Peter Ghijben

Peter Ghijben is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Health Economics (CHE), part of the Faculty of Business and Economics at Monash University. He is actively engaged in research that directly informs healthcare funding decisions in Australia and internationally, particularly through health technology assessment and economic evaluation. He is the deputy-head of the Health Technology Assessment programme at CHE and is accepting PhD students.

Dr Ghijben holds academic qualifications in pharmacy, economics, and health economics, which underpin his interdisciplinary research approach. His work contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to good health and well-being.

His primary research interests lie in healthcare decision-making, cost-effectiveness analysis alongside clinical trials, decision analytic modelling, healthcare utilisation research, causal inference using real-world data, preferences in health, and price negotiations in health markets. His expertise bridges clinical, economic, and policy domains, focusing on improving healthcare efficiency and equity.

The recent publications highlight a strong focus on health policy evaluation, particularly in smoking cessation, cancer treatment assessment, and mental health interventions. His work frequently involves collaboration with government agencies such as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), producing commissioned reports that directly influence public health decisions. There is a consistent emphasis on real-world data, behavioural responses, and the economic implications of health interventions.

Dr Ghijben has been involved in multiple research projects as a Chief or Associate Investigator, covering areas such as rare genetic disorders, cancer survival monitoring, and tobacco control. These projects reflect an applied, policy-relevant research agenda aimed at improving health system outcomes.

He has authored or co-authored several peer-reviewed articles in journals like Health Economics, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, and Nicotine and Tobacco Research, as well as commissioned reports for the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care. His research has been widely disseminated, with coverage in news outlets and engagement on social media platforms.

Dr Ghijben collaborates extensively with researchers across Monash University and external institutions, working on interdisciplinary teams to address complex health system challenges. His leadership in the HTA programme and involvement in national advisory frameworks underscore his role as a key contributor to evidence-based health policy in Australia.