Workshop Objectives

Health Technology Assessment: From Theory to Evidence to Policy Workshop

One King West Hotel & Reisdence, Toronto, Ontario

October 19-22, 2010

By the end of the course, participants will:

  • understand the concepts, methods and critical issues in the design and conduct of HTA;
  • understand the different components of HTA and how to address them;
  • undertand the critical role of evidence and economic evaluation methods in the HTA process;
  • be familiarized with introduction and advanced methods of economic evaluation through practical hands-on computer-based exercises; and
  • appreciate different perspectives on HTA to complete the theory to evidence to policy loop.

The course will present the theoretical and practical elements of HTA through a series of interactive lectures and computer-based exercises.

Participants will learn how to compose a well-defined research question and to gather evidence to that end through internet-based literature searches.  Subsequent synthesis of identified evidence will also be taught.  Particular emphasis will be placed on economic evaluation as a component of HTA.  Decision trees and Markov models will be contrasted using real-world examples.  Hands-on, Excel-based exercises will guide participants through the "how-to" of trial and modelling-based economic evaluations.

Hands-on computer-based exercises will be carried out over the first 3 days of the workshop.  Tutors will be on hand to ensure a ratio of approximately 1 tutor for every 5 participants.  The 4th day HTA Forum will present the perspectives and experiences of Federal, Provincial and local users of HTA in a forum setting.

Software & Prerequisites:

Participants are expected to bring a laptop computer with Microsoft Excel installed and a mouse.  Basic familiarity with Microsoft Excel is essential.

For further information regarding this workshop please contact:

Christine Henderson
Tel: 905-523-7284, ext.5268
Fax: 905-522-0568
hendersc@mcmaster.ca