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Website dementiastudies Association for Dementia Studies, University of Worcester
Closing date: 31st August
University of Worcester invites PhD applicants to investigate barriers to dementia diagnosis in rural areas and develop solutions to improve access and equity in care.
Rural areas face distinct healthcare challenges, including an aging population, vast distances to cover, and inadequate transport and telecommunications infrastructure. These factors underscore the necessity for targeted research and interventions.
Living in rural communities often makes it challenging to access a clinical diagnosis, as well as subsequent support services. Despite numerous barriers and inequalities in receiving timely dementia care, obtaining an early diagnosis is crucial. Addressing these barriers is essential to ensure individuals receive the necessary support and services2.
Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the specific challenges rural populations face in accessing dementia diagnosis services. Research indicates that diagnosis rates are lower in rural areas compared to urban ones, yet the underlying reasons for this disparity remain unclear3. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct focused research to uncover these challenges and develop effective solutions.
Potential areas of investigation are:
- Investigating the specific barriers such as limited access to healthcare facilities, lack of awareness, and social stigma.
- Exploring the role of primary care providers and their connection with community teams responsible for dementia diagnosis.
- Assessing the impact of infrastructure limitations like transport and digital connectivity on diagnosis rates.
- Examining the severity and timing of diagnosis to understand health-system delays and avoidable delays.
- Proposing targeted interventions to improve diagnosis rates, such as mobile clinics, telemedicine, and community outreach programs.
Supervisory team
- Director of Studies: Dr Ruby Swift
- Supervisors: Dr Peter Unwin
- External Advisor: Dr Michael Clark, Associate Professorial Research Fellow, London School of Economics
- Research Group: Association for Dementia Studies
Find out more here https://www.worc.ac.uk/documents/phd-projects-March-2025/ADS-Challenges-to-dementia-diagnosis-in-rural-areas.pdf
Application Process
To begin the application process please go to: https://www.worc.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/applying-for-a-phd/.
The Interview
All successful applicants will be offered an interview with the proposed Supervisory Team. You will be contacted by a member of the Doctoral School Team to find a suitable date. Interviews can be conducted in person or over Microsoft Teams.
Funding your PhD
For information about Doctoral Loans please visit: https://www.worc.ac.uk/study/feesand-finance/doctoral-loans.aspx
During your PhD you can access the Research Conference Support Scheme to support the costs of presenting your research at an external conference.
For further information or an informal discussion about this project, please contact Dr Ruby Swift: r.swift@worc.ac.uk
To apply for this job please visit www.worc.ac.uk.
