Analytic tools introduced include cost-effectiveness analysis.
The objective of this course is to enable students who have little or no formal training in economics to use the basic principles and concepts of economic analysis in applications in health services. A variety of analytic techniques are introduced, including marginal analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis. Topics covered include the markets for hospital services, physician services, and health insurance, as well as economic theories of firm behavior as it relates to hospital and physician behavior. The first week of the course is designed to provide as much background in economic theory as possible before applying these principles to health and health services. Students who have not had an introductory economics class - or had one in the distant past should be sure to thoroughly read the assignments in this text.