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PU5032: HEALTH ECONOMICS (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05


Course Overview

Resources available for the provision and payment for health care are limited. However, knowledge of economics helps ensure that available resources are used in the most effective way possible. Economics allows more informed decision making about a variety of issues: choosing between alternative treatments; setting priorities between patients; choosing between alternative new technologies; organising the provision of health care.

In this course students will acquire a knowledge and understanding of:

  • Key themes of economic theory applied to health care
  • Some of the main techniques of health care evaluation
  • Main arguments concerning alternative systems for organising and financing health care

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Patricia Norwood

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Postgraduate Programme

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the application of economics to health care.  It does not assume any prior knowledge of economics.
The material for this course is divided in five units. The course starts with an introduction to health economics, in which the key concepts of demand and supply are applied to health care (Unit 1). It continues with the analysis of the main alternative systems for organising and financing health care as well as discussion on payment to hospitals and doctors (Unit 2 – Health Care Systems, Financing and Payment Methods). Unit 3 considers the main policy interventions in population health behaviours – smoking, alcohol, poor diet, physical activity – and the role of behavioural economics to inform policy decisions. Finally, Units 3 and 4 explore the economic evaluation of health care technologies: basic concepts, the measurement of cost and benefits, decision modelling and the critical appraisal of economic evaluation studies.
Teaching and learning for this course will involve a combination of staged release online PowerPoint presentations, self-study (with written commentaries), practical exercises, use of discussion boards, and staged assignments. As a general guide, you can expect to spend approximately 150 hours total on online learning, including around 50 hours of directed learning, 40 hours in preparation for assessments, and a further minimum 40 hours in independent study.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 60
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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ReflectionAnalyseRecognise the contribution of economics to health and health care and how it can assist decision making
ConceptualUnderstandExplain the different ways in which health care can be financed and delivered
ConceptualUnderstandDescribe the key theories underpinning health economics
ReflectionEvaluateDemonstrate what economic evaluation is and its underlying principles
ReflectionEvaluateCritically appraise published economic evaluations

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