The design and evaluation of a community pharmacy – based positive psychology intervention

Project Title:

KESS2 PhD Scholarship :

The design and evaluation of a community pharmacy – based positive psychology intervention

Project Team:: Dr Delyth H James (Academic Lead Supervisor )

Dr Paul Hewlett ( Academic Supervisor))

Dr Amie – Louise Prior ( Academic Supervisor))

Alison Sparkes (Lead Company Supervisor))

Marie Ricketts (Company Supervisor))

Elizabeth Lawless (Technical Adviser))

Project Outline::

This is an exciting opportunity to develop and test a novel, positive psychology intervention in a community pharmacy setting.The Health Dispensary’ is a pharmacy and wellness clinic combined on one premises to provide a one – stop National Health Service (NHS), Pharmacy and Complementary Health Services to promote health and wellbeing to the community of Neath. Whilst there are numerous interventions to support pharmacy customers’’ self – care and self – management approaches from a physical health point of view, the company wants to develop the range of services available to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the community it serves.. A high volume of anti – depressant medication is dispensed on a monthly basis and this is increasing year upon year . The Health Dispensary is in a position to offer other, evidence – based interventions to build resilience and psychological wellbeing, which could prevent the need for anti – depressant prescribing or support general wellbeing of the community it serves..

Positive psychology is a field of psychology that aims to promote positive psychological functioning.. A relatively new model in positive psychology is the ‘PPERMA model’’,, which encompasses five domains – P ositive emotion,, E ngagement,, R elationships,, M eaning and A ccomplishment..

The aim of the project is to test the feasibility of delivering a positive psychology intervention (based on Martin Seligman’s PERMA model)) in a community pharmacy setting.. This will involve developing an appropriate design and method of delivery for the mental wellbeing intervention with view to piloting this on a small scale..

Applicants must have a good first degree in a relevant discipline area.. Effective analytical and good written and communication skills are critical.. As the project will be split be tween work at Cardiff Metropolitan University and the community pharmacy in Neath,, it is desirable that the successful candidate has a driving licence and the ability to travel between sites..

Proposed work as detailed below :

Work Package (WWP)) 1:: Conduct a literature review of existing literature reporting on empirical studies to explore the impact of positive psychology interventions to enhance resilience and psychological wellbeing .

WP2:: Design appropriate content and mode of delivery for a community pharmacy – based positive psychology ‘ PERMA ’ intervention , following the Medical Research Council (MMRC)) complex intervention framework..

WP3:: Deliver and evaluate the PERMA intervention to a self – selecting sample of pharmacy customers .

WP4:: Determine the views of a range of stakeholders (ee..gg.. pharmacy customers’’ and staff perspectives ) on delivering this intervention through a community pharmacy setting..

The scholarship offers all eligible particip ant s (sstudent))::

• KESS PhD Scholarship holders do not pay fees;;

• A monthly stipend in line with RCUK rates:: 3 years of funding @ £114,198 per year for PhD

• An additional budget to support your research of £33,000 for travel,, conference attendance,, minor equipment,, consumables and training

• An opportunity to access a suite of higher level skills training & attendance at a residential KESS Grad School

• A minimum of 30 days a year working with the company partner on their allocated project

• Students must complete & submit their thesis within 3 years for PhD

• All participants must complete the KESS Postgraduate Skills Development Award

To be eligible for the scholarship,, applicants should have UK or EU Citizenship, and be resident in the convergence area of Wales on appointment (or be studying in or working in the convergence area immediately prior to starting the project),and should have the right to work in the region on qualification.. Residence confirmed by providing documents such as driver’s licence, tenancy agreement or recent statement from bank or building society..

The map for the areas that are eligible can be found here

NB: The map also illustrates other assisted areas in the UK, however only the West Wales and the Valleys (in blue/grey: noted as ‘aa” areas) is eligible in this project .

To obtain an application form ( Participant Application Form ) and for further information regarding KESS2 at Cardiff Metropolitan ,

Please click here

Application Deadline:: 31 st Octob er 2017

To apply , please submit completed application form to Dr Delyth H James to E mail : dhjames@cardiffmet.ac.uk

Interviews for this post will take place in the week beginning the 13th or 20th November , with a proposed commencement date of 22nd January 2018 (end date 21st January 2021)) .

Funding Notes::

Supported by Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships 2 (KESS2) which is an All Wales higher level skills initiative led by Bangor University on behalf of the HE sector in Wales. It is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (EESF)) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys..