Skip to main content

Health Economics

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:8.00
Study Course Accepted:02.02.2024 12:30:42
Study Course Information
Course Code:VVDG_004LQF level:Level 7
Credit Points:3.00ECTS:4.50
Branch of Science:Economics; Social EconomicsTarget Audience:Health Management
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:Alina Dūdele
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfatrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)9Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures18
Classes (count)9Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes18
Total Contact Hours36
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Basic knowledge of economics, analytical and graph interpretation skills, knowledge of English.
Objective:
The student acquires knowledge about the nature and application of the science of health economics, which is based on the application of economic principles and methods in the planning and management of the health care system, as well as the macroeconomic role of health systems.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Conceptual issues of health economicsLectures1.00auditorium
2The macroeconomic importance of health careLectures1.00auditorium
3Analysis of macroeconomic, social and health indicatorsClasses2.00auditorium
4Formation of demand and supply in health careLectures2.00auditorium
5Factors affecting demandClasses1.00auditorium
6Factors influencing supplyClasses1.00auditorium
7Costs, prices and tariffsLectures1.00auditorium
8Cost analysisClasses1.00auditorium
9Formation of the health services market, influencing factorsLectures1.00auditorium
10Analysis of the health care services marketClasses1.00auditorium
11The concept of efficiency in health careLectures1.00auditorium
12Application of the concept of efficiencyClasses1.00auditorium
13Health care financing systemsLectures1.00auditorium
14Analysis of financing systemsClasses1.00auditorium
15Health InsuranceLectures1.00auditorium
16Analysis of health insurance systemsClasses1.00auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
• Work with literature; • Data search, collection and analysis; • Case analysis; • Solving tasks and presenting results and independent learning results.
Assessment Criteria:
• Activity during interactive lectures; • Solving situational tasks in classes; • Correct answers in the written exam. 50% – evaluation of the written exam and 50% – work in lectures and classes and other tasks.
Final Examination (Full-Time):Exam
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:• To understand the importance and application of health economics in health management systems. • To learn the methods of economic analysis of health policy. • To learn the application of microeconomic methods in the analysis and planning of health care processes. • To understand the individual behaviour patterns of health system participants and the factors affecting them. • To understand the limiting effects of market factors in the field of health care. • To understand the formation of demand, supply and prices in the health care sector. • To learn the economic aspects of health care financing and the creation of service payment systems.
Skills:• To analyse the economic aspects of health systems: resource limitations, efficiency, productivity, etc. • To apply the production function in creating the offer of health services. • To apply marginal analysis in the planning of health care services. • To analyse demand-forming factors in health care. • To analyse the formation of the health care services market, the limited competition and the factors affecting it. • To analyse the nature and impact of government regulation on the availability of health care services. • To apply cost-benefit analysis in the planning and management of health systems.
Competencies:• To apply economic methods in the management and planning of the health care system. • To substantiate the macroeconomic importance of health systems. • To evaluate microeconomic models in the analysis of health care processes. • To assess the economic performance of health systems. • To assess the functioning of the health care financing system. • To assess the structure and nature of the health insurance system.
Bibliography
No.Reference
Required Reading
1Guinness L., Wiseman V. Introduction to Health Economics (2nd edition), Open University Press, 2011 (akceptējams izdevums)
2Methods for the economic evaluation of health care programmes / Michael F. Drummond ... [et al.]. 4th ed. Oxford ;New York : Oxford University Press, 2015
3Cashin C et.al Paying for performance in health care. Implications for health system performance and accountability, Open University Press, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies Series, 2014
Additional Reading
1Maresso A, et.al. Economic crisis, health systems and health in Europe: country experience. European Observatory, 2015
2Cutler, D.M. Equality, efficiency, and market fundamentals: the dynamics of international medical-care reform’, Journal of Economic Literature, 40(3): 881-906, 2002
3The Global Economic Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases, Report of World Economic Forum. poduced by Harvard School of Public Health
4Figueras J., McKee M. Health Systems, health, wealth and Societal Well-being. European Observatory, 2012
5http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/164383/…
Other Information Sources
1World Bank
2http://www.who.int/gho/publications/world_health_statistics…
3http://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems/health-data.htm
4http://www.csb.gov.lv/dati/statistikas-datubazes-28270.html
5http://sabves.spkc.gov.lv/Lists/DatuAvoti/DispForm.aspx?ID=…
6Ārvalstu studentiem/For international students
7http://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems/health-data.htm
8http://www.who.int/gho/publications/world_health_statistics…
9World Bank