PhD THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE UNIVERSITY The PhD degree as a career path What does PhD stand for? A PhD degree is valuable to an academic career in he- alth care in or abroad. The PhD program en- PhD is an abbreviation of the title Doctor of sures strong academic competence and the ability to Philosophy (philosophiae doctor in Latin). The create new knowledge in health science which can PhD is an internationally recognized acade- translate into better treatment options for patients. mic degree that in Denmark is awarded follo- The PhD degree can also provide access to conducting wing postgraduate research training and suc- research and teaching in universities and other profes- cessful defense of a PhD thesis. sional institutions

What is a PhD program? The PhD program is a three-year research trai- ning program where the student completes independent research work and writes a PhD thesis under the supervision of an experienced researcher. During the program, the student is part of a research environment collaborating with Danish and international researchers in the field, and has the opportunity to do a re- search stay abroad. As part of the PhD program, the student also attends PhD courses and disseminates re- search findings through teaching and in recog- nized journals.

|| 2 || Increased focus and strong supervision

Thomas Graven-Nielsen, Head of the Doctoral School, PhD, Dr. Med.

The Doctoral School in Medicine, Biomedical Science Today, we have over 100 PhD students enrolled and we and Technology at the Faculty of Medicine has its roots expect to see further growth in the coming years. in a research training program that was established in 1997 and funded by the Danish National Research Fou- The collaboration on Hospital opens ndation. The research program, then known as Biome- up interesting opportunities for new health-related re- dical Science and , was originally created as search training programs. We are increasing the focus a model for an international research training program on the medical doctoral courses, and we are estab- in Denmark, and was affiliated with the Center for lishing a new strong team of PhD supervisors to sup- Sensory-Motor Interaction (SMI) at Aalborg University. port the existing expertise at the Faculty of Medicine.

With the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine in Clinical PhD projects are not a new phenomenon at the 2010, the research training program became the docto- doctoral school. For many years now, approximately 10 ral school at the Faculty of Medicine. Since 1997, 165 to 15 percent of our PhD projects have had a clinical PhD degrees have been awarded within health science. angle.

|| 3 || Knowledge spurs professional development

Lars Hvilsted Rasmussen, Director of Research at Aalborg University Hospital

In order to ensure the development and improvement that patients are ensured the best quality treatment. of health care, it is important that Danish physicians With the establishment of Aalborg University Hospital and other healthcare professionals understand condu- we are strengthening health-related research in North cting research. Health professionals who have research Jutland. Aalborg University Hospital will be a highly training are professionally sharp, and through their specialized university hospital that puts research, in- education they have learned to be critical of their own novation and the development of new work methods and their colleagues’ health practices. With research and health technology equipment first. A strong re- training, health personnel acquire the competences to search environment will be created in an entirely new be able to continuously evaluate whether preventive framework, one that embraces health professionals, measures, examination, diagnosis, treatment, care or and PhD students with the common goal of rehabilitation of patients is the best quality. For it is improving health science and practice nationally as the best quality we want in Danish health care – and well as internationally. we achieve the best quality through knowledge. Over the next five years, we want to increase the num- A research training program generates knowledge that ber of professorships from the current 15 to 50 and at can propel the development of the profession. Resear- the same time create more post-doctoral positions. chers take a methodologically critical approach in prac- This means that we can increase the number of PhD tice and have an intuitive desire and the ability to students and improve PhD supervision while fostering translate unresolved clinical problems into scientific career opportunities in the research environment at problems, producing new knowledge in the field so the university hospital.

|| 4 || A PhD at the Faculty of Medicine

The Faculty of Medicine at AAU was established in The Doctoral School 2010, but can trace its roots back to 1978 when interdi- The doctoral school at the Faculty of Medicine consists sciplinary research between engineering and medicine of a head of school, PhD board, program coordinator was introduced at the university. So although the fa- and secretariat. The secretariat handles administrati- culty is new, the medical research has existed for many on and enrollment of the PhD students, the program years. coordinator is responsible for the programs, and the head of school, in conjunction with the PhD board, en- The Faculty of Medicine is a rapidly growing faculty. In sures the development of the research training pro- 2013, the Department of Clinical Medicine will be grams and other development of various initiatives. established at the new Aalborg University Hospital. In an entirely new framework, PhD students will work clo- The doctoral school offers three research training sely on patients in conjunction with researchers and programs in health science: the hospital’s healthcare personnel. PhD students, re- 1) Clinical Science and Biomedicine searchers and healthcare professionals will jointly con- 2) Biomedical Science and Engineering tribute to a new clinical research environment. 3) Health Education, Organization and Ethics

