HSH717 - Health Economics 1
Unit details
Note:
You are seeing the 2019 view of this unit information. These details may
no longer be current.
[Go to the current version]
| Year: | 2019 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online Trimester 3: Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Trimester 1 Unit Chair: | Jenny Watts |
| Trimester 3 Unit Chair: | Lisa Gold |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Scheduled learning activities - campus: | Campus: 2 hours per week |
| Scheduled learning activities - cloud (online): | Cloud (Online): 1 hour weekly class (recordings provided) and 1 hour weekly seminar exercise posted to a moderated online discussion group |
Content
The unit introduces students to the discipline of health economics and assumes no prior knowledge. The unit will cover the following topics, with a particular focus on current policy developments.
- Dimensions of Health Economics: The scope of health economics; why is health economics relevant; objectives in health care – choice between different values; basic concepts and definitions.
- Microeconomic Tools for Health Economics: Concepts behind the demand curve; concepts behind the supply curve; markets and economic rationalism, market failure, the role of government and preventing government failure.
- The Australian Health Care System from an Economic Perspective: Structure and funding; role of providers, consumers and funders; viewpoints on the Australian health care system; international comparisons.
- Health Economics and Public Policy: Health expenditure control; health insurance; reforming Medicare – from tinkering to managed competition; efficiency in health provider payment mechanisms; efficiency in sub-sectors of the health care system (such as primary care and hospitals).
Assessment
Assessment task 1: In-trimester exercises (including seminar participation) 20%
Assessment task 2: Essay (2000 words) 40%
Assessment task 3: Examination (2 hours) 40%
Prescribed texts
Rice, T, and Unruh, L, Economics of health reconsidered, (US Health Administration Press, 4th edn, 2016) ISBN-10: 1567937233
Unit Fee Information
Click on the fee link below which describes you: