PhD studentship at Lancaster University – End of life care and people with learning disabilities

Life expectancy for people with an intellectual disability (ID) has increased from 18 (1930) to 66 years (1993) and the increase is projected to continue (1, 2). As a result more people with ID are experiencing a prolonged period of dying, not only of cancer but of other illnesses (3) such as Alzheimer’s disease; other dementias (4); and cardio-vascular disease. This population have 2.5 times the health problems of their peers without ID (5) but do not access health screening services to the same extent (6). Little attention has been paid to this group and there is evidence of assumptions that people with ID are not able or ready to make decisions about their end of life care (7).

A recent White Paper identified this as a largely invisible population with invisible needs, and highlighted the need for research into end of life decision making for people with ID (8). There are indications that obstacles to this include service provider-issues such as staff training, staff anxiety and concerns about liability, but little is known about these or the experience of providing care for older people with ID and palliative care needs (3).

Aim
To explore the issues experienced by professionals working within intellectual disability services when caring for an older person with palliative care needs.

Methods
An ethnographic approach will enable insights into the social processes of ID service providers in their natural setting. There is scope for these methods to be informed by the PhD student. There are existing links with professionals in N.England.

Supervisors
Dr Sarah Brearley and Professor Chris Hatton have expertise in palliative care, intellectual disabilities and research methodologies. They are experienced supervisors with a commitment to student development and creating new knowledge in health inequalities.

Lancaster University
Lancaster is ranked in the top 10 of all three major UK university league tables and in the top 1% of universities globally. The city is ranked as one of the top 10 most vibrant urban centres.

Informal enquires about the project should be made directly to Dr Sarah Brearley. Applications are made by completing an application for PhD Health Research October 2017 through our online application system.