Research training programs

Clinical Science and Biomedicine Biomedical Science and Engineering Health Educations, This program deals with clinical studies The program covers medical research on Organizations and Ethics and basic medical research. The program basic science and engineering issues. This research program provides a paves the way for research projects in The program combines knowledge from framework for students to conduct clinical settings such as in hospitals or a large number of complementary disci- research on key issues within three biomedical laboratories. plines such as biomedical engineering, health areas: The program covers all aspects of medi- physics, mathematics, IT, anatomy and 1. Education and learning cal research. Current PhD projects are physiology. 2. Knowledge production, manage- dealing with issues in areas such as ort- This interdisciplinary research program ment and innovation processes hopedic surgery, cardiology, pharmacolo- focuses on applications in neuroscience in healthcare organizations gical screening studies, pain mecha- and clinical systems. 3. Ethics, philosophy and health nisms, stem cells and neurobiology. The program includes theoretical and science experimental aspects involving, for example, electrophysiology, biomecha- nics, psycho-physics, bio-signal proces- sing, physiological models and image Learn more about the analysis. research training programs at www.phd.medicine.aau.dk

|| 5 || Why did you decide to get a PhD? ans, engineers, doctors and nurses. We learn an Before I was employed as a PhD student, I worked enormous amount from each other, and the interdi- for some years as a doctor in various anesthesiology sciplinary collaboration strengthens my PhD project. departments. I was happy with my work with pa- In conjunction with the group, I conduct various inve- tients, where I also had time to do a bit of research stigations including pain studies of healthy volunte- on the side. However, I wanted to improve myself er test subjects. The results of these studies are academically and become a better researcher, so I used to develop models that classify pain for a parti- contacted my current supervisor to see if it was cular type of treatment in a given patient group. possible to become a PhD student in his research field. I also considered that I would have better car- High points ds in my hand as an anesthesiologist in the future if It is definitely a high point to be part of a publicati- I had a PhD on top of my medical training. on. In addition, it is absolutely fantastic when the models I’ve helped produce based on a number of Research on pain experimental tests can be used in reality. And it’s I am investigating how the body and brain perceive also a high point when I get positive feedback from and process pain. In my project, I measure pain sig- national and international partners for the work I’ve nals in both the spinal cord and the brain in order to done with the models. find the best measurement methods for pain and particularly pain treatment. The measurement met- Challenges hods are used for developing models that in the best It can sometimes feel like a long haul when the mo- case are used to describe and diagnose pain conditi- dels don’t work as planned. The models have to be ons and hopefully help evaluate new methods of tre- revised or developed from the beginning, and then atment for pain. Pain is experienced individually, it’s about maintaining enthusiasm for the work. It which also makes pain research incredibly complex can also be difficult when the equipment we use in and exciting. the studies acts up or doesn’t work completely op- timally. My PhD project takes place in interdisciplinary colla- boration. We are approximately twenty researchers with different professional backgrounds working to- gether in the project – each, however, with our main area. The group consists of pharmacists, veterinari-

|| 6 || INTERVIEW

We learn an enormous amount from each other, and the interdisciplinary collaboration strengthens my PhD project

Lasse Paludan Malver, PhD student, AAU

> Doctor > 35, married, father of three, living in Aalborg > Researcher at Medicinerhuset, Aalborg Hospital > First-year student in the Clinical Science & Biomedicine program

|| 7 || INTERVIEW

It is a high point and enormously motivating for me to work with such committed people

