SA4N9E      Half Unit
Principles of Health Technology Assessment

This information is for the 2016/17 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Panagiotis Kanavos

Availability

This course is available on the Executive MSc in Health Economics, Outcomes and Management in Cardiovascular Sciences. This course is not available as an outside option.

Course content

Health Technology Assessment a multidisciplinary process that summarises information about the medical, social, economic, and ethical issues related to the use of a health technology in a systematic, transparent, unbiased, and robust manner. Health Technology Assessment differs in its governance, data and evidence requirements, assessment methods, and operational arrangements across different settings and contexts. This course is aimed at introducing the key principles of Health Technology Assessment, its operational modalities, the different models of value assessment and how they link to decision-making.

Outline of the course is included below:

1. The role of Health Technology Assessment in health care decision making

2. Models of Health Technology Assessment and their application in different jurisdictions - a comparative perspective

3. Governance issues (position in health care decision-making, topic selection, assessment process, stakeholder involvement)

4. Data and evidence requirements for value assessment

5. Health Technology Assessment and value assessment: focus on clinical benefit assessment

6. Health Technology Assessment and value assessment: focus on clinical-cost-effectiveness

7. Assessment methods in Health Technology Assessment

8. Explaining similarities and differences in Health Technology Assessment recommendations – a toolkit

9. The role of multiple criteria decision analysis in value assessment

10. Beyond Health Technology Assessment: links to risk-sharing and special purchasing arrangements

Teaching

10 hours of lectures, 10 hours of seminars and 1 hour of help sessions in the ST.

Given the executive nature of this course, it will be offered as an intensive, accelerated, and compressed module with a 1-week duration. 

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to produce 1 exercise in the ST.

A selection of multiple choice and open-ended questions to test extent of knowledge and understanding of syllabus

Indicative reading

Chalkidou, K., Tunis, S., Lopert, R., Rochaix, L., Sawicki, P. T., Nasser, M., & Xerri, B. (2009). Comparative Effectiveness Research and Evidence-Based Health Policy: Experience from Four Countries. Milbank Quarterly, 87(2), 339-367.

Banta, H. D., & Luce, B. R. (1993). Health care technology and its assessment: an international perspective.

Drummond, M. F., Schwartz, J. S., Jönsson, B., Luce, B. R., Neumann, P. J., Siebert, U., & Sullivan, S. D. (2008). Key principles for the improved conduct of health technology assessments for resource allocation decisions. International journal of technology assessment in health care, 24(03), 244-258.

Sorenson, C., Drummond, M., & Kanavos, P. (2008). Ensuring value for money in health care: the role of health technology assessment in the European Union (No. 11). WHO Regional Office Europe.

Sorenson, C. (2010). Use of comparative effectiveness research in drug coverage and pricing decisions: a six-country comparison. Issue Brief (Commonwealth Fund), 91, 1-14.

Assessment

Research project (100%) post-summer term.

A 3,000-word (excluding references) case study on a specific topic

Key facts

Department: Social Policy

Total students 2015/16: Unavailable

Average class size 2015/16: Unavailable

Controlled access 2015/16: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Specialist skills