REaLIst Review and EValuation on the RolE of Mobile Technology to reduce Medication Burden in Older People (RELIEVE)

Background:

As we age, we experience more disease and may need more medication. There has been a dramatic increase in medication use by older people; comparing data from 1991-1994 to 2008-2011, we found that the number of older people taking five plus medications had quadrupled from 14% to nearly 50% (1).

As medication use increases, older people and family carers struggle to manage them. We found this in an earlier study (MEMORABLE: 2,3). Mobile technology offers a potential solution by sharing key information in a timely and accessible way, which this PhD aims to investigate using a realist approach (4,5).

Aim:

To describe and develop theory to understand how mobile technology (including current tools and prospective design approaches) can support flexible data management to reduce burden in older people living with problematic polypharmacy.

Objectives:

1. Realist review of the literature to understand how, why and in what circumstances mobile technology can reduce medication burden (work package 1 [WP1]).
2. 2. Realist evaluation of the theory generated from WP1 on the role of technology and explore the challenges and how to implement the technology through interviews with older people, family carers and practitioners (WP2).
3. Build impact by widely disseminating the key findings and engaging with key policy-makers (WP3).

Research plan:

WP1 (month:1-12): building on previous research by supervisors realist review of academic/grey literature (develop initial programme theory: m1-2; develop search strategy: m2-4: search literature: m3-5; study selection/appraisal: m4-7; analysis: m7-10; develop programme theory/theories: m9-12).

WP2 (month:8-28): realist evaluation, using semi-structured interviews with older people, practitioners and carers, of the findings from WP1 to develop guidance and emerging design principles for policy makers and practitioners (ethics: m8-12; recruitment: m12-16; interviews: m14-20; analysis: m18-26; write-up: m24-28).

WP3 (month:26-36): combine WP1/WP2: m26-32; produce thesis: m30-36; dissemination (e.g., academic publications, conferences, engagement with policymakers): m33-36.

References

1. Gao L, Maidment I, Matthews FE, Robinson L, Brayne C. Medication usage change in older people (65+) in England over 20 years: Findings from CFAS I and CFAS II. Age and Ageing. 2018;47(2):220-5.

2. Lawson S, Mullan J, Wong G, Zaman H, Booth A, Watson A, et al. Family carers’ experiences of managing older relative's medications: Insights from the MEMORABLE study. Patient Education and Counseling. 2022;105(7):2573-80.

3. Maidment ID LS, Wong G,  Booth A, Watson A, McKeown J, Zaman H, Mullan J, Bailey S. MEdication Management in Older people: Realist Approaches Based on Literature and Evaluation (MEMORABLE): a realist synthesis. NIHR Journals Library. 2020;8(26).

4. Poorcheraghi H, Negarandeh R, Pashaeypoor S, Jorian J. Effect of using a mobile drug management application on medication adherence and hospital readmission among elderly patients with polypharmacy: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Health Services Research. 2023;23(1):1-10.

5. Tabi K, Randhawa AS, Choi F, Mithani Z, Albers F, Schnieder M, et al. Mobile apps for medication management: Review and analysis. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. 2019;7(9).

Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, EITHER:

a] a First or Upper Second Class award in their Undergraduate Degree (Bachelors or UG Masters) from a UK institution, in a subject judged by Aston to be relevant to the proposed research.

Alternativley

b] a Merit (or above)* in a Postgraduate Masters degree in a relevant subject AND an Undergraduate Degree (Bachelors or UG Masters), both from UK institutions.

*where appropriate.

Qualifications from overseas institutions will be also considered but performance must be equivalent to that described above, and the University reserves the right to ascertain this equivalence according to its own criteria.

Financial Support

This project covers the Home tuition fees. Candidates who do not have Home status will be responsible for the difference in tuition fees. Currently, the difference between ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees is £17,712 for 2026/7.  

Overseas Applicants

Overseas applicants may apply for this studentship but will need to pay the difference between the ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees. Currently, the difference between ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees is £17,712 for 2026/7. As part of the application, you will be required to confirm that you will provide this additional funding. Please indicate this on the application form in the funding section.
 

Apply through our PhD application form.

When applying:

• For University College, please select Health Sciences
• For Degree Programme, please select Research Health Sciences (including Optometry, Pharmacy, and Psychology Research Areas) and your preferred entry date.

The supervisor can be contacted at i.maidment@aston.ac.uk.  When applying, please upload copies of your discussions with the supervisor as confirmation.

Overseas Applicants

Overseas applicants may apply for this studentship but will need to pay the difference between the ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees. Currently the difference between ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees is £17,712 for 2026/7. As part of the application, you will be required to confirm that you will provide this additional funding. Please indicate this on the application form in the funding section. This project has associated consumables costs which should be discussed with the supervisor in the first instance and before applying. The supervisor can be contacted at i.maidment@aston.ac.uk. When applying, please upload copies of your discussions with the supervisor as confirmation.

Apply now

If you require further information about the application process please contact the Postgraduate Admissions team at pgr_admissions@aston.ac.uk

Supervisor: Professor Ian Maidment

Associate Supervisor: Dr Lilit Hakobyan

Contact information

For formal enquiries about this project contact: i.maidment@aston.ac.uk

PhD programmes are for those who are seeking to develop greater in-depth knowledge in a specific area. Completing this level of study is about making an original contribution to knowledge, making new discoveries and developing lifelong skills. 

Studying a PhD is great route into academia and industries that are centred on research and innovation. Areas with a demand for very high level and specialised research skills often demand PhDs.

In addition to this specialist knowledge, PhD education will help you to develop a set of valuable transferrable skills. The very nature of studying an intensive research degree will enable you to become a team player, develop problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and advanced presentation and communication skills.