Description
This unit comprises two small subgroups, which are merged to comply with the evaluation guidelines. The first one focuses on breast and cervical cancer screening and human papilloma virus (HPV)-related research and is part of Department of Screening-based Research. The main areas of interest for the second subgroup are descriptive epidemiology and health-services related research. This subgroup belongs to the Department of Clinical-and Registry-based Research. Each subgroup is led by their department head. Each subgroup is presented separately in the self-evaluation and this is also done here.
By the end of 2009, the subgroup on screening-based research comprises three researchers with a doctoral degree, a senior statistician, and three PhD students. One PhD student has finished in the evaluation period. The staff has a background in medicine, statistics, radiology and biology. The research profile is closely related to the organized screening programs for breast and cervical cancer and includes also work on application of HPV tests in screening of cervical cancer. Priority is given to research on the screening process and its execution.
Surrogate measures in the screening program have also been analyzed, and more direct measures of screening effectiveness are now being considered. The unit benefits from the close proximity to the epidemiologist working with the cancer incidence data and has also close connection with the medical specialist participating in the screening programs. The unit participates in several international networks on cancer screening. However, during the last three years the research has been hampered by a restricted access to screening data.
Department of Clinical- and Registry-based Research is organized in two sections: (i) Section for Registration that manages and develops the cancer registry, and (ii) Section for Research, where most of the department’s research is performed. The latter section comprises two full-time researchers, a part-full-time (50%) statistician and two PhD students. In addition, a number of part-time (20%) researchers are connected to the subgroup. Four PhD students have defended their theses in the period 2005-9. The research in this subgroup can be divided into three categories: (i) research using the incidence registry; (ii) research using the clinical registries; and (iii) research on cancer survivors and cancer survivorship. The subgroup is broadly engaged in research collaboration including collaboration with the Nordic cancer registries, NCI and IARC. Moreover, the pharmaceutical industry has shown a growing interest in the opportunities becoming available with establishment of clinical registries.
Research quality
The Descriptive Epidemiology, Screening and Health Services Related Research Unit consists of two small subgroups that both perform high-quality research. In the evaluation period, the researchers have published a considerably number of peer-reviewed papers and book chapters.
Grade: Good/Very good.
Societal impact
The research activities of the unit is of great importance for the Norwegian and international societies.
Recommendations
The unit may still improve the impact of their research by increasing the number of projects initiated and led by CRN. The Panel noted some very good ideas about how to proceed. Also for this unit the future relocation of CRN is seen as a major opportunity to expand the
collaboration with clinicians and further utilization of the clinical data. The data handling should be made more effective to free up resources for research work.
SINTEF
SINTEF Technology and Society
Level 1 Description
SINTEF Technology and Society (SINTEF TS) is one of the six research divisions of SINTEF, an independent Norwegian research organization, founded in 1950 and currently with a staff of approximately 2,100 employees. SINTEF TS has about 280 employees and consists of nine research departments, partly active in health research, and partly in other sectors. The SINTEF TS division is a result of a merger between SINTEF Health and SINTEF Technology and Society per 1 January 2009. There are four units relevant for the RCN evaluation: (1) Health Services Research; (2) Medical Technology; (3) Global Health and Welfare, and (4) Preventive Health Research. The units included in Panel 5’s domain are 1. Health Services Research and 2. Global Health and Welfare.
Per 1 January 2011 the three units Health Services Research, Global Health and Welfare, and Preventive Health Research were merged into one new department, Health Research.
SINTEF TS is predominantly funded by commissioned research; only 10% if its turnover is funded in terms of basic grants (currently provided by RCN, previously partly by the Ministry of Health). The self-assessment points out lack of facilities to produce scientific output with higher impact than reports to the principals.
To the Panel, some conditions for SINTEF TS (reorganizations and structure of funding) do not seem favorable for scientific output; however, these problems were played down by the SINTEF TS representatives in the hearing.
Follow-up of previous evaluation
The 2001 institute evaluation of SINTEF-Unimed suggested: (1) to reduce consultancy and advice activities, especially of the former Norwegian Hospital Institute, and (2) to reduce the diversity of research activities by creating more focus and more in-depth research program-mes. Both suggestions had been addressed by SINTEF TF, but there is still room for improvements.
1. Health Services Research Level 2
Description
The Health Services Research group is subdivided into three subunits: (1) Health Services Research (HSR);(2) Health and Labour Research (HLR); and (3) Hospital Planning, each headed by a senior researcher. The unit collaborates with Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and University of Oslo, and has been partner in six EU projects in the last five years.
Research quality
The unit’s major activity is commissioned research. This type of research leaves, according to
University of Science and Technology, the number of PhD students is increasing (nine currently); the PhD theses yield regular scientific output like indexed papers. The number of papers increased from six in 2005 to 12 in 2009, and nine in the first half of 2010 (from 0,5 to 1.0 per CV per year).
Grade: Fair.
Societal impact
The group is positive about the societal impact of its research: Society is willing to pay for the products, so the work is relevant for the society. The Panel supports the efforts to engage in more EU projects.
Recommendations
The SINTEF TS management is recommended to create sufficiently large, robust and programme based research groups. The research should be focused on in-depth activities, if sound scientific knowledge, and not only development, is the aim. The publishing in international, peer-reviewed journals should be encouraged.
2. Global Health and Welfare