911±¬ÁÏÍø

Rationale:

The course introduces key concepts in health economics using the foundations of economic theory and then applying that theory to health and health markets. It aims to enable participants to understand how demand and supply interact, how markets work and why they fail and to identify the main methods of health financing and issues around equity and efficiency in health care. Students will also learn how best to engage with economic evaluation studies (cost effectiveness analyses).

Aims and Objectives:

To give students an introduction to key concepts in Health Economics using the foundations of economic theory and then applying that theory to health and health markets.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• Understand qualitatively how demand and supply interact;
• Explain how markets work and why they fail;
• Summarise the main links between economic growth, income distribution, health and health inequalities;
• Define and understand the key concepts related to health equity, its measurement and policies to address it;
• Understanding the alternatives for funding health care and their advantages and disadvantages;
• Understanding common provider payment systems, their advantages and disadvantages, and cost-sharing mechanisms;
• Critically engage with the principles of economic evaluation in health care, understanding the common methods and how to interpret their findings.

Content:

General topics to be covered are as follow:

• Introductory health economics
• Demand and supply analysis within health care sector
• ÌýMarket failures in health care
• Economic approach to inequalities in health and health care (definitions, principles and measurement)
• Health care financing, provider payment systems and cost-sharing mechanisms
• Introduction to economic evaluation in health care

Teaching and learning methods

The course will be delivered through a combination of asynchronous and online synchronous hybrid teaching, interactive student led activities, Q&A sessions and independent reading.Ìý Students will be expected to engage fully in all practical assignments, which will be compiled, together with individual reflection, to form a portfolio for course assessment.

Reading List

Available on demand.