Assistant Director (Public Health Science) NHS Hull

Format Who am I? What is my job? What was my PhD about? How is it relevant to my working life? How is it not relevant to my working life?! Conclusion

Who am I? Private Sector - Philips Electronics – Advanced Products Marketing Economics BSc Bradford Health Economics MSc York PhD Bradford 2006

My job Assistant Director of Public Health Science – NHS Hull Health Economist Lead team of Health Scientists (epidemiologists, statisticians, health impact specialists) Outputs JSNA - Gives direction for health planning PNA – Gives direction for pharmaceutical provision Equity Audits – Shows focus for provision to combat health inequalities Social Capital Research - some in partnership with Hull University and Sheffield Hallam University

My PhD Part Time - 5 years Social Capital (social networks, levels of trust and connections within communities that ultimately help to improve social, physical and economic conditions as well as the life chances of those where it exists.) Influence on demand for health care - Funding and Private Medical Insurance relevant Association between social capital and health Non market provision through social support reduces demand on PMI and NHS Cross-Sectional Time Series Panel Data Analysis using Stata 6 years of BHPS

My PhD Findings There is a relationship between Social Capital and the amount of health care demanded May be positive or negative (or multi-dimensional) Personal risk attitudes very important Risk attitudes dependent on social and cultural backgrounds People in different occupations or lifestyles face higher risks so demand more reservation value

Relevance to working life PhD a salutary process! Sense of achievement Mark of professional ability licence to teach Higher statistical training and credibility (publications) Gives me extra edge on large dataset analysis and the integrity of analysis and conclusions Broadened in terms of statistical knowledge and subject area

Relevance Keeps academic life alive Gives opportunity to transfer learning to policy (Health and LA) Links to ongoing theme of Social Capital within government now termed Big Society Ironically better Social Capital might mean greater equality

Conclusion My experience not your experience PhD essential for academic life Extremely useful in non-academic working life Opens doors More opportunities for involvement in collaborative projects Enabled Fellowship of Faculty of Public Health enables employment as Consultant in Public Health Credibility Still fascinated by my subject!

Call yourself a Doctor? Yes Youve done the studying Youve earned it!