Syllabus

Schedule

Course Schedule at a Glance

Week	Topic	Activities and Assignments	Dates
1	Overview of US Healthcare Delivery	Introduction Reading: Ch. 1 Discussion Posting	1/6/2016 – 1/10/2016
2	Health Systems Foundations	Reading: Chs. 2, 3 Discussion Posting	1/11/2016 – 1/17/2016
3	Health Systems Resources	Reading: Chs. 4, 5, 6 Discussion Posting Research Paper #1	1/18/2016 – 1/24/2016
4	Health Systems Processes	Reading: Chs. 7, 8 Discussion Posting	1/25/2016 – 1/31/2016
5	Managed Care and Integrated Health Systems	Reading: Ch. 9 Discussion Posting	2/1/2016 – 2/7/2016
6	Health Services for Special Populations	Reading: Chs. 10, 11 Discussion Posting Research Paper #2	2/8/2016 – 2/14/2016
7	Systems Outcomes	Reading: Chs. 12, 13 Discussion Posting	2/15/2016 – 2/21/2016
8	Future of Health Services Delivery	Reading: Ch. 14 Discussion Posting- Final PowerPoint Presentation	2/22/2016 – 2/28/2016

Detailed Course Schedule

Week 1

Themes: Overview of US Health Care Delivery System

Readings: Ch. 1

Weekly Learning Objectives (WLOs):

• Explain the basic components of a healthcare system
• Discuss the primary characteristics of the US healthcare system

Discussion Board Assignment:

A system consists of a set of interrelating and interdependent, logically coordinated components designed to achieve common goals. In the next few weeks, we will consider the factors that comprise the foundation of healthcare as well as the resources, processes, outcomes with a look toward the future of health services delivery. Who are the major players in the US health services system? What are the positive and negative effects of the often conflicting self-interests of these players? How does this affect your role as a healthcare professional (or potential healthcare professional) in the planning and delivery of services? Please be specific with your examples.

Week 2

Themes: Health System Foundations

Readings: Chs. 2, 3

WLOs:

• Discuss the implications of competing American anthro-cultural values for healthcare delivery
• Explain the evolution of the US healthcare delivery system, including resistance to national health insurance, corporatization, and the ACA.

Discussion Board Assignment:

Our reading this week discussed the various facets of health and its determinants, including ongoing initiatives in the areas of prevention, health promotion, protection, and equality. Equitable access to health services is addressed by the contrasting theories of market justice and social justice. Many of the characteristics of the US healthcare system can be traced back to the beliefs and values underlying American culture. The US is deeply divided over issues of healthcare and its financing. The ACA still faces legal and implementation challenges.

Discuss the main cultural beliefs and values in American society that have influenced healthcare delivery and how they have shaped the healthcare delivery system. How can you as a healthcare professional, or a potential healthcare professional, use the various measures of health status and service utilization that were discussed in this week’s readings?

Week 3

Themes: Health System Resources

Readings: Chs. 4, 5, 6

WLOs:

• Explain the role of medical technology in healthcare delivery.
• Describe the role of healthcare financing and how it affects the delivery of healthcare, including medical technology.

Discussion Board Assignment

Healthcare providers use technology in their daily activities. Medical technology affects quality of care, quality of life, access, cost, as well as the delivery of care. Health services financing pays for services rendered by healthcare professionals, including the use of technology.

What is meant by healthcare financing in its broad sense? What effect does financing have on the healthcare delivery system, including technology? Provide specific examples as it affects your place of work or a healthcare facility with which you are familiar.

Research Paper #1

• The literature tells us that lack of exercise, smoking, and poor nutritional habits are the leading contributors to chronic conditions such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. What would research suggest that we do to address these issues? Describe the necessary health systems foundations as well as resources required. Conduct a comprehensive review of the available literature, summarize key findings, analyze the body of knowledge, and provide your own perspectives and application. You will need to draw upon your course readings as well as conduct additional research.

  Remember, this is a professional paper. Use conventional grammar, punctuation and mechanics. Your paper should flow well and be organized to effectively guide the reader in learning about the topic. Use APA formatting, including an APA formatted reference page that includes at least 4 peer-reviewed articles published within the last 5 years. Paper length: 5 to 7 pages, not including cover page and reference page.

Week 4

Themes: Health Systems Processes

Readings: Chs. 7, 8

WLOs:

• Explain the differences between outpatient, ambulatory, and primary care including the use of patient-centered medical homes and community-based centers
• Discuss the evolution of hospitals
• Discuss key measures pertaining to hospital operations and inpatient utilization

Discussion Board Assignment

Our reading this week reviewed the history of healthcare delivery. The main settings for ambulatory services have come full circle, beginning with a shift from outpatient settings to hospitals. Now, ambulatory services have moved outside the hospital in response to changing economic incentives within the healthcare delivery system.

Discuss the different types of healthcare facilities and the roles they play in the delivery of healthcare services. What role has the government played in the growth as well as the decline of hospitals? Describe some of the changes in the health services delivery system that have led to a growth in ambulatory services. What are the closest hospitals to where you live? What services do they offer? How do these services and location(s) affect your community?

