Working towards using Cost-Benefit Analysis to evaluate public health policies

Reference: HS020.
Fuse research programme: Complex Systems Research Programme, Programme Leader: Prof David Hunter, Durham University, Deputy Programme Leader: Prof Luke Vale, Newcastle University
Lead Supervisor: Prof Luke Vale, Health Foundation Chair in Health Economics, Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University
Co-Supervisor: Prof David Hunter, Director and Professor of Health Policy & Management in Centre for Public Policy & Health, Durham University
Training Location: Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University.
Duration: 4 years (1+3), full time, start before 1st October 2014. Year 1 MSc in Health Economics at York University; year’s 2-4 PhD full time at Newcastle University.
Stipend: Estimated at £13,863 per annum in 2014

Scientific Rationale for proposed doctoral project
Within health economics the dominant form of economic evaluation is cost-utility analysis and it is recommended by NICE for the evaluation of health technologies [1]. The limitations of such an approach for the evaluation of public health interventions has been recognised [2] with a proposal to use a cost-benefit analysis framework. How this is to be operationalised is less clear as there are a number of alternative and complementary techniques that might be used [3]. The PhD will cover the development of methods to evaluate the impacts of public health interventions on the wider health and wellbeing of local communities. Specifically the challenges of measuring and valuing ‘distant’ effects, such as those falling on individuals, local authorities and other sectors of the economy and society, the omission of which is one of the principle limitations of cost-utility analysis . Various techniques have been proposed in the literature such as cost-benefit analysis, multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and return on investment, including social return on investment. Whether these techniques supply the sort of information that decision-makers require is unclear and will be addressed in this PhD.

Person specification
Candidates for studentships must hold qualifications at the level of, or equivalent to, a good honours degree from a UK academic institution, in a subject broadly relevant to the scientific remit of the studentship. This should be a first or upper second class honours degree. Qualifications, or a combination of qualifications and experience, which demonstrate equivalent ability and attainment will also be considered.

Any +3 offer at Newcastle is conditional, subject to approval of their application to York for the MSc and for successful completion with merit.

Applicants already holding a suitable MSc qualification may be exempt from the first (MSc) year.
Guidance on Residence eligibility can be found here:
http://www.mrc.ac.uk/Fundingopportunities/Applicanthandbook/Studentships/Eligibility/index.htm

How to apply
You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application form:
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/form/

Only mandatory fields need to be completed. However, please complete the following:
• insert the programme code 8300F in the programme of study section
• select ‘PhD in the Faculty of Medical Sciences – Public Health as the programme of study
• insert the studentship code HS020 in the studentship/partnership reference field
• attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code HS020 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
• attach degree transcripts and certificates and (if English is not your first language) a copy of your English language qualifications

Please also send your covering letter and CV to Mrs Laura Ritson by email to [Email Address Removed] along with an outline research proposal of no more than 3 pages of A4, 11pt font, including references, to address the aims of the studentship.

Further information
Please contact Professor Luke Vale ([Email Address Removed]) for further details of the studentship or an informal discussion