PHPS41120 Health Technology Assessment

Academic Year 2022/2023

For the first two weeks the content focus on understanding the rationale for using HTA for decision-making involving either the introduction of new technologies ( e.g pharmaceutical, or medical devices) or the disinvesting of existing technologies. The module then focuses on an overall understanding of the basics of the different types of HTA as well as providing the tools to critically appraise a health economic evaluation paper and a Health Technology Assessment document.

To conclude, the students will learn simple modelling techniques using decision-trees models in a three-hour lab seminar.

This module is suitable for MPH students wanted to learn a different set of skills that could prepare them for working in the pharmaceutical industry or government bodies (HIQA), postgraduate students conducting a health economic evaluation or professionals working in the pharmaceutical or medical device industry,

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

1) Recognize the role that HTA has in the decision-making process to fund new medical programs, new drugs or medical devices and differentiate between affordability and cost-effectiveness.
2) Critically appraise a Health Technology Assessment document TA document or a health economic evaluation. Including sources of costs, sources of effectiveness, and measures of effectiveness or utility.
3) Construct a simple decision tree model or a simple Markov model identifying the sources for health utilisation as well as effectiveness sources

Indicative Module Content:

Health FInancing, cost containment methods and pros and cons of HTAs as a decision-making tool
Elements of a Health Technology Assessment
Types of Health Economic Evaluations ( Cost-effectiveness analysis, Cost-utility analysis and Cost-benefit analysis)
Cost sources, Effectiveness sources, Health utility sources
Types of models and assumptions. Decision tree models using excel and simple Markovs' models.
Budget Impact Analysis

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Computer Aided Lab

6
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Total

90
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module is offered in a blended format with the possibility of a complete remote learning environment.
We alternate synchronic/asynchronous learning through the module.
We will have two In-person sessions: Week 25 (27/02) - Critically appraisal HTA presentations
and Week 32 (17/04) - Decision tree seminar. Students would be able to attend remotely if they prefer to do so.


 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Knowledge of evidence-based medicine, epidemiology or statistics is desirable.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Group Project: Critically appraisal of a health economic evaluation Week 5 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes

40
Assignment: Problem-based assignment Week 12 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes

60

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group feedback provided on the day of the presentation. Final assignment feedback provided to the class.

Methods for the Economic Evaluation of Health Care Programmes/ Drummond. (Available @ UCD library on-line)
Health Economics. Textbook by Jay Bhattacharya, Peter Tu, and Timothy Hyd (Available @UCD library on-line)
Name Role
Darin Elabbasy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Diarmuid O'Donovan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr James O'Mahony Lecturer / Co-Lecturer