Post-event Report

SHORT MODULE: Evidence Synthesis for Health Technology Assessment

 Date: 13 Aug 2021 – 5 Nov 2021, every Friday

Written by Sarah Gan

Summary

Research growth and the related exponential rate of accumulation of publications have escalated the need for effective and efficient methods to synthesise the evidence base for evaluating health technologies. Working towards that, this module was designed to provide students with the skills to generate good quality evidence for conducting health technology assessments (HTA) that meet the needs of decision-makers.

Over the course of twelve weeks, from August to November 2021, participants were equipped with the skills to generate good quality evidence for use in health technology assessment (HTA). The live online course was a blend of online theoretical lectures, practical exercises and group discussions. Although we were joined by students of varying degrees of familiarity with HTA, the class gelled excellently and more experienced participants were able to lead discussions and share their knowledge with the rest of the students.

The semester was kicked off by Adjunct Associate Prof Kwong Ng, who is also the Chief HTA Officer at the Agency for Care Effectiveness (ACE). He gave participants an introduction to HTA, and the applications of which were brought to life with real-world examples. In the following weeks of the first semester, participants were also familiarised with the guidelines and software for conducting systematic reviews (by Dr Charles Zheng), meta-analyses (by Dr David Bin-Chia Wu), and tools for assessing study quality and risk of bias. The course commenced again after recess week with yet another captivating lecture by guest lecturers Omar Akhtar, Health Economics and Outcomes Research Director and Adrien Gras, Director of Market Access from leading global market research agency, Ipsos. Then, participants were brought through diagnoses and clinical screening measures in clinical epidemiology (by Dr Jeff Hwang). The module rounded off with an introduction to health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and participants learnt how to identify, evaluate and use HRQOL data in the literature (by Associate Prof Luo Nan).

Participant Testimonials

Overall, participants found the course organised, comprehensive, and detailed. Participants were satisfied with the pace of the course, and appreciated the intensity and depth of the topics covered each week. Participants also thoroughly enjoyed the group discussions, and yearn for more opportunities for practical exercises in future lectures.