Clinical Medicine (PHKLINM)

Intended learning outcomes for the programme of study 
Generate knowledge that improves clinical practice

Subject areas
Clinical research entails controlled trials of treatment regimens and diagnostic procedures with the clear aim of creating a basis for direct improvements in diagnostics, treatment, and care of patients. Clinical research involves experimental analytical studies in the form of randomized controlled trials. Clinical research includes studies of patients using clinical epidemiological methods to investigate aspects such as the development of disease. Clinical research also includes experimental studies to assess pathophysiological processes, organ damage and the development of disease. Use of biological models and studies involving animal experimentation may therefore be part of a clinical research programme. Study of the effect of physical training on pathophysiological processes, on organ damage and on development of disease is clinical research. Close collaboration with the basic research groups is desirable.

Clinical research therefore extends from studies of populations related to development of disease, illness and intervention studies to collaborative research with the basic research groups. In general, various types of biological research and medical technology may be included. Testing of new technology, for example clinical applications of ultrasound technology and implants, is relevant. Use of biobanks and how they can be linked with clinical medicine, where genetic and molecular biology techniques must be included as well.

Applied clinical research should be goal-oriented and should include basic research, possibly by developing close collaboration with this. A PhD thesis in clinical medicine must however be based on a clinical problem, and should provide academic and research expertise that is characteristic of clinical research. This primarily involves designing and conducting randomized controlled clinical trials, but may also entail the use of epidemiological methods such as cohort studies, case-control studies and cross-sectional studies. The candidate must be familiar with these methods. Knowledge and use of human physiological models, biological models, and animal models as well as knowledge of pure basic research will be necessary for certain research programmes.

In some environments, it is possible to accomplish the management and combination of clinical knowledge and basic scientific knowledge through close collaboration between research communities. Some large clinical research programmes have included adequate competence in basic research in their main programmes. The need for such collaboration will be a deciding factor in the requirements for the supervisor's expertise.

Admission requirements for the programme: see sections 5 and 7.3 of the PhD regulations

Deadline for applications
The 1st of every month. Admission to PhD programmes at the Faculty of Medicine takes place monthly. The applicant receives a reply by the 10th of the following month. The application is to be submitted to the department with which the candidate and supervisor are affiliated.

Admission requirements
A medical background is an advantage, but not a prerequisite. Candidates must have a background in biology, normally at the level of a master's degree or the equivalent (for example, cand. med., cand. scient. cand. psychol., cand. odont., cand. pharm. orsiv.ing.). Candidates who do not have a medical background must complete the course in "Medicine for Non-Medical Students". A weighted grade point average of B or higher is normally required. For applicants from programmes of professional study, separate regulations apply.

Requirements for project description, cf. Section 5.2
A project description in connection with an application for admission to a PhD may well be short (limited to 4-6 pages). In particular, the descriptions of the individual parts must be adequate to enable the academic council [Fagrådet] to provide a sound academic evaluation. Follow the Template for project description in clinical medicine(in Norwegian).

Requirements for funding: cf. Section 5.2
For admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Medicine, it is not an absolute requirement for the candidate to have funding for the doctoral programme. In the application, the candidate must describe the funding plan. Candidates without funding should describe the plan for completion of the programme without funding. This will be assessed for the individual candidate in connection with the admission process.

Supervision, cf. Section 5.2
Special requirements may be imposed regarding prior learning and work experience in various areas, the form of collaboration, and co-authorship. A minimum of two supervisors is recommended. Such collaborative research and authorship will follow established academic guidelines. The project description must indicate who is responsible for the academic supervision related to the various topics/methods included in the project.

There must be scope for both collaboration and co-supervisors from different departments at or outside NTNU. Collaborative research between clinical medicine and basic research groups may require a supervisor in addition to the principal supervisor. For some clinical research programmes, the Unit for Applied Clinical Research may be a close collaborative partner in the training phase and in follow-up supervision. This will increase both centralized expertise and knowledge in the clinical environments.

Residency requirement, cf. sections 2, 4 and 5.2
The main aim of the residency requirement is that the candidate will participate actively in a research environment at or associated with NTNU. As long as this purpose is achieved, the candidate may fulfil the residency requirement outside NTNU as well. A candidate outside NTNU will be required to participate in the supervisor's research community. This must be specified in the application for admission, and will be evaluated for the individual candidate.

Participation in active research groups, nationally and internationally, cf. sections 4 and 5.2
A minimum requirement is that the candidate participates actively in the supervisor's research community. In the application for admission, the candidate must describe the plan for such participation.

Scientific and academic dissemination, cf. sections 2, 4 and 5.2
Academic publication and presentation at national/international meetings

Reporting, cf. Section 9
An report must be submitted annually in writing to the faculty to which the candidate has been admitted, comparing progress to date with the PhD plan. The faculty may also undertake a mid-programme assessment of the candidate/project.

Organized academic training, cf. Section 7.3
The purpose of the organized academic training is to provide insight into theories and methods necessary for work on the thesis, but it is also intended to contribute to the general professional training that is desirable for the candidate's later work. In the application, the candidate is to provide a plan for completion of the organized academic training in consultation with the supervisor. It is recommended that the training be completed early in the programme.

The organized academic training for a PhD in clinical medicine has a prescribed value of 30 credits, of which at least 20 must be courses at PhD level. Up to 10 credits may be courses that are at least at master's level.

Supervised self-study: An application for advance approval of a plan for supervised self-study is to be addressed to the faculty and considered by the Programme Council [Programrådet].

Relevant PhD courses taken outside NTNU may be approved.

Compulsory courses:
SMED8004 Introduction to Research, 5 credits
SMED8005 Communication of Science 3 credits
May be compulsory for the individual candidate:
KLMED8007 Clinical Research 5 credits
KLMED8004 Medical Statistics Part I 7.5 credits
KLMED8005 Medical Statistics Part II 7.5 credits
KLMED8001 Research Training in Psychiatry 24 credits
Elective courses:
KLMED8007 Clinical Research 5 credits
MOL8001 Molecular Physiology: Mechanisms and Methods 4.5 credits
KLMED8004 Medical Statistics Part I 7.5 credits
KLMED8005 Medical Statistics Part II 7.5 credits
MOL8003 Microarray Technology and Data Analysis - with Laboratory Training 7.5 credits
MOL8004 Microarray Technology and Data Analysis - without Laboratory Training 4.5 credits
Recommended courses:
KLMED8004 Medical Statistics Part I 7.5 credits
KLMED8005 Medical Statistics Part II 7.5 credits
KLMED8003 Quality of Life 4 credits
MOL8001 Molecular Physiology: Mechanisms and Methods 4.5 credits
KLMED8007 Clinical Research 5 credits
MOL8003 Microarray Technology and Data Analysis - with Laboratory Training 7.5 credits
MOL8004 Microarray Technology and Data Analysis - without Laboratory Training 4.5 credits.