Ann Lykkegaard Sørensen, PhD student, AAU

> Nurse, MSc san. > 38, mother of twins, living in Øster Hornum > Researcher at the Danish Center for Healthcare Improvement, AAU > First-year student in the Clinical Science and Biomedicine program

|| 8 || Why did you decide to get a PhD? tion lists and information from patient records on a The desire and the idea to get a PhD came about number of psychiatric patients and examine them based on my master’s thesis which dealt with me- with the goal of determining the greatest problem dication errors in psychiatry. I became very interested areas that nurses are likely to identify based on their in patient safety and quality development through professional background. This study forms the basis my master’s program, and a good way to work further for the screening tool I will develop and that will in the area is by doing a PhD project on the subject. subsequently be tested by nurses in the psychiatric At the same time, I would say that through my ma- clinic. ster’s program I also became more aware that my profession, nursing, should be further developed High points through the new knowledge acquired through scienti- It’s a high point and enormously motivating for me fic methods. And I would really like to contribute to to work with such committed people like my super- that. visors, partners and other PhD students. These are people who interested in the same thing as I am, and Research on medication review in psychiatry who are passionate about improving the health care I research medication review in psychiatric patients. system. On the whole, I think it’s a privilege that I When patients receive either too much medication, can spend three years on my field of interest. That too little medication, the wrong medication or when in itself is a high point. there are drug interactions, this can mean more illness for patients, prolonged hospitalizations, injuries or, Challenges in the worst case, death. In my project I am trying to I think it has been a challenge to figure out the num- create a method for systematic review of psychiatric ber of permits that have to be obtained and agree- patients’ medication. The method will result in a ments that must be made before I could get my screening tool that nurses hopefully can use in their project underway. It took me by surprise. I had ex- clinical work to ensure the quality and safety of me- pected it to be more straightforward. Planning my dication in the future. time has also been a challenge. I’ve discovered that everything takes longer than expected. Nurses are the health care professionals that spend the most time with patients. Therefore, in my project I’m investigating whether nurses’ clinical knowledge of patients in conjunction with instruction in phar- macology can be used to achieve more appropriate medication of psychiatric patients. I collect medica-

|| 9 || Why did you decide to get a PhD? group, I’m working on a new way to measure lung I had a desire to be immersed in my work. In research function based on gas exchange in the lungs. I hope you have a systematic approach to tackling problems, that the method can help show differences in gas and that is often connected with interdisciplinary exchange in the patients and thus perhaps different collaboration which is very exciting. Research gives subgroups of patients. me the opportunity both to get a better overview of my field and see it in a broader perspective through High points cooperation with other healthcare groups. It’s rewar- It has been a high point for me to work with the very ding and challenging at the same time. ill patients. They have shown great interest in my research and show up for studies in a good mood and Research on diseased lungs with a can-do spirit in spite of their poor health. It My research is on chronic obstructive pulmonary di- has really moved me. I look forward to the high point sease (COPD). COPD is a chronic disease of the airways of seeing my knowledge in writing in articles and and lungs that has become a widespread disease. A journals. good 400,000 Danes suffer from the disease to va- rying degrees. There is much research on dividing the Challenges group further into subgroups that perhaps can be I think it’s a challenge to step into the role of student understood and possibly treated differently. In my again. As a staff specialist at Aalborg Hospital, I project, I’m investigating how gas exchange takes usually have a supervisory role, and with my PhD I’m place in the lungs of patients suffering from COPD. in the student role. It has taken some getting used The goal of my project is to obtain more knowledge to. As a student, I work with other students and a about how gas exchange takes place in diseased supervisor who all have professional backgrounds lungs and thereby create some useful methods for different from mine. It can be challenging to under- measuring gas exchange in COPD patients that hop- stand each other’s areas, working methods and – ap- efully can be used in the future in health care. proach.

