The objective of this course is to equip you with the knowledge and skills to:

• Understand the basic concepts and theories of health care economics and how they relate to health care systems and policies
• Analyze the behavior and incentives of health care consumers, providers, insurers, and regulators
• Evaluate the costs and benefits of health care interventions and programs using economic methods and tools
• Apply health care economics to address real-world problems and cases in various health care settings and contexts
• Communicate effectively and persuasively about health care economics to various audiences and stakeholders

This course is designed for professionals who work in or are interested in the health care sector, such as:

• Health care providers (e.g., physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, etc.)
• Health care managers and administrators (e.g., hospital directors, clinic managers, health plan executives, etc.)
• Health care policymakers and regulators (e.g., government officials, public health agencies, health care organizations, etc.)
• Health care researchers and consultants (e.g., academics, analysts, evaluators, etc.)

By taking this course, you will:

• Enhance your analytical and critical thinking skills in the health care domain
• Gain a deeper understanding of the current issues and trends in the health care sector and their implications for health and society
• Learn how to use economic frameworks and tools to inform and improve your health care decisions and actions
• Develop your ability to communicate and collaborate with other health care professionals, managers, policymakers, and researchers

The course will consist of five days of lectures, discussions, exercises, and case studies, covering the following topics:

• Day 1: Introduction to Health Care Economics
  • What is health care economics and why is it important?
  • What are the main concepts and theories of health care economics?
  • What are the main sources and methods of data collection and analysis in health care economics?
• Day 2: Demand and Supply of Health Care
  • What factors influence the demand and supply of health care?
  • How do health care markets function and what are the sources of market failures?
  • How do health care prices and quality affect health care consumption and production?
• Day 3: Health Insurance and Risk
  • What is the role and rationale of health insurance and risk pooling?
  • What are the types and characteristics of health insurance plans and schemes?
  • How do health insurance and risk affect health care utilization and outcomes?
• Day 4: Health and Health Care Production
  • What are the determinants and measurement of health and health-related quality of life?
  • How do health care providers produce and deliver health care services?
  • How do health care technologies and innovations affect health care production and performance?
• Day 5: Health Care Evaluation and Policy
  • What are the methods and tools of health care evaluation and economic evaluation?
  • How do health care policies and reforms affect health care systems and outcomes?
  • What are the current and emerging challenges and opportunities in health care economics?