PDICSS was specially designed for graduates in the area of health sciences and / or health professionals or other professionals performing research activities in the areas of clinical and / or health services research.
During the first year students attend a specialization course that addresses a variety of scientific topics such as Health Research Methodology, Biostatistics, Evidence and Decision Making, Ethics and Law, Scientific Communication and Publishing, Health Research Informatics, Health Technologies Assessment, Health Services Research, Clinical Research, Research Protocols and Proposals, Laboratory Research, Qualitative Research, Aetiology, Risk and Prognosis Studies, Diagnosis Studies, Intervention Studies – Clinical Trials, Cost-Effectiveness and Decision Analysis and Synthesis Studies. 
The specialization course enables students to acquire the basic theoretical and practical skills necessary to develop a PhD thesis in the fields of research in technology assessment in health, clinical research and research in health services.  
The students are counseled by a tutor during the 3 year duration of their PhD as to their options in terms of curricular education and research project development.