In the course, the four most common health economic evaluation methods are analyzed. These methods are cost analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, cost-utility analysis and cost-benefit analysis. These methods are being used to answer questions of the following type: Should a new drug replace an old one? Is it cost-effective? Should a prevention program for a certain disease be started? Is it worth the cost? How are priorities made in health care and in which way can economis analysis contribute to the basis for decision-making? After completion of the course the student should be able to: discuss different features of the most common health economic evaluation methods in relation to the basic economic theory and concept that underpin them; analyze the advantages and drawbacks of different health economic evaluation methods; select an evaluation method and appraise why it is the most appropriate method for the evaluation of a given health intervention; critically and comprehensively assess health economic evaluations that reported in scientific journals.
Teaching is conducted through lectures, seminars and group exercises during two weeks course period. Teaching is given in English.