PhD Studentship - The Development of Cancer Pain Education Resources for Patients from Ethnically Diverse Communities in Humber and North Yorkshire and the Health Professionals Caring for Them

“They kept telling me I had the wrong type of pain”. The development of cancer pain education resources for patients from ethnically diverse communities in Humber and North Yorkshire and the health professionals caring for them.

About this project

Cancer pain is highly distressing. When assessed and treated, it improves. However, research shows people with cancer from ethnically diverse (ED) communities are less satisfied than White British patients with how their pain is managed; many are undertreated. Complex reasons account for this and include differences in how pain is described and health professionals’ skills in communicating/caring for patients from ED communities. Teaching about cancer pain and medication makes a difference, as can training health professionals in cultural competency. This mixed methods PhD will deliver a detailed understanding of cancer pain, its assessment and management from the perspectives of ED patients living in Humber and North Yorkshire, and the health professionals caring for them and will lead to the co-development of relevant and acceptable educational resources, and cultural-competency training for health professionals.

For informal inquiries, please contact

Professor Jonathan Koffman, Email: jonathan.koffman@hyms.ac.uk

About the research cluster/about the research environment

This PhD cluster comprises four cross-Faculty inter-linked PhD scholarships, to address health inequalities in advanced illness at regional, national, and international levels. In the United Kingdom, demographic changes mean the proportion of older people is growing fast, with a rapid increase in the number of people living with advanced illnesses, including long-term conditions, complex multi-morbidities, and frailty.

Funding

• The successful applicant will receive a fee waiver and a maintenance grant/stipend for three years (full-time) or five years (part-time), which covers the research period of the PhD. The fee waiver for 22/23 is £4,596 (Home fee) and the maintenance grant is £17,668 per annum. This rises each year in line with the UKRI’s recommended stipend allowance.

• If you need to move into a fourth year (full-time) or sixth year (part-time) to complete your thesis, please note that you will not receive a tuition fee waiver or maintenance grant during this period and you will be required to pay a continuation fee.

Submission of thesis

Submission of your final thesis is expected within three years and three months from the start of your PhD scholarship for full-time and within five years and six months if studying part-time.

Eligibility and entry requirements

Applicants should have a minimum 2:1 degree in a health, social care or social science-related subject. A taught MSc or Masters by Research (MRes) in a relevant subject would be an advantage.

International applicants

This opportunity comes with a Home fee waiver only, which will not cover the full International fee. You will therefore need to pay the difference between the Home fee and the International fee and will need to provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover this.

How to apply

Applications are via the University of Hull webpage

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