Health Technology Assessment

Career Opportunities

Health technology assessment is an internationally recognised form of assessment of a wide range of evidence to understand the implications of introduction, diffusion or disinvestment of a health technology (such as a medicine, device, diagnostic, or vaccine) in a particular health system. It involves identifying, collating, synthesising, and sometimes even generating, a wide range of evidence and presenting this evidence in a coherent manner to regulatory bodies in order that they can make a decision regarding the future use of the technology. The overall aim is to promote uptake of effective and cost-effective technologies within a health system while discontinuing or preventing the use of ineffective or cost-ineffective technologies.

Health Technology Assessment is a relatively new and expanding field driven by the need to manage and contain health care finances and systems globally. As such, individuals with an understanding and background in Health Technology Assessment are currently in great demand.

Our postgraduate programme in Health Technology Assessment provides students with knowledge and skills in the areas of economic evaluation, statistics, evidence synthesis, epidemiology, qualitative research and decision modelling and “fills a learning gap…for those wishing to pursue a career in health technology assessment within the public or private sector”^*.

Potential employers & roles

• Academic/research centres or universities – undertake HTA research projects funded by HTA agencies, national research bodies or health technology companies to support reimbursement or develop HTA methods. There are also opportunities to undertake further academic study (PhD opportunities in Glasgow).
• Private industry including pharmaceutical companies, bio-technology companies and health insurance companies – design and undertake evaluations (effectiveness and/or cost-effectiveness) for presentation to reimbursement agencies in support of health technology products.

Local or national government agencies, regulators, health service providers, international health organisations  (e.g. WHO) – commission and review assessments submitted to support reimbursement of health technologies;  undertake systematic reviews, evidence synthesis and evaluations to focus and direct health care policy; evaluate policy and programmes previously funded.

• National or international consultancy companies – undertake HTA projects for governments, HTA agencies or industry clients.