Introduction to Health Economics

This module is designed to introduce the basic principles of health economics and equip you with the basic knowledge needed to interpret and appraise applied studies in health economics. The course covers issues including health and health care systems, methods of economic evaluation, setting priorities using health economics and the interface between health economics and health policy.

Learning outcomes
By the end of the module you should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the roles and limitations of markets and incentives in health systems;
  • Distinguish between the different forms of economic evaluation and show an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the various approaches;
  • Critically review published economic evaluations of health technologies;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the techniques used to measure both costs and benefits in the evaluation of health care.

Module outline 
Monday: Economics and health: Issues in health economics; welfarism and extra-welfarism and demand for and production of health

Tuesday: Introduction to economic evaluation part I: Methods of economic evaluation; measuring costs; measuring outcomes and trial based economic evaluation.

Wednesday: Introduction to economic evaluation part II: Introduction to decision modelling; dealing with uncertainty and other issues and presenting and using economic evaluation.

Thursday: Health and healthcare organisation: markets, supply and demand; market failure in health care and program budgeting and marginal analysis

Friday: Priority setting: Practical applications; case studies and group feedback session

Credits
20 credits

Module Attendance Required
1 block week of teaching

Module Dates
2018/19 dates:
8 – 12 October 2018

Assessment
1 x 3000 word assignments (70%)
1 Multiple choice question exam (30%)

Academics involved in the delivery of this module
Professor Tracy Roberts (Professor of Health Economics)
Mr Raymond Oppong (Lecturer in Health Economics)

Stand Alone Course

This module can be taken as a stand alone course if required. This module can be taken on a stand alone basis however it will not be assessed and no credits will be awarded. 

Fee if taken as a stand alone course
2017/18 module prices
UK/EU - £1099 (Public Sector), £1599 (Private Sector)
Non UK/EU - £1617

Entry requirements if taken as a stand alone course
There are no specific entry requirements to take this module as a stand alone, non assessed course.

Register online via the university online shop

More information

For queries about the MSc programmes, please contact: Caroline Harwood (Postgraduate Administrative Officer) or Dr Louise Jackson (Programme Lead) 

For queries about short courses, please contact Dr Patrick Moore (Deputy Programme Lead)  0121 414 3056, p.v.moore@bham.ac.uk