Research Assistant in Physical Activity for Health (UL MedEx)

Applications are invited for the following position:

Title of Post: Research Assistant in Physical Activity for Health (UL MedEx)

JOB SYNOPSIS

Globally, inactivity is a pandemic responsible for more than five million deaths annually and is one of the UN’s primary targets to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In 2012, The Lancet published its first series on physical activity, which cited inactivity as the fourth leading global risk factor for death, especially in high income countries. The series concluded that physical inactivity is as important a modifiable risk factor for chronic disease as obesity and tobacco In Ireland, an estimated one quarter of the population (1.2 million) suffer from cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic disease, half the population are overweight or obese, cancer affects one in three and 10% of adults report having experienced a mental health problem. These conditions account for 75% of all deaths, and the all-cause mortality rate associated with physical inactivity is estimated at 14.2%. The Mid-West of Ireland, in line with national trends is facing a rising epidemiology of chronic conditions (cardiovascular disease, stroke, respiratory and metabolic disease). While there is robust evidence for the efficacy of exercise intervention for secondary prevention and rehabilitation of patients with lifestyle-related diseases, exercise is under-utilised, under-prescribed and frequently overlooked, often in favour of pharmacologic or surgical intervention. In 2015, member states of the WHO agreed to a 10% relative reduction of insufficient physical activity by 2025 as one of the major targets to improve prevention/treatment of NCDs. However, data published in 2018 on global physical activity trends show no increase in activity levels in the past 15 years 4. Irish data reveals 65% of people are aware that they should be active for at least 150 minutes each week at an intensity that yield significant health benefits, however only 66% are identified as sufficiently active, with the percentage even lower among people living with NCDs 4. Implementation of the Health Services Executive’s Integrated Model of Care for the Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease (2020-2023) has commenced with a strong focus on primary care, tasking general practitioners and practice nurses to provide scheduled reviews with specified chronic disease patient cohorts. Primary healthcare professionals have received training on brief lifestyle interventions and primary care data management systems have been adapted. The National Exercise Referral Framework identified the ‘Physical Activity Pathway in Healthcare Model’ (PAPHM) as a strategy for embedding exercise and physical activity into routine primary healthcare. The UL MedEx model tested the PAPHM in practice in UL from 2018-2020 with and is now at the stage of scaling its services. This project proposes using the knowledge and skills gained in UL MedEx and exploring the facilitators and barriers to implementing a community-based programme. Using a pragmatic evaluation approach, this project will test how the UL MedEx programme can be embedded into primary healthcare services within the community. The programme will continue to run at the University of Limerick (UL) wherein it was first developed. UL will act as the hub, with an additional community setting delivering evidence-based, high-quality EIM programmes. The deliverable of this project will result from both process and outcome evaluation as per the National Exercise Referral Framework guidelines. Specific Project Objectives: 1. To assess facilitators and barriers to exercise referral and service provision within CHO3. 2. To assess programme adoption, acceptability, reach and sustainability within diverse community settings. 3. To develop a framework for implementation and sustainability of community-based physical activity programmes for individuals living with chronic diseases. To meet our research agenda, the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre (www.ul.ie/ehs/pafh) at the University of Limerick would now like to recruit a Research Assistant. The successful candidate should have a BSc in a related area and become a member of the PAfH research centre, which is part of the Health Research Institute. As such, the successful candidate would have full support and access to UL postgraduate resources and laboratories. The candidate would be trained in both qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (questionnaire, physical health measures, audit) research methods appropriate to UL MedEx.

Faculty of Education & Health Sciences

Department of Physical Education & Sport Science

Contract Type: Specific Purpose

Salary Scale: €33,291 - €43,372 (maximum starting salary €36,305) p.a. pro rata

University of Limerick is a research-led, energetic and enterprising institution with a proud record of innovation and excellence in education and scholarships. We value creativity, curiosity and excellence in our inclusive community which is committed to social good. Our motto Eagna chun Gnímh translates as Wisdom for Action reflecting our mission to contribute to the discovery of new knowledge for a better world.

Informal enquiries regarding the post may be directed to:

Professor Catherine Woods

Physical Activity for Health Research Cluster

Department of Physical Education & Sport Science

University of Limerick

Email: catherine.woods@ul.ie