Since 2002, HealthSense has presented a total of £24,900 in cash prizes to winners and runners-up in this unique and highly-praised essay competition.
Now that the 2024 HealthSense Student Prize is open, students have until the end of April to write, refine and perfect their entries.
Don't leave it to the last minute.
The challenge
The HealthSense Student Prize is a unique opportunity for students of health care to hone their skills in critically assessing new research.
They are challenged to decide which of four hypothetical research protocols is most likely to produce gold-standard evidence.
Entrants must rank the protocols, explaining their choices in no more than 600 words.
Our medically qualified board of judges looks for students showing they understand the principles of sound research, including how to frame questions, construct a suitable research methodology, and know the importance of ethics and consent.
Past winners all remark how they enjoyed the task. Some comments:
“an opportunity to test my critical appraisal skills whilst improving my knowledge of clinical trial protocols for my research job”
“gave me a real appreciation for how research should be carried out”
Entries must be submitted before 23:59 BST on Tuesday 30 April 2024. Entries received after that time will not be considered.
For further information, to download the terms and conditions and protocols and for the online entry form, click here:
Share the news on your student and department noticeboards by printing and displaying this poster.
Cash prizes
There are two first prizes of £500 each, one for medical and dental students and one for students of nursing, midwifery and professions allied to medicine.
Up to five runner-up prizes of £100 are awarded in each category.
Winners get to attend a grand autumn dinner event in London to receive their prizes from HealthSense’s president, the writer and broadcaster Nick Ross.
They can also add to their CV the honour of having received a national award — which could give them the edge in a competitive job market.
We are grateful once again to the Royal College of Surgeons of England for their sponsorship of this year's competition.
Free student membership
HealthSense is an independent charity that promotes good evidence and integrity in healthcare. It is run entirely by volunteers.
Full-time students, whether they enter the competition or not, can take advantage of free Student Membership of HealthSense and receive regular updates and get involved in activities by our volunteers and student committee to promote good evidence and integrity in health care.