ECH-11806 Economics of Health and Care

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lectures24
Problem-based learning4
Self-study
Course coordinator(s)dr. JAC van Ophem
Lecturer(s)dr. JAC van Ophem
Examiner(s)dr. JAC van Ophem

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Assumed knowledge on:

DEC-10306

Continuation courses:

SCH-20806, ECH-22306, ECH-30306, MST-31806

Contents:

The course consists of the following elements;
1. an introduction to the economic approaches to health and health care. The concepts of cost, cost function, benefit, efficiency and equity will be discussed, just as the basics of human capital theory for the demand for health and the production of welfare approach in relation to public health issues. Topics as cost/benefit of interventions, external effects and social costs and benefits of illness and health Qalys and Dalys are explained;
2. the market of health care. A description of demand and supply (health-care industry) will be given. The interaction of demand and supply is discussed. Various rationing methods are examined from a consumer's perspective. The role of private and social insurances is described. Cost and benefits of various forms of care are analysed. The implications of principle agent theory and new-institutional economics in this field are discussed;
3. health care policies. Health care provision in the Netherlands in an international perspective. The need for market regulation. Special attention is paid to substitution policies in health care in the Netherlands, role of price incentives, cost control through restrictions on demand versus the ones on supply.

Learning outcomes:

After having attended the course the student is expected to be:
- familiar with the economic approaches to health and health care;
- more sensitive to societal issues in the field of health and health care provision.

Activities:

1. lectures;
2. literature study;
3. problem-oriented activities (assignments, paper).

Examination:

The student's performance will be measured in three ways:
1. mark for the written examination on the contents of the lectures and the obligatory literature at the end of the course;
2. a mark for the assignments;
3. a mark for the short paper
The final mark is the weighted average of the three marks with some prerequisites.

Literature:

- Study Guide, Syllabus, Reader;
- B. McPake and C. Normand: Health economics. An international perspective. 2nd edition. London and New York, Routledge, 2008.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: BGMHealth and SocietyBSc6AF