Job University of Twente - PhD-position Developing cost-conscious clinical practice guidelines

This project focuses on the methods of synthesizing and incorporating evidence on the efficiency of interventions in clinical practice guidelines. Clinical (practice) guidelines (CPG’s) are defined as ‘systematically developed statements to assist both practitioner and patient decisions in specific circumstances’. CPG’s have become an increasingly familiar part of clinical care in many countries around the world. This is exemplified by the establishment of a Guidelines International Network (GIN) in 2002, which nowadays has grown to represent 44 countries around the globe and administers a database of 6800 guidelines. 

In a subset of these countries considerable activities have been organized to systematically incorporate evidence on the costs and outcomes of the most relevant interventions, which can be related to rapidly increasing health care costs and the need to secure value for money. Although the approach is somewhat controversial, in 2006 an international group of health economists has established the Guidelines and Economists Network International (GENI) to take matters further.  A number of methodological challenges have been identified, e.g. issues of transferability. 

You will review the background and state of the art in developing CPG’s and the incorporation of economic evidence in CPG’s, primarily at an international level both. You will get hands-on experience in synthesizing health economics evidence for specific CPG’s and you will carry out research to formulate recommendations to improve existing practice, e.g. with regard to  distinguishing levels of clinical and economic evidence and corresponding grades of recommendations. You will also analyse variations in the practice of economic evidence synthesis by selecting CPG’s of particular cases, e.g. vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus. As a result of this combination of activities you will significantly contribute to the body of knowledge in this field.

The PhD position is open to persons with an interest in health services research, health technology assessment and health economics. The preferred background is Health Sciences.  You should have completed or are about to graduate with a Master’s degree. Also, we do request you to be able to work in a multidisciplinary team involving clinicians and academics and have intellectual curiosity and knowledge of relevant topics. Your main responsibility will be to carry out research, but you will also be given the opportunity to acquire some teaching experience. 

We offer a very challenging position in an inspiring multidisciplinary environment. As a PhD candidate you will be appointed in a full-time position for a period of four years, at the end of which you must have completed your PhD thesis. The gross monthly salary for a PhD increases from € 2042 in the first year to € 2612 in the final year (in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). In addition, the University of Twente offers additional attractive employment conditions. Our PhD candidates have opportunities to broaden their knowledge by joining international exchange programs, by participating in national and international conferences and workshops, and by visiting other research institutes and universities worldwide.

University of Twente. A place where talent emerges and develops. Students and staff are our valued core. Approximately 3,300 scientists and professionals work together on groundbreaking research, relevant innovation and inspiring education for more than 9,000 students.

For more information on this position you can contact Prof. Dr. Hindrik Vondeling, e-mail: h.vondeling@utwente.nl, phone: +31 53 4895638 or Prof. Dr. Maarten IJzerman, chair of the department HTSR, e-mail: m.j.ijzerman@utwente.nl, phone: +31 53 4895410.