Resources

Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) ASSOCIATE IN OUTCOMES RESEARCH IN CANCER
Ref: UoY00999
THE UNIVERSITY OF YORK

The role is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between Global Health Economics and Outcomes Research in AstraZeneca (AZ) and the York Health Economics Consortium (YHEC) in the University of York. This KTP is funded by AZ, UK Department of Health and UK Technology Strategy Board.

The role is a new position, which has been developed to improve the understanding and use of patient reported outcomes in cancer and to suggest ways to improve their measurement and communication. The KTP associate will be primarily based at AZ's Alderley Park site in Cheshire. They will, however, spend time initially at YHEC on the University of York campus.

This role will suit somebody with a post-graduate qualification in health economics, psychology, outcomes research, or other social science who has experience of working with patient-reported outcomes, particularly within oncology. The candidate would have a strong understanding of research methodology and statistics, excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to internal and external audiences.

The successful candidate will gain an understanding of the differences between management and application of research programmes in a commercial setting and conventional academic research processes (with which a preferred candidate would be familiar).

Salary will be on a fixed spot within the range £35,646 - £45,155 per annum. The post is full-time and is available for a period of 36 months.

Closing date: Friday, 29 October

2010. For further information and to apply on-line, please visit our website: http://www.york.ac.uk/jobs/. Alternatively contact HR Services on 01904 434835 quoting reference number UoY00999.

The University of York is committed to diversity and has policies and developmental programmes in place to promote equality of opportunity.

Posted 9/24/10

Principal Patient Reported Outcomes Who we are
At Roche, 80,000 people across 150 countries are pushing back the frontiers of healthcare. Working together, weve become one of the worlds leading research-focused healthcare groups. Our success is built on innovation, curiosity and diversity, and on seeing each others differences as an advantage. To innovate healthcare, Roche has ambitious plans to keep learning and growing and is seeking people who have the same goals for themselves.

The headquarters in Basel is one of Roches largest sites, over 8,000 people from approximately 80 countries work at Roche Basel. Favored by its geographic location in the heart of Europe, the Basel area is one of the most dynamic economic regions in Switzerland a great place to live and work.

The Position
Job purpose:
Lead PRO activities for a therapeutic area and develop global PRO strategies for molecules within a therapeutic area.
 
Main responsibilities:

• Work cross-functionally with Global Development, Global Product Strategy, International Business Teams, Global Health Economics and Affiliates to develop PRO strategies
• Ensure relevant PRO endpoints and study design for registration clinical trial programs meet the needs of global regulatory agencies and key stakeholders
• Identify PRO instruments and evaluate measurement and psychometric properties of the instruments
• Work with external key opinion leaders and regulatory agencies to obtain guidance on PRO strategies
• Contribute to the design, implementation, and management of registration clinical trials containing PROs including the development of the PRO sections of study concept documents, study protocols, statistical analysis plans, clinical study reports and other development documents
• Adapt and validate instruments for use in different patient populations, including cultural adaptations and translations
• Work with Global Scientific Communications to develop publication plan that is integrated with overall publication strategy to communicate PRO information to physicians, patients, payers, and policy makers

• Familiarity and experience with the development and implementation of research strategies (including PRO within registration clinical trials)
• Strong understanding of research methodology and statistics, as well as demonstrated technical writing and presentation skills
• Experience managing complex projects with external vendors under short timelines
• Demonstrated ability to set clear priorities in managing projects and to work effectively in a cross-functional, project team environment
• Experience working with key opinion leaders and regulatory agencies to inform the development of patient reported outcome strategy preferred 
• Professional experience across multiple therapeutic areas, with experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry preferred
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to internal and external audiences

Posted 8/10/10

Research Associate(s)

John Ware Research Group, Inc. a leading Worcester-based health outcomes research firm, is currently offering opportunities for doctorate and masters-level individuals interested in assisting multi-disciplinary research teams.

The Research Associate(s) will work on NIH-sponsored research projects, including data analysis, library research, preparation of articles, reports and presentations. The RA will work under the direction of grant Principal Investigators, Research Scientists, medical doctors and other collaborators.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctorate or Master's Degree (or equivalent experience) in behavioral or social sciences, public health, statistics, or other field including data analysis
• Applied data analysis and quantitative methodologies, and other psychometric methods used in scale construction and validation; item response theory (IRT) is preferred
• Working knowledge of SAS. SPSS, Stata, R
• Health- or medical- or nursing-related research experience preferred
• Knowledge of data file construction
• Professionalism, maturity, and positive attitude; ability to work independently or with minimal supervision and as part of a team; advanced word processing knowledge and ability to learn new software packages; ability to prioritize and problem solve effectively

About John Ware Research Group, Inc. John Ware Research Group is conducting population health research and clinical research with the goals of:

• standardizing health measurements so that results can be compared,
• making measurement tools more practical so that information about disease burden and treatment outcomes will be more available to the public and
• so that information about health outcomes can be used to improve the quality of health care in the US and other countries.

