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The Economics of the Health Care System - ECO00051M

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  • Department: Economics and Related Studies
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Nigel Rice
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

To introduce you to the main features and economic incentives associated with the different types of health care system in developed and developing countries, and show how the economic principles covered in Module ECO00049M influence health care provision in practice.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2024-25

Module aims

To introduce you to the main features and economic incentives associated with the different types of health care system in developed and developing countries, and show how the economic principles covered in Module ECO00049M influence health care provision in practice.

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module you should be able to:

  • Define and describe the key components of different types of health care system according to how funds are raised and distributed, and how services are purchased and provided.
  • Analyse how equity, efficiency and economic incentives are influenced within any given countries health care system according to its classification.
  • Explain how stakeholders such as governments, employers and patients can affect the way in which health care systems are organised and how health policy may be influenced by them.
  • Draw and describe four generic diagrams of health care systems according to their classification (tax-based national health services, social insurances, national insurance, mixed private insurance and public health services) using the World Health Organisations methods.
  • Explain the limitations of attributing macro-level health outcomes (such as life expectancy) to a health care system.
  • Identify and describe the principle challenges faces by the health care systems of developing countries i comparison with developed countries.
  • Summarise and critically appraise the methods and results of published single-country analyses and international comparisons of the performance of health care systems.
  • Use a variety of reliable information resources and the techniques learned on this and relevant modules covered to date to analyse the potential consequences of a policy change in a given health care system.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Open Examination: Multiple choice questions online
Open exam : The Economics of the Health Care System		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Open Examination: Multiple choice questions online
Open exam : The Economics of the Health Care System		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Feedback will be given in line with University guidelines

Indicative reading

S. Folland et al., The Economics of Health and Health Care, 8th Edition, Routledge (2017), covers most of the issues of principle but, because of the dominance of US issues, it does not fully cover issues affecting tax finance or social insurance in other countries. Further references are provided in the module learning materials.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.