Program Overview

Introduction to Cost Effectiveness Analysis in Health

This course is designed for policy makers, clinicians, researchers, managers, and others working in the health sector with an interest in economic issues. No previous knowledge is required. On completion of this course, participants should have a better understanding of health priority setting and the application of cost-effectiveness analysis.

What You Will Learn

In a climate of increasing budgetary pressures, organisations are required to take into account economic considerations when making decisions. Economic analysis provides information that can strengthen a case for funding and is designed to be directly relevant to policy makers. This course will provide participants with an understanding of how economic analysis can be used to assist with the evaluation of health programs and how this information can aid decision making. The course will consist of short lectures, case studies, and practical class exercises.

Course Outline

• Module 1: Introduction to Health Economics Concepts in economics and economic evaluation will be introduced, including the role of health economic evaluation, the types of economic evaluation (cost minimisation, cost-effectiveness, cost utility, and cost benefit), and methods for valuing health outcomes using measures like health-related quality of life to produce quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).
• Module 2: Cost Measurement An introduction to the concepts involved in measuring costs for economic evaluation. The module will cover the principles behind the measurement of cost and will teach how to cost an intervention or program, how to analyse cost data, and how to present cost results.
• Module 3: Outcome Measurement Concepts involved in measuring outcomes for use in economic evaluation will be covered. Participants will learn about the different measures of health status, techniques used to value health states, the use of utility scales, and methods to calculate a quality-adjusted life year.
• Module 4: Interpretation of Economic Evaluation Results for Policy An introduction on how to properly interpret and use cost-effectiveness information to inform policy decisions, especially in relation to priority setting.
• Concluding Group Exercise: Application of Economic Evaluation Methods Participants are provided an opportunity to consider their own interventions or choose from the examples provided and apply the health economic concepts they have learned from the course.

Course Details

• Duration: 1 day
• Location: Online
• Fees: Early Bird $500/Normal rates $610
• Start Date: To be announced
• Course Dates: 5th - 6th May 2026 (online)

Application Procedure

Applications for courses can be filled out online. Applications close the day before the course date. For participants registering close to the course date, please be informed that extra requests or specific dietary requirements may not be catered to, and the availability of complete participant materials for the course cannot be guaranteed.