In my project, I’m studying two groups of patients, one with 12 and the other with 30 participants. In the one patient group, I’ve studied how much time it takes to achieve ”steady state” in the blood after a change in oxygen supplementation. In the other

|| 10 || INTERVIEW

I look forward to the high point of seeing my knowledge in writing in articles and journals

Ulla Weinreich, PhD student, AAU

> Staff Specialist in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Aalborg Hospital; Clinical Associate at AU > 41, mother of two, living in Aalborg > Researcher at Medicinerhuset, Aalborg Hospital > First-year student in the Clinical Science & Biomedicine program

|| 11 || INTERVIEW

I like putting questions to my profession, and as a researcher you’re always asking new questions

Tanja Schjødt Jørgensen, PhD student, AAU

> MSc in Human Physiology and Sports Science > 40, married, mother of two, living in > Researcher at the Parker Institute at Frederiksberg Hospital and the Department of Health Science and Technology, AAU > Second-year student in the Clinical Science & Biomedicine program

|| 12 || Why did you decide to get a PhD? relevant in order to understand how the pain system When I wrote my master’s thesis in the Human Phy- fundamentally works. I do pain measurements and siology and Sports Science program at the University gait analyses of both groups. Pain measurements of Copenhagen I gained insight into the research are done around the knee and in the surrounding world. muscles of the upper and the lower leg.

After submitting my thesis I was left with a good impression about doing research. I like putting que- High points stions to my profession and as a researcher you’re It was definitely a high point for me when I was fi- always asking new questions about existing treat- nished testing the healthy group, after which I could ment methods, tools and knowledge in order to en- begin to analyze my data, write an article and then sure best practice. I want to find new and better make further use of the results from the studies in solution methods, so I chose a PhD program. I hope my project. It is really fantastic to see a product of to stay in research. In the future, I want to I do research my work. On the whole, I think the research world on pain and have the opportunity for a postdoc. itself is a high point. It is enormously rewarding to work with the different competences at the univer- Research on the knee sity and the Parker Institute. My research is on osteoarthritis of the knee (dege- nerative joint disease of the knee). Knee pain is one Challenges of the most frequent types of musculoskeletal pain There haven’t been many challenges in my PhD work. and is the leading cause of reduced functioning. Knee If I have to say something, I think it was challenging pain is also a cardinal symptom of many diseases but also exciting to make a protocol with the right such as osteoarthritis. In my project, I analyze the questions for the healthy subjects and the patient mechanisms causing knee pain in order to understand group with knee arthritis in order to shed light on the the nature of the pain. Some of the mechanisms that pain system. Their responses should give me a bet- underlie knee pain are currently unknown. More know- ter understanding of the pain system as well as the ledge is necessary and will be valuable in both the biomechanical consequence of the disease. It has treatment of pain as well as other treatments for also been a challenge to limit my time for each visit patients with knee-related pain. with the subjects, and evaluate which tests my PhD project should contain. My project contains analyses from a healthy group as well as from a group of patients with arthritis of the knee. I’m investigating how knee pain affects sensory-motor function and knee biomechanics. The studies of the healthy patient group are done both with and without experimental knee pain, which is

|| 13 || || 14 || Three-year research training program

The standard time frame for PhD work is three years. in conjunction with the supervisor. The research can be In that period, the PhD student gains the knowledge to conducted at the university, hospitals or relevant labo- independently and critically use research methods with ratories. the goal of generating new medical knowledge in his or her field. With the PhD project, the student contri- During the program, the student is part of a research butes to the field with research, articles and a scientific environment at the highest level and will expand his or thesis on a high academic level. her network to include international researchers and other relevant partners. PhD work provides a high degree of freedom to indivi- dually plan and organize the three-year research period

Overview of the PhD program

During the three-year PhD program, the student must:

• Participate in courses PhD students must participate in PhD courses that total 30 ECTS credits corresponding to half a year of study. Students can significantly influence course topics.

• Participate in teaching and other forms of knowledge dissemination Teaching can be done by supervising of a group of students, by being an assistant teacher or lecturer. The PhD study must include the dissemination of scientific results at national or international conferences.

• Cooperation with an external research environment The PhD study must include collaboration with an external research institution. The PhD student is encouraged to visit an international research environment for 3 to 6 months.

• Disseminate knowledge through relevant journals The PhD student will write several scientific papers for conferences and journals. This helps expand the student’s network internationally.

• Complete a PhD thesis The thesis is often written during the last six months of the study. The PhD thesis will typically be based on a collection of articles.

