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Methods for addressing selection bias in health economic evaluation

WE ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THIS COURSE. APPLY ONLINE USING THE APPLICATION FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.

A short course taught in London by health economists and statisticians working in the Faculty of Public Health and Policy, and part of the LSHTM Centre for Statistical Methodology.

Dates for 2012: 5 - 6 July 2012

Overview

Health economic evaluations often make use of observational data. A major concern is that cost-effectiveness results may be subject to selection bias. While sophisticated methods for addressing selection bias are routinely used in other literatures, their use in economic evaluation is limited.

This course offers an in depth description of methods for addressing treatment selection bias. These methods include regression, propensity score matching and a novel approach that extends propensity score matching, Genetic Matching.  The course will highlight underlying assumptions and the pros and cons of each method.

There is a strong emphasis on applying the methods in practice, with practical sessions illustrating how to implement each technique using readily available software (STATA and R).

The course is aimed at health economists, or statisticians with an interest in health economic evaluation. It is envisaged that participants will be interested in undertaking or interpreting cost-effectiveness analyses that use observational data.

Prerequisites

This is an advanced course focusing on statistical methods for economic evaluation. Participants would be expected to have some familiarity with STATA, and relevant statistical concepts such as OLS regression.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course participants will be able to:

  • critique the use of observational data in economic evaluation
  • estimate regression models for addressing selection bias in economic evaluation
  • estimate propensity score models, and use them for matching
  • use a computationally intensive matching method, Genetic Matching, that matches on individual confounders
  • assess the plausibility of the major assumptions behind each method
  • Implement matching methods in both STATA and R.

Teaching Methods and Course Materials

The course consists of lectures and computer practical sessions. Comprehensive course notes will be provided at the start of the course.  Computer practicals will use STATA and the R package, which is freely available with documentation here. The course is limited to 15 participants.

Course tutors 

Richard Grieve
Rosalba Radice
Zia Sadique
Roland Ramsahai
Noemi Kreif
Susan Gruber

Click here to see the Course Timetable.

Comments from last year's participants

 “Excellently worked out examples, very well focussed on the educational objectives”

“Brilliantly presented, both theory and practice covered”

 “Difficult subject, very well taught”

“Tutors were very helpful, lectures clear and well timed – very good!”

“The practicals were extremely useful. There was sufficient time to complete the exercises and I did not feel rushed”


Methods of Assessment

There is no formal assessment but a certificate of attendance will be provided. 

Course Fee

£675 (commercial sector)

£350 (public sector)

How to Apply

Please complete the ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

 

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to improving global health through its programme of short and full-time postgraduate study.

Please note:

  • If you have been offered a place on the course you will not be able to register without bringing formal ID (Passport / UK photo driving license) to registration.
  • The School may cancel courses two weeks before the first day of the course if numbers prove insufficient.  In those circumstances, course fees will be refunded.
  • The School cannot accept responsibility for accommodation, travel and other losses incurred as a result of the course being cancelled.
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