Utility data for use in cost-effectiveness models

This course outlines the practical requirements of measuring utility and obtaining utility data for health technology assessment for agencies such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

About the course

NICE and health care funding agencies around the world are using QALYs (quality-adjusted life year), hence the need for health state utility data in their assessments of the cost-effectiveness of health care interventions. This raises questions about the measurement of health, the valuation of health and how to use the values in cost-effectiveness models. It creates additional challenges for meeting the requirements of a ‘reference case’ set of methods that may not be appropriate in all circumstances.

The course explores up-to-date research and guidance in utilities including mapping, the updated 2022 NICE recommendations for Health Technology Assessment, and identifying utility evidence and using it in cost-effectiveness models.

Who will benefit from the course?

This course is for academics, government agencies, pharmacoeconomists and outcomes experts in industry and consultancies with an interest in the use of health state utility data. The course will consist of a mixture of presentations, group work, discussions and individual exercises.

Course outline

Session 1 - Introducing QALYs and Health State Utilities for use in Cost-effectiveness Models

What is a QALY?
Preference elicitation
Whose preferences?
Generic and condition-specific preference-based measures.

Session 2 - Generating Health State Utilities for Public Policy in the UK in accordance with the NICE 2022 reference case for Health Technology Assessment

Revised NICE reference case
EQ-5D and how to determine whether it is inappropriate
What to do when EQ-5D is not appropriate
What is the role of vignette studies?
Vignette studies
Utility measures in children
International recommendation

Session 3 - Generating Health State Utilities for children and carers

Health utilities for children and how these differ to adults
Generation and use of utilities for children
Generation and use of utilities for carers in cost-effectiveness analysis

Session 4 - Identification and Review of Health State Utilities for use in Cost-effectiveness Models

Using utility data in economic models
Identifying appropriate evidence from the literature
Critically reviewing & synthesising health state utility values
ISPOR taskforce recommendations

Session 5 - Mapping

Mapping
Data, modelling, reporting and use of model outputs
EQ-5D-5L to EQ-5D-3L

Session 6 - Collection and use of Health State Utilities for Cost-effectiveness Models

Health state utilities for cost-effectiveness models
Collection of utility data
Use of utility data within models

Teaching staff

Dates and times

You can attend all six sessions, or select any number of individual sessions.

Session 1: 29 April
Session 2: 6 May
Session 3: 13 May
Session 4: 20 May
Session 5: 27 May
Session 6: 3 June

All sessions run from 2pm - 5pm (BST).

Fees

The fee for each session is £200 or £1200 to attend all six.

Current staff and students

Current members of University of Sheffield staff and students are eligible to book this course at the reduced rate of £180 per session, or £900 to attend all six.

An active @sheffield.ac.uk email address is required.

All fees are VAT exempt.

Booking and payment

Payment can be made via credit/debit card or PayPal.

Visit the Online Store to make your booking

Non-University of Sheffield applicants

If your employer is paying your fees and they require an invoice, please ensure you have your purchase order details before making your booking.

Current University of Sheffield staff and students

If you would prefer to be invoiced or to pay via an internal transfer, a purchase order will be required before you make your booking. Please contact your department administrator or finance team for help with this.

Difficulties making your booking?

If you are having difficulties making your booking, contact the Online Store directly at onlinestore@sheffield.ac.uk

Course delivery

This course will be delivered using the University's Blackboard platform. You will require

a reliable and stable internet connection.
a PC or laptop
a webcam and microphone (preferably a USB headset)
preferably a quiet room where there will be no/minimal disruption.
the ability to access Google applications (Google Docs, Google Sites, Google Sheets)

Note for NHS staff

We are aware of issues caused by NHS firewalls. We recommend registering with an alternative/non-NHS email and using a non-NHS device when attending the course, if possible.

Contact

For further information about the course, contact scharr-scu@sheffield.ac.uk

The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it is up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research, funding changes, professional accreditation requirements, student or employer feedback, outcomes of reviews, and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

Information last updated: 24 March 2025