Week 5

Themes: Managed Care and Integrated Health Systems

Readings: Ch. 9

WLOs:

• Explain the basics of managed care
• Discuss the provisions in the Affordable Care Act that apply to managed care

Discussion Board Assignment

Even though managed care has become the dominant medium through which the vast majority of Americans obtain healthcare services, its full potential to achieve cost effectiveness has not been realized. The pace of integration between physicians and hospitals has accelerated since the passage of the Affordable Care Act. To what extent has managed care been successful in containing healthcare costs? What affect has managed care had on the quality of healthcare? Please provide examples from your personal experience, either as a healthcare professional or as a consumer.

Week 6

Themes: Health Services for Special Populations

Readings: Chs. 10, 11

WLOs:

• Explain the challenges and barriers encountered by certain population groups when they try to access healthcare services
• Explore trends, utilization, costs and benefits of the ACA for certain vulnerable groups
• Discuss the healthcare systems of other countries

Discussion Board Assignment

The reading this week reviews the major characteristics of certain US population groups that face challenges and barriers in accessing healthcare services. These population groups are racial/ethnic minorities, children, women, those living in rural areas, the homeless, migrants, the mentally ill, elderly, and those with HIV/AIDS. What are some of the challenges in the delivery of services for vulnerable populations? Given the challenges you note, what measures can be taken to improve access to care? What types of services does a healthcare organization you are familiar with deliver to these populations?

Research Paper #2

• Select two (2) countries – one (1) developed country and one (1) third world country. Describe how the healthcare system of each is similar to and dissimilar from the healthcare system in the U. S. You will need to draw upon your course readings as well as conduct additional research. Remember, this is a professional paper. Use conventional grammar, punctuation and mechanics. Your paper should flow well and be organized to effectively guide the reader in learning about the topic. Use APA formatting, including an APA formatted reference page that includes at least 4 peer-reviewed articles published within the last 5 years. Paper length: 5 to 7 pages, not including cover page and reference page.

Week 7

Themes: Systems Outcomes

Readings: Chs. 12, 13

WLOs:

• Review the meaning of healthcare costs and recent trends
• Describe the nature, scope, and dimensions of quality and access to care
• Discuss the scope and role of health policy

Discussion Board Assignment

Our reading this week reviewed how increasing costs, lack of access, and concerns about quality pose the greatest challenges to healthcare delivery in the United States. Despite spending the most resources on healthcare, the United States continues to rank in the bottom quartile among developed countries on outcome indicators such as life expectancy and infant mortality. Health policies are developed to serve the public’s interests; however, public interests are diverse.

Describe the critical policy issues related to access to care, cost of care, and quality of care. Please provide specific examples including the implications as it relates to your role (or potential role) within the healthcare field. Include in your response at what level these policy issues reside (local, state, federal).

Week 8

Themes: Future of Health Services Delivery

Readings: Ch. 14

WLOs:

• Propose future changes to healthcare delivery and analyze their possible effect
• Analyze the components necessary to build a healthcare delivery infrastructure for the future including professionals and technology

Final PowerPoint Presentation – Discussion Post: This is the culminating project for the course. It is a final report in the form of a PowerPoint presentation. Pretend that you will present this PowerPoint to an audience. Use the note section of the PowerPoint to write down additional comments for each slide (what you would say aloud while presenting). Create 20-25 slides. Your slides should include text and graphic images. Be careful not to put too much information on any one slide.

• Topic: There is an opportunity for you to join a think tank to reinvent Healthcare and how it is delivered in the U.S. In order to be formally invited to be part of the group, you have been asked to put forth your ideas in a PowerPoint presentation. Please include the following in your presentation:
  1. Current and Future states (your vision) of healthcare
  2. Who should be the stakeholders be in the new system? (Consumers, Business, Government, Others?)
  3. Preferred Model
     1. Centralized or Decentralized Model?
     2. Rationale for your Selection
  4. Identify three (3) key issues that your proposal for reinventing healthcare will target and improve
     1. What indicators should be used to monitor change – how will you know your proposal is working?
     2. Does your proposal need oversight? If so, what oversight will you consider putting in place?

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Visit the Student Support Health Informatics page

APA Style Guide

• https://www.apastyle.org

UNE Libraries:

• Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Blackboard/Brightspace.
• MSIN Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/health-informatics/
• Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.

UNE Student Academic Success Center

The Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of services to support your academic achievement, including tutoring, writing support, test prep and studying strategies, learning style consultations, and many online resources. To make an appointment for tutoring, writing support, or a learning specialist consultation, go to une.tutortrac.com. To access our online resources, including links, guides, and video tutorials, please visit:

• UNE Student Academic Success Center

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.

ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.

Career Ready Program

The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!

The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.

Policies

Late Policy

Late assignments are not accepted.  Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Your instructor may grant an extension without penalty for extenuating circumstances such as emergencies, serious illness, power outages etc.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673

Course Evaluation Policy

Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.

Late Policy

Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

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.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Attendance Policy

8 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 Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

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.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

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.

UNE Online Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

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.

Academic Integrity

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:

1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

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.