OL Health Technology Assessment (PG)

Postgraduate | 2026

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Area/Catalogue
PUBH 5022
Course ID icon
Course ID
204737
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
1
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

This course takes a broad view of the impact of health technologies on the health of the population & individual. Health technologies can include medicines, vaccines, medical or surgical procedures, medical devices, tests and investigations. In this course emphasis is placed on the methods used to assess these health technologies in order to inform government policy, clinical & public health practice. Methods include the systematic review of literature to assess the clinical safety & effectiveness of a technology, meta-analysis, as well as economic evaluation to determine whether a technology is good value for money. Attention is also given to the diffusion of technological innovations within their social, cultural & ethical context; addressing particular challenges with the assessment of medical tests; early assessment of emerging technologies; & to investment in, & disinvestment from, health technologies. The course has a strong practical focus & is taught by practitioners in the field.

Course learning outcomes

  • Describe and critically appraise the conduct of health technology assessment (HTA), in particular the use of systematic literaturereview and economic modelling, to inform the development of health policy
  • Understand the policy framework for HTA in Australia and internationally
  • Undertake basic systematic searching for evidence on a health technology
  • Critically appraise the quality of evidence supporting a health technology
  • Recognise the range of approaches used in HTA to conduct an economic evaluation
  • Recognise the role of ethical analysis and public and patient engagement in HTA
  • Understand the complex issues associated with evaluating diagnostic tests in an HTA
  • Interpret a meta-analysis and apply meta-analytic statistical techniques

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A