Any projects received from potential supervisors will be listed as they arise. Please note that only a few supervisors choose to list their projects here.
Dunedin projects 2023/2024
Projects will be posted on this page as they become available.
Identifying the barriers Te Whatu Ora Southern patients face in attending the Otago Vascular Diagnostic laboratory
Supervisor: Mrs Brigid G Hill, Department of Surgical Sciences
Email gerry.hill@otago.ac.nz or zoe.ashley@otago.ac.nz
The provision of vascular service for the entire Te Whatu Ora Southern region is through the Otago Vascular Diagnostic Laboratory (OVD), Department of Surgery, Dunedin Hospital. The vascular lab provides non-invasive ultrasound assessment, including diagnosis and regular surveillance, of vascular function. A preliminary audit of the OVD database identified that travel distance from Dunedin hospital influenced attendance at scheduled appointments; with patient-initiated cancellation or no-show doubling with increasing distance (~12% with < 2h travel increasing to 23% with > 3h travel). To achieve the best health outcomes for all vascular patients in the Te Whatu Ora Southern region we need to gain an understanding, from a patient's perspective, what barriers they face in attending appointments.
This project is designed to identify barriers that patients face in attending OVD appointments and would be suitable for a medical student with an interest in research. Questionaries will be sent to random selections of patients under OVD care over the last 5 years (2017–2023), stratified into different groups by age, distance, and vascular disease. Understanding the factors that assist alongside obstacles that prevent patients from accessing vascular service is important to determine whether improvements can be made to increase outcomes for all patients within Te Whatu Ora Southern.
A qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to compression stocking use among patients with chronic venous insufficiency
Contact: Kari Clifford
Email kari.clifford@otago.ac.nz
Compression stockings can help patients with venous disease manage their symptoms and may prevent leg ulcers from developing. Despite these benefits, patients do not always adhere to wearing stockings. The reasons for this may differ for patients depending on their age, ability, and life circumstances. Determining why patients do not comply may enable health care practitioners to address these issues and improve outcomes for patients with venous insufficiency.
Aims
To explore barriers to, and facilitators of, adherence to compression therapy, from the perspective of people with chronic venous insufficiency of different age groups.
Design
An interpretive, qualitative, descriptive study involving interviews with patients and a quality of life questionnaire.
Methods
Participants with chronic venous insufficiency (CEAP C1-C4) will be identified from the vascular clinic databases. Inductive thematic analysis of interview transcripts will be performed to identify major themes, stratified by age group. We will aim for 25 interviews to reach thematic saturation.
Student role
To develop interview questionnaires, conduct the study, analyse and interpret the results. The student will be supported by a research team experienced in qualitative and vascular research.