Research Fellow (Qualitative)

Role Description

Department of Health Sciences, York Trials Unit

Are you interested in using your qualitative research skills to understand how healthcare interventions can be successfully implemented?

The qualitative research team within the York Trials Unit are looking for a researcher with knowledge of implementation science and experience of qualitative healthcare data collection within the NHS.

RESTART-PD: Rehabilitation Exercise Study with Therapeutic Augmented Reality Treatment for patients with Parkinson's Disease

People living with Parkinson’s disease often have reduced mobility and balance as the condition progresses and are at increased risk of falling. Rehabilitation delivered by a physiotherapist is helpful in slowing progression but access to clinics is associated with long waiting lists, travel costs/time and inconvenience. Many patients are prescribed unsupervised home based exercises for which they may lack motivation. New medical software aims to solve the above problems by using augmented reality glasses which turns exercises for Parkinson’s patients into enjoyable games at home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDnPK_1tW5k

The research study aims to improve the walking and balance of Parkinson’s patients by increasing their exercise intensity and motivation. A randomised controlled trial will be undertaken across four hospital sites in England comparing patients who receive the augmented reality glasses with those who receive standard physiotherapy care. The post holder will lead a three-stage implementation evaluation consisting of the following activities:

1. Small scale testing of the intervention: shadowing clinic staff and interviewing patients
2. Evaluation running alongside the main trial: a) Go along interviews with clinic staff and patients b) questionnaire with all intervention arm patients (via email or phone)
3. Workshops with key stakeholders to design a post implementation toolkit.

There will be travel to the four fieldwork sites across England, although some interviews can be conducted via phone or video call.

Role

• Conduct research under the supervision of senior colleagues
• Collect qualitative data by engaging with patients and healthcare professionals, under supervision.
• Prepare participant facing documentation and obtain relevant approvals for the study
• Liaise with colleagues at various healthcare sites to identify, invite and recruit participants
• Play a key role in the analysis of the findings, writing of the final report and study outputs

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• First degree in a health related subject, sociology, psychology or equivalent discipline
• PhD in applied health research, medical sociology, health psychology or a health related subject or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of qualitative methods and analysis
• Knowledge of implementation science
• Experience of conducting qualitative research in the NHS
• Experience of writing for publication

Interview date: 22 July 2024

For informal enquiries: please contact Laura Sheard (laura.sheard@york.ac.uk)

Condition of employment

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Consequently, all applicants will be asked to declare both unspent and spent convictions on their application form.

Appointment of the successful candidate will be conditional on a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

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