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Health Services Research (HSR) MSc/PhD Program:

Virtual Open House for Prospective Students

Dr. Rhonda Cockerill, Graduate Coordinator Dr. Jan Barnsley, Director, MSc/PhD Health Services Research Program Wednesday, October 22, 2015, 3:00 - 4:30 PM

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Today’s Agenda HSR Program, Faculty & Graduates Student Life Primary Areas of Study Collaborative Programs Who Applies How to Apply Successful Applicants Funding Guarantee Program “Milestones” Q&A

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Leading HSR Program

Largest HSR Program in English Canada Currently ~150 MSc & PhD students at various

stages in the Program

Highly interdisciplinary & contextually embedded Reflects “real world” of health care policy and

practice Aims to contribute to high quality, sustainable

health care

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A Reputation for Excellence Comprehensive, multi-disciplinary curriculum Strong funding support for students Commitment to individual mentoring, resulting in

high rate of successful grant applications and peer-reviewed publications among students

Opportunities for involvement in local, national and international networks for teaching and research

Proven success in degree-related employment after graduation

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Engaged Faculty

Leading health services researchers Health policy & system performance Health economics Health technology assessment Quality & patient safety E-health & health informatics Clinical evaluation & effectiveness Population health outcomes Management & knowledge translation

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Strong Linkages

Extensive collaborations & partnerships Policy-makers Providers Consumers Health care organizations Acute, chronic, primary, home & community,

and long-term care

For more information http://ihpme.utoronto.ca/academics/collaborative/

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Successful Graduates, Active Alumni

HSR graduates have research-focused careers Universities Research institutes Governments Research units within health services

organizations Research consultancies

Strong, active alumni network

For more information http://ihpme.utoronto.ca/alumni/

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Vibrant Student Life Graduate Student Union (GSU)

UofT- GSU and IHPME-GSU

Hart House Clubs, activities and registered classes

IHPME Social Events Annual social events

UofT Student Resources Career center, health services center, student legal services...

Follow us on Twitter @ihpmegsu Visit us on Facebook Bit.ly/IHPME_GSU

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Upcoming Events

SEPT

OCT SEPT

MONTHLY

MAY AND MANY MORE…

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Range of Opportunities

Seminar Series Research Day Open Seminars across the St. George

Campus Involvement in Programs of Research &

Collaboratives http://ihpme.utoronto.ca/events/

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Primary Areas of Study (PAS) http://ihpme.utoronto.ca/academics/rd/hsr-mscphd/hsr-primary-areas-of-study-mscphd

Health Policy (Lead: Fiona Miller) Design and governance of health systems locally,

nationally and globally; factors influencing health policy-making

Health Services Outcomes & Evaluation (Lead: Jan Barnsley) Impacts of health services and service interventions

(e.g., mental health, primary care, home & community care, acute care, chronic care, mental health) on the health status of various populations

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Primary Areas of Study (PAS)

Health Services Organization & Management (Lead: Whitney Berta) Emphasis on meso- and macro-organizational

behaviour; organizational performance; system-level performance; evidence-based decision making; evidence-based practice; patient safety; leadership; organizational learning & knowledge transfer

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Primary Areas of Study (PAS)

Health Economics (Lead: Audrey Laporte) Application of foundations of economic analysis to

theoretical, empirical, evaluative, and policy issues in the field of health and health care; specific attention to the choices and other behaviours of health care recipients, health care providers, and third party payers and regulators as well as methods for evaluating health care services, technologies and programs

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Primary Areas of Study (PAS)

eHealth Innovation & Information Management (Lead: Emily Seto) Interdisciplinary collaborative research addressing

major issues around the design, development, evaluation and use of electronic health solutions

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Primary Areas of Study (PAS)

Health Technology Assessment (Lead: Jeffrey Hoch and Wanrudee Isaranuwatchai)

Applied assessment of technology related to health and disease (from different perspectives). HTA is related to research due to its methods, but is also related to planning, administration, management due to its focus on decision-making.

Potential to specialize in Knowledge Translation (Lead: Whitney Berta)

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Collaborative Programs Interdisciplinary programs involving different

graduate units at UofT Aging, Palliative & Supportive Care Across the Life

Course Bioethics Global Health Health Care, Technology & Place Health Services & Policy Research Women & Gender Studies Women’s Health

For details go to: http://ihpme.utoronto.ca/academics/collaborative/

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Who Applies to HSR

Individuals interested in understanding and improving health services delivery and outcomes

MSc applicants are from a wide variety of backgrounds; interested in acquiring specific research skills and/or focusing on a particular research topic Often apply from an undergraduate program

PhD applicants also from a wide variety of backgrounds; wish to pursue a particular area of interest and/or would like to work with a particular researcher Often have prior research or work experience in health care

