Graduate Studies

Doctor of Philosophy, Health Research Methodology (2024)

Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact | McMaster University

I began studying in the MSc Health Research Methodology program in September 2019. After completing the required coursework, research internship, and scoping out my thesis proposal, I transferred to the PhD program to continue learning and pursuing health services research (January 1, 2020). I gained valuable and transferrable skills from the required coursework, including Regression Analysis, Advanced Topics in Epidemiology, Survival Analysis for Health Research, Systematic Review Methods, and Qualitative Health Research. In May 2022, I passed the comprehensive examination process, which involved an oral examination of key concepts for health research methodologies and leading an independent study project, which is now published.

I recently defended my dissertation, The Role of Physician Focused Practice and Added Competence on Primary Care Quality for Older Adults. My thesis characterized the medical practice of family physicians with focused medical practices and/or added competency training relevant to older patients’ needs. I established consensus on measurable processes that were used to examine the quality of care delivered to older adults by family physicians. The methods comprised a modified Delphi consensus study and two population-based observational studies.

  • CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarship Doctoral (CGS-D) and Master’s (CGS-M)

  • McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) Scholarship in Aging Research

  • Transdisciplinary Understanding and Training on Research - Primary Health Care (TUTOR-PHC) Patient & Community Engagement in Primary Health Care Research Fellowship

  • Faculty of Health Sciences Graduate Student Leadership Award

  • Travel awards, including the Health Research Methodology Student Travel Award, Brian Haynes Student Travel Award, Yates Scholarship, and MIRA Graduate Student Professional Development Award

  • Departmental awards, including the Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis Doctoral Research Scholarship, EB Ryan Scholarship, Health Research Methodology Transfer Bursary, and Graduate Entrance Scholarship

Awards and Recognitions:

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Undergraduate Studies