In-Demand Skills: In today's healthcare landscape, evidence-based decisions are crucial. This programme equips learners with the skills to conduct high-quality economic evaluations of health innovations. Students will receive extensive hands-on training in model building and econometrics, working with real-world examples and industry-standard software such as Stata, Microsoft Excel, and TreeAge Pro. This practical experience ensures graduates are job-ready.

World-Class Faculty: The programme is taught by world-class faculty members from the Health Services and Systems Research (HSSR) Programme at Duke-NUS Medical School, a leading institution in healthcare education and research. The faculty has published hundreds of manuscripts in top journals and will use these as examples and case-studies throughout the course.

Flexibility: With classes conducted in English via Zoom in 3 hours blocks (6-9 pm Singapore time), the programme is designed to accommodate working professionals.

Career Opportunities:Graduates should be highly sought after in the fields of health economics, health outcomes research, and health policy.

The Graduate Certificate Programme includes four semester courses:

Course 1: Introduction to Health Econometrics (15 Jan 2024 to 19 Apr 2024)

This course is the first of two econometrics courses which aims to equip students with fundamental knowledge in econometric methods commonly applied in health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) and how to apply those methods using the Stata programming language. These methods can be used to

• quantify the direct (medical) and indirect burden of diseases and risk factors,
• evaluate effectiveness of health technologies, as inputs into cost-effectiveness and budget impact analyses,
• provide real-world evidence for use in clinical guidelines and policy recommendations

The course begins with basic statistical theory review and econometric analysis with the simple linear regression model to develop a foundational understanding of data analysis, model building, and hypothesis testing. It proceeds to include multivariate controls and binary outcomes. All examples are based on real world applications.

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to:

• Obtain good understanding of basic statistics theory based on the simple regression model estimation and hypothesis testing that are conducted.
• Gain familiarity with the Stata programming language, which is the standard for health economic analyses.
• Learn the assumptions of regression, inferences from data, model diagnostics, and model selections.
• Learn common sources of biases in regression models.

This course will require Stata software.
  

Course 2: Introduction to Health Economic Modelling (15 Jan 2024 to 19 Apr 2024)

This course aims to equip students with skills required to perform their own cost-effectiveness analyses of health technologies and to critically assess the quality of evaluations conducted by others. It begins with an introduction to key concepts in economic evaluation and decision-analytic modelling. We then transition to building decision-analytic models. We focus on two models commonly used in cost-effectiveness analyses in healthcare: namely decision trees and Markov models. The course includes hands-on-training on how to build these models in Microsoft Excel using real-world examples, so students understand how to implement these methods from first principles. Upon completion of the course, students are expected be able to:

• Quantify economic burden, cost interventions, and value health gains.
• Conduct cost-effectiveness analysis.
• Implement decision trees and Markov models in Excel.
• Conduct deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis of their models.
• Critically evaluate cost-effectiveness studies

This course will require Microsoft Excel.

Course 3: Advanced Health Econometrics (19 Aug 2024 to 22 Nov 2024)

This advanced course aims to expand students’ econometric knowledge and Stata programming abilities in three key areas of Health Economic Evaluation: (1) modelling discrete outcomes, such as number of admissions and lengths of stay, (2) modelling censored and non-normally distributed outcomes, such as medical expenditures and (3) techniques for causal inference. Estimation of these outcomes requires a movement away from traditional ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis. This course will focus on generalized linear models, count models, models that deal with data with mass at zero, models with long tails, and models that address endogeneity. Techniques include difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity designs, propensity score matching, instrumental variables and two-stage least squares.

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to:

• Lean how to choose model specifications for given data and research questions of interest.
• Lean advance Stata programming skills to deal with econometrics issues such as selection and other biases in real-world data.
• Learn the advanced econometric methods for conducting burden of illness analyses and policy evaluation.

This course will require Stata software and basic knowledge of using Stata.

Course 4:  Advanced Health Technology Assessment Methods (19 Aug 2024 to 22 Nov 2024)

Building on key concepts introduced in the introductory course, this course moves students from modelling in Microsoft Excel, which is helpful to ensure a basic understanding of cost-effectiveness analysis, to modelling in TreeAge Pro. TreeAge Pro is a specialized software that offers a range of built-in functions for more sophisticated models that are easier to produce, although often with less transparency. Using real-world examples, we will introduce students to advanced modelling strategies. Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

• Conceptualize and validate decision-analytic models according to best practices.
• Identify and synthesize evidence for economic evaluation.
• Use TreeAge Pro to construct and analyse decision-trees, Markov models and its extensions.
• Conduct budget impact analysis.
• Implement advanced modelling strategies such as individual-level simulations and distributional cost-effectiveness analysis

This course will require TreeAge Pro software.

The programme is delivered through an instructor-led online platform (zoom), providing convenience and accessibility. You can participate in the course from anywhere, eliminating the need for travel and allowing you to engage in the coursework at your own pace. Assessment is by short in-class quizzes, individual assignments, and group work. There is also a final exam at the end of each course.

