Robert Gordon University (RGU) has announced that one of its students has been awarded funding from the UK’s principle research body.
The Pharmacy Research UK (PRUK) awards are designed to support those new to research, as well as pharmacists leading their first projects. PRUK recently announced its largest ever annual funding award, allocating nearly £200,000 to support pharmacy research.
The thirteen awards cover a wide range of pharmacy topics that will impact pharmacy services and patient care, such as investigating trends in opioid prescribing and mitigating the challenges faced by community pharmacists at the transition from education into practice.
Joan MacLeod, Lead Pharmacist for the Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership, is currently studying for her Doctorate of Professional Practice (DPP) at RGU, thanks to funding from PRUK and NHS Education for Scotland.
Joan has been awarded a personal award of £5,110, which is allowing her to carry out an investigation into the impact of medication on the daily lives of people with learning disabilities (LD) and their carers in Grampian.
‘My aim is to find out more about some of the challenges faced and also the solutions found relating to medicine management,’ Joan said. ‘I have had the support and advice of local LD care providers and charities, which continues to be invaluable. It is a privilege to have my research supported by both my employer and my professional body and I look forward to being able to use this research to help improve the quality of care for people with learning disabilities.’