Overview
What is Health Services and Outcomes Research at WVU like?
Description
The PhD program in Health Services and Outcomes Research emphasizes population-based, health services delivery, outcomes and policy research.
Health services research examines how people get access to healthcare, how much care costs and what happens to patients as a result of this care. The main goals of health services research are to identify the most effective ways to organize, manage, finance, and deliver high-quality care; reduce medical errors; and improve patient safety. (AHRQ, 2002)
Outcomes research refers to the scientific design, data collection and analysis of the end results of medical care. It focuses on quality, cost-effectiveness and the effect of treatment on quality of life in patients. Outcomes research evaluates the effectiveness of health interventions through changes in outcomes such as improvements in patient functional status, satisfaction with care and mortality. Evaluating the intended and unintended consequences of health policies is also outcomes research.
Data collected from outcomes research provide patients, healthcare providers and payers of health services information about what does and does not work in real life settings. Students may choose an Area of Emphasis (AOE) in Pharmacy Administration, Epidemiology, Public Health, Health Care Administration, Marketing, Management, Economics, Psychology, or Sociology.
Financial support: A tuition waiver, annual stipend of $25,000 and health insurance is provided competitively to full-time students.
Average time to graduation: 4 to 5 years
Application Deadlines
Each graduate program sets their own term of admission and application deadline. Applicants can only apply for admission for the term displayed below. Any questions regarding the application deadline should be directed to the graduate program representative.
Fall: January 15
At a Glance
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College/School:
School of Pharmacy -
Degree Designation:
PhD
Next Steps
Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:
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