ECON42750 Evaluation Methods for Health Economics

Academic Year 2023/2024

The purpose of this module to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of health economic evaluation of healthcare interventions.

This module will describe the fundamental elements of health economic evaluation as applied in cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA). This includes the use of the quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) as a single metric of health gain with interpersonal comparability. The module will also cover the calculation of cost-effectiveness ratios and comparisons to cost-effectiveness thresholds. The module will consider the theoretical foundations of CEA and its use in practice in policy making.

There are no prerequisites for this module. It will likely be of interest to students with a prior interest in cost-benefit analysis and the application of economics to inform public policy.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Students will be expected to:

To be able to describe the primary components of a standard cost-effectiveness analysis including cost-effectiveness ratios and the use of cost-effectiveness thresholds;

To be able to explain the rationale for conducting a cost-effectiveness analysis and the reasons why the application of cost-effectiveness analysis is contentious;

To combine technical understanding of CEA methods with insight regarding a pragmatic understanding of policy formulation to explain why the impact of CEA on healthcare services may appear modest;

To explain how cost-effectiveness analysis departs from conventional economic analysis;

The ability to present a critique of a published cost-effectiveness analysis, identifying points of strength and areas for improvement.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

76
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Conventional lectures from slide decks with positive encouragement of class discussion throughout the lectures. Lectures will be supplemented with reading list comprising textbook chapters and academic papers, both of core and optional readings. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Presentation: Mid-term presentation Unspecified n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

40
Examination: 2-hour end of trimester written examination 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

60

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 Thurs 09:00 - 10:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 09:00 - 10:50
Spring