Methodological issues in trials in critical care

FUNDING CONFIRMED

(This project has been re-advertised)

This PhD will investigate the value of surrogate outcomes to predict clinically relevant outcomes. In addition a review of the methods for the use of commonly used outcomes in critical care studies, relevant to trial design and analysis of outcomes, will be undertaken to determine the most appropriate methods for analysing these outcomes. The research plan will involve a review of the literature investigating the use of surrogate outcomes to predict the effects on clinically relevant patient centred outcomes in critical care studies; Using data from existing clinical trial datasets which have collected both surrogate and patient centred outcomes to identify if “survivor levels” for surrogate outcomes which predict patient centred outcomes can be identified and validated; Reviewing the literature for statistical methods applicable to critical care study outcomes. The evaluation will focus on the methods of analysis for composite non-Normally distributed outcomes; A simulation of critical care studies to investigate the properties of appropriate methods selected from the review; And application of the methods identified in the review and simulation to HARP-2 and clinical trial datasets from other large critical care studies.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Candidates should have or expect to obtain a 1st class or 2:1 Honours degree.

English Language

Candidates applying from countries where the first language is not English should produce evidence of their competence through a qualification such as IELTS or TOEFL score.
The minimum recommended score for the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science is:

•IELTS score of 6.5 with not less than 6.0 in each of the four component elements of listening, reading, speaking and writing taken within the last 2 years;
•TOEFL score of 90+ (internet basted test), taken within the last 2 years, with minimum component scores of; Listening 20, Reading 19, Speaking 21, Writing 20);
•A valid Certificate of Proficiency in English grade A or B;
•A valid Certificate of Advanced English grade A; or
•A first or upper second class honours degree from a university based in the UK, Republic of Ireland or other suitably quality assured location in a country deemed by the UK Border Agency to be majority English speaking.

For a list of English Language qualifications also accepted by the School and University please see the following link:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/StudyatQueens/InternationalStudents/EnglishLanguageRequirements/

The English Language Unit (ELU) offers both pre-sessional and in-sessional courses in English for academic purposes and study skills. Courses vary in length and full information can be obtained from the ELU http://www.qub.ac.uk/tefl/