Research Projects
Clinical Epidemiology and Health-related Quality of Life of Orthopaedic Patients


Programme(s) to which this project applies:
☑ MPhil/PhD ☒ MRes[Med] ☒ URIS

Objectives and Significance

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is one of the important outcome measures for effective treatment, especially in growing orthopaedic patients who can be susceptible to body image changes due to spinal deformity. In particular, the local scoliosis population lacks the norm values of patient-orientated HRQoL measures for comparisons across countries.

Research Plan and Methodology

Large databases of scoliosis-specific as well as generic tools can be collected in the specialist scoliosis clinic. Huge patient base and resources are available and they are subjected to thorough analyses, and for defining normative values of outcome scores. The study outcomes of this project can have impactful clinical implications, as the findings can provide insights for clinicians and surgeons of the aspects of quality of life which may require their immediate attention throughout treatment course.

Dr WHP Cheung, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

This supervisor has research focuses of the use of big data , skeletal maturity and spinal deformity, as well as orthopaedic patients' HRQoL. She has large extent of experiences and publications in clinical orthopaedic researches, mapping between HRQoL assessment tools, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of questionnaires in both adults and children, as well as in-depth analyses of orthopaedic spinal conditions like scoliosis, low back pain in relation to changes of quality of life.

Biography
HKU Scholars Hub
ORCID
gnuehcp6@hku.hk

For more information or to express interest for this project, please email the supervisor or the specified contact point in the project description.  Interested candidates are advised to enclose with your email:

  1. your CV,
  2. a brief description of your research interest and experience, and
  3. two reference letters (not required for HKUMed UG students seeking MRes[Med]/URIS projects).

Information on the research programme, funding support and admission documentations could be referenced online at the Research Postgraduate Admissions website. General admission enquiries should be directed to rpgmed@hku.hk.

HKUMed MBBS students interested in the Master of Research in Medicine (MRes[Med]) programme may visit the programme website for more information.  

HKUMed UG students interested in the Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme (URIS) may visit the scheme’s website for more information. 

Research @ Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology