Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 June 2024
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic
About the research project
Parkinson's Disease (PD) effects over 200,000 Australians, and > 3000 Tasmanian's. It is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. PD results in both motor and non-motor symptoms. Motor symptoms include muscle stiffness, tremor, slowness and smallness of movements, mobility problems and resulting falls. Non-motor symptoms include apathy, anxiety, depression, fatigue, poor sleep and executive dysfunction.
Education to better understand the disease, exercise, diet, stress reduction and sleep strategies can help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. However, there are barriers to accessing support including non-motor symptoms, lack of available skilled health professionals, cost of on-going care, and models of care where people are only seen when a major problem arises.
Self-management programs have been developed in both mental and physical conditions to support people to actively manage their health problems. Several modes of delivery exist, including clinician led programs. On-line self-learning and involvement of peer mentors with relevant personal experience are other potential mode of delivery with or without involvement of health professionals. However, there is little evidence for such interventions in PD.
Therefore, this project aims:
1.Understand the unmet health and wellbeing needs of people with PD in Tasmania
2.Co-design a program to improve quality of life for people with PD.
3. Evaluate the feasibility of the program in terms of enrolments, withdrawals, adherence, satisfaction and acceptability.
4.Explore the program's effectiveness on measures such as self-efficacy, physical activity levels, psychological symptoms, loneliness and social networks.
This project would ideally suit a medical or allied health professional with an interest in neurological conditions.
Primary Supervisor
Meet A/Prof Michele CallisayaFunding
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 $32,192 per annum (2024 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:
- Applications are open to Domestic applicants
- Applications are open to applicants from medical, nursing or allied health discipline background only
- 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:
- High standard of spoken and written communication skills
- Medical, nursing or allied health background
- Organisational skills and the ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
- Demonstrated ability to be self-directed and to use initiative.
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Clinical experience with acquired neurological populations.
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact A/Prof Michele Callisaya to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
- 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.
- Apply prior to 1 June 2024.
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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