International Doctoral Program in Epidemiology and Public Health (IPPE)

Transcription

1 International Doctoral Program in Epidemiology and Public Health (IPPE) Kansainvälisen tohtorikoulutuksen järjestämisen hasteet ja mahdollisuudet Pekka Nuorti Professor of epidemiology IPPE Program director School of Health Sciences (HES) 1

2 School of Health Sciences (HES) 2

3 What is IPPE? A doctoral training and research program in epidemiology and public health For epidemiologists, researchers and public health personnel worldwide Aim: PhD degree in epidemiology or related public health sciences 3

4 What are IPPE goals? To increase knowledge and understanding of major public health problems, particularly in low-income countries To build sustainable public health capacity by working with global partners in training epidemiologists and public health personnel Leadership positions in research, administration, program planning and policy development societal impact 4

5 IPPE history and evolution Beginnings in 1990s as collaboration in PhD training between Tampere School of Public Health and Indian cancer registries, led by Professor Matti Hakama Since then, program has expanded to other countries and other research areas Today, almost all HES disciplines included public health practice, prevention and control of infectious diseases, immunizations, maternal and child health, chronic diseases, cancer epidemiology, health services research, health economics > 50 doctoral dissertations to date Currently: World class research and training program Excellence and international competitiveness in doctoral training 5

6 Admission criteria Master's degree in a relevant study area, such as medicine, public health or biostatistics. Basic knowledge in epidemiology and statistics is desirable. A research plan or at least a preliminary idea of a research project that can be used as research material for the doctoral degree. 6

7 Selection criteria PhD candidates are selected on the basis of their past education and work experience in public health, their language skills and writing ability, as well as demonstrated success in the field of public health practice and epidemiology. Strong applicants are already working in a research project that may be used as material for their PhD thesis, or those who have an available dataset and a feasible research plan. Students submit a preliminary research plan as part of their application. 7

8 Recruitment Call for applications Target groups: Global research, training and academic networks, research collaborators cohort: >80 applicants 12 doctoral students from 10 countries cohort: >120 applicants 10 doctoral students from 8 countries Highly qualified researchers and public health personnel worldwide Staff from international research agencies, ministries of health 3 alumni from HES MHS program 8

9 How does IPPE work? One academic year of theoretical courses (60 ECTS) + PhD thesis research work (additional 2-3 years) new class admitted every other year Incoming doctoral students will complete required coursework and prepare for their dissertation project Develop study protocol, apply for research funding Curriculum tailored according to individual learning and professional goals Field research generally conducted afterwards in the student s own country, or Finland A doctoral dissertation usually includes four original scientific papers published in a peer reviewed journal. Return to Tampere for public dissertation defense Total time: 3-4 years 9

10 Specific training objectives: skills to be developed through doctoral training Critical review and synthesis Study design Study implementation Measurement and analysis Subject-matter area knowledge Research proposal development Communication and reporting Professional preparation 10

11 Basic biostatistics IPPE core curriculum, fall 2013 ~46 ECTS Basic epidemiology Introduction to doctoral studies Biometry & stat computing Epidemiologic methods I Epidemiology seminars I: individual research plans& guidance Cancer Epidemiology Independent work Health Economics Health and illness Global health Health systems Perspectives in public health 11

12 IPPE core curriculum - spring 2014 ~35 ECTS SPSS course Meta-analysis Clinical Trials Logistic regression Epi data analysis using R Research ethics Epidemiological methods II Epidemiology seminars II: individual research plans Epidemiology of Vaccination Infectious disease epidemiology -APPLICATIONS: -Nutrition -Life-style epidemiology -Methods in low-income countries -Demography Molecular epidemiology Cardiovascular disease and diabetes epidemiology Analysis, validity and inference in epidemiology 12

13 Wht happens after completion of the academic year in Tampere? Supervisor commitment is critical Academic supervisor: HES staff Site supervisor: usually local research/project director at local university or research institute Work plans, annual progress reports Communication: , skype, cloud drives Conference presentations Writing periods in Tampere Individual papers Thesis outline, literature review Funding: HES doctoral travel grants Site visits by HES faculty 13

14 Ongoing curriculum and program development Curriculum development IPPE courses available for all HES and UTa doctoral students Doctoral program guideline document Student personal study planning Competency domains Supervision and mentoring Student feedback systems 14

15 Financial aid (1) No tuition or course fees for doctoral students equivalent to full scholarship Students are expected to cover their travel to Finland as well as accommodation and living costs and are encouraged to apply for external support for this purpose Funding and financial aid opportunities are available on a competitive basis for doctoral students and the program staff will assist in the application process. However, acceptance to the program does not guarantee financial aid. 15

16 Funding (2) Securing consistent stipend funding for living expenses in Finland challenging No regular budget allocation at HES Funding cycles not in sync with recruitment Successful in competitive applications DPPH/HES salaried positions Private and public research foundations CIMO fellowships Course funding from HES doctoral training Necessary to create permanent funding base 16

17 Opportunities for international research collaboration Research training and capacity building Important aspect of the IPPE program is connecting doctoral training to research groups at HES Creates opportunities for HES staff International research collaboration and networking Strategic partnerships with research organizations abroad 17

18 IPPE program leadership and other faculty Epidemiology: Pekka Nuorti, Anssi Auvinen, Tarja Kinnunen, Nea Malila, Suvi Virtanen, Susanna Lehtinen-Jacks International coordinator: Catarina Ståhle-Nieminen Study coordination: Johanna Issakainen, Olli Kurkisuo Doctoral program coordination: Kirsi Lumme-Sand, Tiina Immonen Biostatistics: Anna-Maija Koivisto, Nina Talola, Heini Huhtala, Tapio Nummi Visiting/adjunct professors and instructors: Thomas Ahern, Matti Lehtinen, Esa Läärä, Ralf Reintjes, Stephen Walter, Tony Chen, Paul Dickman, Timo Hakulinen, Minna Kaila, Hanna Nohynek, Arto Palmu, Patrik Finne and others Ongoing collaborators: National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), University of Tampere School of Medicine, Department of International Health, Finnish Cancer Registry Several PhD project and dissertation supervisors Joint teaching with Master of Health Sciences program at HES 18

19 Where did students in 2011 IPPE cohort come from and what do they study? Diverse experience in international research and public health organizations, for example: Regional Disease Detection Centers of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Kenya and Kazhakstan (GDD) Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) in Kazhakstan and Vietnam: Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI): Diarrheal diseases among children in Kenya Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Vietnam: Improving food safety and outbreak investigations in Southern Vietnam International Lipid-based Nutrient Supplement Project (ilins), Malawi: Maternal nutrition, infections and birth outcomes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, U.S.A.: Antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella and Enterococci M.S.Ramaiah Medical College Bangalore, India: Economic evaluation of cancer care in India World Health Organization, the Philippines, Costs of diabetes in Finland 19

20 KIITOS! 20