Health Economic aspects in the management of COPD
University of Glasgow, UK.

This MRC Industrial Collaborative Studentship comprises a programme of 
work around the management of COPD that complements the empirical work 
undertaken by the industrial collaborator, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The 
studentship will be supervised by Professor Andrew Briggs, University of 
Glasgow and Michael Spencer, GSK.  Previous collaborative work between the 
supervisors has involved building a model of COPD (1), developing a 
prognostic index for COPD based on a pooled analysis of existing GSK 
trials (2), and examining alternative data imputation schemes for handling 
missing values due to attrition (3).  It is anticipated that the 
successful candidate would work with the supervisors to develop a research 
plan that would develop these themes.  As part of the studentship, the 
successful candidate would be expected to spend a placement period with 
GSK of no less than three months.  In addition to covering University 
fees, the studentship provides for a tax-free stipend of £12,000 per year 
subject to usual MRC terms and conditions.  Potential candidates should 
have an excellent first degree in a quantitative discipline. A Masters 
degree in a relevant subject would be an advantage, although is not 
considered essential   Application packs and further information may be 
obtained from Ms H Savage at Public Health and Health Policy, 1 Lilybank 
Gardens, Glasgow G12 8RZ, Tel No: 0141 330 6245 or email: 
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Closing date for applications :   Monday 31st July 2006

References
(1)  Spencer, M., Briggs, A.H., Grossman, R.F., Rance, L. Development of 
an economic model to assess the cost effectiveness of treatment 
interventions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pharmacoeconomics 
2005; 23(6): 619-37.
(2)  Briggs, A.H., Clayson,D., Manino, D.M., Sin, D.D., Spencer, M.D., 
Gagnon, Y.M., Celli, B.R. Development of a new prognostic tool for 
outcomes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. A891. Proceedings of 
the American Thoracic Society 2005.
(3) Briggs, A., Lozano-Ortega, G., Spencer, S., Bale, G., Spencer, M., 
Burge, S.  Estimating the cost-effectiveness of fluticasone propionate for 
treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  Value in Health (in 
press).