Health Technology Assessment
UndergraduateADU-PUBH30172027
Previously UAD-PUB3547OUA
Course information for 2027 intake View information for 2026 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 15 Aug 2027
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Price from
- $2,200
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Health Technology Assessment
About this subject
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
- 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
- Understand the policy framework for HTA in Australia and internationally
- Undertake basic systematic searching for evidence on a health technology
- Critically appraise the quality of evidence supporting a health technology
- Recognise the range of approaches used in HTA to conduct an economic evaluation
- Recognise the role of ethical analysis and public and patient engagement in HTA
- Understand the complex issues associated with evaluating diagnostic tests in an HTA
- Interpret a meta-analysis and apply meta-analytic statistical techniques.
- What is Health Technology Assessment (HTA)? How is HTA done around the world?
- The policy context for HTA in Australia
- HTA Methods: (1) translating the policy question and study selection
- HTA Methods: (2) the search for evidence
- HTA Methods: (3) data extraction, (4) critical appraisal of primary and secondary research
- HTA Methods: (5) Evidence synthesis - narrative synthesis
- HTA Methods: (6) Evidence synthesis - meta-analysis, assessing heterogeneity
- HTA of medical tests and investigative procedures
- HTA Methods: (7) Economic evaluation – the basics
- HTA Methods: (8) Economic evaluation - interpretation, uncertainty and critical appraisal
- Ethical considerations in HTA
- Involving the community in HTA decision-making
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.
All assessment is assignment based.
- Short Response Questions (15%)
- Skills Demonstration (20%)
- Report (25%)
- Report (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
UAD-PUB3547OUA (Not currently available)
Others
Must not have completed PUBHLTH3547OUA Health Technology Assessment at the University of Adelaide.
Additional requirements
- Equipment requirements - Headphones or speakers (required to listen to lectures and other media). Headset, including microphone (highly recommended). Webcam (may be required for participation in virtual classrooms and/or presentations).
- Software requirements - It is essential for students to have reliable internet access in order to participate in and complete your units. myLearning is the Adelaide University's online learning environment. myLearning provides access to various features including announcements, course materials, discussion boards and assessments.
- Other requirements - Based on duty of care requirements, a student admitted to Adelaide University must be at least 17 years of age by the date of enrolment, in accordance with Adelaide University's Admission for Coursework Programs Procedure.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.