PhD Studentship: NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South West Doctoral Award: Tailoring professional support services for psychiatrists: A realist evaluation

NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South West Doctoral Award: Tailoring professional support services for psychiatrists: A realist evaluation

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 1 October 2026.

DoS: Dr Nicola Brennan (nicola.brennan@plymouth.ac.uk

2^nd Supervisor: Dr Jason Hancock

3^rd Supervisor: Dr Ellie Reynolds

The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South West is inviting applications for a PhD studentship, funded by an ARC South West Doctoral Award, to commence on 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £21,805 for 3 years full-time We welcome applicants who wish to study less than full-time, provided they are intending to complete their studies within the ARC funding period. The student would be based at the University of Plymouth. A training and development budget will also be provided to support the activity of the student.

Project Description

Doctors need to perform well to provide safe and quality care for patients. However, around 6-12% of doctors experience performance difficulties at any given time. These difficulties can happen at any point in a doctor’s career and can have many causes. Whatever the cause, it is important that problems are identified early and that doctors receive appropriate support when needed. Professional support services are available to help doctors who are struggling.

While professional support services are important for all doctors, they are especially important for psychiatrists. Psychiatrists face particular challenges, including working closely with people who have experienced severe and life-changing trauma, such as abuse, violence, or attempted or completed suicide. Research shows that burnout rates among psychiatrists are high. Psychiatry has a much higher rate of referrals to professional support services for performance concerns compared with other medical specialties. When support is not accessed in time, problems can worsen and may lead to doctors leaving the workforce. It is essential that professional support services work well to help psychiatrists address difficulties and support them to remain in the workforce.

The effectiveness of the services depend on context e.g. the setting, who delivers them, and how they are delivered. A recent NIHR-funded study explored how professional support works for doctors by interviewing doctors and professional support staff. However, this research focused on doctors in general, and only two of the participants were psychiatrists. We believe that psychiatrists work in specific contexts that need to be better understood if support services are to be effective.

Objectives

• To conduct a literature review to identify gaps, inform research design and situate research in broader literature.
• To use a realist approach to conduct semi-structured interviews to develop a programme theory to ascertain why, how, in what contexts, for whom and to what extent do professional support programmes for psychiatrists produce their effects.
• To develop recommendations for the tailoring of professional support programmes for psychiatrists.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Nicola Brennan nicola.brennan@plymouth.ac.uk . Queries about the award itself can be directed to arcsouthwest@exeter.ac.uk .

For Funding, Doctoral Award Person Specification and How to Apply, please click on the pink Apply button above.

The closing date for applications on 21 July 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview in August 2026 shortly after the deadline.

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