Graduate Diploma in Health Economics and Policy

NOTE: This course has had one or more changes made to it since publication on 1 October 2014. For details of changes, please consult the Handbook change registerHandbook change register (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/2015-change-register.html).

This course is designed for health professionals and health policy makers wishing to further their knowledge and/or extend their formal qualifications in health economics.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will:

1. be critical and creative scholars who:
• produce innovative solutions to health economics problems
• apply research skills to health system challenges
• communicate effectively and perceptively
2. be responsible and effective global citizens who:
• engage in an internationalised world
• exhibit cross-cultural competence
• demonstrate ethical values
3. have a comprehensive understanding of their disciplines of economics and health economics and be able to provide discipline-based solutions relevant to the business, professional and public policy communities we serve
4. have advanced knowledge to graduate diploma level in health economics and be able to:
• demonstrate analytical skills in economics to analyse the role of consumers, funders and providers in the health care sector
• demonstrate technical skills in economic evaluation to promote an efficient and equitable health care system
• examine health care institutions and the role of government from an economic perspective.

The course has two main components:

• four core units in health economics and policy
• four electives.

Students must complete:

(a.) four core units (24 points) as follows:

(i.) the following two units (12 points):

• ECC5970 Introduction to health economics
• ECC5974 Applied health economics and health policy

(ii.) two of the following units (12 points):

• ECC5971 Pharmaceutical economics
• ECC5973 Economic evaluation in health care
• ECC5975 Principles of health economics for developing countries

(b.) four elective units (24 points). Students are encouraged to select units from the recommended elective units and the unit from (ii.) not previously completed.

Recommended elective units

• ECX5921 Introduction to international economics
• MPH5020 Introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics
• MGF5923 Public policy
• MPH5040 Introductory epidemiology
• MPH5041 Introductory biostatistics
• MPH5042 Climate change and public health
• MPH5200 Regression methods for epidemiology
• MPH5202 Clinical epidemiology
• MPH5203 Environmental influences on health
• MPH5207 Chronic disease: Epidemiology and prevention
• MPH5213 Research methods
• MPH5218 Infectious diseases: Epidemiology and prevention
• MPH5236 Clinical trials
• MPH5237 Clinical measurement
• MPH5239 Systematic reviews and meta-analysis
• MPH5248 Primary health care in developing countries
• MPH5249 Field methods for international health
• MPH5250 Health of women and children in developing countries
• MPH5257 Aboriginal health
• MPH5260 Health policy and prevention in a global world
• MPH5265 Law for health systems
• MPH5267 Principles of health care quality
• MPH5268 Financial issues in health care
• MPH5269 Foundations of health policy
• MPH5270 Advanced statistical methods for clinical research
• MPH5272 Reform and development of health services
• MPH5283 Ethics, good research practice and practical research methods
• MPH5287 Alcohol and other drugs in society: A national and global perspective

Other elective units can be identified using the browse units toolbrowse units tool (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search) in the current edition of the handbook. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code; postgraduate units are those that commence with the number 5. Students must be able to meet any unit prerequisites.

Further unit information is also available on the Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine's information for current studentsinformation for current students (http://med.monash.edu.au/epidemiology/pgrad/) webpage.

Students should check when units are offered and whether they are taught in block mode or off campus.

Students who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma in Health Economics and Policy may be eligible for admission to course 3842 Master of Business Economics subject to satisfying the appropriate entry requirementsentry requirements (http://www.monash.edu.au/study/coursefinder/course/3842).

Students wishing to exit the Graduate Diploma in Health Economics and Policy early may apply to graduate with 2681 Graduate Certificate in Pharmacoeconomics after successful completion of 24 points of study provided they have successfully completed the units required for that award.