This project is funded by:
This project will capture information on AHP advanced practice across Nothern Ireland, identify existing impact on patient outcomes and then develop guidance and policies to enhance these roles and improve outcomes.
Aims:
1. To identify the range and scope of AHP Advanced Practitioners in NI.
2.To examine the perceived challenges, facilitators and barriers that impact on the delivery of care from the AHP Advanced Partctitoners
3. To map each profession’s regulatory, legislative, educational preparation and competencies against relevant Professional and Governmental guidance.
4. To merge the findings and co-develop (Practitioners, Professional bodies, service users) evidenced-based recommendations that can inform policy regarding immediate and longer-term priorities.
Objectives
1: to identify and contact individual clinically facing AHP advanced practitioners and gain an understanding of their roles.
2. To undertake in-depth individual interviews with the advanced practitioners to gain an awareness, understanding and acceptability of their roles.
3. To document patient impact (i.e. waiting lists, admission avoidance, etc) and perceived facilitators, enablers and barriers (especially regulatory, legislative, educational and professional developments).
4. Develop a document to map each respective professions’ regulatory, legislative, education and professional standards in relation to advanced practice using the Advanced Practice Framework as well as individual professional existing frameworks (where applicable).
5. Using a co-development approach, merge findings from interviews and mapping exercise and develop a list of recommendations and priorities. Use a Delphi study to systematically gather input from a panel of experts to determine the priorities in the regulation, legislation and recognition of AHPs and develop an educational framework to inform policy to optimise healthcare.
Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.
We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.
In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.
If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.
The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.
Appointment will be made on merit.
This project is funded by:
Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance). A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.
These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.
1. Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2013). Successful qualitative research: A practice guide for beginners. SAGE.
2. Evans C, Poku B, Pearce R, Eldridge J, Hendrick P, Knaggs R, Blake H, Yogeswaran G, McLuskey J, Tomczak P, Thow R, Harris P, Conway J, Collier R. (2021). Characterising the outcomes, impacts and implementation challenges of advanced clinical practice roles in the UK: a scoping review. BMJ Open;11(8):e048171. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048171
3. Fennelly O, Blake C, FitzGerald O, Breen R, Ashton J, Brennan A et al. (2018). Advanced practice physiotherapyled triage in Irish orthopaedic and rheumatology services: national data audit. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders; 19: 181.
4. Fothergill LJ, Al-Oraibi A, Houdmont J, Conway J, Evans C, Timmons S, Pearce R, Blake H. (2022). Nationwide evaluation of the advanced clinical practitioner role in England: a cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open; 12: e055475.
5. Health Education England. (2017). Multi- professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England.
https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our- w o r k / advanced clinical practice / multi-professional framework
6. Lyons RF, Cassells M, Hynes D, Mullett H, Goarke PJ. (2021). A physiotherapy triage service for orthopaedic upper limb service: an effective way to reduce clinic visits and identify patients for operative intervention Irish J Med Science; 191: 771-775.
7. Mann C, Timmons S, Evans C, Pearce R, Overton C, Hinsliff-Smith K, Conway J. (2023). Exploring the role of advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) and their contribution to health services in England: A qualitative exploratory study. Nurse Education in Practice: 67: 103546
8. Saxon RL, Gray MA, Oprescu FI. (2014). Extended roles for allied health professionals: an updated systematic review of the evidence. J of Multidisciplinary Healthcare; 7: 479-488.
9. Thompson J, McNall A, Tiplady S, Hodgson P, Proud C. (2019). Whole systems approach: Advanced clinical practitioner development and identify in primary care. J of Health Organisation & Management; 33 (4): 443-459.
10. DoH (NI). (2019). Advanced Practice Framework. AHP-Framework.pdf (health-ni.gov.uk).
Submission deadline
Monday 3 February 2025
04:00PM
Interview Date
Week beginning 31st March 2025
Preferred student start date
15th September 2025
Telephone
Contact by phone
Email
Contact by email