Major Research Areas

Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) and Health-related quality of life (HRQOL)

Validation and standardisation of PRO Measures; clinical application of HRQOL outcome measures; HRQOL of patients with chronic diseases, measurement of health preference (utility); and application of HRQOL outcomes in cost-effectiveness analysis.

Medical education

Undergraduate and postgraduate medical education research taking a combined qualitative and quantitative approach with specific interests in the following areas:

• Student and doctor wellbeing
• Pedagogical innovation
• Continuing medical education for primary care doctors
• Core competencies in family medicine and primary care

Primary care services and health equity

Evaluation of outcomes and quality of care of primary care through big data analysis and measurement of PRO; effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of new models of chronic disease care, diagnosis and management of common health problems; use of antibiotics; health equity and health for marginalised groups; infectious diseases in primary care; sexual health and HIV.

Mental Health

Epidemiology, diagnosis and management of common mental health problems; and evaluation of mental health services.

Non-communicable diseases (NCD)

Observational and genetic epidemiology; trajectory patterns on clinical, treatment and complication profiles among patients; NCD burden on local health service utilisation and health policy; service delivery models for NCD prevention and treatment, risk prediction models for NCD service utilisation and health outcomes (e.g. cardiovascular disease) using big data analysis.

Research questions

• How to improve the health and primary care services for low-income families or disadvantaged populations?
• Can routine measurement of patients’ health-related quality of life improve quality of care?
• How to implement best practice in chronic disease management in real-world primary care?
• How to promote better health through social media or mobile applications?
• How to reduce treatment burden and/or improve patient capacity?
• How to enhance mental health in primary health care?
• What is the profile and outcome of non-communicable diseases?
• How can the quality and outcome of primary care be measured?
• How to advance continuing medical education for primary care doctors?
• How to improve the mental health and wellbeing of medical students and doctors?

Contact Person

Chairman of Departmental Research Postgraduate Committee
Dr Eric Yuk Fai WAN
Tel: 2518 5657
Fax: 2814 7475
Email: yfwan@hku.hk

Graduated PhD Students

Name	Position	PhD Study
Dr Rosa Sze Man WONG	Assistant Research Officer, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong	Health, health-related quality of life and behavior among children from low-income families, graduated in 2019.
Dr Christopher Yew Hong SEE	Lecturer, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong	A mixed-methods investigation of e-learning for medical education 2012-2016, graduated in 2017.
Dr Eric Yuk Fai WAN	Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong	Risk prediction of complications and mortality in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 2014-2017, graduated in 2017
Dr Ricky Man Kay POON		Postgraduate medical education among physicians in primary care practice, graduated in 2017.
Dr Denise Dan WU	Research Fellow, Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene, Tropical Medicine	Enhancement of doctor patient relationship through developing family medicine and primary care in China. 2013-2017, graduated in 2017.
Dr Tony Kai Sing SUN	Research Fellow, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong	Barriers and enablers to seeking help for mental health problems in the primary health care system of Hong Kong – A mixed methods study, 2013 – 2017, graduated in 2017.
Dr Helen Yanping ZHAO	Associate Professor, Beijing Genomics Institute	Testing an integrated PLHIV ART Management model in Guangdong Province, China: a randomized trial. 2013-2017, graduated in 2017.
Dr Winnie Wing Yan YUEN	Lecturer, Department of Counselling; Psychology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University	Effectiveness of the personal resilience and enrichment programme for mental health and HIV prevention among female sex workers in Hong Kong: A randomised controlled trial graduated in 2016.
Dr Frances Fangfang JIAO	Resident, FM, GOPC, Hospital Authority	The cost-effectiveness analysis of the Multi-disciplinary Risk Assessment and Management Program for Diabetic Patients in Hong Kong. 2012-2016, graduated in 2016.
Dr Wenwei HUANG		Minimally clinical important difference of health-related quality of life measurements, 2008-2011, graduated in 2013.
Dr Carlos King Ho WONG	Assistant Professor (Research), Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong	Health-related quality of life of colorectal neoplasia, 2009-2012, graduated in 2012.
Dr Elegance Ting Pui LAM	Lecturer, Division of Science, Engineering and Health Studies, Hong Kong Community College	Health-related quality of life and cost-effectiveness of treatment of people with chronic hepatitis B infection, 2006-2009, graduated 2010.
Dr Wendy WONG	Assistant Professor, Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine & School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong	Effectiveness of Chinese Medicine in Primary Care, 2005-2008, graduated 2009.
Dr Jun ZHEUNG		Orofacial pain and its functional and psychosocial impact: A community-based study in Hong Kong, 2004-2008, graduated 2008. (Co-supervise with Professor Ann S. McMillan, Faculty of Dentistry

Graduated MPhil Students

Name	Position	MPhil Study
Miss Julia Wai Han SUN	Clinical Psychologist, Hospital Authority	The effectiveness of online sexual health intervention, graduated in 2018.
Mr Edmond Pui Hang CHOI	Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong	Health related quality of life and mental health of people with urinary problems. 2012-2014, graduated in 2014.