Project title: Understanding the processes by which patient safety experts impact patient safety goals and culture at the Great Ormond Street Hospital

Primary supervisor: Prof. Amit Nigam

Second supervisor: Dr Daisy Chung

University: City, University of London, Bayes Business School

SeNSS Pathway: Business and Management Studies

Collaborative partner: Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Collaborative partner supervisor: Prof. Sanjiv Sharma, Medical Director

Degree structure: either a three-year PhD programme (+3), or a one year Masters degree followed by a three-year PhD programme (1+3). If you are applying for the 1+3, you will take the MSc Research Methods

 

Project background:

This project is collaboration between the Bayes Business School and the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (GOSH). It will focus on ethnographic fieldwork related to GOSH’s patient safety strategy. The project will specifically look at the processes and practices by which patient safety experts (specialists with a focus on patient safety) advance patient safety goals and embed them in the organization’s culture. It will draw on ethnographic methods that involve, primarily, shadowing patient safety experts at GOSH.

 

Project aims and objectives:

  • To develop an empirically grounded conceptual model of how patient safety experts can contribute to systemic structural and cultural change that improves safety of care;

  • To communicate this knowledge with diverse health professionals interested in patient safety at GOSH, across the NHS, and around the world;

  • To develop conceptual knowledge based on the ethnographic study that will contribute to organizations research on occupations and professions and organizational change; and,

  • To equip you, the student, with the experiences and skills needed to embark on on a fulfilling career in the health care sector or as a management academic.


Training opportunities

A comprehensive package of training will be agreed in consultation with the supervisors. This will include:

  • Bayes Business School, City, University of London will offer a year of coursework that will equip you with the methodological training and grounding in the social science and management research needed to successfully develop your PhD.

  • GOSH will offer access to project specific training on understanding the NHS as a system, navigating the NHS research ethics process, principles of patient safety, and other training that might support your employability given your emergent career interests.

  • GOSH will provide you with a career mentor who can help you explore potential career paths in the healthcare sector.

  • Your supervisors at Bayes will offer career mentorship to help you explore career paths as an academic.

 

Essential and/or desirable attributes/skills

Essential:

  • A high-calibre graduate with a Bachelors or Masters degree in Business and/or Management Studies, or Sociology (the Bachelors or Masters must be completed by September 2023).

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

  • Willing to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary and multi-professional teams.

  • The ability and desire to work independently, with supervisory support, to develop an independent piece of research.

Desirable:

  • Knowledge of qualitative, and ideally ethnographic research methods.

  • Knowledge of healthcare organizations and systems including, but not limited to, the NHS.

Studentship details

This studentship will be taken as either a 1+3 year award (a one-year Masters followed by a three-year PhD) or a +3 award (a three-year PhD), either full-time or part-time.

Residential eligibility

Home or international students are eligible for a fully-funded award (fees will be paid, and they receive a stipend/salary).

How to apply for this studentship

This competition is now closed.