This page provides a brief introduction to economics and gives some examples of how economists approach issues in health and health care provision.
Economists are interested in the use of resources.
In health care this might be an examination of costing and pricing methods within a local NHS trust or GP Practice. For the most part NHS providers are not looking to gain a profit but simply to maximise their available staffing and financial resources. This approach focuses on the general economic context the 'company' operates within. Within the health care systems the amount of money available for health care is often determined by the policies of local and national government. One unfortunate effect of ill health is that sick people usually find their income level drops.