Meet Syed Raza, tutor for our online Applied Health Economics Postgradute Diploma and MSc programmes.
What was your background prior to becoming a tutor?
I joined Learna in the summer of 2019. Before joining Learna, I have always worked in the pharmaceutical industry across commercial, market access and health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) roles. I am currently working for an American biotech with a rare disease portfolio.
How has the course helped you/your students?
The course aims to help students understand the principles and key fundamental concepts of health economics, such as efficiency, equity, resources, demand and supply. It aims to develop skills and critical knowledge in students that directly relates to current health economics practices across the globe.
Discussing scenarios, case studies, and practical examples of various health systems enables students to broaden their knowledge of how different health systems approach health benefits assessment, value, and access to innovative technologies. Tutoring on the course, I aim to ensure that students achieve their master’s or postgraduate diploma with confidence in their abilities as subject matter experts in health economics, and progress in their career.
How can students apply the knowledge gained from the Applied Health Economics course to their daily practice?
Health economics is fundamental to healthcare decision-making. Healthcare is dealing with issues like the ageing population with long term complications, resources are limited while demand for healthcare is rising. Healthcare and policy decisions need to be made about how best to allocate the resources at our disposal and make informed decisions that benefit the wider population. The part-time MSc or postgraduate diploma aims to ensure that students have fundamental knowledge and understanding of healthcare decision making and underlying principles, processes and methodologies. The online course enables students, whether they are working in a clinical setting or the pharmaceutical industry, to fully understand the principles of obtaining patient access, economic evaluation, and data requirements to make decisions at an international, regional or local level.
Do you recommend any website or research tools for students?
I always rely on different resources to ensure I keep myself up to date with the advancement in health economics. I often look and explore forums and organisations like ISPOR, HERC, YHEC, SCHAAR and journals like The European Journal of Health Economics. They have many resources and tools that are freely accessible to students.
What makes studying a Health Economics course at Learna | Diploma MSc different?
The key difference is that this course is 100% online with no commitment of specific time for both tutor and student. Students can create a schedule that fits their work and family life without worrying about missing lectures. The unique online learning platform enables tutors and students to discuss topics and scenarios in detail and learn from each other.
What is your favourite topic within your field of work?
I am particularly interested in health technology appraisal and different methodologies and data requirements by various HTA bodies. That makes my role within pharma and academia exciting. Ensuring we identify and develop value dossiers that reflect value to the healthcare system to ensure equitable access to healthcare and medicine across the globe.
What advice would you give to someone considering undergoing a health economics course?
I believe that the importance of health economics in healthcare will grow further. For anyone working in the healthcare sector, it is no longer a luxury, but rather a necessity to have a basic understanding of the principle of health economics. Furthermore, completing the Health Economics MSc or Postgraduate Diploma might potentially open doors to an opportunity for you in the healthcare industry.
About our Applied Health Economics programmes
Our online Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Applied Health Economics enables healthcare professionals to be well equipped to elicit the maximum value from finite budgets. It helps students understand why applied health economics has and should become integral to healthcare decision making as well as gaining a solid working knowledge of the underlying principles, methodologies, and processes associated with this established and growing international discipline.
At Learna, we have been perfecting our online learning platform for over 10 years, so it is safe to say we are specialists in online education. We understand that many healthcare professionals are extremely busy, and offer a fully flexible learning experience. With no lectures or set times to study, you can diversify your skillset with a fully accredited Postgraduate Diploma or MSc in Applied Health Ecnomics at a schedule that best suits your needs.
If you are ready to advance your career and gain expert insight into the field of health economics, visit our Applied Health Economics course pages.