Clinical Research track within the Master of Public Health
Background
There is growing emphasis on developing health care practices and policies that are based on sound clinical evidence. With this, there a clear need for increased research capacity among health care professionals. This includes the ability conceptualise clinical research questions and then design, conduct and analyse studies to address these, as well as the ability to critically review and synthesize clinical evidence.
In this context, the School of Public Health and Family Medicine is introducing a Clinical Research track into the established Masters in Public Health programme. The course focuses on quantitative research (epidemiology and biostatistics) knowledge and skills applied to clinical settings and questions. This follows precedents from academic medical centres in Europe and North America, where an MPH or its equivalent degree in research methods is the basic qualification for clinician-researchers across all disciplines.
Degree content
The programme will build on the current Masters in Public Health structure, and the specialty degree will be awarded as an MPH (Clinical Research). The programme will consist of 10 courses or modules and a mini-dissertation. The degree is designed to be completed on a part-time basis over 2-3 years.
The required courses are:
There is growing emphasis on developing health care practices and policies that are based on sound clinical evidence. With this, there a clear need for increased research capacity among health care professionals. This includes the ability conceptualise clinical research questions and then design, conduct and analyse studies to address these, as well as the ability to critically review and synthesize clinical evidence.
In this context, the School of Public Health and Family Medicine is introducing a Clinical Research track into the established Masters in Public Health programme. The course focuses on quantitative research (epidemiology and biostatistics) knowledge and skills applied to clinical settings and questions. This follows precedents from academic medical centres in Europe and North America, where an MPH or its equivalent degree in research methods is the basic qualification for clinician-researchers across all disciplines.
Degree content
The programme will build on the current Masters in Public Health structure, and the specialty degree will be awarded as an MPH (Clinical Research). The programme will consist of 10 courses or modules and a mini-dissertation. The degree is designed to be completed on a part-time basis over 2-3 years.
The required courses are:
- Introduction to Epidemiology
- Evidence Based Health Care
- Infectious Diseases Epidemiology OR Non-Communicable Diseases Epidemiology
- Biostatistics I (introductory biostatistics)
- Biostatistics II (regression modeling)
- Biostatistics III (survival methods & advanced topics)
- Advanced Epidemiology
- Clinical Research Methods (*New course to be introduced from 2009)
The mini-dissertation is based on original research that addresses a specific clinical research question. It may be comprised of primary research, secondary data analysis, or a systematic review. The scope and quality of the research should be equivalent to those of one full-length peer reviewed scientific publication.
Target market
The principal target audience for the MPH (Clinical Research) is health professionals (primarily doctors, but also nurses and other allied health disciplines) wishing to obtain focused training in patient-oriented research methods. This degree is ideal for health professional seeking to expand their knowledge and skills in clinical research methods, including senior registrars, research fellows, junior consultants and mid-career professionals.
Convenor
Dr Landon Myer School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town (UCT) Tel: +27 21 406 6661 Email: Landon.Myer@uct.ac.za
Applications are due 30 September.
Further details: MPH Brochure 2011
