Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 February 2025
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic / International
Scholarship
$33,511pa for 3.5 years
About the research project
The cornerstone of secondary prevention of heart failure (HF) is identifying high-risk patients for intensive disease management program (DMP). However, heterogeneous aetiologies of hospitalisation and death in HF and lack of a personalised approach have made it extremely challenging to reduce adverse outcomes in HF patients.
Cognitive impairment (CI) and frailty are highly prevalent in HF. The bidirectional relationship between these comorbidities and HF increases the burden of HF on our healthcare system. Our previous findings show that even mild CI is among the strongest predictors of readmission or death in HF, and that patients with both frailty and CI may benefit most from a nurse-led DMP to reduce readmissions after hospital discharge. Although HF patients with CI and/or frailty have the highest risks of developing cardiovascular adverse events, there is little guidance on how best to manage these patients.
The objectives of the PhD are to:
1.Determine the relationship between dementia, frailty and HF using data from a State-wide data linkage in Australia;
2.Determine if and how cognitive impairment and frailty may drive the adverse outcomes in people with HF;
3.Determine the effects of screening for cognitive impairment and frailty in preventing cardiac dysfunction in people at risk of HF;
4.Develop a risk-guided healthcare program to identify and target high-risk HF patients with intervention to reduce adverse outcomes, using data from an ongoing clinical trial.
The planned research will address the gaps in clinical guidelines for managing HF with multimorbidity. Findings from this research are highly translatable and will transform the way healthcare is delivered to these high-risk patients, improve quality of care, and prevent development of cardiovascular events.
Primary Supervisor
Funding
The successful applicant will receive a scholarship which provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $33,511 per annum (2025 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
- a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
- a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)
If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.
As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.
Other funding opportunities and fees
For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit Scholarships and fees.
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
Selection Criteria
The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.
Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:
- Basic knowledge in cardiovascular health
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Advanced knowledge in data analysis
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact A/Prof Quan Huynh to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
- In your application:
- Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
- Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
- Apply prior to 1 February 2025.
Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section at Research degrees.
Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.
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