Development and evaluation of a theory and evidence-based model for normalising Self-Administration of Medicines (SAM) in hospital

Most people at home can safely take their medicines themselves, but in hospital this responsibility is usually taken away from them. Patients’ medicines are taken off them and nurses give them their medicines during their hospital stay. Taking responsibility away from patients increases nurse workload which is linked to increased medication errors¹. These include patients being given somebody else’s medicine, medicines being given late or at the wrong dose. Patients don’t like losing control of taking their medicines and because changes are often made to their medicines whilst they are in hospital, they are then less able to take them correctly when they go home².

All hospitals have policies to let patients take their medicines themselves if they want but this is rarely offered. Patients tell us that this is unacceptable.

Aim

The PhD aims to design a model to support hospital staff to routinely offer patients the option to take their medicines themselves.

Methods

Year 1: To undertake a systematic review establishing the barriers and enablers to patients accepting SAM if offered.

Year 2: To explore the barriers and enabler to healthcare professionals in hospital offering SAM

Year 3: To design an implementation intervention to support healthcare professionals to implement SAM in a manner acceptable to patients.

Entry requirements:

Applicants are required to hold/or expect to obtain a UK Bachelor Degree 2:1 or better in a relevant subject. 

The University of Leicester English language requirements apply where applicable: https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/entry-reqs/eng-lang-reqs/ielts-70

Application advice:

To apply please refer to: https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/research-subjects/school-of-healthcare

With your application, please include:

• CV
• Personal statement explaining your interest in the project, your experience, why we should consider you in addition to confirmation of how you will pay your fees.
• Degree Certificates and Transcripts of study already completed and if possible transcript to date of study currently being undertaken
• Evidence of English language proficiency if applicable
• In the reference section please enter the contact details of your two academic referees in the boxes provided or upload letters of reference if already available.

In the proposal section please provide the name of the supervisors and project title (a proposal is not required)

Application and project queries to soh-pgr@le.ac.uk

To apply please refer to: https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/research-subjects/school-of-healthcare