PhD Applied Evidence Synthesis in Health Research, PhD

Graduation

Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
ECTS-Points

180
Learning format

Blended Learning
Duration

6 semesters
Admission requirements

According to curriculum
Language

English
Study location

Krems (AT)
Curriculum

Curriculum (PDF | 305 KB)
Factsheet

Ongoing advancements in health research are essential for addressing the health and social challenges of the 21st century. The flood of newly published studies requires effective knowledge management in evidence-based practice. In order to make informed health decisions, evidence syntheses are essential. This applies both to the treatment of individual patients and to health policy decisions.

The production of evidence syntheses is methodologically complex and dynamically evolving. Current challenges include combining data from different types of studies, using direct or indirect comparisons (network meta-analyses), presenting the benefits and risks of an intervention in an understandable way, and assessing and incorporating the values and preferences of the users of evidence syntheses. In addition, there are new, but as yet untested, possibilities for using artificial intelligence to automate individual processes in evidence syntheses.

Our PhD program in "Applied Evidence Synthesis in Health Research" will be the first to offer students the opportunity to specifically address these methodological challenges over a period of three years.
Evidence syntheses and their methodological challenges are a central scientific focus of the Department of Evidence-Based Medicine and Evaluation. The methodological development and application of evidence syntheses is supported by numerous international collaborations. Cochrane Austria and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Evidence-based Medicine are based in the Department.

Advancing expertise in evidence synthesis - from initial concept to real-world application. Our PhD program provides rigorous mentorship, cultivating talented researchers committed to the highest standards in health research.

Univ.-Prof. Dr.
Gerald Gartlehner, MPH

PhD Coordinator

Gerald Gartlehner explains something on a flipchart

Any questions?

We’re here to help.

Gabriele Hoch, MSc

Administrative Assistant

phd-evidence-synthesis@donau-uni.ac.at

+43 2732 893-5593

Or contact us directly.

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Benefit from our PhD program

accredited/certified
international
networking

Accreditation

Quality Management at the University for Continuing Education Krems

Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria

Curriculum

Graphic representation of the structure of the PhD program

Modules

ECTS

As part of the PhD program "Applied Evidence in Health Research," the following mandatory and elective modules are to be completed.

Contents

Module 1 consists of 3 PhD colloquia, which are annual meetings with the PhD committee to discuss and assess the advancement of your research. The colloquia are held once a year and attendance is mandatory. For each colloquium, students prepare a presentation of their dissertation project and a corresponding progress report.
Contents
Module 2 promotes foundational skills essential for scientific work and includes the following courses:
- Good Scientific Practice, Research Integrity and Ethics (1 ECTS)
- Project management and grant acquisition (1 ECTS)
- Scientific Presentations, Scientific Writing, Peer Review and Publications (0,5 ECTS)
- Theory of Teaching and Didactics (0,5 ECTS)
Contents
Module 3 covers statistical methods, data analysis, modeling, and an introduction to the free programming language R for statistical computing and graphic and includes the following courses:
- Statistics for the Life Sciences (2 ECTS)
- Statistics for Evidence-based Healthcare (1 ECTS)
- Data Analysis with R (1 ECTS)
- Introduction to Modelling for Healthcare (2 ECTS)
Contents
Module 4 covers the core content of the PhD program. It provides knowledge about the methods of different types of evidence synthesis and how these methods can be used in health care. Students learn how to conduct methodologically valid systematic reviews and meta-analyses according to the Cochrane methodology. The methods of diagnostic and prognostic reviews and network meta-analyses are also covered. The module also introduces the essentials of graphical risk and effect plots and consists of the following courses:
- Methods of Evidence Synthesis (4 ECTS)
- Evidence-informed Decision Making in Healthcare and Health Policy (1 ECTS)
- Systematic Literature Searches and Information Retrieval (1 ECTS)
- Presentation and Visualization of Risks and Treatment Effects (1 ECTS)
- Certainty of Evidence and Guideline Development (1 ECTS)
Contents
Module 5 is designed to further deepen students' understanding of their dissertation topic. Additionally, the module affords the chance to gain international exposure through the Cochrane International Mobility Program. It also offers hands-on experience in academic teaching, advising on bachelor's theses, and participation in other university-related activities such as conferences. The module allows for considerable flexibility in its design, with elective courses to be finalized in the dissertation agreement. A total of 12 ECTS credits are required for completion. The following courses are available for selection:
- Cochrane International Mobility I-II (4/6 ECTS)
- Teaching or University-related Activities I-III (ECTS credits are allocated by the program director based on the nature of the activity)
- Journal Club I-III (je 2 ECTS)
- Survey Research and Questionnaire Design (1 ECTS)
- Qualitative Methods (1 ECTS)
- Evaluation Research (1 ECTS)
- Evidence-based Public Health (1 ECTS)
- Registries and Analyses of Registry Data (2 ECTS)
- Modelling Approaches for Health Technology Assessments (2 ECTS)
- Selected Methods of Evidence Synthesis or other topic-specific courses (ECTS credits depend on the chosen course)