PUB HLTH 7147 - Health Technology Assessment

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.