REaLIst Review and EValuation on the RolE of Mobile Technology to reduce Medication Burden in Older People (RELIEVE)

About the Project

Details of the Project

Background:

As we age, we experience more disease and may need more medication. There has been a dramatic increase in medication use by older people; comparing data from 1991-1994 to 2008-2011, we found that the number of older people taking five plus medications had quadrupled from 14% to nearly 50% (1).

As medication use increases, older people and family carers struggle to manage them. We found this in an earlier study (MEMORABLE: 2,3). Mobile technology offers a potential solution by sharing key information in a timely and accessible way, which this PhD aims to investigate using a realist approach (4,5).

Aim:

To describe and develop theory to understand how mobile technology (including current tools and prospective design approaches) can support flexible data management to reduce burden in older people living with problematic polypharmacy.

Objectives:

1. Realist review of the literature to understand how, why and in what circumstances mobile technology can reduce medication burden (work package 1 [WP1]).
2. Realist evaluation of the theory generated from WP1 on the role of technology and explore the challenges and how to implement the technology through interviews with older people, family carers and practitioners (WP2).
3. Build impact by widely disseminating the key findings and engaging with key policy-makers (WP3).

Research plan:

WP1 (month:1-12): building on previous research by supervisors realist review of academic/grey literature (develop initial programme theory: m1-2; develop search strategy: m2-4: search literature: m3-5; study selection/appraisal: m4-7; analysis: m7-10; develop programme theory/theories: m9-12).

WP2 (month:8-28): realist evaluation, using semi-structured interviews with older people, practitioners and carers, of the findings from WP1 to develop guidance and emerging design principles for policy makers and practitioners (ethics: m8-12; recruitment: m12-16; interviews: m14-20; analysis: m18-26; write-up: m24-28).

WP3 (month:26-36): combine WP1/WP2: m26-32; produce thesis: m30-36; dissemination (e.g., academic publications, conferences, engagement with policymakers): m33-36.

Overseas Applicants

Overseas applicants may apply for this studentship but will need to pay the difference between the ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees. Currently the difference between ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees is £17,712 for 2026/7. As part of the application, you will be required to confirm that you will provide this additional funding. Please indicate this on the application form in the funding section. This project has associated consumables costs which should be discussed with the supervisor in the first instance and before applying. The supervisor can be contacted at i.maidment@aston.ac.uk. When applying, please upload copies of your discussions with the supervisor as confirmation.

Location

This position will be based on the Aston Campus in Birmingham, UK. The successful candidate will need to be located within a reasonable distance of the campus, and will be expected to visit in person regularly.

Person Specification

Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, EITHER:

a] a First or Upper Second Class award in their undergraduate degree, in a relevant subject.

OR

b] a First or Upper Second Class award in their undergraduate degree, and a Merit or Distinction in a Masters degree, both in a relevant subject.

Qualifications from overseas institutions will be considered, but performance must be equivalent to that described above, and the University reserves the right to ascertain this equivalence according to its own criteria.

Contact information

For formal enquiries about this project contact Professor Ian Maidment at i.maidment@aston.ac.uk

Submitting an application

We can only consider applications that are complete and have all supporting documents. Applications that do not provide all the relevant documents will be automatically rejected.Your application must include:

1. English language copies of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor degrees.
2. A Research Statement detailing your understanding of the research area, how you would approach the project, and a brief review of relevant literature. Be sure to use the title of the research project you are applying for. There is no set format or word count.
3. A personal statement which outlines any further information which you think is relevant to your application, such as your personal suitability for research, career aspirations, possible future research interests, and further description of relevant employment experience.
4. A Curriculum Vitae (Resume) which details your education and work history.
5. Two academic refereeswho can discuss your suitability for independent research. References must be on headed paper, signed and dated no more than 2 years old. At least one reference should be from your most recent University. You can submit your references at a later date if necessary.
6. Evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. If you do not currently meet the language requirements, you can submit this at a later stage.
7. A copy of your passport. Where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status.

Interviews

Interviews will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted directly with details of the interview.

Apply for this position here

Please select "Research - Health Sciences” from the application form options.

If you require further information about the application process please contact the Postgraduate Admissions team at pgr_admissions@aston.ac.uk

Funding Notes

This project covers the Home tuition fees. Candidates who do not have Home status will be responsible for the difference in tuition fees. Currently the difference between ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees is £17,712 for 2026/7. This project has associated consumables costs which should be discussed with the supervisor in the first instance and before applying. The supervisor can be contacted at i.maidment@aston.ac.uk. When applying, please upload copies of your discussions with the supervisor as confirmation.