Attitudes, beliefs and behaviours regarding the management of shoulder osteoarthritis

Join our internationally renowned team of musculoskeletal researchers and clinicians. Through this mixed methods PhD, you will develop qualitative and quantitative research skills and discover new knowledge and insights about shoulder osteoarthritis (OA) - a disabling yet under-researched type of joint pain.

The burden of shoulder OA on individuals and healthcare systems is rising. Clinical guidelines for the management of OA focus on the knee and hip joints and consistently recommend education, exercise and weight loss as first-line treatments. However, the current and optimum management of shoulder OA is uncertain due to the limited evidence base specific to the shoulder.

We have a limited understanding of how people with shoulder OA, and the healthcare practitioners they consult (such as general practitioners,  physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeons), perceive and manage the condition. This PhD will investigate the attitudes, beliefs and behaviours regarding shoulder OA, from the perspectives of people with shoulder OA and from the perspectives of healthcare practitioners. The PhD objectives are:

1. To synthesise the current evidence base on the effectiveness and safety of conservative care for people with shoulder OA
2. To explore and understand the attitudes, beliefs (including expectations and treatment preferences) and self-management behaviours of people with shoulder OA
3. To investigate how healthcare practitioners in Australia currently manage and treat people with shoulder OA

The PhD will conclude by bringing together the findings to inform a set of recommendations regarding the key components of shoulder OA care.

This PhD will allow the candidate to develop a range of different research method skills which may include a systematic review, semi-structured interviews, online surveys and consumer involvement in research. The PhD candidate will have the autonomy to shape how they address each research objective.

The PhD student will be based within a strategic 2-year partnership between The University of Queensland and Metro North Hospital and Health Services in STARS - the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service Education and Research Alliance (SERA). SERA brings together researchers, clinicians, educations and consumers to create knowledge and embed clinical research that transforms patient outcomes and clinical care. SERA benefits from the research environment in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS), with 172 higher degree by research students, $10 million in HERDC research income, annual research symposium and research incubator programs. Between 2021-2023, SERA team members published over 150 papers, submitted 145 grant applications with a success rate of 45% and attracted over $50 million in grant funding. We support 57 active research projects in the STARS hospital, 12 clinicians undertaking HDRs, and have developed a consumer research group with 30 consumers engaged in all stages of research.

The experienced PhD supervision team has an established track record in mixed methods health services research delivery and collaboration, with over 300 peer-reviewed papers, 16 successfully completed PhD students, and 5 in progress. The successful candidate will also benefit from the supervision team's national and international musculoskeletal and OA research and clinical networks, for example our international collaborative clinical trials (RAPSODI-UK and RAPSODI-Australia) focused on treatments for shoulder OA.

This is an Earmarked scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.

The scholarship includes:

• living stipend of $35,000 per annum tax free (2024 rate), indexed annually
• your tuition fees covered
• single overseas student health cover (OSHC).

Learn more about the Earmarked scholarship.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history.

A working knowledge of musculoskeletal conditions would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

A background in a health-related field, public health or applied health-related social science would be desirable but not essential.

A background or knowledge of research methods such as systematic reviews, surveys and interviews would benefit someone working on this project.

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 1, 2025. To allow time for your application to be processed, we recommend applying no later than 30 September, 2024 1 May, 2024.

You can start in an earlier research quarter. See application dates.

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. Contact Dr Jonathan Quicke (j.quicke@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a PhD. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

• My higher degree is not collaborative
• I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship
• UQ Earmarked Scholarship type.

Apply now