This programme is well-suited for a diverse group of individuals who share a common interest in acquiring the skills required to conduct high quality economic evaluations of health interventions, whether they be medications, devices, or public health progammes. Whether you're already in the field or looking to enter it, the GCP-HEE offers valuable knowledge and skills for your career growth.

Health Economists:  Individuals working in the field of health economics, including researchers, analysts, and consultants, who wish to enhance their skills and knowledge in economic evaluation and econometric techniques.

Public Health Specialists:  Public health professionals who want to understand the economic aspects of public health programmes and policies, and how to assess public health interventions using economic evaluation and econometric methods.

Health Policy Makers:  Professionals in government agencies and organizations responsible for healthcare policy development and decision-making, seeking to obtain the skills required to make informed choices based on economic analysis.

Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Industry Personnel:  Professionals in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotechnology industries looking to obtain the skills required to assess the economic value of their products and navigate healthcare systems efficiently.

Academics and Researchers:  Individuals in academia and research institutions interested in advancing their knowledge in health economics, econometric methods, and economic modelling.

Career Changers: :Those considering a career change or looking to enter the field of health economics and outcomes research, especially if they have a strong interest in quantitative analysis.

Professionals in Health Insurance and Payers:  Employees of health insurance companies, managed care organizations, and healthcare payers who wish to understand the economic aspects of healthcare delivery and evaluate the costs and benefits of medical interventions.

International Students: Individuals from around the world who are interested in health and healthcare research and policy and are looking to gain expertise in health economics.

 

Course 1: Introduction to Health Econometrics (Every Monday from 15 Jan to 19 Apr 2024)

Course 2: Introduction to Health Economic Modelling (Every Wednesday from 15 Jan to 19 Apr 2024)

Course 3: Advanced Econometrics (Every Monday from 19 Aug to 22 Nov 2024)

Course 4: Advanced Health Technology Assessment Methods (Every Wednesday 19 Aug to 22 Nov 2024)

All classes are conducted in English from 6pm to 9pm GMT + 8 (Singapore time zone) via zoom.

Programme Fees

• Single certificate course is SGD5,400 before GST (USD4,000)
• Miscellaneous fees SGD25.70 per semester (inclusive of GST) for registration, copyright and computer account
• Full Graduate Certificate programme is SGD21,600 (USD16,000) before GST

Need-based scholarships are available for selected applicants.

Students have the option to enrol in a single course, single track (Health Econometrics or Health Technology Assessment), or the full Certificate. All four modules must be completed with a passing grade before the Certificate is awarded. The minimum time to complete the Certificate is one year but students may elect to take longer.

 

Applicants must have a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent to enrol. Proficiency to communicate in English. Work experience instead of a Bachelor’s Degree can be considered on a case-by-case basis. We seek enthusiastic participants willing to work in groups and engage with other students and faculty via zoom.  

 

Overall Course Director: Professor Eric Finkelstein

Eric Finkelstein PhD is Professor of Health Services and Systems Research at the Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore and Duke University Global Health Institute, USA. His research focuses on the economic causes and consequences of health behaviours and economic evaluations of health technologies and public health programmes. He has published over 300 manuscripts and 2 books in these areas. His publications have been cited over 100,000 times, including in the landmark Supreme Court decision upholding the U.S. Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare). He was included in the list of the World's Most Highly Cited Researchers in 2015, 2016 and 2017 by Thomson Reuters and Clarivate Analytics and among the Top 2% of scientists worldwide in a study by Stanford University in 2021.

Assistant Professor Soye Shin

Soye Shin PhD is an Assistant Professor at Duke-NUS. She received her PhD in Agricultural and Applied Economics from the University of Georgia, USA. She has extensive experience applying econometrics techniques to secondary data in order to answer interesting research questions, such as the effects of risk preferences on insurance demand, welfare effects of non-alcoholic beverage quality, nutrition intake sensitivity to food price and income changes, and building microsimulation models to assess the impact of food policies on diet quality and health outcomes.

Assistant Professor Chay Junxing

Junxing Chay PhD is an Assistant Professor at Duke-NUS. He received his PhD in Economics from Singapore Management University. His research focuses on economic evaluations of health policies, programs, and healthcare innovations using econometric and simulation approaches. He is currently leading several studies to quantify work productivity losses associated with cancer, and to estimate the cost-effectiveness of lung cancer screening and various food policies to improve dietary intake.

Assistant Professor Nicholas Stacy

Nicholas Stacey PhD is an Assistant Professor at Duke-NUS. He holds a PhD in Health Economics and Health Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science, UK. His research employs experimental and quasi-experimental methods to study the take-up and effects of public health and healthcare interventions. His current research investigates the measurement and effects of primary care quality improvement interventions, while prior research investigated the use of excise taxes and cross-sectoral policy on non-communicable disease prevention. Nicholas has consulted for the World Bank and World Health Organization.