Applied Health Economics Postgraduate Diploma and MSc Courses
Why study Health Economics with us?
Our Courses
Postgraduate Diploma Delivered over 1 year, the online, part-time, distance learning, Postgraduate Diploma course is specially developed for busy health professionals. Formatted in 6 modules, each of 6 weeks duration; the course is designed to be practical and clinically focused. MSc The MSc runs over 1 calendar year. Starting with an initial 12 week online module to develop their skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies, the students then complete the professional project module which consists of a 1,500 word proposal and 10,500 word professional project.
Diploma MSc 2
Our online applied health economics courses are necessary to address the disparity between national and sub-national decision-making, and between different sub-national regions or institutions. They aim to standardise processes and give practitioners the ability to apply the same principles to their individual decision-making. The courses in health economics will enable health care professionals to be well equipped to elicit the maximum value from finite budgets. They will help students understand why health economics has and should become integral to healthcare decision making as well as understanding the underlying principles, methodologies and processes associated with this established and growing international discipline. Health economics is an established and growing discipline. Populations are ageing and overcrowded; people are living longer and have longer term health management needs. More complex research, development and diagnostic capabilities are leading to higher healthcare costs, healthcare budgets are stretched globally so that health economics is now foundational and integral to healthcare decision making at every level. Its principles, methods and related processes are now applied internationally to varying degrees across public, private and mixed healthcare systems and to decisions relating to drugs, devices, treatment pathways and preventative health strategies. This very practical Postgraduate Diploma and MSc will focus on direct application to current topics, case studies and processes relevant to the student’s own remit and country of practice. Unlike other courses, it covers the key disease area pertinent to health economics for healthcare decision making. These courses are perfect for healthcare professionals looking for distance learning health economics courses and can be completed in your own time around your busy schedule. View this document for our health economics course outline for the Postgraduate Diploma and MSc .
Diploma MSc 3
Applied Health Economics Postgraduate Diploma Course Modules
Our online 1 year Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Health Economics will focus on direct application to current topics, case studies and processes relevant to the student’s own remit and country of practice. The course is worth 120 credits and comprises 6 modules of 20 credits each. On completion of the Applied Health Economics Postgraduate Diploma, you will be able to: Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the application of health economics in healthcare decision making. Critically evaluate current research in health economics for healthcare decision making. Apply a critical awareness of current issues in health economic evaluations. Implement health economic evaluations in clinical practice scenarios. Module 1 - Health Economic Decision Making and Health Technology Appraisal/Assessment What is Health Economics? What is it’s purpose? What is HTA and what is it’s purpose? Common misconceptions of health economics & HTA Health economics & HTA as part of Evidence Based Medicine/ Practice (from National, to Sub-National, to Personal Practice) Health economics and it’s relevance to you as a healthcare professional On completion of this module the student should be able to demonstrate: An in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals on health economic evaluations The ability to critically evaluate processes used in health economic decision making An in-depth knowledge and understanding of the epidemiology and global impact of rheumatology conditions. A working knowledge of health economics used in health technology appraisals Module 2 - Principles of Obtaining Patient Access Identifying clinical benefit: Critical Appraisal and Systematic Literature Review Length vs. Quality of life (QoL): the Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) Challenges with length of life estimations: time horizons, extrapolation, bias towards the younger patient, the need for future discounting Avoidance of negative events Critical appraisal of clinical data: Evidence Based Medicine and HTA/health economic Decision Making On completion of this module the student should be able to demonstrate: A working knowledge of the way in which clinical benefit is measured and judged/valued in economic decision making.A working knowledge of the way in which clinical benefit is measured and judged/valued in economic decision making. The ability to critically appraise the strengths and limitations of the Quality Adjusted Life Year as a measure of clinical benefit The ability to apply principles of Evidence Based Medicine to assess the quality of clinical evidence used to support patient benefit within HTA/ health economic decision making.
