Call for applications for a fully financed PhD fellowship

Project description

Currently, many 1-1-2-calls concern frail older patients, many of whom are transported to the emergency department and subsequently admitted to the hospital. This can cause considerable suffering and costs. Non-specific complaints and different interpretation of vital signs complicate recognition of life-threatening conditions in the ambulance, while hospitalisation is not always the outcome which matters most to the older patient.

We hypothesise that patient-reported outcomes (PROMs, including well-being) increase, while costs associated with ambulance transport to the hospital decrease, following the implementation of a recently developed age-adjusted Early Warning Score (EWS, facilitating recognition of life-threatening conditions) and the Clinical Frailty Score (CFS). These are coupled to a multi-component intervention consisting of ambulance care tailored to age- and person-adjusted normalisation of vital signs for those who benefit from it (high EWS), and a more holistic approach with shared decision-making for frail older patients (high CFS) in the ambulance.

To test the hypothesis, 3 studies will be performed: 1) Translation and cross cultural validation of the PROM-OPAC (Older Patients Receiving Acute Care) and EQ-5D, 2) implementation study with development of educational program to improve care for older patients in the ambulance. 3) stepped wedged randomized controlled study in which cost-effectiveness of implementation of IEWS, CFS coupled to the intervention is tested.     

Qualifications

What are you going to do?

• Conduct a stepped wedged randomised controlled trial in the ambulances in the Central Denmark Region.
• Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of two risk scores (age-adjusted early warning score and clinical frailty score) combined with a brief geriatric assessment in older patients in the ambulance.
• Develop an education and training program in collaboration with experts for learning how to use the two scores, the brief geriatric assessment and an holistic approach. In addition, identify barriers and facilitators for implementation.
• Translate and cross-culturally validate already developed patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for use in the Danish ambulance service.
• Collect and analyses data and write scientific articles.
• Involve patients and health care professionals (paramedics) in all phases of the study.
• Implement research findings in ambulance practice if results are positive.

Who are we looking for?

• A highly motivated PhD student with a Master of Science degree in a relevant field such as medicine, health science, or paramedicine.
• Strong interest in prehospital research and care of older patients.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills in both Danish and English, as well as excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in teams.
• Experience with clinical trials and/or the prehospital setting is an advantage.

What do we offer?

• A challenging and dynamic research environment.
• Strong mentorship from experienced researchers.
• The opportunity to contribute to ground-breaking research with direct impact on ambulance practice.
• A 3-year contract (full-time) with a salary based on the salary for PhD students, Aarhus University, Health. A 4+4 PhD construction is a possibility.

Interested? Send a motivational application. Deadline 1 April 2025.

Take this unique opportunity to make a difference for care for older patients in the acute care chain.

We look forward to receive your application!

How to apply

Please submit your application via this link. Application deadline is 1 April 2025 at 23:59 CET. Preferred starting date is 1 September 2025 or as soon as possible hereafter.

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.  

Further information

Please contact Professor Bas de Groot, bas.degroot@radboudumc.nl for more information.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.