The V-RESIST Trial is a three year randomised controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of an antibiotic stewardship intervention in 40 clinics in Vietnam. This is an opportunity for a highly motivated PhD student with an interest in antimicrobial stewardship and/or health system research to participate in this NHMRC-funded project.

Synopsis: Vietnam is a hotspot for the emergence of drug resistant infectious disease, epitomising the regional challenges facing health systems in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Deregulation of the pharmaceutical industry following the country’s “ÐôÒi Mõìi” economic reforms in the 1980s has contributed to widespread over-use of antibiotics in the public and private sector. Over one third of antibiotics are thought to be taken inappropriately – particularly within the lower levels of the health system.

The overall aim of this project is to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of an Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) intervention to reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics within the district level of the Vietnamese health system.

The V-RESIST study is a three year NHMRC/DFAT-funded trial that is being implemented in 4 Provinces of Vietnam. It is a partnership between academics at the University of Sydney and Vietnamese partners.

This project will involve working in the design and implementation of the Antimicrobial Stewardship intervention that is locally adapted to the Vietnamese health care system. The student will have the opportunity to spend considerable time in Vietnam over the three years of the project, working with local staff and taking a significant role in the trial. The successful candidate will be well-supported, and will have many opportunities to develop research networks with leading researchers from prominent Australian and Vietnamese institutions. This multi-disciplinary project lends itself to a broad based research degree, with plenty of opportunities to develop the skills required of an independent researcher.

The precise activities will depend upon the student’s background and skills. The project will provide opportunities to develop skills in process evaluation, clinical trials methodology, clinical guideline development, qualitative research, health economic analysis and/or pharmacy capacity building.

Suitable candidates will have:

• a strong background in medicine (e.g. infectious diseases or respiratory medicine), pharmacy, public health or nursing.

• A demonstrated interest in health in low and middle-income countries

• An ability to work as a part of a team

• Skills in statistics, epidemiology or data analysis

Students with limited research background may be initially enrolled in an MPhil, before transitioning to a PhD based upon satisfactory completion of their initial research.

Research Location: Vietnam and Australia

Primary Supervisor: A/Prof Greg Fox

Additional Supervisor: Conjoint Senior Lecturer Dr Nguyen Thu Anh

Interested students should contact A/Prof Greg Fox (greg.fox@sydney.edu.au) or Ms Wafaa Ezz (wafaa.ezz@sydney.edu.au)