This qualitative research project will explore how health and social care staff currently perceive, identify, and respond to unwarranted variation in healthcare, and how this aligns with the principles of Realistic Medicine. It will focus on learning from staff experience to inform improvement, capability building, and engagement. 
 
In addition to examining how unwarranted variation is currently understood, the project will focus on what motivates (or discourages) individuals from identifying and tackling unwarranted variation. Attention will be given to how differences in understanding, motivation and perceived constraints shape everyday decision‑making, and behaviours. 
 
The objectives of this project will be to investigate: 
• How staff understand the concept of unwarranted variation within their role and service context. 
• Staff perceptions of how unwarranted variation affects person-centred care, quality, equity, and value. 
• Existing actions or improvement activities used by staff to address unwarranted variation. 
• Perceived barriers and enablers to reducing unwarranted variation. 
 
The intern will work within the Scottish Government's Realistic Medicine Policy team, contributing to a wider programme of work aimed at strengthening the practise of Realistic Medicine and delivery of Value‑Based Health and Care (VBHC) and across the system. The primary research method will involve semi‑structured interviews with health and care professionals across the NHS and social care in Scotland, reflecting the critical yet under‑researched role that this workforce plays in enabling or resisting change. Findings will inform practical recommendations relating to the development of effective methods for identifying and tacking unwarranted variation in practice.