Funding Source: Health Data Research UK
Proposed start date: 27 September 2021
Closing date for applications: 8 August 2021
Eligibility: UK/EU candidates only
Department/School: Health Sciences/Leicester Diabetes Centre
Supervisors: Dr Clare Gillies, Leicester Diabetes Centre, [Email Address Removed]
Prof Kamlesh Khunti, Leicester Diabetes Centre, [Email Address Removed]
Dr Francesco Zaccardi, Leicester Diabetes Centre, [Email Address Removed]
Prof Laura Gray, Health Sciences, [Email Address Removed]
In making treatment decisions clinicians must take into account evidence from relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs). There is concern that external validity of RCT results are often poor, with results lacking generalisability to patient populations outside of an RCT setting, a perception that has led to underuse of treatments that are effective.(1) Unfortunately the results of RCTs will never be relevant to all patients and all settings, and hence the effectiveness of clinical interventions using real world evidence is becoming increasingly important for informing clinical practice. Notably, real-world data have shown the effects of therapies in populations not represented in randomised controlled trials. In addition, real world data have frequently demonstrated an “efficacy to effectiveness gap” in comparison to the results of randomized clinical trials, even when demographics of the observed populations are similar. Key reasons for differences observed include the clinical heterogeneity of populations, and length of follow up.(2)
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections and the resulting disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. It rapidly developed into a global pandemic and as of March 18th 2021 there had been over 122 million cases reported worldwide, resulting in over 2.6 million deaths. For this proposed study we plan to use the example of vaccine trials for COVID-19. Multiple vaccine candidates have been rapidly developed during 2020, with some now being used in the general population, and others still under development. Published results from these vaccination trials will be used to investigate and expand on methodologies for comparing results from RCTs with real world evidence.(4,5)
The aims of the PhD will be to:
i) Evaluate and expand on methods for matching an RCT sample with a sample from routine data, to see if trial results are replicated in a matched real-world cohort
ii) Determine reasons for the efficacy to effectiveness gap
iii) Evaluate and expand on methods for re-weighting trial results, where the patient group is often very selective, to assess the potential treatment results in a broader UK population.
iv) Evaluate and expand on methods for selecting participants from routine datasets who represent those included in the RCTs, and compare their treatment results to those who were not included in the RCTs.
Funding details:
This 3-year PhD Studentship provides:
• UK/EU tuition fee waiver
• Annual stipend rates as follows: 2021/22: £19,612, 2022/23: £19,906, 2023/24: £20,205.
Entry requirements:
Applicants are required to hold a data science related degree e.g. computer science, informatics, maths, statistics of 2:1 or better (or overseas equivalent), and preferably also an MSc qualification in an appropriate subject e.g. medical statistics, bioinformatics, biostatistics, health data science.
The University of Leicester English language requirements apply where applicable.
Application advice:
To apply please refer to the guidance at: https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/funded-opportunities/hs-hdr-uk-gillies-2021
Project / Funding Enquiries: Dr Clare Gillies ([Email Address Removed])
Application enquiries to [Email Address Removed]
Continue with Facebook
