Alison F. Smith

Profile

I joined the Academic Unit of Health Economics (AUHE) as a Research Fellow in 2014. Between 2017 and 2019 I worked on completing my NIHR Doctoral Fellowship, which focused on exploring methods for incorporating data on test measurement uncertainty (aka analytical validity or technical performance) within Health Technology Assessments (HTAs) of in-vitro tests (in particular focusing on economic decision models). Since August 2020 I have worked as a Lecturer within the AUHE, and currently supervise one PhD student.

I have expertise in economic decision modelling, including Discrete Event Simulation (DES) modelling, using Excel, R and Simul8 software. My research focuses on the evaluation of medical tests and devices, and I am a founding member of the AUHE Test Evaluation Group (TEG). I also helped to set up the annual Methods for the Economic Evaluation of Diagnostics (MEED) Research Forum, which takes place annually at different centers across the UK; and I sit as an expert member on the European Federation of Clinical and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) Test Evaluation Working Group. 

I have a range of experience working on largescale NIHR HTA projects, as well as smaller industry-facing projects. My current research projects are focused on evaluating a novel point-of-care test for breast cancer, as well as assessing test-based monitoring strategies for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). In the past I have worked on a range of other disease areas, including acute kindney injury (AKI), head and neck cancer, rhuematoid arthritis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and bowel cancer. 

Responsibilities

• AUHE Modelling Methodology Group co-Lead
• Member of the AUHE Test Evaluation Group (TEG)

Research interests

My research interests focus on methods for robust and efficient evaluations of medical tests and devices. In particular I am interested in the impact of test measurement uncertainty on clinical-utility and cost-effectiveness outcomes; the use of early economic evaluation; and assessments capturing workflow and capacity benefits of tests.  

Qualifications

• PhD Health Economics
• MSc Health Economics
• BSc Natural Sciences (Maths and Philosophy)

Professional memberships

• UK Health Economics Study Group
• Health Technology Assessment International
• International Health Economics Association
• AUHE Test Evaluation Group (TEG)
• EFLM Test Evaluation Working Group
• EFLM Performance Specifications based on Outcome Studies focus group

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Health Sciences
• Academic Unit of Health Economics
• Test Evaluation Group
• Decision Modelling Group
• Health economics
• Diagnostics and pathology