The aim of the thesis is to report on innovative and original clinical research that contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the medical sciences. The thesis must be prepared with technical and scientific rigor and will be presented and assessed by an academic jury in public examinations. An absolute requirement for the admission of the thesis is the inclusion of three original articles published or accepted for publication in an international journal indexed in the ISI Web of Knowledge.

The skills to be developed include the ability to independently design and carry out clinical research with scientific and academic rigor; the ability to communicate with the general society on the subject of the thesis; and the ability to promote the interconnection between research and clinical practice.

The doctoral student, with the support of their Follow-up Group, must build the ideal training profile needed to carry out their research work, reconciling the professional duties with obtaining the skills inherent in the 3rd cycle of studies. The initial training path is discussed with the thesis supervisors and validated by the Program Direction.

Scientific journal articles (mainly from international journals), books, scientific and/or technical manuals and other information sources selected according to the working theme chosen by the students.

The teaching methodology consists of scientific-pedagogical supervision of the doctoral student by the supervisor and possible co-supervisor, under a tutorial regime.

In addition to the submission of the annual progress reports, it is an absolute condition for the submission and public defense of the Thesis that a minimum of 3 articles be included in it, either accepted or already published in an international journal of the specialty indexed in the ISI Web of Knowledge.

The assessment will be made with the public defense of the thesis.