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PhD Fellowship - Systems Approach to Optimize Healthcare Delivery Through Point-Of-Care Diagnostic Testing In Primary Care 2017, University of Twente, Netherlands

Publish Date: Feb 16, 2017

Deadline: Feb 26, 2017

About the program 

In the last decades, there has been a rapid increase in the number of diagnostic tests (such as CRP testing for antibiotic prescription), and this number is expected to rise even further given the ageing population, the increased number of people with multiple (chronic) conditions, and the availability of a wide range of biomarkers for monitoring disease and treatment response. Timely and accurate diagnostics are expected to improve targeted treatments, improve referral to other healthcare facilities if required and increase the overall quality and efficiency of care delivery. The increase use of POCT testing in primary care also creates a burden to physicians in accurately ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and effectively using the (combined) results. These challenges are particularly present for primary care physicians, as they order the greatest variety of laboratory tests, and order them during 30% to 40% of outpatient encounters. In addition, as diagnostic technologies have become cheaper and smaller, this has resulted in a wide range and growing number of tests that can be performed in near proximity of the patient, so called point-of-care (POC) tests. Finally, financial incentives and reimbursement of diagnostic tests affect the number of tests ordered and actually carried out. Different clinical and health economic modeling studies have provided evidence for the use of POCT in primary care, commonly based on a simplified view of the healthcare system. To fully apprehend the effects of POCT testing a systems approach is required in which care pathways are identified and where patients are modeled through the care pathway including the clinical decisions following diagnostic testing or physical examination. The main objective of this PhD project, therefore, is developing a systems approach toward the clinical and economic effects of implementing POCT and other diagnostic tests in primary care.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The PhD project has multiple objectives:

  1. Analyze medical prescription and referral patterns for several (chronic) conditions from primary care to other hospital based facilities, with regard to over- and underutilization of healthcare resources;
  2. Develop a dynamic simulation model to predict and optimize referral decisions from a primary care perspective;
  3. Apply statistical methods to mine hospital and primary care data to populate the dynamic simulation model;
  4. Study and formally define the behavior and interaction of “agents” in the care delivery pathway and identify and describe reasons for adherence or deviation from practice guidelines on POCT use;
  5. Estimate the health economic impact of implementing Point-of-Care diagnostics in primary care from a systems perspective, acknowledging the interactions between agents in the system.

Datasources and collaboration
The project requires access to extensive, high-quality data sources. Therefore, a structural collaboration has been established with centers of reference, such as the University of Manchester, Jeroen Bosch ziekenhuis and the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL).

The PhD student is expected to work with different centers of reference and academic institutions. The primary supervision will be provided by prof. IJzerman and dr. Koffijberg (UTwente), prof. Van Marwijk and prof. Peek (University of Manchester, UK) and prof. Kusters (Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis/UTwente). 

YOUR PROFILE

The position is open to highly qualified people with a background in statistics, operations research, industrial engineering, health sciences/epidemiology or econometrics. As the project requires complex analytical skills, the ideal candidate should have sufficient skills to analyze big data sets and apply advanced statistical and modeling methods.

Application and more information
To apply for this position, please use the link below and include your cover letter, resume and list of publications before 26 February 2017. For more information on this position please contact professor Maarten IJzerman (m.j.ijzerman@utwente.nl) / +31 53 4893684 or dr. Erik Koffijberg (h.koffijberg@utwente.nl / +31 53 489 5384. 

OUR OFFER

We offer a very challenging fulltime position for four years in an inspiring multidisciplinary and international environment. In accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) the gross monthly salary ranges from € 2.191,- in the first year to € 2.801,- in the fourth year. Additionally, the University of Twente provides excellent facilities for professional and personal development, a holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus, and a number of additional benefits. Your main responsibility will be to carry out research, but you will be given the opportunity to acquire some teaching experience as well.

THE ORGANIZATION

The University of Twente. We stand for science and technology, high tech, human touch, education and research that matter. New technology which drives change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university in the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programs. The University of Twente has a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out pioneering research. The Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences strives to hold a leading position in their fields in relation to the science and technology research programs of the University of Twente. In all these fields, the faculty provides bachelor, master and professional development programs.

Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social sciences 
The Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social sciences (BMS) strives to play a pivotal role in understanding, co-engineering and evaluating innovation in society. Innovation is driven by advances in technology. Through 'social engineering' these technological advances are embedded in society befitting human needs and behaviour, within proper public and private management and business structures. For this the faculty of BMS upholds high quality disciplinary knowledge in psychology, business administration, public administration, communication science, philosophy, educational science and health sciences. All with a focus on the challenges in society. Research is strongly connected to our Institutes on Governance (IGS), ICT (CTIT), Health (MIRA) and Nanotechnology (MESA+).

For more information click "Further official information" below.


This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

https://www.utwente.nl/en/organization/careers/vacancies/!/vacature/925611

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Host Countries

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