| Unit name | Quantitative methods for economic evaluation and health policy analysis |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BRMSM0047 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Moore |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
The aim of this unit is to provide an introduction to the quantitative methods commonly used in economic evaluation and health economic policy analyses. These methods will be introduced within the context of experimental studies (i.e. randomised controlled trials [RCTs]) to compare the cost and outcomes of health care in an economic evaluation, and various observational study designs to explore the effect of policy changes on health and health-related costs. This is a mandatory unit for MSc Health Economics and Health Policy Analysis it provides essential methodological skills in economic evaluation and policy data analysis.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
Students will build on the introduction to economic evaluation given in the unit ‘Concepts in the economics and policy of health and care’ (BRMSM0046) by exploring analytic methods for conducting economic evaluation and data analysis in practice. It also provides background knowledge for the remainder of the programme, particularly Economic Modelling for Healthcare Decision-Making (BRMSM0049).
An overview of content
The application of quantitative methods in economic evaluation will begin with methods for describing the data and move on to the calculation of summary statistics, the estimation of costs, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness parameters, and representation of uncertainty using, for example, bootstrapping methods. Initial data analysis methods introduced here include ordinary least squares and seemingly unrelated regression. More advanced methods include multiple imputation techniques to deal with missing data. Quantitative methods for observational data will then expand on previously methods introduced to include regressions for count data and dichotomous outcomes; generalized linear models; and an introduction to more advanced methods including interrupted time series analyses to identify potentially causal associations. We will discuss reporting guidelines for economic evaluation and observational studies using routine data.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will have acquired essential skills in quantitative methods to assist in future study and employment.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the Unit, students should be able to:
The unit will be delivered using blended learning. There will be a three-day on campus teaching block (18 hours). This will comprise a mixture of presentations on methods, examples of quantitative health economic and policy research and interactive practical sessions, allowing students to get hands on experience of data analysis using Stata with direct feedback from tutors and peers. Online asynchronous teaching (25 hours) will be linked with the weekly tutorials (7 hours, weekly across TB1B) and build on skills developed through STATA learning sessions (3 hours). Students will have the opportunity to learn about the theory and quantitative methods asynchronously and have this learning reinforced through Q&A sessions; quizzes and individual and group exercises during the weekly tutorials. Tutorials will also allow interaction with peers and tutors and completion of formative assessment tasks. The Unit also requires self-study of around 150 hours.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Formative assessment of the research design and quantitative methods discussed in this unit will be threaded through the unit in the three-day face-to-face teaching block and the weekly tutorials, using class quizzes; individual and group exercises and presentations on study design and analysis plans; and practical work based on de-identified health datasets with feedback from tutors (ILOs 1-4). Within the asynchronous materials students will critique a published quantitative research paper and using a discussion board identify strengths, limitations and policy implications (ILOs 5). There will be a specific formative assessment to generate a brief Health Economics analysis plan and a data analysis answering a specific research question, on which students will receive feedback from the tutor to support their preparation for the summative assessment. (ILOs 3,4).
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The summative assessment will be an examination with tasks designed to allow students to demonstrate the skills they have acquired on the unit. This will test students on their ability to use appropriate quantitative methods (e.g. regression, economic evaluation) to analyse, report and interpret data in light of their understanding of study design and economic evaluation methods (ILOs 1-5, 100% of the marks for the unit).
Students will need to obtain a mark of 50% to pass the Unit.
When assessment does not go to plan
If you do not pass the unit, you will normally be given the opportunity to take a reassessment as per the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes. Decisions on the award of reassessment will normally be taken after all taught units of the year have been completed. Reassessment will normally be in a similar format to the original assessment that has been failed.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. BRMSM0047).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