Please send letters of interest and CV's to:
erin.delaney@jwrginc.com

Associate Professor / Assistant Professor

The newly formed Center on Rehabilitation Outcomes and Assessment Research in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Michigan Medical School is seeking PhD-level candidates for two new tenure track faculty positions - one at the Associate Professor level and one at the Assistant Professor level.

Successful candidates will develop their own areas of research and will assume roles on currently funded grants related to (1) the development of new Quality of Life instruments targeted for rehabilitation populations, (2) the development of new neuropsychological measures including the assessment of cognitive functioning, (3) the utilization of virtual-reality technology in assessment of cognitive functioning, (4) improvement of quality of life following Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, or other traumatic injury.

The successful candidates will be expected to provide oversight and assistance on a wide range of laboratory activities as well as develop their own research areas that complement the strengths and mission of the research laboratory. Responsibilities include project management, grant writing, study coordination, data management/analyses, preparation of findings for publication, and supervision of research assistants.

Qualifications include a record of publishing and preparing/competing for federally funded grants (or the promise of being able to do so), and strong statistical, data management, and writing skills. The successful candidates should have postdoctoral experience in rehabilitation, neuropsychology, and/or health-related research. Experience in patient reported outcomes, traumatic brain injury and/or spinal cord injury medicine, virtual reality, psychometrics and test development, health disparities, and/or item response theory is preferred. History of grant success and supervisory/management experience required for Associate Professor level.

Qualified candidates should submit a letter outlining their career goals and interests, CV, and sample reprints to: Edward A. Hurvitz, M.D., Associate Professor and Chair, Department of PM&R, University of Michigan Health System, 325 E. Eisenhower, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108. Phone: (734) 936-7190; Fax (734) 615-1770. ehurvitz@med.umich.edu; http://www.med.umich.edu/pmr/. We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

For further information, contact David S. Tulsky, Ph.D., Director of Research and the Director of the Center on Rehabilitation Outcomes and Assessment Research, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation by e-mail at dtulsky@med.umich.edu.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We are committed to creating a diverse, cooperative work environment. Women, members of under-represented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Leadership Position in Cancer Control Research: Associate or Full Professor

The Department of Medical Social Sciences (MSS) and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University invite applications for a tenure-track senior leadership position in cancer control. The candidate will serve as Program Leader of the outstanding ranked cancer control program of this NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center (see www.cancer.northwestern.edu). The cancer control program includes behavioral and population science research, outcomes measurement, disparities research and supportive oncology. It is closely linked to MSS’s extensive portfolio in cancer outcomes research including psychosocial aspects of survivorship, quality of life and efficacy of psychosocial interventions. This leadership position is part of a cluster of hires for MSS, which was established in March 2009 under the direction of Dr. David Cella to provide a unique interdisciplinary home for applied researchers who integrate biomedical and social science approaches to improvement of health. Scientific themes of the Department center on measurement innovation and rapid translation of basic discovery to clinical application (see www.mss.northwestern.edu). Because an interdisciplinary, collaborative orientation is a defining element of the Department, MSS provides an ideal home for scholars whose work is integrative and cuts across traditional content areas. The candidate will be joining MSS at a time of significant opportunity, as it forms its scientific direction. MSS and the Cancer Center jointly provide a rich platform for research including a diverse and broad scientific portfolio of cancer-related studies, biostatistical and health informatics cores, expertise in multi-level assessment methods and collaborative relationships across Northwestern’s biomedical and life sciences campuses. Considerable departmental and cancer center resources will be allocated to this recruitment, including research and infrastructure support commensurate with the leadership position. We are particularly interested in candidates who wish to build a sustaining and transformative research program in one or more of the following areas: health disparities, decision science, psychosocial interventions, tobacco research, symptom management, health services and comparative effectiveness research, survivorship and community-engaged research.

Candidates should have an outstanding record of scholarly publication, an independent program of extramurally-funded research, which includes evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration, and demonstrated leadership capabilities. Participation in Departmental training activities and University service are also expected and valued. Salary and rank are open and commensurate with experience and credentials. Application review is rolling, but for fullest consideration applications should be received by September 30th, 2010. Start date is flexible for this full-time, continuing position. Please email letter of interest (reference # P-211-10), research statement, curriculum vitae, representative reprints and names of three references to Search Chair, David Mohr, PhD, c/o Robin Morrissey at mss@northwestern.edu .

Northwestern University is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.

Assistant Member, Research Assistant Professor in Behavioral Science

Joint faculty recruitment seeking applicants with a PhD or equivalent and 2 years of research training or experience in sociology, social psychology, psychology, public health, medical anthropology, or related discipline. Candidates with strong theoretical backgrounds and interest in theory-based, novel approaches to social and behavioral changes in cancer prevention and control should apply.

For additional information and how to apply, see https://erecruit.fhcrc.org/Erecruit.htm
(Job ID # 22991)

FHCRC and the UW are equal opportunity/affirmative action employers.

