This course provides a broad overview of the field of health economics and examines how standard concepts and methods in economics can be used to understand incentives and decision making in health-related transactions. This course aims to develop an understanding of the relevance of economic concepts to the health care sector; to describe the system of health care financing and delivery arrangements in the health care sector, and to impart an understanding of the role of economic factors in the development of public policy concerning health and health care.
After a successful finishing of the course, the student should be able to
1) Use economic analysis to evaluate health economics issues.
2) Explain the size and scope of the health care sector.
3) Explain consumers’ optimal decision making and apply it in demand for health and
health care.
4) Demonstrate an understanding of the role of government in delivering and funding
healthcare.
5) Distinguish between the different forms of economic evaluation and show an
understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the various approaches.
6) Critically review published economic evaluations of health technologies,
mathematical, statistical and graphical techniques in an appropriate manner and
analyze and solve complex problems accurately.
7) Demonstrate the ability to apply econometric/statistical principles by writing a
quality paper and giving oral presentations of the findings of the paper as an
individual and as a group member.