PhD in Psychology Project title: Co-production of an Education and Training Framework in Shared Decision-making to Enable Healthcare Practitioners to Deliver Person-centred Care to People With Aphasia

Project advert

Patient involvement in decisions is fundamental to ethical care and is associated with superior care outcomes and patient and carer satisfaction. Existing evidence suggests healthcare practitioners need to improve their practice in supporting patients with communication disabilities to be involved in decision-making. This is particularly the case for people with the language disorder aphasia, who want to be involved in decisions about their care but need additional support to make decisions. This PhD project will use behaviour change theory, innovative data collection methods, and collaborative partnerships with people with aphasia and healthcare practitioners to co-produce a novel education and training framework. The framework will enable practitioners to involve patients with aphasia more inequitably in decision-making. This doctoral project provides opportunities to develop knowledge and skills in communication disability and behaviour change theory, qualitative research, co-production and public involvement. We would welcome applications from qualified speech and language therapists wishing to develop skills and experience to enable them to develop as clinical academics. 

Project aims and objectives

Aim:

To co-produce with people with aphasia, healthcare practitioners, family members and other supporters, an education and training framework in shared decision-making for people with aphasia. 

Objectives:

• To explore the lived experience of decision-making and decision-making support for people with aphasia, family members and other supporters.
• To characterise successful involvement in decision-making for people with aphasia.
• To identify interventions to support successful involvement in decision-making for people with aphasia.
• To use a Behaviour Change theoretical approach to co-produce with people with aphasia, healthcare practitioners, family members and other supporters, an education and training framework in shared decision-making for people with aphasia. 

Entry Requirements

Essential: As this PhD would be focused on practice in relation to people with communication disabilities, we are seeking applications from qualified speech and language therapists.

Desirable: We would welcome applications from candidates with previous research experience. 

Funding

The studentship provides an annual stipend at the UKRI standard rate (£19,237 per year for 2024-2025).

Please note, this project is only available to Home students only due to the nature of the funding source. 

How to apply

Interested applicants should contact Dr Mark Jayes (m.jayes@mmu.ac.uk) for an informal discussion. 

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Health Professions (or download the PGR application form).

You should also complete the (Narrative CV) form addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have maps to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

If applying online, you will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section, or email the application form and statement to PGRAdmissions@mmu.ac.uk. 

Expected start date: October 2025

Please quote the reference: H&E_HP_MJ_2025_Aphasia

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