Introduction to health economic evaluation

This course will introduce attendees to key concepts used in the economic evaluation of health care interventions and programs, and how this information can inform policy decisions.

Attendees will learn:

1. Introduction: What is economic evaluation, why we do it and how is it used in policy. The importance of opportunity cost and choice of comparator. Differences in the types of economic evaluations that can be conducted, including strengths and weaknesses. What and who is involved in conducting economic evaluations.

2. Measuring and valuing health outcomes: What types of health outcomes are often considered in economic evaluations and what is a quality adjusted life year (QALY). How to value health states and whose preferences should be used.

3. Measuring and valuing resource use: The importance of perspectives, collecting resource use data and how to cost an intervention or program.

4. Decision rules: Presenting, interpreting and using cost‑effectiveness information to inform policy decisions, including the implications of uncertainty.

5. Reviewing economic evaluations: Introducing the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) statement.

The course will involve a series of short lectures with key concepts demonstrated using case studies and practical exercises.

Who should attend

Policy makers, clinicians and other health care workers, managers and researchers from the public, private and academic sectors with little to no experience in economic evaluation.