Program
Integration into the main areas of work of the participating Institutes
The scholarship holders are integrated (possibly virtually) into the participating Institutes and their main areas of work; workstations and technical equipment, access to literature, databases and standard software are available to them. All Facilities or Institutions have specialist libraries that can be used by the scholarship holders; at the MHH they also receive free, internet-based access to an extensive pool of scientific journals.
Supervision
Each scholarship holder has two supervisors who are available to provide advice and support in terms of content and methodology throughout the entire period of the doctorate.
In addition, the scholarship holders are supervised and supported by a programme coordinator, among other things in all organizational or financial matters relating to the doctoral programme (e.g. scheduling colloquia, seminar planning, scholarships, conference fees, etc.), including support in communications and organization between scholarship holders and supervisors of the research work.
Accompanying curriculum during the doctoral phase over three years
The seminars and methods workshops usually take place at Hannover Medical School. A classroom, a PC room with computers and two other seminar rooms are continuously available for the seminars, methods workshops and all other events. Other rooms at the university, e.g. the MHH Personnel Academy, can also be used.
Theoretical foundations e.g.
- Health literacy and empowerment as well as an in-depth understanding of related concepts,
- Chronic illnesses as a challenge in healthcare
- Diversity and health literacy (migration, gender)
- Health literacy and social capital
Practical basics
- Models of health literacy in the healthcare context
- Evaluation of complex interventions
Methodological basics and practical exercises, e.g.
- From the research question to the survey design (study design, sampling plan, choice of instruments)
- From questionnaire to data file
- Structural equation models
- Qualitative analysis methods using various technical possibilities
- Participatory research
- Multi-level analyses
- Computer-aided analysis of qualitative data
- Routine data analyses
- evaluation
Advice and support through methods workshop colloquium
- Qualitative methods workshop
- Quantitative methods workshop
Discussion forums and workshops to acquire key qualifications
- Journal Club (reading studies)
- Project management
- Time management
- Teaching and presenting scientific results
- Scientific writing - publishing at a high level
- Writing research proposals
- Career planning
Compact course/ summer school
- Theories/concepts of health literacy in an international perspective
- Health literacy and its institutional promotion - international concepts and models of good practice
- Mixed-method designs, method triangulation, prediction models
- Health-related health outcomes, quality of life, satisfaction, health literacy
Gain teaching and lecturing experience through supervised teaching activities
Teaching in selected seminars, lectures at conferences, preparation and supervision
Overview of the doctoral program structure
Graduation
Students will be enrolled at Hannover Medical School and will be awarded the Dr. Public Health degree upon participation in the program and successful completion of their dissertation.
Exceptions are scholarship holders who are supervised by academics from the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media, the Freiburg University of Education or the University of Hildesheim. They can be enrolled and acquire the doctorate of the respective university by participating in the program and successfully completing their dissertation.