A PhD studentship in collaboration with the Irish Cancer

MedEx DCU and the Irish Cancer Society
PhD studentship
The Irish Cancer Society’s vision and ambition is nothing less than a future without cancer. Their aim is to
ensure that patients diagnosed with cancer in Ireland will have access to the most cutting edge treatments
and the best possible care. Research is essential to making this happen.
MedEx is a unique and new model of community-based chronic illness rehabilitation. Developed by Dublin
City University (DCU) in 2006; it is a partnership between a third level educational institution and the
healthcare setting. MedEx’s core concept is the provision of quality evidence-based exercise rehabilitation,
supported by medical supervision, for people with diverse chronic illnesses. In 2014, MedEx caters for 500
patient visits per week across 5 separate chronic illness programmes. These programmes are HeartSmart
(cardiac rehabiliatation), BreatheSmart (pulmonary rehabilitation), Smart Steps (claudication rehabilitation),
Diabetes Health Steps (diabetes care) and Move On (cancer rehabilitation). MedEx applies a novel approach
to exercise-based rehabilitation. Its long term aim is to develop research activity alongside each programme.
Quality exercise-based rehabilitation has been shown to improve quality of life, cardiorespiratory fitness,
1,2
physical functioning and fatigue experience in cancer patients and survivors .
However, findings have
indicated that future research needs to pay greater attention to issues of motivation and adherence in patients
3
participating in exercise programmes . The Irish Cancer Society in conjunction with MedEx is offering a
unique PhD research opportunity to a suitably qualified candidate.
This research studentship will involve an
exploration and detailed analysis of stakeholder (patient, health professional and service provider)
experiences of referral to, and engagement with, Move On. Over a four year period a number of studies will
be crafted to i) ascertain the factors that influence stakeholder engagement with Move On; ii) collaborate with
stakeholders to develop an intervention to enhance the patient experiences of Move On; iii) conduct a 6month pilot study to determine the efficacy of the intervention on behaviour change, physical health and selfmanagement capacity of cancer patients and iv) post intervention to refine the intervention content, delivery
preferences, recruitment and retention strategies and to determine most feasible primary outcome measures
for a definitive randomised control trial.
In DCU, we are committed to the all round academic and professional development of our students. The
successful candidate would become part of the MedEx Research Cluster, a dynamic multi-disciplinary team
within the Centre of Preventive Medicine.
As such, you would have the full support and access to the
resources and postgraduate laboratories within the School of Health and Human Performance (SHHP) and
the School of Nursing and Human Sciences (SNHS). The expectation would be that you would complete a
PhD research qualification, including specific postgraduate modules, over a four year timeframe. During this
time you will be trained in both qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (questionnaire, accelerometry and
physical health measures) research methods.
You will be given the opportunity to contribute to
undergraduate modules. This will be agreed with your supervisor and managed to ensure that it provides
necessary continuing professional development alongside the opportunity to meet your research
requirements.
The studentship will cover annual postgraduate fees (€5500) and a stipend (€18,000 per annum). Successful
applicants will normally have a postgraduate qualification or an Upper Second Class Honours Degree in
physical activity and health, psychology, sport science and health or a cognate area. Experience of teaching
group fitness instruction is welcome, and evidence of project management and scientific report writing would
be an advantage. Additional professional qualifications, such as an industry standard in health and fitness
instruction (REPS or equivalent) would be welcome. You would need to be able to demonstrate your ability to
work independently with support of a teaching or research supervisor and the enthusiasm to contribute to a
stimulating research and teaching environment.
Informal enquiries should be directed in the first instance to: Dr. Catherine Woods, School of Health and
Human Performance, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland. Tel: 00353-1-7008008; Email:
[email protected] or Dr. Noel McCaffrey, MedEx Director, DCU, Tel: 00353-1-7007387; Email:
[email protected] or Dr. Sinead Smyth, School of Nursing and Human Sciences, Dublin City University,
Dublin 9, Ireland. Tel: 00353-1-7007422; Email: [email protected]
For further information on the Irish Cancer Society, contact Mr. Donal Buggy, Head of Services, Irish Cancer
Society, 43/45 Northumberland Road, Dublin 4, Ireland. Tel: 00353-1-2310582; Email: [email protected]
or visit: www.cancer.ie
Please send a CV (full curriculum vitae with referee details) with a personal statement outlining why you
would like to pursue this research opportunity and what you think you could contribute to this study, to Dr.
th
Catherine Woods (via email to address above). Closing date for receipt of application is 5 January 2015.
Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview in DCU (January 19th, 2015).
References
1.
Margaret L. McNeely, Kristin L. Campbell, Brian H. Rowe, Terry P. Klassen,John R. Mackey, Kerry S. Courneya. Effects of exercise
on breast cancer patients and survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. CMAJ July 4, 2006 vol. 175 no.
1 doi: 10.1503/cmaj.051073
2.
Kathryn H. Schmitz, Jeremy Holtzman, Kerry S. Courneya, Louise C. Mâsse, Sue Duval and Robert Kane. Controlled Physical
Activity Trials in Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers and prevention
2005;14:1588-1595.
3.
Ruud Knols, Neil K. Aaronson, Daniel Uebelhart, Jaap Fransen and Geert Aufdemkampe.Physical Exercise in Cancer Patients During
and After Medical Treatment: A Systematic Review of Randomized and Controlled Clinical Trials. JCO Jun 1, 2005:3830-3842

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