HRM Courses Taught by PATH Core Faculty

HRM 702 – Introduction to Biostatistics

Basic statistical concepts and techniques as they apply to analysis and presentation of data in biostatistical and epidemiology practice. The course covers: graphical presentation of data, elementary probability, descriptive statistics, probability distributions, and introduces hypothesis testing using parametric and non-parametric methods. Specific techniques covered include z-tests, t-tests, ANOVA, contingency tables, regression and correlation.

HRM 711– Health Economics and Evaluation

This course examines the application of economic principles to policy-relevant questions in the area of health and health-care. Topics will include applied health economics, economic correlates to health, demand and supply of healthcare and insurance, healthcare system financing, economic evaluation in the pharmaceutical/medical devices industries, costing methodologies, cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses, QALYs, decision analysis, modeling and means by which to improve value-for-money in the health sector.

HRM 721 – Fundamentals of Health Research & Evaluation Methods

The major components of research activities are covered, including concept of health, formulation of research questions, literature reviews, study designs, selection of study populations, choice of measuring instruments, and study interpretation issues such as determination of causality and the effectiveness of clinical and community interventions.

HRM 723 – Regression Analysis

This is a second level course in statistical methods, concentrating on regression models of various types. Topics covered include various main techniques of simple and multiple linear regression, and techniques such as use of dummy variables, covariance adjustment, residual analysis and assessment of model fit. A similar agenda is followed for logistic regression, appropriate for binary outcome variables. We also consider some advanced topics and related methods.

HRM 733 – Statistical and Methodological Issues in Randomized Clinical Trials

This course will consider important statistical issues relating to the design, analysis and interpretation of randomized clinical trials. Specific topics will include issues in sample size determination, repeated data evaluation, composite outcomes in trials, crossover trials, large simple trials, factorial designs, economic evaluation in clinical trials, cluster randomization, meta analysis, Bayesian analysis of trials, analysis of missing data, subgroup analysis, reporting of trials, data monitoring, and stopping rules.

HRM 737 – Economic Analysis for the Evaluation of Health Services

A practical course in techniques for economic evaluation of health care programs.  Methodology of cost-benefit analysis, cost-minimization analysis and health status index models are examined in detail.  During the second half of the course, each student is expected to complete an economic evaluation of a specific health care program or intervention.

HRM 740 – Advanced Decision Analysis in HTA

This is an advanced course in methods for Health Technology Assessment (HTA). It is a combined theoretical and practical “hands-on” course that teaches students the essential components of contemporary HTA. Students will be exposed to national and international HTA agencies and government decision making bodies, and their HTA guidelines and requirements. The course covers areas of systematic literature reviews, economic evaluation, analyses of uncertainty, value of information analyses, Bayesian decision analyses, quality assurance in economic appraisal, budget impact analysis, and knowledge translation. There is a heavy emphasis in this course on “hands-on” learning-by-doing with computer application of “real world” practical examples to cement student learning.

HRM 741 – Introduction to Health Technology Assessment

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) has the tremendous potential to transform the delivery of health care services, and improve health outcomes and quality of life. Decisions about whether to purchase and use new health technologies should be based on high-quality evidence of its impact on health outcomes, the health care system, and cost-effectiveness. Payers of health care face the challenge of aligning decision making with the best available evidence. Upon completion of this course, students will be equipped with the skills to evaluate the quality of an HTA, to critically appraise it to make a judgment about a study’s methods, results and conclusions. Additionally, students will be become adept in conducting HTAs and be mindful of the barriers to, and facilitators of, evidence-based decision making in the real world. 

HRM 791 – Topics in Advanced Health Economics

This course emphasizes economic modeling and testing theories of the behaviour of individuals and organizations in the health care system and its sub-systems (e.g. health insurance, health care); the methods and application of economic evaluation of health services, including health and biomedical research; and the analysis of alternative institutional arrangements as a response to market failure.
The specific topics addressed in the course may vary from year to year. A term paper by the student is required.