Addressing high healthcare usage

Working with consumers and other stakeholders to co-design services for high healthcare utilisers in Tasmania

Degree type

PhD

Closing date

25 September 2023

Campus

Hobart

Citizenship requirement

Domestic / International

About the research project

Worldwide a small group of people with complex care needs use a large proportion of healthcare services, called high healthcare utilisers (HSU).

We have developed a framework, evidence-informed experience-based co-design (E2CD), to integrate research evidence with lived experience in a co-design process to address the issue of HSU. Key features are the primacy of views of people with lived experience over the whole process; that the voices of acute and primary care clinicians are incorporated in the process; and, that research and researchers have a knowledge broker role and are responsive to stakeholder needs.

This project will use a four phase, mixed methods approach, underpinned by rapid, responsive, focussed evidence synthesis. The phases are, understanding the issue of high healthcare service utilisation (HSU) from a Tasmanian perspective, using administrative data and semi-structured interviews with Tasmanian’s with lived experience of HSU; refining our understanding of the issues by undertaking qualitative work with local acute and primary care clinicians, policy makers and other stakeholders; priority setting, using nominal group technique with all key stakeholders; evidence-informed, experienced-based co-design, involving all key stakeholders as co-researchers to co-design/redesign local health services to better address the needs of Tasmanians with HSU.

Primary Supervisor

Meet Dr Claire Morley

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

  • a living allowance stipend of $31,500 per annum (2023 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
  • a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
  • a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

  • Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus

Selection Criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded.  Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

  • Background in a health-related profession
  • Experience in quantitative data analysis and/or ability to gain these skills
  • Experience in qualitative data collection and analysis and / or ability to gain these skills
  • Understanding of the Australian health system, in particular primary care

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

  • Knowledge and skills in epidemiology and/or ability to gain these skills
  • Experience with using statistical software packages such as STATA, SPSS or "R" and / or NVivo

Application process

  1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
  2. Contact Dr Claire Morley to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
  3. In your application:
    • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
    • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
  4. Apply prior to 25 September 2023.

Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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