This application outlines a Structured Doctoral Training Programme for a cohort of clinical and non-clinical researchers in primary care, underpinned by the research theme of complex multimorbidity, supported by a consortium of international, experienced inter-disciplinary senior multimorbidity researchers and PhD educators.
Patients with complex multimorbidity (i.e. higher numbers of chronic conditions and significant polypharmacy) have poorer health outcomes and significantly higher healthcare costs. They experience treatment burden and challenges around adhering to treatment advice, managing medicines, coordination of health and social care and patient related costs of care. The proposed PhD projects will address these inter-linked but distinct areas within multimorbidity research. Cross project working will ensure exposure to a wide range of methodologies and disciplines. We will synthesise evidence from all projects at a programmatic level in a Final Report with distinct programme level publications.
This programme will equip a cohort of PhD students with transferable skills for academic, clinical and policy settings, with a focus on generation of evidence and development of patient-focused interventions to improve care and outcomes. The programme is supported by a specially convened Patient and Public Participation Panel led by our collaborators from the Primary Care Clinical Trials Network Ireland to ensure a clear focus on patient priorities. The consortium includes senior experienced academics and more junior post doctoral researchers from a range of disciplines to provide an appropriate blend of expert programme management, research methodology skills, supervision and peer support and an opportunity for national and international PhD placements.
This doctoral programme will generate a national cohort of skilled post-doctoral students who can make a significant future international impact across a range of settings having developed expertise in the generation of research evidence to support cost-effective and patient-centred management of complex multimorbidity.
