PUB HLTH 7147OL - Health Technology Assessment

Online - Semester 2 - 2023

This course takes a broad view of the impact of health technologies on the health of the population & individual. Health technologies can include medical procedures, medical devices, diagnostic & investigative technologies, pharmaceuticals & public health interventions. In this course emphasis is placed on the methods used to assess these health technologies in order to inform government policy, clinical & public health practice. Methods include the systematic review of literature to assess the safety & effectiveness of a technology, meta-analysis,as well as economic evaluation to determine whether a technology is cost-effective. Attention is also given to the diffusion of technological innovations within their social, cultural & ethical context; addressing particular challenges with the assessment of medical tests; to horizon scanning for new & emerging technologies; & to investment in, & disinvestment from, health technologies. The course has a strong practical focus & is taught by practitioners in the field.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PUB HLTH 7147OL
    Course Health Technology Assessment
    Coordinating Unit Public Health
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s Online
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week of online activity
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Incompatible PUB HLTH 7147
    Assumed Knowledge PUB HLTH 7075 & PUB HLTH 7074 & PUB HLTH 7081
    Assessment Quizzes, Group oral presentation, completion of learning modules and major assignment
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Tracy Merlin

    Course Coordinator: Professor Tracy Merlin
    Phone: +61 8313 3575
    Email: tracy.merlin@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: AHTA, School of Public Health,
                   Rundle Mall Plaza,
                   Level 4, 50 Rundle Mall
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    The course is wholly online. Timetabling is not required for asynchronous engagement with the learning modules.
    For synchronous ('real time') teaching via zoom, 1 hour of contact every second week will occur and a 1 hour zoom 'drop in' session will be offered in the alternate week.
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Describe  and critically appraise the conduct of health technology assessment (HTA), in particular the use of systematic literature
    review and economic modelling, to inform the development of health policy
    2 Understand the policy framework for HTA in Australia and internationally
    3 Undertake basic systematic searching for evidence on a health technology
    4 Critically appraise the quality of evidence supporting a health technology
    5 Recognise the range of approaches used in HTA to conduct an economic evaluation
    6 Recognise the role of ethical analysis and public and patient engagement in HTA
    7 Understand the complex issues associated with evaluating diagnostic tests in an HTA
    8 Interpret a meta-analysis and apply meta-analytic statistical techniques
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-8

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1, 3-8

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1, 4, 5, 6, 7

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    3, 5, 7, 8

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    2, 6

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    N/A

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    1-8

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1-8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Please obtain an electronic copy of the Health Technology  Assessment Handbook.

    All Required Readings will be available through the University Learning Management System (MyUni http://www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/).
    Recommended Resources
    Refer to Health Technology Assessment Handbook and to the course information on MyUni, http://www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/.

    Access to this course will be available through MyUni after enrolment.

    Additional course-related material will be available through MyUni. This includes the course timetable, e-learning modules, discussion boards and more information on learning support services available for students. Recordings of synchronous teaching sessions offered online (through Zoom) will also be available.
    Online Learning
    Across most of the course the delivery will alternate each week between asynchronous and synchronous learning.

    In weeks designated for asynchronous learning, the resources include very short (10-15 minute) narrated lectures with powerpoint slides, web resources (including YouTube educational videos), a series of readings relevant to the topic, and activities developed to test understanding of the topics.

    In weeks designated for synchronous learning, the resources include Zoom virtual classes for ‘real time’ delivery and discussion of lecture material and group work on practicals (and the one group assignment), readings, and web links relevant to the topic.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course is delivered wholly online. Materials are presented in learning modules that need to be worked through. Every second week there is a zoom class in 'real time' (which is also recorded) and there is also zoom drop in session in the alternate week.
    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    No information currently available.

    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    All assignments are submitted online using MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

    Students are encouraged to provide feedback on the course through the mechanism of SELTs. If responses from students to the SELT survey falls below 5, aggregated data and comments are not provided to the course coordinator, so it is really important that you provide feedback when asked via email to do so. Last year there was 84% broad agreement by students that they were satisfied with the quality of the course. The median score was 6 out of a possible 7, with 7 indicating strong agreement that the course was of good quality.
  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.