PhD Studentship: How does remediation work to support undergraduate medical education?

Project Title: How does remediation work to support undergraduate medical education?

DoS: Dr Tristan Price (tristan.price@plymouth.ac.uk)

2^nd Supervisor Dr Nicola Brennan (nicola.brennan@plymouth.ac.uk)

3^rd Supervisor:  Dr Marie Bryce (marie.bryce@plmouth.ac.uk)

4^th Supervisor Professor Tom Gale (thomas.gale@plymouth.ac.uk)  

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 1^st October 2023.

Project Description

This PhD project is focused on remediation programmes in undergraduate medical education.

Remediation is often defined as a process in which individuals who are underperforming are given additional support. Remediation is, therefore, a vital component of the process of assurance that students are meeting the requisite standards to become competent doctors. It is a complex intervention, as student performance is linked to the need to reach specific standards of practice to ensure patient safety following graduation. This means the consequences of not reaching these standards may have implications for the student’s continued progression through the programme. Moreover, and linked to this, the process of becoming a doctor is not simply an educational one, but inextricably bound up with the development of a professional identity. Remediation is therefore a difficult and sensitive intervention. As yet, we know very little about whether and how remediation programmes work to support struggling students to get back on track to becoming capable doctors.

This project will follow a realist evaluation approach to develop an understanding of how remediation interventions work to produce their effects, across different medical schools in the UK. The project findings will directly support the development of more effective remediation.

The PhD candidate will be supported by a supervisory team with extensive subject and methodological expertise in this area, a track record of innovative research using realist methods, and situated within a world leading research collaboration on healthcare workforce sustainability and education.    

Eligibility

Applicants should have a first or upper second-class honours degree in an appropriate subject or a relevant Masters qualification. It would be an advantage to have experience in qualitative research methods.

The studentship is supported for 3 years and includes full Home tuition fees plus a stipend of £17,668 per annum (2022/23 rate). The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications. Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates (approximately £12,697 per annum).

NB: The studentship is funded for three years but the successful applicant will be registered and supervised for a four-year registration period, if required. The fourth year is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ year.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Tristan Price (tristan.price@plymouth.ac.uk)

To apply for this position please click the 'Apply' button above.

Please clearly state the name of the studentship that you are applying for on your the top of your personal statement.

Please see here for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.

For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our How to Apply for a Research Degree webpage or contact the Doctoral College.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 1^st June 2023. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview taking place between 7^th and 9^th June 2023.

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