This course introduces Health Economics. Economic analysis provides a useful tool for studying the vast array of questions and problems surrounding the nation’s health care system. The health care industry will be compared and contrasted with other, more conventional industries or markets in order to identify strengths and weaknesses in the present system and insights into possible beneficial changes.
Course Format:
This course will be delivered through a web-based format and is designed for completion online. Within each of the eight modules, there are reading assignments, web-based projects, written assignments, and discussion questions or case studies. The weekly modules will be made available by 12:01 AM on Wednesdays.
Program Competency |
Course Outcome |
Weekly Outcome |
Evaluate public health programs’ use of financial resources and management techniques to achieve sustainability |
Analyze the components and effectiveness of different programs and approaches to health care delivery and availability over time |
Evaluate the ethical implications of different healthcare delivery processes. Examine the financial and sociological benefits and drawbacks of healthcare rationing. Discuss healthcare issues and delivery for uninsured individuals Describe possible policy alternatives when considering altering the current healthcare system. Analyze the factors in the pharmaceutical market that affect drug costs/affordability Craft an analysis report that provides recommendations for a real world health economic problem. |
Analyze the ways economic policy has affected various aspects of health care |
Analyze how “moral hazard” affects the provision of health insurance. Analyze how hospitalization and hospital costs contribute to overall healthcare costs. Discuss the factors that contribute to a perceived shortage of physicians and nurses. Assess how care consolidation affects services delivered and the availability of healthcare in different regions. Compare how acute and chronic care are provided and funded in Canada, United Kingdom, and the United States. Craft an analysis report that provides recommendations for a real world health economic problem. Describe the ways economic policy has affected the diagnosis, incidence and treatment of addiction and mental health. |
|
Utilize quantitative and qualitative data to identify and analyze factors affecting the health of a community |
Evaluate the factors that influence the availability and pricing of health care and pharmaceuticals |
Discuss the cost and burden of various health problems and how that could relate to the rising cost of medical care Discuss how demand for healthcare services impacts cost and availability. Examine the relationship between public health services and healthcare costs. Explain the similarities and differences among the medical care systems of Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Analyze the factors that affect the payment and provision of extended and long-term health care. Craft an analysis report that provides recommendations for a real world health economic problem. |
Utilize economic data to support health care decisions |
Apply basic economic terms and principles to health situations Identify the causes of the debate and desire for health care reform in the U.S. and abroad. Craft an analysis report that provides recommendations for a real world health economic problem. Analyze the contributors to the current opioid crisis in order to make recommendations for solutions. |
Forum Discussions:
Each student is expected to post at least twice each week in response to forum questions on that week’s topic. Because this is an online course, the online discussion portion is an important way to exchange ideas with your classmates. Students will be graded on their participation and effort of their posts. These posts will take time to complete but they are an essential part of this on-line course and a great way to get to know your colleagues. Please be familiar with the course material (readings/lectures) before posting each week. Full marks will be given to those who ask questions, bring in new data from the literature or other resources, and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the topics for the week.
Final Project:
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to health economics. It provides you with useful tools for studying an array of questions and problems surrounding health care. The final project for this course will combine what you have learned throughout the course.
For your final project you will complete an analysis report. Choose a case study from the list below. Use the provided resources as a starting point for your own research. Each case study presents an authentic “real-world” problem that needs to be addressed using specific concepts you were exposed to in this course. Please review the Final Project Document for a full description of this assignment.
Quiz:
There is one quiz in the first week of the course. This course will evaluate your understanding of the basic economic terms you were exposed to in your reading.
Other Assignments: There are other assignments in this course. Make sure to review the Blackboard course for more information on each assignment.
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Discussion | 3 points each = 24 |
Week 1 Quiz | 10 Points |
Week 2 Discussion: Choose a Case Study | 2 points |
Week 2 Written Assignment | 8 points |
Week 3 Written Assignment | 8 points |
Final Project Outline and Lit Review | 10 points |
Week 5 Written Assignment | 8 points |
Week 6 Written Assignment | 8 points |
Final Project Submission | 22 points |
Total | 100 points |
Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Week 1: | Jan. 3 – Jan. 10 |
Week 2: | Jan. 10 – Jan. 17 |
Week 3: | Jan. 17 – Jan. 24 |
Week 4: | Jan. 24 – Jan. 31 |
Week 5: | Jan. 31 – Feb. 7 |
Week 6: | Feb. 7 – Feb. 14 |
Week 7: | Feb. 14 – Feb. 21 |
Week 8: | Feb. 21 – Feb. 25 (Sunday) |
The assignment/discussion descriptions mentioned below are summaries. Please make sure to review the full assignment prompts in Blackboard. There may be additional readings/videos that are not mentioned in this weekly summary, make sure to carefully review the modules in Blackboard.
Week 1: Economic Principles and Medical Care Markets
Weekly Outcomes
Readings
Lectures
Assignments
Week 2: Economic Evaluation and Demand for Health Care
Weekly Outcomes
Readings
Lectures
Assignments
Week 3: Health Insurance in the US
Weekly Outcomes
Readings
Lectures
Assignments
Week 4: Managed Care, Health Care Systems in Canada and the UK
Weekly Outcomes
Readings
Lectures
Assignments
Week 5: Physician and Hospital Markets
Weekly Outcomes
Readings
Lectures
Assignments
Week 6: Pharmaceutical Markets
Weekly Outcomes
Readings
Lectures
Assignments
Week 7: Extended and Long-Term Care
Weekly Outcomes
Lectures
Assignments
Week 8: Addiction & Mental Health
Weekly Outcomes
Readings
Lectures
Assignments
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Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
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16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.