Outline

Overview

We need to ensure that the health care technologies and services used within the health system are safe, effective, and cost-effective. Policy and funding decisions based on these principles use the multidisciplinary approach of health technology assessment, which brings together methods from clinical epidemiology and health economics. This unit covers the foundational aspects of the assessment and re-assessment of health technologies and services (including medicines, medical devices, and medical tests) and techniques to support investment and disinvestment decision-making by public payers and funders. Students will work through key concepts in health technology assessment as well as the key institutions and processes in Australia for regulating and managing the use of health technologies. Students will work through real world scenarios as case examples.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Public Health
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Basic understanding of human physiology and the Australian health system
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Marina De Barros Pinheiro, marina.pinheiro@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Case studies	Reflections on Workshop 1 Written Assignment	12%	Week 05 Due date: 07 Sep 2025 at 23:59	1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Selection of health technology Complete online form	8%	Week 07 Due date: 21 Sep 2025 at 23:59	Up to 500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Key concepts in health technology assessment quiz Online quiz	15%	Week 08 Due date: 28 Sep 2025 at 23:59	15 questions, 10 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Conversation	Discussion of selected health technology Presentation	15%	Week 10 Due date: 15 Oct 2025 at 23:59	10-15 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Outline of an application to the PBAC or MSAC Written Assignment	50%	Week 12 Due date: 02 Nov 2025 at 23:59	3000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined in marking rubrics for individual assessments.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined in marking rubrics for individual assessments.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined in marking rubrics for individual assessments.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined in marking rubrics for individual assessments.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	What health technology assessment is, why we do it, and how it can be used to inform policy decisions.	Independent study (8 hr)
Week 02	The main domains within an HTA	Independent study (8 hr)
Week 03	How HTA is undertaken in Australia, with a focus on the PBAC and MSAC	Independent study (8 hr)
Week 04	How to frame questions for HTA using PICO criteria, and working through case studies that illustrate how questions differ according to the type of technology under consideration (Workshop 1).	Online class (8 hr)
Week 05	Writing reflections on Workshop 1 (Assessment 1)	Independent study (8 hr)
Week 05	The different types of clinical evidence used in health technology assessment to determine safety and effectiveness.	Independent study (6 hr)
Week 06	The different types of health economic evaluation and how they are applied in health technology assessment.	Independent study (8 hr)
Week 07	General approaches to predicting utilisation and preparing a budget impact analysis for HTA	Independent study (8 hr)
Week 07	Researching health technology to use for written assignment (Assessment 2)	Independent study (8 hr)
Week 08	The ethical, legal, social and implementation aspects that may be considered in HTA	Independent study (8 hr)
Week 09	Approaches to technology re-assessment, and revision of previous investment decisions, and how these are applied in Australia	Independent study (8 hr)
Week 09	Reviewing material covered in previous weeks in preparation for Quiz (Assessment 3)	Independent study (8 hr)
Week 10	Preparing a PICO and summary of clinical evidence for selected health technology for discussion at Workshop 2.	Independent study (8 hr)
Week 11	Discussing PICO and evidence summary for selected health technology (Assessment 4)	Online class (8 hr)
Week 12	AWorking on full outline for an application to PBAC or MSAC for public funding for the selected health technology (Assessment 5)	Independent study (8 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

All students are required to participate in Workshop 1 and Workshop 2.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Week by week readings are available through the Online Learning Platform

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. explain how decisions regarding the use and funding of health technology is organised in the health system, including sources of funding, process and governance arrangements, key stakeholders, and relevant policy levers
LO2. identify and describe the types of technologies and services that can be the subject of health technology assessment, and their place in health care prevention, investigation, and treatment
LO3. understand the role of health economic evaluations in investment decisions around health technology, including developing PICO questions, interpreting systematic reviews, and applying evidence from clinical and health economic studies
LO4. understand the role of budget impact analysis for the implementation health technologies in the health system
LO5. identify ethical, equity, and implementation considerations relevant to health technology assessment in Australia
LO6. understand the nature and rationale for disinvestment decisions around health technology, and the role of clinical, economic, and real-world evidence in such considerations
LO7. write an application for public funding for a treatment that uses a new health technology, identifying relevant contextual, clinical, economic, and financial information.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has undergone a full review since it was last offered in 2023. An additional assessment task (weighted mark of 8%) has been added to ensure students select a health technology by week 7. This change is in response to students making very late selections in 2023, which impacted on their ability to participate meaningfully in Workshop 2, and to apply their learnings from the unit to a 'real world' case study. The online quiz has been moved from week 7 to week 9 so it can cover more course content. Accordingly, the number of questions (and weighting) has been increased from 15 to 25. The requirement for a formal presentation (with Q&A) at Workshop 2 has been removed as this approach is no longer feasible due to significant year-to-year increases in student numbers for this UoS. Students will now be required to present and discuss a summary of their selected health technology with their peers, and will be marked for participation.

Additional information

More information can be found on Canvas.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

HPOL5014: Foundations of Health Technology Assessment

Semester 2, 2025 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links