Advancing the understanding of health resource use in individuals with multiple long-term conditions

NIHR Doctoral Award (ARC East Midlands – Data4health theme)

 Superviors:

• Dr Clare Gillies  clg13@le.ac.uk
• Dr Mohammad R Ali

Project description:

Multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) is the presence of two or more long-term health conditions and is associated with decreased quality of life, premature death, and high treatment burden. As such MLTCs are a global healthcare priority. This PhD project will investigate the burden of MLTCs and their impact on healthcare resource utilisation. As populations age and the prevalence of chronic disease increases, MLTCs represent a growing public health challenge associated with poorer health outcomes, increased healthcare costs, and substantial pressures on healthcare systems. However, there remains limited understanding of the global burden of MLTCs and the extent to which combinations of long-term conditions drive healthcare utilisation in routine clinical practice.

The first phase of the project will consist of a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the global epidemiology and burden of MLTCs. This review will synthesise evidence on the prevalence, quality of life, and healthcare burden associated with MLTCs across different populations and healthcare settings. Particular attention will be paid to variations by age, sex, socioeconomic deprivation, and geographical
Research Degree Studentship: Advert Request and approval form v1.2 Feb 2026 8
region, as well as differences in definitions and measurement approaches used within the literature. The findings will identify key evidence gaps and inform subsequent empirical analyses.

The second phase will use routinely collected electronic health record data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink linked with Hospital Episode Statistics to quantify healthcare resource use among individuals living with MLTCs in England. Using a retrospective cohort study design, the project will examine associations between MLTC burden and outcomes including general practice consultations, hospital admissions, emergency department attendances, outpatient activity, and healthcare costs. Statistical modelling techniques will be applied to identify patterns of healthcare utilisation and to determine which combinations of conditions are associated with the greatest resource use.

Overall, this PhD will provide important evidence to support healthcare planning, resource allocation, and the development of targeted interventions for individuals living with MLTCs. The student will develop key research skills in evidence synthesis, health economics and medical statistics.

Please refer to the sections below before submitting your application using the link at the bottom of the web page