Glasgow Caledonian University -PhD Research Project Opportunity Please note that as this project is not funded by a University studentship, the successful candidate will be required to source external funding for the research degree fees and living expenses while studying at the university. 2013SHLS027 Project Reference number School/Institute/Research Group School of Health & Life Sciences , Institute for Applied Health Research Managing and living with long-term conditions group Research Discipline areas Healthcare Research Theme Self-management in Long Term Conditions Project Title Conceptualising effective self-management in long-term conditions Research Project Area Global trends indicate a growing proportion of the population will be living longer and living with long-term health problems. Supporting individuals to manage their health difficulties, maximise wellbeing and reduce healthcare costs is a key Government priority in many countries. As a consequence, significant investment in community based self-management programmes has emerged as a fundamental approach to address a range of symptoms or disease conditions; however there is limited understanding of the strategies that people adopt, contextual factors and the complex interactions between the two, which influence the effectiveness of self-management. This PhD project aims to contribute to theoretical conceptualisations of effective self-management by conducting a systematic review of existing evidence prior to exploring the complex interactions between individual and contextual factors which may influence self-management success. The specific condition focus of the project will be determined by the interests of the student, working in collaboration with the expertise of the supervisory team. Research which explains the complex factors affecting self-management success will enable policy makers, programme planners, practitioners, and patients to apply solutions to maximise the effectiveness of self-management programmes. More effective support for self-management will improve symptom control and quality of life whilst reducing avoidable hospital admission, with consequent cost savings. Supervisory Team Institute for Applied Health Research: Managing and living with long-term conditions. Director of Studies and second supervisor will be appointed dependent on research focus from: Prof Nick Allcock (special interest self-care in chronic pain) Dr Jo Booth (special interest self-care in continence management) Dr Kay Currie (special interest self-care in heart failure) 1 Dr Lisa Kidd (special interest self-care in cancer) Dr Maggie Lawrence (special interest self-care after stroke) Dr Nicola Roberts (special interest self-care in respiratory conditions) Staff Contact Dr Kay Currie; k.currie@gcu.ac.uk 2