Module 3 - Health Economic Modelling and Analysis Investigating and establishing the economic burden of disease Types of analysis: Cost-effectiveness, Cost-utility and Cost-minimisation Perspectives: which costs should be included? Willingness to pay thresholds Establishing budget impact Challenges: rare diseases, end of life considerations, unlicensed On completion of this module the student should be able to demonstrate: A critical awareness of the budgetary burden of chronic disease An in-depth knowledge of the implementation of health economic analyses A critical understanding of budgetary impact and thresholds of pay in health economics Module 4 - Understanding the Use of Data in Health Technology Assessment Additional Data Sources: Real World Data, Expert Opinion, The Patient’s Voice Statistics: Confidence intervals and p-values Statistics: Hazard ratios and NNT Statistics: Bayesian statistics and Cox model? Statistics: Sensitivity Analysis and Marginal Analysis? Statistics: Indirect Comparison and Meta-Analysis On completion of this module the student should be able to demonstrate: A critical awareness of the origin of data An ability to critically evaluate the validity of published data A critical appreciation and understanding of the statistical interpretation of scientific data related to health economics
Rutu Dave
Diploma MSc 4
"When I enrolled into the course I had no idea about the opportunities it would provide me with. Having my first paper published through this course helped me overcome my apprehensions of academic writing and made me more confident to pursue it further. " - Rutu Dave
Dr Kevin Fernando
Diploma MSc 5
"Little did I know that the MSc was going to be a significant stepping stone in my medical career! Both the diploma and MSc were invaluable in terms of expanding my knowledge and management, but also enhanced my critical thinking and writing skills." - Dr Kevin Fernando
Module 5 - National and International Health Economic Decision Making What are the international Health Economic decision making processes? Legislations vs. Recommendations Stakeholders and Payers HTA vs. non HTA processes: Procurement, Tendering, Commissioning Evolving Health System policy as it relates to health economic decision making On completion of this module the student should be able to: Critically evaluate, understand and contrast the current models of healthcare decision making Critically appraise the legal basis of economic decision making To be able to compare the international HTA and the comparison of HTA and non-HTA health economic decision making Module 6 - Sub-National (regional, institutional) Health Economic Decision Making How are national decisions applied at a Sub-National level? What additional information is needed at a Sub-National level and in what format? Who are the stakeholders/decision makers at a Sub-National level? Challenges: National recommendations meet Sub-National budget constraints. On completion of this module the student should be able to: Critically appraise the implementation of HTA advice at the regional and local level Appreciate the make-up and decision-making process of stakeholders at regional/local level Critically evaluate the challenges of local implementation of national decisions
Diploma MSc 6
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Health Economics - Assessment The course puts assessment at the heart of learning by using clinical scenarios to facilitate problem-solving, critical analysis and evidence-based care. The scenarios act as both the focus for learning and assessment thus embedding assessment within the learning process. Each of the 6 modules has the same assessment format. Due to the online nature of the course, students are expected to login and participate in the course regularly throughout the module (ideally on a daily basis). Students are split into groups of 10-15 students and are assigned a dedicated expert tutor who: Facilitates clinical case discussions with the group. Monitors, assesses and marks each student throughout the module Students use the following skills gained during the lectures to engage with the different activities : Clinical-Case Scenarios and Discussion - 40% Reflective Journal - 10% Module Assignment - 20% Case-Based Examination - 30% Teaching Methods Our courses are conducted entirely online through self-directed distance learning. However, you will receive guidance throughout with tutor-stimulated academic discussions, which are based on clinically-rich case scenarios. These usually occur within groups of 10-15 students, allowing you to clearly communicate with both your tutor and fellow students. You will participate in a combination of group and individual activities, which are recorded in a reflective journal. This innovative teaching method enables you to envisage the translation of your studies into your every day work and practice. Our dedicated Student Support Team are also available to help with any problems you may face. From navigating our online platform to advising you on deadlines, our team can assist with any questions or challenges you may have along the way. Online Induction Day Once you have secured your place on the course, you will be invited to an online Induction Day webinar. This will give you the opportunity to participate in study skills workshops on Harvard referencing, scientific and reflective writings, and levels of evidence in preparation for your studies. It is not compulsory for you to attend our Induction Day but it is recommended, as it'll provide you with a sturdy introduction to the course.