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How To Apply Refer to our website “Apply” http://ihpme.utoronto.ca/community/students/apply/

Complete the on-line application form including: Letter of Intent Two letters of reference CV and unofficial transcripts Official transcripts from all prior institutions attended

(submitted separately when invited to an interview)

On-line application now available Application deadline is November 15, 2015(September

2016 admissions) Only one admissions cycle per year

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How To Apply: Letter of Intent Your Letter of Intent should clearly state: Research interests Why you have chosen IHPME Your accomplishments, experiences, and credentials

that will contribute to your success Which faculty you would most like to work with Your plan of study (timeframe, management) Any graduate awards (e.g., CIHR’s MRA or DRA, or

OGS) you have applied for, or other funding sources

TIPs 2 well-written, focused pages often work better than many

pages of less focused prose The Applicant/Supervisor match is crucial; use the web to

research Faculty interests

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How To Apply: Reference Letters

Your Reference Letters should: Be written by individuals familiar with you, who can

speak to your potential as a researcher Generally academics, however don’t overlook current

workplace supervisors, colleagues and collaborators with whom you have engaged in research or related initiatives

TIPs Provide referees with an outline of your planned research

so that they can refer to it

Tell your referees well in advance what you have planned and what they need to do

Check that referees can write strong letters of support; if in doubt, pick another referee

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After You Apply In the first stage (November-December): All Applicant files are reviewed by the Admissions

Committee Files that meet minimum criteria are then reviewed by

Faculty who are prospective Supervisors

In the second stage (January-March): Applicants are interviewed by Faculty interested in

supervising, and/or with whom the Applicant has expressed an interest in working

Admissions Committee considers reviews and rankings – not all applicants supported by Faculty are admitted – selection is highly competitive

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Successful Applicants HSR program is highly competitive: 5 to 7

applicants for every available spot Minimum grade average of B+ Demonstrated English language proficiency (e.g.,

TOEFL, IELTS) Excellent references Strong, clear letter of intent Demonstrated willingness/ability to access external

funding sources “Match” between applicant interests/experience and

potential faculty supervisors

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Offers of Admission Sent by May (or earlier) Incoming students will meet with a Program Area of

Study (PAS) Lead, and their Supervisor(s), to develop a Course Plan

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Student Funding Guarantee

Tuition plus $15,000 1st year of studies for eligible full-time MSc students 4 years of study for eligible full-time PhD students Those earning >$23,000/year not eligible

Other potential sources of funding External Graduate Awards and Scholarships Student Stipend through Supervisor’s grant University of Toronto Open Fellowship

TIP: Refer to the School of Graduate Studies’ website for a complete listing of scholarships and awards at http://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/currentstudents/Pages/Scholarships-and-Awards.aspx

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Milestones – MSc* * for the MSc/PhD Transfer Program timelines differ

Term 1 Course work Minimum of 6 half-year courses (2 primary area of study; 2

statistics/methods; 2 electives) Populate Thesis Committee in consultation with your Supervisor (min of 2

members including your Supervisor) Beginning in first Fall term, develop draft thesis proposal in consultation

with your Supervisor and Thesis Committee (meet every other month)

Term 2 Complete any remaining coursework Complete Thesis Proposal & obtain Committee approval Seek approval from Ethics Review Board

Term 3 Collect & analyze data Write Thesis Defend Thesis

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Milestones – PhD Years 1 & 2 Course work Minimum of 10 half-year courses (beyond 3 half-

courses, courses vary by primary area of study) Complete Comprehensive Exam in selected primary

area of study (second Winter term) Populate your Committee in consultation with your

Supervisor (minimum of 3 members including your Supervisor)

Beginning in First Winter term, develop a draft dissertation research proposal in consultation with your Supervisor and Committee (meet at least every other month)

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Milestones – PhD Year 3 Defend Dissertation Research Proposal (early Fall;

sometimes Summer Year 2) Seek approval from Ethics Review Board Begin data collection & analysis

Year 4 Complete data collection & analysis Write Dissertation Consult with your Committee re: appropriate Internal &

External Examiners Defend Thesis

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Other Frequently Asked Questions How does MSc compare to other degrees offered

by IHPME (e.g. MHSc., MMI)? MSc. is thesis-based leading potentially to PhD

Can I get credit for courses taken elsewhere? If not previously used toward a degree Up to 1.5 credits (of 6 credits for MSc, 10 for PhD)

If admitted, can I defer for a year? Not automatic -- Supervisor must agree and fees

deposit must be paid

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Q & A

Simply click on the "Q & A" tab and type your questions in the "Q & A" box that pops up

w w w . i h p m e . u t o r o n t o . c a

Health Services Research (HSR) MSc/PhD Program:

Virtual Open House for Prospective Students