Global St Andrews and Macquarie Doctoral Scholarship - Medicine and Health Sciences

Project

Hearing and/or vision loss interferes with primary modes of communication inhibiting independence and ability to participate in society. The clear association between population ageing, sensory loss, cognitive, social, emotional and physical decline; and associated disability cannot be ignored. Currently, there is an unmet need for a multi-faceted and evidence-based intervention that includes holistic assessment of older adults with sensory loss. The Sound Bites program in Australia led by Prof Gopinath, aims to integrate hearing screening into existing Meals on Wheels New South Wales (MoW NSW) services, through training their volunteers to use an evidence-based hearing testing app developed by Sound Scouts (Australian digital hearing health company). The Arclight is a low-cost, solar-powered and easy-to-use medical diagnostic tool combining ophthalmoscopy and otoscope, to assess both eye and ear health.

Dr Blaikie and the Global Health Team in St Andrews have supported the long-term development of Arclight through research and helping to train health-care workers in a variety of settings. This project aims to expand the scope of the Sound Bites program by incorporating the Arclight device, to enable evidence-based hearing and vision screening for community-dwelling older adults.

Objectives:

1. Integrate the Arclight device into the existing Sound Bites program.
2. Develop and validate a training program for MoW volunteers in using the Arclight device.
3. Evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of volunteer-led sensory screening using the Arclight device and Sound Scouts screening app.
4. Assess the impact of combined hearing and vision screening on uptake of services and interventions for hearing and/or vision loss, and quality of life outcomes.

Methodology:

1. Development phase:

• • Conduct focus groups and interviews with MoW volunteers, staff and clients to assess potential barriers and enablers to incorporating the Arclight device into the Sound Bites program.
  • Use the above qualitative data to develop educational and training materials on vision and hearing loss, and Arclight device use for MoW volunteers.
  • Develop standardised protocols for brief otoscopic and ophthalmoscopic examinations.

2. Implementation phase:

• • Train 60 MoW volunteers from 3-5 Sydney sites in Arclight device use and updated screening protocols.
  • Conduct a pilot study with 600 MoW clients, offering combined hearing and vision screening during meal deliveries.
  • Collect data on screening outcomes, uptake of hearing and vision services and interventions, and participant experiences.

3. Evaluation phase:

• • Analyse quantitative data on screening accuracy and intervention uptake.
  • Conduct qualitative interviews with volunteers and clients to assess acceptability and perceived benefits.
  • Perform cost-effectiveness analysis of the integrated screening approach.

4. Refinement and scale-up:

• • Refine protocols and training materials based on pilot results.
  • Develop recommendations for potential scale-up across the NSW MoW network

Innovative and Distinctive Features:

1. Integration of a frugally engineered device (Arclight) with existing services provided by MoW.
2. Expansion of volunteer-led health screening to include both hearing and vision assessments.
3. Leveraging existing community networks to reach vulnerable, homebound older adults.
4. Combination of cutting-edge technology (Sound Scouts app) with low-cost solutions (Arclight device) for comprehensive, cost-effective sensory loss screening.
5. Simultaneous targeting of multiple modifiable risk factors for dementia and frailty.
6. Interdisciplinary approach combining public health, geriatrics, ophthalmology, and audiology.
7. Focus on preventive care and early intervention, aligning with global efforts to promote healthy aging and reduce healthcare system burden.

The project's multidisciplinary nature makes it relevant to a broad academic and clinical audience, while its focus on practical, community-based interventions ensures real-world applicability. By combining frugal innovation with established public health practices, this research has the potential to create a scalable model for sensory health screening in diverse settings globally.

The project will be managed jointly between the School of Medicine at St Andrews and the Department of Health Sciences at Macquarie. The student will be supervised by Dr Andrew Blaikie (St Andrews) and by Prof. Bamini Gopinath (Macquarie).

Value of award (per year)

The funding comprises a scholarship equivalent of a full-fees award and stipend for a period of up to 3.5 years. It is expected that the student will spend half of the scholarship term at the University of St Andrews and half at Macquarie University:

• For the period spent at the University of St Andrews, the scholarship will comprise a full fees award and a stipend paid at the current UK Research Council rate (£19,237 each year in 2024–2025)

• For the period spent at Macquarie University, the scholarship will comprise a stipend at an annual rate of AUD $38,500 (tax exempt, 2025 rate), paid pro-rata. A tuition fee scholarship will be granted for the period of joint enrolment up to 42 months. Macquarie University will also provide an airfare allowance for flights between Scotland and Australia up to a maximum value of $4,000 AUD to be arranged in accordance with the University’s travel policy.

Unless otherwise specified, the scholarships do not cover:

• Any continuation, extension, or resubmission period/fees.
• A research training grant or another equivalent award for research expenses.
• Support for travel, immigration, health insurance and related charges between the partner institutions.

Duration of award

Up to 3.5 years. The student will be expected to spend approximately half of the award term at the University of St Andrews and half at Macquarie University. The successful candidate will be expected to have completed the doctorate degree by the end of the award term. The award term excludes the continuation period and any extension periods.

Additional criteria

Admission and scholarship criteria of both universities must be met.

For St Andrews, please refer to details of how to apply and of entry requirements here: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/apply/postgraduate/research/.

For Macquarie University, please refer to the PhD entry and English language requirements, and graduate research scholarship eligibility criteria.

Applicants must not already (i) hold a doctoral degree; or (ii) be matriculated for a doctoral degree at the University of St Andrews, Macquarie University, or another institution.

How to apply

Submit an application/Expression of Interest via the University’s online portal:

https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/

As this is a St Andrews system, please ensure that you choose School of Medicine and Dr Andrew Blaikie as your principal supervisor.

Applications/Expressions of interest should include the following documents:

• CV including information about publications.
• Transcripts of most relevant/recent degrees.
• Information about thesis components (thesis mark, word count, weight/length in comparison to the degree overall).
• Statement of suitability as a candidate for the project (max 500 words)

Applications for a scholarship will be assessed jointly by the co-supervisors. Following a successful application for the scholarship, candidates may be invited by the co-supervisors to submit a full application to each university for admission into the program and award of the scholarship.

Please indicate in your application that you wish to be considered for this Global doctoral scholarship (Blaikie-Gopinath). Informal enquiries should be submitted to the co-supervisors via email to: Andrew Blaikie, ab312@st-andrews.ac.uk and Bamini Gopinath, bamini.gopinath@mq.edu.au. Any enquiries relating to the application process should be sent to pgmed@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Please contact us should you have any questions regarding the scholarship: pgscholarships@st-andrews.ac.uk or gr.globalprograms@mq.edu.au

Next steps

Successful scholarship applicants will be invited to apply for admission to both universities from mid-January 2025, and then formal outcomes of the position will be made, subject to provision of full application details and materials for entry to the programme on 27 September 2025 (for St Andrews starts) or 1 October 2025 (for Macquarie starts).

Successful scholarship applicants must meet all relevant entry requirements for admission including any immigration requirements that may be in place. Please see the advice on applying for research degree programmes at St Andrews and the PhD application guidelines at Macquarie.

Terms and conditions

Please read the University of St Andrews scholarships terms and conditions (opens in new tab).

These are applicable during the St Andrews duration of the award; please consult the partner institution for their terms and conditions relating to scholarships.

When will I know the outcome?

By mid-January 2025. Awards are subject to final signatures of contracts between the parties and successful admission to both institutions.