Skip to main content
Unit outline_

HPOL5014: Foundations Health Technology Assessment

Semester 2, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

There is a need to improve the efficient and cost-effective use of health care technologies and services at all levels of the health system. This unit covers all aspects of the policy, assessment, monitoring and re-assessment of technologies and services, and techniques to support investment and disinvestment decision-making by public payers and funders. Students will work through key concepts in health technology assessment as well as the key institutions and processes for regulating and managing the use of health technologies. Students will work through real world scenarios as case examples.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Public Health
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sarah Norris, sarah.norris@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Sarah Norris, sarah.norris@sydney.edu.au
Kirsten Howard, kirsten.howard@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Marina De Barros Pinheiro, marina.pinheiro@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Reflections on Workshop 1
Written Assignment
12% Week 05
Due date: 28 Aug 2024 at 23:00

Closing date: 30 Aug 2024
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Online task Selection of health technology
Complete online form
8% Week 07
Due date: 15 Sep 2024 at 23:00

Closing date: 17 Sep 2024
10-20 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO2
Online task Key concepts in health technology assessment quiz
Online quiz
25% Week 09
Due date: 26 Sep 2024 at 23:00

Closing date: 28 Sep 2024
25 questions, 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Participation Discussion of selected health technology
Presentation
5% Week 11
Due date: 15 Oct 2024 at 23:00

Closing date: 16 Oct 2024
10-15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Outline of an application to the PBAC or MSAC
Written Assignment
50% Week 12
Due date: 27 Oct 2024 at 23:00

Closing date: 24 Nov 2024
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7

Assessment summary

  • Defining the question for a health technology assessment: You will be required to write a reflection on the discussion at Workshop 1 around defining the PICO elements for three of the four case studies discussed by the group.
  • Selecting a health technology: You are required to undertake your own resaerch to identify a health technology of interest to you, that will be used as the basis for later assessment tasks.
  • Key concepts in health technology assessment quiz: You will be able to complete this assessment at a time of your choice in week 9. The quiz will cover key concepts from weeks 1 to 8 of the unit of study.
  • PICO and evidence for chosen health technology: Prepare a PICO set and a high-level summary of the clinical evidence for your chosen health technology. This will be presented and discussed at Workshop 2.
  • An outline of a full application to the PBAC or MSAC: Write an outline of an application for public funding for your chosen treatment, using the template provided.  Provide details of the technology, the proposed place of the technology in clinical practice, the clinical evidence to support the application, the most appropriate approach to the economic evaluation and why, and most appropriate approach to determining the likely budget impact of approving the technology for use in the proposed population.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

 

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined in marking rubrics for individual assessments.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined in marking rubrics for individual assessments.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined in marking rubrics for individual assessments.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined in marking rubrics for individual assessments.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% per day (or part of day)

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 What health technology assessment is, why we do it, and how it can be used to inform policy decisions. Independent study (8 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 The main domains within an HTA Independent study (8 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 How HTA is undertaken in Australia, with a focus on the PBAC and MSAC Independent study (8 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 How to frame questions for HTA using PICO criteria, and working through case studies that illustrate how questions differ according to the type of technology under consideration (Workshop 1). Workshop (8 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 05 Writing reflections on Workshop 1 (Assessment 1) Independent study (8 hr) LO3
The different types of clinical evidence used in health technology assessment to determine safety and effectiveness. Independent study (8 hr) LO3
Week 06 The different types of health economic evaluation and how they are applied in health technology assessment. Independent study (8 hr) LO3
Week 07 General approaches to predicting utilisation and preparing a budget impact analysis for HTA Independent study (8 hr) LO4
Researching health technology to use for written assignment (Assessment 2) Independent study (8 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 08 The ethical, legal, social and implementation aspects that may be considered in HTA Independent study (8 hr) LO5
Week 09 Approaches to technology re-assessment, and revision of previous investment decisions, and how these are applied in Australia Independent study (8 hr) LO6
Reviewing material covered in previous weeks in preparation for Quiz (Assessment 3) Independent study (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Preparing a PICO and summary of clinical evidence for a selected health technology for discussion at Workshop 2. Independent study (8 hr) LO2 LO3 LO7
Week 11 Discussing PICO and evidence summary for selected health technology (Assessment 4) Workshop (8 hr) LO2 LO3 LO7
Week 12 Working on the full outline for an application to PBAC or MSAC for public funding for the selected health technology (Assessment 5) Independent study (8 hr) LO7

Attendance and class requirements

All students are required to participate in Workshop 1 and Workshop 2. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Week by week readings are available through the Online Learning Platform

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. explain how decisions regarding the use and funding of health technology is organised in the health system, including sources of funding, process and governance arrangements, key stakeholders, and relevant policy levers
  • LO2. identify and describe the types of technologies and services that can be the subject of health technology assessment, and their place in health care prevention, investigation, and treatment
  • LO3. understand the role of health economic evaluations in investment decisions around health technology, including developing PICO questions, interpreting systematic reviews, and applying evidence from clinical and health economic studies
  • LO4. understand the role of budget impact analysis for the implementation health technologies in the health system
  • LO5. identify ethical, equity, and implementation considerations relevant to health technology assessment in Australia
  • LO6. understand the nature and rationale for disinvestment decisions around health technology, and the role of clinical, economic, and real-world evidence in such considerations
  • LO7. write an application for public funding for a treatment that uses a new health technology, identifying relevant contextual, clinical, economic, and financial information.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has undergone a full review since it was last offered in 2023. An additional assessment task (weighted mark of 8%) has been added to ensure students select a health technology by week 7. This change is in response to students making very late selections in 2023, which impacted on their ability to participate meaningfully in Workshop 2, and to apply their learnings from the unit to a 'real world' case study. The online quiz has been moved from week 7 to week 9 so it can cover more course content. Accordingly, the number of questions (and weighting) has been increased from 15 to 25. The requirement for a formal presentation (with Q&A) at Workshop 2 has been removed as this approach is no longer feasible due to significant year-to-year increases in student numbers for this UoS. Students will now be required to present and discuss a summary of their selected health technology with their peers, and will be marked for participation.

More information can be found on Canvas.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.