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International Master's Program in health technology assessment and management: Assessment of the first edition (2001–2003)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 March 2005

Pascale Lehoux ,
Renaldo N. Battista ,
Alicia Granados ,
Pedro Gallo ,
Stéphanie Tailliez ,
Doug Coyle ,
Marco Marchetti ,
Piero Borgia  and
Gualtiero Ricciardi
Pascale Lehoux
Affiliation:
University of Montreal and Quebec Health Services and Technology Assessment Agency
Renaldo N. Battista
Affiliation:
University of Montreal
Alicia Granados
Affiliation:
University of Barcelona and Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research
Pedro Gallo
Affiliation:
University of Barcelona
Stéphanie Tailliez
Affiliation:
University of Montreal
Doug Coyle
Affiliation:
University of Ottawa
Marco Marchetti
Affiliation:
Catholic University of Rome
Piero Borgia
Affiliation:
Public Health Agency—Lazio Region, Rome
Gualtiero Ricciardi
Affiliation:
Catholic University of Rome
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Abstract

Background: Despite a clear call for greater input from health technology assessment (HTA) in the areas of clinical practice and policy making, there are currently very few formal training programs. The objectives of our Consortium were to (i) develop a master's level program in HTA, (ii) test its content with a group of Canadian and European students, and (iii) evaluate the Program's strengths and weaknesses.

Objectives: This study presents the results of our evaluation of the first edition of the Master's Program (2001–2003).

Methods: The evaluation relied on (i) a self-administered student questionnaire for each course (n = 142), (ii) interviews with students (n = 10), and (iii) interviews with internship supervisors (n = 5).

Results: A vast majority of students were satisfied with the course content and particularly appreciated the exercises and materials presented in an intensive format. However, they needed more systematic feedback from faculty members and recommended increasing the methodology content. The six key characteristics of the program are (i) flexible format adapted to the needs of skilled professionals, (ii) continuous interaction between HTA users and producers, (iii) international academic and professional collaboration, (iv) partnership with HTA agencies, (v) global approach to evidence-based methods and practices, and (vi) multidisciplinary approach.

Conclusions: Despite the numerous organizational barriers inherent to creating an international program and several areas for improvement in the Program itself, the Ulysses Project was successful in attaining its objectives. Because there is a growing need for human resources with special training in HTA, further efforts need to be devoted to strengthening the international research capacity in HTA.

Keywords

Health technology assessmentHigher training and educationContinuous medical education
Type
RESEARCH REPORTS
Information
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , January 2005 , pp. 104 - 112
Copyright
© 2005 Cambridge University Press

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