Doctoral study in General Practice and Primary Health Care
Why study with us?
- Our department has a very strong track-record of high-quality research in many aspects of general practice and primary health care.
- Our academic staff come from a range of different disciplines, including epidemiology, medicine, nursing, social work and psychology. Their research interests range broadly across clinical, scientific and professional topics.
- We have a high publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
- As a doctoral candidate, you'll benefit from financial support for research expenses through PReSS funding, high calibre supervision from our world-class academic researchers and connections with our extensive national and international networks.
Research opportunities
When you join us for your doctorate in General Practice and Primary Health Care, you will become part of a high-calibre research community and have the opportunity to publish papers, attend international conferences and develop your academic and clinical networks.
Some of the topics you could research include:
- Gerontology and ageing well
- Immunisation and vaccinology
- Primary health care in the global context
- Core values and principles of family medicine and primary care
- Co-design and Pacific community engagement
- Professionalism and ethics
- Quality and safety
- Rural health
- Medical education
- Clinical well-being
- Diagnostic tests in screening and clinical setting
- Written exposure therapy for PTSD
Our people
Pursue your PhD topic with us and benefit from exceptional standards of support and supervision from internationally recognised researchers.
Professor Felicity Goodyear-Smith
Primary health care research, co-design and educational research.
Professor Ngaire Kerse
Ageing, gerontology, clinical trials, falls prevention, multimorbidity and complexity in ageing.
Associate Professor Kyle Eggleton
Rural health, primary health care, equity, clinical education, interprofessional education, quality and safety, and medication safety.
Associate Professor Fiona Moir
Health and well-being of clinicians and students, burnout, medical education, bullying and harassment, mindfulness and communication skills.
Associate Professor Helen Petousis Harris
Vaccine and vaccine related issues.
Dr Ruth Teh
Gerontology research with special focus on frailty, multimorbidity, physical function, nutrition, intrinsic capacity and complex intervention trials.
Past research topics
- ‘The role and appraisal of online videos in postgraduate medical education.’ Supervised by Fiona Moir and Felicity Goodyear-Smith.
- ‘Yoga, health and quality of life: A longitudinal mixed methods study on the expectations and experiences of New Zealanders with long-term health conditions.’ Supervised by Stephen Buetow, Ruth Teh and Fiona Moir.
- ‘Understanding the barriers and facilitators that influence access to quality cardiovascular care for rural Indigenous people.’ Supervised by Matire Harwood, Vanessa Selak and Kyle Eggleton.
- ‘Factors influencing the intention to use smart mobility products among the elderly.’
- ‘e-DiVA (empowering dementia carers with an iSupport virtual assistant.’
- ‘Can a virtual human visualisation intervention encourage exercise adherence among older adults with mild cognitive impairment?’
- ‘Body composition and ageing.’
- ‘Older adults with blunt chest trauma at Auckland City Hospital: Prevalence, characteristics and determinants of timely injury identification.’
- ‘Examining change in physical activity, sedentary behaviour and functional tasks in response to a health-App in 'at-risk' community dwelling older adults.’
- ‘Socialisation and well-being.’
- ‘Dementia prevalence in many ethnic groups.’
- ‘Neuroplasticity and movement.’
- ‘The invisible reality of informal caregivers of aged whānau members - A Māori perspective.’
- ‘Why are medications omitted in formal care settings in New Zealand, and are our national procedures around these incidences fair?’