Great North Sleep research: a mixed methods study to explore the safe and effective use of medicines to improve sleep health

About the Project

Sleep is a fundamental pillar of human health, underpinning physical wellbeing, cognitive performance, emotional regulation, and long-term disease prevention. Yet, across the lifespan, sleep disturbances and disorders are increasingly prevalent, with wide-ranging consequences for individuals, healthcare systems, and society. Medicines, such as sedatives and stimulants, play a central role in the management of sleep-related conditions, but their use is complex, multifaceted, and not without risk. This PhD project offers an exciting opportunity to explore the safe and effective use of medicines in sleep health through a mixed methods approach, generating impactful insights to inform clinical practice, policy, and patient care.

Project Overview

This doctoral project will focus on understanding how medicines are used to support sleep health, with particular attention to their safety, effectiveness, and real-world application. The topic is intentionally broad and flexible, allowing the successful candidate to shape a programme of research aligned with their interests, skills, and emerging priorities within healthcare.

Potential areas of exploration may include:

• Prescribing practices for sleep disorders and associated variation across settings
• Patient experiences and perceptions of medicines used for sleep
• Risks associated with short- and long-term use of pharmacological treatments
• Decision-making processes among healthcare professionals
• Optimisation of treatment pathways for sleep-related conditions
• Deprescribing and non-pharmacological alternatives
• The role of healthcare systems and policy in shaping safe medicine use