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Unit outline_

PUBH5317: Advanced Economic and Decision Analysis

Semester 2, 2023 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit combines decision theory and more advanced health economic concepts to provide students with hands-on skills in specialised analysis methods, and modelling techniques, for evaluating healthcare options and reaching recommendations in the face of uncertainty. Students will calculate and analyse data from clinical studies, extrapolate clinical study results to other settings, and construct models that synthesise evidence from multiple sources. Specific topics of study include: decision trees; expected utility theory; sensitivity and threshold analysis; the value of information (including screening and diagnostic tests); the calculation and analysis of costs and quality-adjusted survival using individual patient data (including bootstrapping techniques); Markov processes and micro-simulation; extrapolation of time to event data for economic analysis and presenting and interpreting the results of (health economic) evaluations. Lectures are accompanied by practical exercises and readings. Students gain experience applying the methods presented in lectures via computer practicals using Excel, decision analysis software (Treeage), and relevant statistical packages.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Public Health
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
(PUBH5010 or CEPI5100 or BSTA5011) and (PUBH5018 or FMHU5002 or BSTA5002)
Corequisites
? 
PUBH5312
Prohibitions
? 
PUBH5205 or PUBH5307
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Kirsten Howard, kirsten.howard@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Alison Hayes, alison.hayes@sydney.edu.au
Rakhee Raghunandan, rakhee.raghunandan@sydney.edu.au
Tom Lung, tom.lung@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Written Assessment 4
written assessment
25% STUVAC
Due date: 08 Nov 2023 at 23:59
Answer short questions
Outcomes assessed: LO7 LO10 LO8
Assignment Assessment 1
Quiz
20% Week 06
Due date: 04 Sep 2023 at 23:59
Answer 20 MC assessment questions.
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO1
Assignment Written assessment 2
Written assessment
15% Week 07
Due date: 17 Sep 2023 at 23:59
Answer 5 assessment questions.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Written Assessment 3 - Report
Conduct a modelled economic evaluation in Treeage, and write a report.
40% Week 10
Due date: 15 Oct 2023 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5 LO1 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO6

Assessment summary

Assessment 1 - multiple choice online quiz

Assessment 2 - written assessment 

Assessment 3 - Treeage model and written report

Assessment 4 - written assessment

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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

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:

Late submissions will not be accepted for Assessment 1 - quiz - and a mark of 0 will be awarded. Late penalties will be applied to Assessment 2, 3, 4 of 5% of the available marks for each calendar day the work is submitted after the due date, and for a mark of zero to be applied to work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes

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.

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. structure and analyse decision problems using a decision tree approach
  • LO2. Incorporate diagnostic test information into decision trees
  • LO3. perform sensitivity and threshold analysis
  • LO4. apply decision analysis techniques to simplified health economic evaluations
  • LO5. understand health-related utility assessment
  • LO6. use Treeage software (to perform the tasks listed above)
  • LO7. apply the use of survival (time to event analysis) in economic evaluation
  • LO8. understand the implications of extrapolation using different survival models
  • LO9. construct and analyse advanced health economic models using appropriate software
  • LO10. conduct advanced sensitivity analyses on these models
  • LO11. present results/reports of economic evaluations in written form in a way that is useful for policy makers.

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
1.g. demonstrating specialist professional growth and development through research and learning
1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and
2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment
2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and
3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories.
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and
5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and
5.2.b. writing reports.
LO3
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
1.g. demonstrating specialist professional growth and development through research and learning
1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and
2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment
2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and
3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories.
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and
5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and
5.2.b. writing reports.
LO4
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
1.g. demonstrating specialist professional growth and development through research and learning
1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and
2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment
2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and
3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories.
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and
5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and
5.2.b. writing reports.
LO5
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
1.g. demonstrating specialist professional growth and development through research and learning
1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and
2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment
2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and
3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories.
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and
5.1.a. applying decision-making, clinical reasoning and judgement to develop a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan by interpreting and correlating findings from the history, clinical examinations, imaging and other diagnostic tests
5.1.b. managing complex cases, including compromised patients with multidisciplinary management, and
LO6
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
1.g. demonstrating specialist professional growth and development through research and learning
1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and
2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment
2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and
3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories.
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and
5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and
5.2.b. writing reports.
LO9
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
1.g. demonstrating specialist professional growth and development through research and learning
1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and
2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment
2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and
3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories.
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and
5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and
5.2.b. writing reports.
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
1.g. demonstrating specialist professional growth and development through research and learning
1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and
2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment
2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and
3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories.
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and
5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and
5.2.b. writing reports.
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
1.g. demonstrating specialist professional growth and development through research and learning
1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and
2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment
2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and
3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories.
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and
5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and
5.2.b. writing reports.

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

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