MissionOur programs goal is to meet the continued demands of academic, private, and governmental organizations to build research capacity surrounding the safe, effective, and efficient use of medications.

The POP Research MastersThe Research Masters degree provides individuals with the credentials to serve as entry- or mid-level research associates in contract research organizations, academic and clinical research units, pharmaceutical companies, and government organizations. Examples of such positions include research associates, program managers, and health scientists.

The strong pharmaceutical focus of this specialization offers the opportunity to explore a research career for individuals who oscillate between a more research-oriented or clinical specialization (e.g., residency). Possible positions upon completion of the program include; quality improvement, drug information and formulary management, and other key positions in pharmaceutical decision-making.

Applicants who may be interested in the POP Research Master’s Program are:

Practicing clinicians with a desire to increase their involvement in research

Individuals working in research settings who wish to formalize and extend their training in order to advance their careers in these settings

Graduates in the health sciences who would like to explore a clinically-oriented research career while maintaining their involvement in clinical care

Individuals with previous training in research (e.g., epidemiology) who would like to advance and focus their training on pharmaceutical research

Research Masters - CurriculumThe program consists of thirteen core courses and requires two years to complete. Ten courses in research methods, statistics, and foundations are complemented by three specialty-specific courses. In addition, students attend a weekly POP seminar, journal club, and complete a research project for a total of 44 credit hours.

Internship OpportunityWhile pursuing the master’s degree students will be made available to a three month internship at one our partnership agencies.

Transition from the Masters Program into the POP Ph.D. Program All courses in the Research Masters Program are approved for the POP Ph.D. curriculum and will apply toward the Ph.D. degree in POP at the University of Florida. However, persons with M.S. degree must apply to the Ph.D. program and admission is contingent upon approval by the graduate faculty and availability of funding.

The Department will offer competitive stipend support each year for graduates who are admitted to the Ph.D. program. For distant students, admission to the Ph.D. program, which is only offered on-site, requires relocation to Gainesville.

The University of Florida College of Pharmacy

www.cop.ufl.edu

Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences The University of Florida College of Pharmacy, Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences - concentration in Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy Research is divided into three specializations: Pharmacoepidemiology, Pharmacoeconomics, and Patient Safety and Medication Use.

The program is aimed at developing independent researchers and scholars in pharmaceutical outcomes research and policy. Graduates of the program will hold the credentials to develop and direct clinical research units in universities, pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations, and government organizations.

Doctor of Philosophy - CurriculumThe program is designed over a 4-year period but individual student progress may vary. Students complete the core curriculum in the first two years of their training, followed by the completion of specialty coursework and then completion of their doctoral dissertation. In addition student attend the weekly departmental seminar, a weekly journal club, and take independent study credit to work with faculty on research projects. Successful graduation requires a formal doctoral thesis of original independent work that offers a distinct contribution to and advancement of science, and a total of 90 credit hours didactic coursework and independent research.

Graduate Programs - Core Curriculum Core courses establish the basic competencies in statistics, research methods, and POP content.

Pharmacy Healthcare Systems

Study Design in POP Research

Measurement in Pharmacy Research

Introduction to Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy

Statistical Methods I-III

Data analysis and interpretation

Critical appraisal of pharmacoeconomic studies

POP seminars and journal club

Program SpecializationsThe POP Graduate programs are divided into three areas of specialization:

PharmacoepidemiologyFocuses on observational research methods, large secondary database analyses, and pharmacovigilance to evaluate drug safety and effectiveness.

Prepares students to participate in research to

examine the utilization and effects of drugs and related products or services in populations

apply observational research methods in phase IV studies (comparative effectiveness and drug safety)

This program will be of interest to clinicians who discover the need to conduct research but lack the formal training. Applicants with a non-clinical but strong methodological background such as in epidemiology may choose this degree to specialize in the evaluation of pharmaceuticals. Students learn to measure phenomena such as drug utilization, its quality, and sequelae on patient morbidity or mortality on a population level. Specialty courses include:

Pharmacoepidemiology and Risk Management Introduction to Pharmacoepidemiology Pharmaceutical Products & Public Policy

PharmacoeconomicsFocuses on the economic evaluation of medication and medical technology

Prepares students to participate in research to examine

pharmacoeconomic and related health outcomes the cost, utilization, and economic efficiency of

pharmaceutical products, medical devices, and related services in the delivery of health care

The program introduces students to basic theoretical principles of pharmacoeconomic research. Students will learn to measure

phenomena such as resource utilization, quality of life (health state utilities), and cost-effectiveness and generate decision-making statistics such cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. This program is suited for individuals with a clinical or economic background and interest in research that can inform healthcare policy and payment decisions. Specialty courses include:

Pharmacoeconomics & Health Technology Assessment Pharmaceutical Microeconomics Pharmaceutical Health Economics

Patient Safety and Medication UseFocuses on quality in medication use, technical / scientific aspects in quality improvement and program evaluation

Prepares students to participate in

conduct of quality improvement studies

quality-related assessments of behavior, policy, and health care services as they relate to delivery of and access to healthcare

Studies will evaluate the quality of medication use and systems, to determine barriers and root causes related to patient safety risks and medication errors, to identify or develop targeted interventions for these barriers and root causes. Graduates may participate in regulatory and public policy initiatives that affect the use of medications in society, and the evaluation of programs to prevent, detect and resolve medication errors and improve patient safety. Specialty courses include:

Patient Safety Program Evaluation Healthcare and Patient Safety Patient Responsibility in Healthcare

Admissions Applicants are selected based on academic achievement and demonstrated interest in POP Research. Applicants must have over 500 points for each of the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE and a GPA ≥ 3.0.

For More information, please visit:

Course CE Pharmaco- Pharmac Patient

Pharmaco-epidemiology

Pharmaco-economics

Patient Safety

Epidemiology Track

o-Economic

s Track

Safety Track

Fall

I

Stud Design POP Res

3

Stat Meth Soc Res I 3

Intro to POP 2

POP Seminar 1Specialty Course 1 3 Intro to

Pharmacoepidemiology

Pharma Microeconomics

Research Methods Soc Psych

Total Hours 12

Spri

ng I

Stat Meth Research II

3

Critical Appraisal ofPharmacoeconomic Literature

1

Federal Regulation of Drugs and Pharmacy

3

POP Seminar 1Specialty Course 2 3 Pharm-epi

Risk Management

Pharm Health Economics

Pat Resp in Health Care

Total Hours 11Summer I: A 3 month internship at a partnering agency.

Fall

II

App’d Data Interpt 3Measurement POP 3POP Seminar 1Specialty Course 3 3 Applied

Survival Analysis

Phar-eco Health Tech Assmt

Pat Safety Program Evaluation

Total Hours 10Categorical Data Meth$

3

Spri

ng II

Supervised Res 4

POP Seminar 1

Specialty Course 4 3 Advanced Pharmacoepidemiology

Health Serv Res Methods 2 or Pharm Health Econ

Health Care & Pat Safety

Total Hours 11

$ Suggested course. Depending on specialty and interest other courses may be

taken.