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ESRC CASE PHD Studentship A Model Selection Framework for NICE Technology Appraisal Reviews University of Warwick - Warwick Business School (Operational Research and Management Sciences Group) and Warwick Medical School (Health Sciences Research Institute) Closing Date: 11 June 2010 Interview Date: 22 June 2010 - Held at the University of Warwick Start Date: 1 October 2010 The successful applicant will receive full fees and a stipend of £17,290 per annum for 3 years. Available to UK and other European Union nationals only This research aims to develop and evaluate a framework for selecting an appropriate operational research (OR) model to support decision making and public understanding of NICE Technology Appraisal Reviews (TARs) . There is a significant need for OR modelling to support National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) decision making with regard to the introduction of new technologies. TARs often incorporate standard models, but there is uncertainty over whether the most appropriate modelling approach is always selected and whether the scope and level of detail of such models is correct, in common parlance, are the models *fit-for-purpose?* Models are widely criticised in the public press for being incomprehensible, arcane and potentially unfair to certain groups, for example, those with terminal disease. This has led to recent changes, for example, in recommended cost per quality of life year (QALY) limits for those deemed to be in the last few months of life. NICE have also been criticised by different groups within the NHS, for example, health commissioners, who suggest that current technology appraisal models, whilst suited for technical efficiency decisions for single technologies or diseases, fall down when improvements in allocative efficiency are being considered. In other words, multiple relatively expensive technologies approved for use by NICE can *break the bank* for Primary Care Trusts struggling to make ends meet. These problems can be described both in terms of model validity (sufficient accuracy for purpose) and credibility (client and public confidence in the models and their outcomes). This project will evaluate past TAR modelling work, and using the expertise of the supervisory team, investigate a framework for identifying the appropriate modelling approach and the appropriate model. A key element will be to aim to identify simpler models or models which are more immediately appealing to patients, the public and professionals. SUPERVISION The studentship will be supervised by Professor Stewart Robinson in the Operational Research and Management Sciences Group (Warwick Business School), and by Aileen Clarke, Professor of Public Health & Health Services Research (Warwick Medical School), and Director of Warwick Evidence Technology Appraisal Review Team. This research is part of an ongoing collaboration between Warwick Business School, Warwick Medical School and Bazian Ltd. Additional supervisory input will be sought where appropriate from health economists within the Medical School and the Department of Economics. Warwick Business School is one of the UK's top ranking business schools, and the Operational Research and Management Sciences Group is widely recognised as one of the leading centres for research and teaching in operational research and management science. The Health Sciences Research Institute covers new and emerging areas of health research and key health priorities. At present there are three main research groups: one of which covers public health, epidemiology, psychiatry, child health, medical statistics, knowledge management, evidence and e-health, led by Aileen Clarke; the second, led by Jackie Sturt, covers primary care, the primary-secondary care interface and health care systems; and the third, led by Sallie Lamb, Warwick Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) is soon to be joined by a Professor of Health Economics and a support team. Possible collaborators/advisors within the Warwick University Department of Economics include those working on: development of health outcome measures and indices, advancing techniques of cost-benefit, cost-utility and cost-effectiveness and/or investigating use of other measures of wellbeing; application of decision theory, including behavioural decision models, to health care decision making and interventions designed to influence individual / household health behaviour. APPLICATIONS Candidates should have a minimum 2.1 class undergraduate degree and a relevant Masters degree or equivalent experience. This should be in a quantitative background and preferably operational research/management science. Preference will be given to candidates with experience of operational research modeling, particularly in a health context. To apply please use the standard Warwick Business School doctoral programme application process (see www.wbs.ac.uk/students/doctoral/). Clearly state that the supervisors will be Professor Stewart Robinson and Professor Aileen Clarke, and state the name of the project on your covering letter. Also email Professor Robinson to state that you have applied so we can quickly identify your application form. You are asked to write a 2,000 word research proposal based on the topic of the research project. This will be used to assess your capability as a PhD researcher. For further details please contact Professor Stewart Robinson at the University of Warwick. Email: [log in to unmask] Stewart Robinson Professor of Operational Research, Associate Dean for Specialist Masters Programmes Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UNITED KINGDOM Tel: 44-(0)2476-522132 Home Page: www.btinternet.com/~stewart.robinson1/sr.htm New Book on Simulation Conceptual Modelling: www.routledge.com/books/Conceptual-Modeling-for-Discrete-Event-Simulation-isbn9781439810378 -- Scanned for Warwick Business School by iCritical.