PhD in Social and Spiritual Determinants of Health Palacky University

Social and Spiritual Determinants of Health is a four-year doctoral study programme taught in English that is primarily research-oriented and brings early stage researchers together to discuss, debate, and collaborate on current issues in global health, focusing on its social and spiritual factors through a bio-psycho-socio-spiritual model of health.

Each student prepares their own Individual Study Plan (ISP), including both the required elective subjects as well as research plan. The ISP is compiled with the assistance and under the supervision of their assigned tutor. The ISP gets updated throughout the programme and approved by the tutor and the academic board.

While working towards their independent research projects, the students may

take advantage of the curriculum being tailored to the needs of each and every one of them, emphasizing individual approach - each student is assigned a tutor, an expert in their respective field of study. The tutor guides the student through all the necessary aspects a postgraduate student should know.

Scientific disciplines/subjects you can look forward to

• Quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Scientific communication and research project management
• How to write a scientific paper
• Statistical data processing
• Phenomenological approach to research
• Concept mapping
• Systematic review and metaanalysis
• Spirituality and personal development
• Clinical psychology and psychopathology
• Healthcare finance and management

Research Areas / OUSHI

The doctoral study programme is organized by the Olomouc University Social Health Institute (OUSHI), the department of the Sts Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology, Palacky University, Olomouc.

Just to mention some of their research areas:

• Qualitative research in the field of health, certified DIPEx methodology
• Cultural psychology and ethnic minority research
• Spirituality
• Public health
• Health and personality

OUSHI also carries out numerous research projects:

• Experiences of women with breast cancer
• Children with ADHD
• Quality of life improvement for patients with Lyme disease
• Age friendliness
• Discrimination in access to healthcare for minorities
• Non-profit drugs
• Relationships between the child, family and school

More to be found at https://oushi.upol.cz/

Requirements of the study programme

• Gain 240 credits based on your ISP
• Submit a scientific article to a peer-reviewed journal before the end of the first year
• Prepare an annual progress report (exams passed, internships, dissertation progress) and updated plan for the next year
• Spend some research time at another (foreign) research or academic institution or take part in an international project with results published abroad
• In your research, focus on four research areas (topics) as a preparation for the state doctoral exam (different from the research in dissertation) and pass the doctoral exam
• Write a dissertation of at least 120 pages or prepare a collection of five articles focusing on a single topic (at least three of them published and two submitted to peer-reviewed journals as the main author)