HP4C1E      Half Unit
Economic Analysis for Health Policy

This information is for the 2021/22 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof Andrew Street COW 1.02

Availability

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

Course content

The course will serve as an introduction to major issues in the economics of health and health care. It will provide participants with a strong understanding of the role economics can play in health policy and health system administration. It will provide a framework with which to understand the demands placed on the health care system, the changing nature of health care supply and delivery, the interactions between patients and providers of health care, and the performance and productivity of the health system. Participants will also be introduced to essential statistical concepts in the evaluation of clinical interventions. Seminar sessions will focus on current policy debates in health care drawing on the theory and evidence from the lectures.

Teaching

The course will be delivered as a combination of lectures and seminars totalling no less than 25 hours.

Formative coursework

An 800-word “mock” blog entry for The Conversation, which covers policy-relevant issues written by academic contributors. A series of topics will be provided to students to choose from.

Indicative reading

Course textbook: Bhattacharya, Jay, Timothy Hyde, and Peter Tu. Health economics. Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.Chapters 2, 16, 17, 20, Sections 5.4, 6.3.

Pocock SJ et al. Making Sense of Statistics in Clinical Trial Reports: Part 1 of a 4-Part Series on Statistics for Clinical Trials. J Am Coll of Cardiol. 2015;66(22):2536-49

 

Assessment

Essay (70%, 2500 words) and presentation (30%).

The two assessments will be:

2. Individual-based presentation (30%). Students will record a presentation based on their formative blog.

1. Summative essay (70%) of 2500 words. This will be a fuller discussion of the topic covered in the blog and presentation.

These assessments will evaluate the students’ ability in summarising, applying, and critically appraising the relevance of health economics concepts to a health policy issue.

 

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Student performance results

(2017/18 - 2019/20 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 28.7
Merit 47.9
Pass 20.2
Fail 3.2

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2021/22 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: Health Policy

Total students 2020/21: Unavailable

Average class size 2020/21: Unavailable

Controlled access 2020/21: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Leadership
  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Commercial awareness
  • Specialist skills