PhD Studentship: Reducing health inequalities and improving rehabilitation services in Greater Manchester (ACCESS4ALL)

Project summary

Rehabilitation services prove highly effective in managing numerous chronic conditions such as coronary artery disease, yet they remain underutilized among patients. Further, disparities in care are evident as the data indicates that women and individuals from socioeconomically deprived areas are notably less likely to attend rehabilitation, highlighting concerning inequalities within access to care.

NHS England and NHS Improvement have set an ambitious target to boost the utilization of rehabilitation, aiming for a significant increase to 60%. To achieve this goal, suggestions have been proposed, including fostering better engagement with community/primary care, leveraging digital platforms, and tailoring rehabilitation approaches to individual needs.

This studentship forms a collaboration between Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Manchester, The Strategic Clinical Network of Greater Manchester and Manchester Foundation Trust. It will look to explore and understand access and barriers to rehabilitation services and undertake a feasibility intervention of novel methods of implementation. The project will be directly involved in shaping practices and priorities in Greater Manchester over the next 5 years. 

Project aims and objectives

The objectives for the studentship are:

 1: What are the barriers and facilitators to rehabilitation in greater Manchester?

 2: What sociodemographic indices and deprivation measures impact and / or influence barriers to rehabilitation services and uptake?

 3: What novel methods of implementation (such as digital technology) may be best utilised and provided for patients and how do we test such an intervention?

Specific requirements of the candidate

Essential

• First or upper second class BSc honours degree in a relevant degree such as sport and exercise science, nursing, psychology

• Experience of collecting or handling qualitative data such as conducting and transcribing interview

• Experience of undertaking an exercise intervention

• Proficient in Microsoft office, specifically Microsoft excel

Desirable

• MSc in clinical exercise physiology (or other relevant discipline)

• Evidence of engagement in research activities (e.g., managing a research project, publishing journal articles, conference presentations)

Experience of using statistical and/or analytical software packages (e.g., SPSS, R, Tableau, Power BI, etc).

How to apply 

Interested applicants should contact a.harwood@mmu.ac.uk for an informal discussion.

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Sport and Exercise Science (or download the PGR application form).

You should also complete a PGR thesis proposal addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have maps to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

If applying online, you will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section or email the application form and statement to PGRAdmissions@mmu.ac.uk. Closing date 15^th May 2024. October 2024 start.

Please quote the reference: SciEng-AH-2024- rehabilitation-services

Advert information