Applied Health Economics Postgraduate Diploma Entry Requirements
Diploma MSc 7
Health professionals working within a clinical setting, both UK and overseas, with a related Healthcare Science degree (including international qualifications) are eligible to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma course. Applicants without the above academic criteria but relevant/suitable experience can apply. Applications will be judged on the individual specifics of background and qualifications including ability to work at Postgraduate level (applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at Postgraduate level and demonstrate requisite clinical/professional knowledge). Applicants should submit copies of the following with their application: Qualification certificates One written reference English language qualification (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent)
Diploma MSc 8
Module 1: Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal Aim of the module: To help students recognise, understand, interpret and apply methods used in healthcare research and critically appraise the various methodologies specific to Applied Health Economics for healthcare decision making research. Synopsis of module content: Basic terminology used in epidemiological and research studies. Interpreting graphical representation of epidemiological and statistical data such as Kaplan-Meier Curves, Forrest Plots and Meta-analyses. Calculations used in the assessment of research data such as relative risk, absolute risk, number needed to treat. Basic statistical tests and their applications including t-Tests, ANOVA, Chi-Square. Methodologies as applied to applied Health Economics for healthcare decision making research. Fundamentals of evidence based practice and its application into the clinical setting. Establishing patient registers and the value of disease specific registers. Research into educational principles for both health care practitioner and patient. Ethical considerations in health economics implementation. On completion of this module the student should be able to: Interpret research in Applied Health Economics for healthcare decision making. Display a critical understanding of the clinical implications of research and its impact upon healthcare delivery and service development Apply evidence based practice into care
Applied Health Economics MSc Course Modules
The Applied Health Economics MSc runs over one calendar year. Starting with an initial 12 week online module to develop skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies, students then complete the professional project module which consists of a 1,500 word proposal and 10,500 word professional project.
Diploma MSc 9
Module 2: Professional Project Aims of the module: Develop an ability to critically evaluate areas of professional practice Critically appraise specific areas of clinical/ research and organisational practice Develop skills in independent research and study Develop skills relevant to scientific publications Synopsis of module content: The module will depend on the creation of a piece of work based upon a specific clinically related project relevant to the student’s practice. This project may comprise: Literature review and appraisal of the evidence. Audit of practice including organisational or clinical. Review and implementation of evidence-based practice. Qualitative or quantitative research (formal research involving human subjects is not anticipated). Case(s)-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal. Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment. On completion of this module the student should have: The skills to produce an extensive piece of literature which may be suitable for peer-reviewed publication. The skills to demonstrate an ability to recognise and implement good practice. An ability to critically evaluate practice and suggest improvements or change. Incorporated knowledge of the research process in developing services appropriately. Teaching Methods Module 1 - Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal. MSc teaching methods for this module are similar to the PG Diploma course modules however it is run over 12 weeks. Module 2 - Professional Project. To produce the professional project, students continue to use the online course; however much of the work is self-directed. Students are expected in the first 8 weeks to interact with their tutor on a weekly basis. Students select a specific project and submit a project summary/proposal (approximately 1500 words). Once the proposal has been approved, the professional project (10,500 words) itself is then completed through online guidance and supervision offered by the tutor. The student and tutor will interact regularly (weekly) on the dedicated students/tutor discussion area or through any other means of communication deemed appropriate by both parties (telephone/SKYPE/email). Note of any verbal communication with the tutor is recorded in the student's journal by the student.
Graduates of this course will receive a Master of Science award from the University of South Wales, Diploma MSc’s collaborative partner. The Applied Health Economics MSc course provides a progression route for the Postgraduate Diploma course in Applied Health Economics.
Applied Health Economics MSc Entry Requirements
Diploma MSc 10
Entry to the 1 year MSc Applied Health Economics programme will require the successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Health Economics (120 credits) either from the University of South Wales or from another UK University. Students may apply for the MSc as a two-year course consisting of 8 modules (180 credits), the first 120 credits of which being the Postgraduate Diploma. Applicants should submit copies of the following with their application: Qualification certificates One written reference
What do our students think?
Since 2010, over 1000 students have progressed their medical career by enrolling in one of our qualifications. We ourselves have learned a lot during this time and continually seek to improve the student learning experience. Here is what some of our previous students have said:
"I found the online learning very interesting. It enabled me to save money and time." Dr Imad Eddin Rahamtalla, Doctor "I strongly recommend Diploma MSc to all those busy physicians who are working in remote areas and wish to upgrade their knowledge." Dr Junaid Zaffar, Diabetologist. "The learning was fun and enjoyable. The course was awesome and it increased my confidence." Dr Sankar Nath Jha, Assistant Professor "I found learning with Diploma MSc interesting, it helped to update my academic knowledge" Dr Prasanth Kinattupurayil, Doctor "I love that it was flexible and that I could log in at my convenience. I found this course to be very in-depth, informative, challenging and stimulating." Kerri-Ann Best PGDip, RD "I feel that the diploma MSc program helped me consolidate my practical knowledge of Applied Health Economics and understand the global perspective of the disease as well. The PG Diploma has helped me grow professionally and helped me accomplish my dream of increasing patient education & awareness regarding the disease." Hemi Soneja PGDip MSc
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