Identifying, developing and testing methods to generate EQ-5D-5L bolt-on value sets: What can and should be done?

Supervisors: Dr. Yaling Yang, Michał Jakubczyk (SGH Warsaw School of Economics, Poland), David Mott (Office of Health Economics), Bram Roudijk (EuroQol Office)

EQ-5D-5L has been criticized for missing some important aspects of health in some specific populations. As a solution, the EQ-5D-5L descriptive system could incorporate additional descriptors - henceforth, bolt-ons - to improve measurement sensitivity and relevance in certain contexts. EuroQol protocol and guidance have been developed to guide identification, development and testing of bolt-ons; and recent work has focussed on the development of cognition, vision and hearing bolt-ons using mixed qualitative and quantitative approaches to be included in the proposed Bolt-on Toolbox.

This DPhil will contribute to the identification, development and testing of methods to generate EQ-5D-5L bolt-on value sets. EQ-5D-5L with bolt-ons presents unique challenges for value set development. This may require some level of comparability and consistency with health states with only the core dimensions. The PhD will include a scoping review of health state valuation methods which could potentially be used for EQ-5D-5L bolt-on valuation. More importantly, the PhD will develop criteria to identify and select methods used to generate EQ-5D-5L bolt-on value sets. This will involve interviews and group discussions with key stakeholders (e.g. members of the EuroQol group and members of HTA bodies) about the desired properties ofEQ-5D-5L bolt-on value sets and associated methodological considerations and requirements. The methods identified in the scoping literature review will be mapped and assessed towards the criteria. Towards the end of the project an (online) survey will be conducted to determine the feasibility of the selected methods using a design building upon the findings from previous research.

Preferred applicant background/skills: 

Students with Master degree in Economics, Health Economics and Psychology with interests in measurement and valuation of health outcome for economic evaluation and beyond. 

Funding

Fees at Home level for 3 years, Overseas applicants welcome to apply but they will need to cover difference in fees. With an annual stipend of at least £23,000

Supervisory Team

The student will be based on Oxford University, and will be jointly supervised and supported by international experts in this area.

Application process

Applications must be received by 12 noon (UK time) Friday 15 May 2026.