• Defend his PhD thesis at a PhD defense The student obtains a PhD degree by submitting his or her PhD thesis and defending it at a defense. For the PhD defense, three assessors evaluate the thesis and the student’s oral presentation. The assessors are typically internationally recognized researchers in the field of research that the thesis deals with.

|| 15 || Supervision during the program

The PhD program takes place under supervision. The sion of the student includes addressing questions of a student is connected with a principal supervisor who is methodological, structural and substantive nature. a recognized researcher in the field and who has joint The principal supervisor must ensure competent responsibility with the student for the quality and guidance in the project’s phases and involve secondary completion of the overall PhD program. The main su- supervisors where necessary. In addition, the principal pervisor must be a professor, associate professor or supervisor contributes by reading through the written have equivalent qualifications, and be employed at articles, providing input and giving advice for discussi- AAU. on sections.

Often the students have one or more secondary super- Meetings between the student and the principal su- visors associated with the project. The secondary su- pervisor are planned by the parties. Conversations pervisor contributes specialized knowledge to the pro- should however take place on a regular basis and at gram and the project. least once a month.

How supervision takes place What is expected of the principal supervisor? The form the supervision takes is agreed between the In addition to providing professional supervision and principal supervisor and the student. The principal su- collaborating with the PhD student, the principal su- pervisor must, however, be available during the entire pervisor is responsible for ensuring that the formalities PhD program as agreed on with the student. Supervi- of PhD program are met. It is also the principal super- visor’s responsibility to ensure that the student carry out his or her study in accordance with the stipulated academic content and complies with the timetable for the study. I supervise PhD students because The principal supervisor is thus responsible for: > Contributing to and approving the study plan drawn I constantly learn something up by the PhD student new in my field and develop it > Preparation of half-year reports > Preparation of the principal supervisor’s final statement in conjunction with new that is included in the evaluation of whether the thesis can be submitted researchers > Planning and conducting the PhD defense

Ulrik Baandrup, PhD supervisor

|| 16 || || 17 || Research field space for reflection and the space to follow paths I’ve researched the pathological anatomy of the he- that may not take us where we expected. Today I art and blood vessels since the 1970s. I started as a supervise two PhD students. Over the years I have researcher because it’s fantastic to learn new supervised 15 PhD students. things. In my research, we investigate various is- sues in cardiovascular diseases. We may not always Maybe we can’t save the world with all our research, find new solutions through the research, but now but even the small results we achieve together may and then we become a bit wiser. It’s incredibly re- help create breakthroughs in cardiac pathology and warding when research findings can be translated thus make life better for many patients with cardio- into new and improved treatments for patients. vascular problems.

I got my PhD in London in collaboration with Eck- Supervision requires commitment hardt Gerhard Johannes Olsen (EGJ Olsen) who was Supervision is at once work and pleasure. Supervi- an internationally recognized researcher in cardiac sion is work because you need to allow time to fa- pathology. I had come to know him in connection miliarize yourself with the student’s work, methods with a postgraduate course organized by the Danish and reflections, and you must provide guidance and Society for Pathology and I had contacted him supervision to the student. It’s a pleasure because because I wanted to learn more. It went well and he you gain new input, thoughts and knowledge from later agreed that I come back to do a PhD. Through enthusiastic and talented people who are passio- my PhD studies and working with EGJ Olsen I ac- nate about the research they have undertaken. quired an extensive network of colleagues throug- Supervision requires commitment. It’s important hout the world that I have since taken full advan- as a supervisor that you are engaged in students’ tage of. projects and have open contact in the collaboration. Both of my PhD students work far from Vendsyssel Why did you become a supervisor? Hospital in North Jutland, but that doesn’t prevent I supervise PhD students because I constantly learn good collaboration between us. We have good con- something new in my field and develop it in con- tact by e-mail and phone so the physical distance junction with new researchers. When I was a PhD means little. student, I had a supervisor who believed in me and allowed me to try out research in different ways. I would like to pass that on to my students. I want to offer them the joy of investigating something further – and that requires support and confidence,

|| 18 || INTERVIEW

Maybe we can’t save the world with all our research, but even the small results we achieve together may help create breakthroughs

Ulrik Baandrup, PhD supervisor at AAU

> Professor, MD, PhD, Dr. Med. > Employed at the Department of Pathology and Director of the Center for Clinical Research, Vendsyssel Hospital > PhD supervisor for 30 years

|| 19 || INTERVIEW

Research contributes not only to the development of health science, but just as much to the development of a self

Asbjørn Mohr Drewes, PhD supervisor at AAU

> Professor, MD, PhD, Dr. Med. > Employed at the Medical Gastroenterology Department, Aalborg Hospital > PhD supervisor for 20 years

|| 20 || Research field Everyone should go into research My interest in research came creeping. As a newly I think everyone should go into research on one level qualified doctor specializing in medical gastrointe- or another. Research contributes not only to the de- stinal diseases I found myself faced with problems velopment of health science, but just as much to the in my field that I wanted to find new solutions for. development of a self. You become more insightful So I went into research. by doing research.

In the late 1980s, I helped start a research group at The benefit of being a researcher is that you also Aalborg Hospital researching pain and other symp- acquire broad contact with other clinicians in an in- toms of gastrointestinal disorders in conjunction with ternational research environment whom you can seek researchers at Aalborg University. Since then I have the advice of. Since I’ve researched for many years, extended my research area from gastrointestinal I have a large network, which means that I gain new research to include signal analysis, imaging, phar- knowledge and obtain feedback from international macology research and interdisciplinary research, colleagues. Through them I also hear what’s hap- which I now have practiced for many years. pening in the international research community.

Why did you become a supervisor? Advice for future supervisors I became a supervisor because I want to help develop My advice to future supervisors is that they have to my field. I want to improve the field to benefit pa- want to do research. They must really be passionate tients. In general, physicians should not only develop about making a difference. Research cannot fit into themselves but also help understand diseases and a regular work day from 8 to 16. As a researcher and improve treatment. In the interaction with a PhD supervisor you are on at all times. You do research student, I provide supervision, but I also gain new out of interest and not out of duty; therefore research eyes and new perspectives in my field of research. In work spills over into your leisure time. You have stu- this way, supervision is a genuine collaboration that dents researching on the weekends, sending you contributes to mutual and continuous development. mails or phoning you. It’s important that you answer them quickly - even on a Sunday evening - for perhaps Today I supervise 14 PhD students. Over the years I they have a problem they need advice or feedback have been supervisor for 34 PhD students. on here and now.

|| 21 || Requirements for applicants In order to be considered for a PhD program the applicant must have a health-related master’s degree or the equivalent and submit an application and a project description to the doctoral school. In assessing the appli- cation, the doctoral school evaluates, among other things, qualifications based on the master’s program and previous research experience. All applicants receive an expert evaluation.

The quality of the project description is also important. The doctoral school emphasizes the topic and purpose, the scientific value, methodological considerations, structure and references to relevant literature. The time- table is closely linked to the project description and is used to assess whether the planned project can realisti- cally be completed in three years.

Application The Faculty of Medicine’s doctoral school advertises new PhD stipends on a regular basis on the website: www. phd.medicine.aau.dk

For ideas for research projects that are not offered as a PhD stipend, it is recommended to contact relevant researchers at either the university or the hospital in order both to describe the project and to jointly find fun- ding for the PhD project. Financing for the expenses associated with a PhD project (salaries, operating costs and enrollment fee) must be resolved before enrollment in the doctoral school can take place.

Applicants must use the application form available on the website under Practical Information. The website contains more information about the application procedure and information about the project description.

Further information

Find additional information on the PhD program and the research training programs at the Faculty of Medicine at: www.phd.medicine.aau.dk

For questions regarding the PhD program, enrollment and employment of PhD students or financing of the study, contact: PhD Office Maria Bredvig Tel.: 9940 9638 E-mail: [email protected]

|| 22 || || 23 || The Faculty of Medicine Aalborg University

Niels Jernes Vej 10 9220 Aalborg Øst Denmark Tel.: +45 9940 9940 Fax: +45 9815 9757 [email protected] www.sundhedsvidenskab.aau.dk http://www.phd.medicine.aau.dk/ BUCHS.DK

The PhD degree – a career path from Aalborg University

Published by the Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University Text: Cecilia Honores Møller | Photos: Svenn Hjartasson and others | Layout and printing: Buchs.dk