Sarah Bowers
My interest in clinical academia started during my intercalated degree in Cancer Studies at the Paul O’Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre which gave me a solid foundation in important transferable research skills through theoretical work and a laboratory-based project. Undertaking the Academic Foundation Programme in the West of Scotland gave me training in various research methodologies, including database analysis and literature review, whilst allowing me to undertake projects exploring the experience of dying in deprivation; work from this was presented internationally and has been submitted for publication.
As I have progressed into my role as Palliative Medicine Specialist Registrar, I have undertaken several research projects, most recently in prognosticating and end of life care for those living with liver cirrhosis. To maintain networks and connections in clinical academia I am both a member of the executive committee for the Palliative Care Research Society and co-chair of the UK Palliative Trainee Research Collaborative. Balancing full-time clinical training and pursuing research opportunities has been challenging at times and although my exposure to date has equipped me with research skills to get me to this point, I have always wanted to have a period of dedicated research time to allow me to hone these skills and gain immersion into the world of clinical academia.
Therefore, the opportunity to participate in the Multimorbidity PhD programme came at the perfect time for me. The project I have chosen is entitled “A mixed-methods study examining the reality and value of healthcare for people with multimorbidity during their last year of life”. This will be run through the University of St Andrews with a wide team of expertise delivering the supervision. We are planning on undertaking a large data review of decedants who experienced multimorbidity and examining what the last year of their life looked like. Following on from this quantitative work we will embark on a qualitative project to understand the true lived experience of dying with multimorbidity. I am really excited to get started with both my project and supervisory team and to also work alongside the other PhD candidates and the wider programme team. We are extremely fortunate to be embarking on this path together at the same time and I really look forward to the shared learning, opportunities and engagement that we will gain together.
Project: A mixed-methods study examining the reality and value of healthcare for people with multimorbidity during their last year of life
Primary Supervisor: Prof Frances Quirk (University of St Andrews)
Secondary Supervisors: Dr Joanna Bowden, Dr Utkarsh Agrawal, Dr Sarah Mills (University of St Andrews) and Dr Linda Williams (University of Edinburgh)
