The aim is to give an overview of the theory underlying economic evaluation as applied to the health care sector; to consider the different forms of economic evaluation; to give an understanding of the techniques associated with economic evaluation as applied to health care; to give an understanding of the interpretation of the results gained from economic evaluation; to provide the main practical tools necessary to undertake economic evaluation using computer-based programs.

The course will cover the following topics: Conceptual rationales for economic evaluation in the health care sector (Pareto efficiency, Social Welfare, extra-welfarism and decision-making); Introduction to the methods of economic evaluation: cost-effectiveness analysis, cost-utility analysis, and Cost-benefit analysis; Cost data; Incremental cost-effectiveness analysis; Quality Adjusted Life Years gained and other outcome measures; Discounting; Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis; Economic evaluation and clinical trials; Policy decision-making using economic evaluation.