Abstract
ObjectiveTo develop an enriched set of core competencies for health services and policy research (HSPR) doctoral training that will help graduates maximize their impact across a range of academic and nonacademic work environments and roles.Data Sources/Study SettingData were obtained from multiple sources, including literature reviews, key informant interviews, stakeholder consultations, and Expert Working Group (EWG) meetings between January 2015 and March 2016. The study setting is Canada.Study DesignThe study used qualitative methods and an iterative development process with significant stakeholder engagement throughout.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsThe literature reviews, key informant interviews, existing data on graduate career trajectories, and EWG deliberations informed the identification of career profiles for HSPR graduates and the competencies required to succeed in these roles. Stakeholder consultations were held to vet, refine, and validate the competencies.Principal FindingsThe EWG reached consensus on six sectors and eight primary roles in which HSPR doctoral graduates can bring value to employers and the health system. Additionally, 10 core competencies were identified that should be included or further emphasized in the training of HSPR doctoral students to increase their preparedness and potential for impact in a variety of roles within and outside of traditional academic workplaces.ConclusionThe results offer an expanded view of potential career paths for HSPR doctoral graduates and provide recommendations for an expanded set of core competencies that will better equip graduates to maximize their impact on the health system.
Highlights
Sophisticated demand for evidence-informed insights to support changing delivery models and health system goals (Canadian Health Services and Policy Research Alliance 2015). Alongside this growth has come health services and policy research (HSPR) training programs that produce an increasing number of doctoral graduates equipped with sophisticated research and analytic skills to generate evidence in how to organize, fund, and deliver services (Grudniewicz et al 2014; IHSPR [Institute of Health Services and Policy Research] 2016)
An Expert Working Group was established to develop a pan-Canadian HSPR training modernization strategy. This manuscript describes the group’s process and methods that resulted in the identification of an expanded range of academic and nonacademic roles suitable to HSPR PhD graduates, and a recommended expanded set of core competencies for further emphasis in HSPR doctoral training to support these roles. It builds on the work of Morgan, Orr, and Mah (2010) that produced a competency framework for HSPR master’s students in Canada as well as on the framework of traditional HSR core competencies in the United Sates developed by Forrest et al (2009) to introduce new concepts and recommendations that will help HSPR doctoral graduates add value and maximize their impact across a range of work environments and roles
Members were drawn through a nominations process at a national meeting that included all major HSPR funders, leaders of most of the country’s doctoral training programs, and representatives of various health system organizations
Summary
To develop an enriched set of core competencies for health services and policy research (HSPR) doctoral training that will help graduates maximize their impact across a range of academic and nonacademic work environments and roles. An Expert Working Group was established to develop a pan-Canadian HSPR training modernization strategy This manuscript describes the group’s process and methods that resulted in the identification of an expanded range of academic and nonacademic roles suitable to HSPR PhD graduates, and a recommended expanded set of core competencies for further emphasis in HSPR doctoral training to support these roles. It builds on the work of Morgan, Orr, and Mah (2010) that produced a competency framework for HSPR master’s students in Canada as well as on the framework of traditional HSR core competencies in the United Sates developed by Forrest et al (2009) to introduce new concepts and recommendations that will help HSPR doctoral graduates add value and maximize their impact across a range of work environments and roles
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