The UK Degree Advantage
A UK degree in Economics or a related field provides a solid foundation in analytical skills and economic theory, which are essential for a Health Economist. UK universities are renowned for their rigorous academic standards and strong connections with the NHS and healthcare organisations, giving graduates a competitive edge in the job market.
The Role & Expectations
As a Health Economist, you study whether new treatments, medicines, and hospital services are good value for money. You collect numbers about how much things cost and how much they help patients. Then you work out whether the benefit is worth paying for, so hospitals and the NHS can make good decisions about where to spend their money.
Most days you will sit down with patient records and cost data, work out patterns using computer software, and write reports explaining what you found. You speak to doctors and hospital managers to understand what treatments they are testing, then calculate the cost per patient and how much better patients get. You present your findings to people who decide how money gets spent. You also stay up to date with new research and changes in how the NHS works.
Daily Responsibilities
- Conduct economic evaluations of healthcare interventions, including cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses.
- Collaborate with clinical teams to gather data and insights on treatment outcomes and resource utilization.
- Prepare detailed reports and presentations to communicate findings to stakeholders, including policymakers and healthcare providers.
- Utilize statistical software to analyze large datasets and model healthcare scenarios.
- Stay updated on health policy changes and emerging research in the field of health economics.
- Engage in multidisciplinary meetings to contribute economic perspectives to clinical and operational discussions.
- Support grant applications and funding proposals with economic evidence and rationale.