirements
Essential
Applicants must hold, or expect to obtain before January 2025, an undergraduate degree (or equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK) in a relevant area.
Ideally, we would expect applicants to hold a 1st or 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree in Psychology, or health/ medical related sciences.
Those that hold a 2.2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent), they should very clearly show their relevant prior experience and skills, and their suitability to undertake a PhD, in their application to provide a competitive comparison.
Desirable
While not required, having a post-graduate degree (e.g., Masters, MPhil) would be an advantage, particularly in a mixed methods.
Funding
This studentship provides funding for three years full-time and includes Home tuition fees plus a tax-free stipend in line with UKRI rates.
Application process
Prospective applications are welcome to contact Dr Mandy Sekhon (msekhon@sgul.ac.uk) to discuss the project.
Please send the completed application form to stgeorgesphd@sgul.ac.uk by no later than Friday 8 November, 12.30 GMT. An equal opportunities form should also be submitted as a separate document. References will be requested should you be successful in being offered the studentship.
Applications will undergo shortlisting and successful applicants will then be invited to interview week beginning Monday 18 November.
The successful candidate will be given a verbal offer and once it has been accepted, will be sent a formal offer letter and a registration pack with joining information.
Unsuccessful candidates will be contacted with their outcomes at the earliest opportunity and will be able to request feedback if required.