The University of Sheffield
Health Economics and Decision Science

Jen Kruger BSc, MSc

Jen Kruger

Research Assistant

Address:
HEDS, ScHARR
The University of Sheffield
Regent Court, 30 Regent Street
Sheffield S1 4DA

Tel: (+44) (0)114 222 5207
Fax: (+44) (0)114 272 4095
E-mail: j.kruger@sheffield.ac.uk
Room: 2004

Biography

I joined ScHARR in October 2009 after graduating in Psychology from the University of York in 2007 and working as a Research Assistant for a Health Economics research consultancy in York. Here I developed a keen interest and specialised skills in health economic research and in particular cost-effectiveness modelling. My background in psychology places me in an excellent position to develop integrated methods of health economic modelling and patient behaviour modelling.

I completed the MSc in Health Economics and Decision Modelling in ScHARR in September 2011.

The majority of my time is spent working as a health economic modeller and patient behaviour modeller in the HEDS section. This position is funded as part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) programme grant for DAFNE research.

Research Interests

I am currently investigating the cost-effectiveness of the DAFNE structured education programme for type 1 diabetes.  I have developed an integrated patient-level simulation model of clinical and psychological factors to account for treatment response heterogeneity in the cost-effectiveness analysis.  This methodological research aims to further the knowledge and practice of creating cost-effectiveness models that take into account the diversity of patient behaviour and the effects that behaviour can have on clinical outcomes and treatment success. This work is particularly relevant to treatments that aim to modify patient behaviour such as educational treatments.

I undertook a systematic review of cost-of-illness studies in type 1 diabetes. This consultancy work was funded by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

I am also working on a project for the South Yorkshire CLAHRC that aims to evaluate a pilot redesign of an adolescent diabetes service.  This project involves costing two new educational interventions, estimating the short-term cost-effectiveness of the service redesign, and projecting long-term costs and outcomes of the redesign.

Teaching Interests

Professional Activities

I am a professional member of the HEDS section Modellers Academic Group committee, the International Health Economics Association, the Health Economics Study Group, and Diabetes UK.

Current Projects

Key Publications

  1. Kruger J, Brennan A, Bond R, Cooke D, Clark M for the UK DAFNE Research Group. Modelling patients’ psychological characteristics, self-care behaviours and clinical outcomes to inform a patient-level simulation model of diabetes. Poster Presentation. From Evidence to Decision Making: Role of Behavioral Economics in Medicine. 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Medical Decision Making. Chicago, October 2011.
  2. Kruger J, Brennan A, Duenas A, Clark M, Cooke D, Bond R, Heller S and the DAFNE Research Group. Modelling the Interaction between Patient Behaviours and Outcomes in Type 1 Diabetes. Oral Presentation. Transforming Health & Economics: iHEA 8th World Congress on Health Economics. Toronto, July 2011.
  3. Kruger J, Brennan, A., Thokala, P., Fitzgerald, P., Heller, S. on behalf of the DAFNE Research Group. Incorporating psychosocial characteristics in cost-effectiveness modelling of Type 1 diabetes. Poster Presentation. Diabetes UK Annual Professional Conference 2011. London, March 2011.
  4. Kruger J, Brennan A, Duenas A, Heller S and the DAFNE Research Group. Developing a Structured Approach to Modelling Behaviours and Outcomes in Type 1 Diabetes. Oral Presentation. Economics, Modelling and Diabetes: The Mt Hood 5 Challenge. Malmo, September 2010.
  5. Beale S, Trueman P, Sanderson D, Kruger J. The Initial Evaluation of the Scottish Telecare Development Program. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 2010; 28:60–73.
  6. Hutton J, Cardow T, Kruger J. Organisational and Behavioural Barriers to Medical Technology Adoption. The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement. September 2009.
  7. Hutton J, Beale S, Kruger J. Pressures Faced by People who Care for Somebody with a Cardiovascular Condition. Poster Presentation. ISPOR 12th Annual Congress. Paris, October 2009.
  8. Stamuli E, Kruger J, Hutton J. Cost-effectiveness of Ultrasound Elastography in the Assessment of Liver Fibrosis. Centre for Evidence-Based Purchasing Economic Report CEP08053. February 2009.
  9. Beale S, Trueman P, Sanderson D, Kruger J. The Initial Evaluation of the Scottish Telecare Development Program. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 2010; 28:60–73.
  10. Bending MWB, Hutton J, McGrath C, Kruger J. Analysis of Factors Associated with Reimbursement Decision Making in Health Technology Agencies. Poster Presentation. ISPOR 11th Annual European Congress. Athens, November 2008.b

Section

Jen Kruger is based in Health Economics and Decision Science (HEDS).