Brunel University
Denham, United Kingdom
Health Economics Research Group (HERG) is one of the centers of excellence in healthcare economics in the UK. It supports NICE in introducing new technologies to the UK. They run an annual crush course on economic evaluation in healthcare.
The course is run by the Health Economics Research Group at Brunel University. This three-day course provides an in-depth introduction to methods, techniques, and use of economic evaluation in health care for those with no, or little, previous training in health economics. It draws on the extensive experience of HERG and the teaching combines formal presentations, group work on case studies and opportunities for one-to-one discussions with the faculty.
The course consisted of 12 short lectures and three syndicate exercises. The lectures were on the topic of Costing, Discounting, Outcomes, EQ-5D, Modelling, Uncertainty, and Cost-Effectiveness. The exercises comprised of practical problem solving (and crunching numbers) with respect to Costing, Outcomes, and Modelling. There was one case study (“Cost-effectiveness analysis of screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm”) and a presentation of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. We got an overview of how NICE uses economic evaluation for Health Technology Evaluation and also what is their role in clinical guidelines development and Public Health.
For the first two days, an intensive lecture-exercise model was used. We were guided through a process of an economic evaluation: defining decision problem and scope, exercising preliminary modeling, defining design and constraints, identifying data and sources of evidence, extrapolation, and of course ways to present results. The last day was reserved for designing a custom economic evaluation. Participants were divided into four groups and I managed to secure the topic of telemonitoring for our exercise. We, as a group, have designed a model of assessment of telemonitoring patients with hypertension where the outcome of choice was a stroke. We designed a Markov model and presented it to the audience.
I got to discuss some of the issues from my research with the experts from HERG. Being able to interact with peers from pharma, industry, academia, and the public sector, I improved my understanding of the topic but also discovered new venues for more in-depth education and improvement. The University of York is a leading institution in the UK on the topic and together with the London School of Economics runs similar courses but on a more granular level. I look forward to exploring this further.
I am free to say that after this crash course in Healthcare Economics I am empowered to design and execute an economic evaluation of technology in healthcare. I got equipped with knowledge and skills and I’m able to further my understanding of the methods for doing so.
Each participant received a book on Economic Evaluation which will serve handsomely as a step-by-step guide. The materials (presentations, exercises, articles, questionnaires, etc.) were stacked into one big folder which proved as a rather convenient way of organizing the course flow. I can full-heartedly recommend the introductory course on Economic Evaluation in Health Care at Brunel University to all health economists in training.
Health Economics Research Group (HERG) is one of the centers of excellence in healthcare economics in the UK. It supports NICE in introducing new technologies to the UK. They run an annual crush course on economic evaluation in healthcare.
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| THE USE OF ECONOMIC EVALUATION BY "NICE" |
The course is run by the Health Economics Research Group at Brunel University. This three-day course provides an in-depth introduction to methods, techniques, and use of economic evaluation in health care for those with no, or little, previous training in health economics. It draws on the extensive experience of HERG and the teaching combines formal presentations, group work on case studies and opportunities for one-to-one discussions with the faculty.
The course consisted of 12 short lectures and three syndicate exercises. The lectures were on the topic of Costing, Discounting, Outcomes, EQ-5D, Modelling, Uncertainty, and Cost-Effectiveness. The exercises comprised of practical problem solving (and crunching numbers) with respect to Costing, Outcomes, and Modelling. There was one case study (“Cost-effectiveness analysis of screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm”) and a presentation of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. We got an overview of how NICE uses economic evaluation for Health Technology Evaluation and also what is their role in clinical guidelines development and Public Health.
For the first two days, an intensive lecture-exercise model was used. We were guided through a process of an economic evaluation: defining decision problem and scope, exercising preliminary modeling, defining design and constraints, identifying data and sources of evidence, extrapolation, and of course ways to present results. The last day was reserved for designing a custom economic evaluation. Participants were divided into four groups and I managed to secure the topic of telemonitoring for our exercise. We, as a group, have designed a model of assessment of telemonitoring patients with hypertension where the outcome of choice was a stroke. We designed a Markov model and presented it to the audience.
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| WORK ASSIGNMENT ON ECONOMICS OF TELEMEDICINE |
I got to discuss some of the issues from my research with the experts from HERG. Being able to interact with peers from pharma, industry, academia, and the public sector, I improved my understanding of the topic but also discovered new venues for more in-depth education and improvement. The University of York is a leading institution in the UK on the topic and together with the London School of Economics runs similar courses but on a more granular level. I look forward to exploring this further.
I am free to say that after this crash course in Healthcare Economics I am empowered to design and execute an economic evaluation of technology in healthcare. I got equipped with knowledge and skills and I’m able to further my understanding of the methods for doing so.
Each participant received a book on Economic Evaluation which will serve handsomely as a step-by-step guide. The materials (presentations, exercises, articles, questionnaires, etc.) were stacked into one big folder which proved as a rather convenient way of organizing the course flow. I can full-heartedly recommend the introductory course on Economic Evaluation in Health Care at Brunel University to all health economists in training.
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