ISOQOL Member Publications

Quality of Life, Second Edition The Assessment, Analysis and Interpretation of Patient-reported Outcomes March 2007 – Peter Fayers and David Machin

This book presents all essential information on Quality of Life Research in one comprehensive volume. The new edition accommodates significant methodological developments, and includes chapters on computer adaptive testing and item banking, choosing an instrument, systematic reviews and meta analysis. It covers the design of instruments, the practical aspects of implementing assessment, the analyses of the data, and the interpretation of the results.

“This book is highly recommended to clinicians who are actively involved in the planning, analysis and publication of QoL research.” Clinical Oncology

To receive a discount on the purchase of this publication, members should visit the Members Only section.

Assessing Quality of Life in Clinical Trials, 2nd Edition
May 2004 - Peter Fayers and Ron Hays 
This highly acclaimed book, edited by Peter Fayers and Ron Hays, explores the current state of the art in the field and illustrates the benefits and potential of health-related quality of life assessment in clinical trials. It covers a wide range of analytical issues, emphasizing new and innovative approaches that are of practical and clinical importance.

This book is clearly written, resource-rich, and eloquently blends both traditional and innovative approaches to measuring HRQoL in clinical trials. Quality of Life Research

This book represents a comprehensive overview of the field with contributions from 31 authors, in a collection of 24 chapters. The objective of this book is to provide a thorough review of the current state of the art methodology. The objective is whole-heartedly achieved through its six sections. Journal of Biopharmaceutical Statistics

To receive a discount on the purchase of this publication, members should visit the Members Only section.

NOW AVAILABLE!
Advancing Health Outcome Research Methods and Clinical Applications
ISOQOL is pleased to announce that the book, Advancing Health Outcome Research Methods and Clinical Applications edited by William Lenderking and Dennis Revicki, has been published. The book is based on invited presentations during the June 2004 ISOQOL meeting held in Boston. This book includes a collection of chapters which cover a wide range of conceptual and theoretical, methodological, measurement, and statistical topics, and focuses on innovative and sometimes unfamiliar areas of research that might contribute to advancing health outcomes assessment. It is hoped that health outcomes researchers, students, clinical researchers, those involved in drug development, and others interested in patient-reported outcomes and health-related quality-of-life outcomes will find much that is intriguing and stimulating within the book. Click here to view the Table of Contents. If you would like to order a copy, click here for a copy of the Order Form.

Measuring and Valuing Health Benefits for Economic Evaluation
Special offer for ISOQOL Members/p>

This is the first comprehensive textbook concerning the measurement and valuation of health benefits for economic evaluation.

The book addresses the key questions in the measurement and valuation of health, including: the definition of health, the techniques of valuation, who should provide the values, techniques for modelling health state values, the appropriateness of tools in children and vulnerable groups, cross cultural issues, and the problem of choosing the right instrument. The book concludes with a discussion of the way forward in light of the substantial methodological differences, the role of normative judgements, and where further research is most likely to take this fascinating component of health economics.>

ISOQOL members are entitled to a 20% discount on this book - order your copy today! Please click here.

1. Quality of life definitions, theory and conceptual issues
   1. Theories and Conceptual Models to Guide research
   2. Related Concepts.
   3. Utility Measures
   4. Functional Status
   5. Patient Reported Outcomes
2. Quality of Life in Children
3. Quality of Life in Adults
4. Quality of Life in Special Populations ( Elderly, co-morbidities, disabled, etc.)
5. Research Issues in QOL
   1. Methods for conducting QOL research
   2. Research approaches - qualitative and quantitative
   3. Cognitive aspects of survey methodology
   4. Practical aspects of implementing research
   5. Practical issues related to implementation of research
      Clinical Trials
      Descriptive Research
      Survey Research
6. QOL Measurement Issues
   1. Where to find specific measures
   2. How to select a scale
   3. Generic versus disease specific scale
   4. Scales for adults
   5. Scales for families
   6. Scales for children and adolescents
   7. Economic/utility measurements
   8. Functional measures
   9. Item response theory
   10. Cross cultural adaptation/ translation and validation
7. Scoring and Interpretation Issues
   1. Intent to treat analysis
   2. Missing Data
   3. Response Shift
   4. Norm reference
   5. Clinical versus Statistical Significance
8. Quality of life issues in relation to specific populations
   1. Cancer
   2. Geriatrics
   3. Cardiovascular Disorders
   4. Respiratory Disease
   5. Neurologic Illness
   6. Mental Illness
   7. Gastrointestinal Disease
   8. COPD
   9. Diabetes Mellitus
   10. Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Transplant
   11. Orthopedics
   12. Eye Diseases
   13. AIDS
   14. Radiation Therapy
   15. Genetics
9. Learning Resources for QOL education
   1. Journals
   2. Books
   3. Computerized bibliographic systems
   4. Websites
10. Quality of life and economic issues (use of health care resources)
    1. Relation of QOL to Health Care Policy
    2. Ethical and medical basis of health care rationing
11. Using QOL Assessment in clinical practice