Students will analyze, from a historical perspective, the impact of history on policy development, both present and future. References include works on history and policy as well as analysis of the works of health care analysts. SPSS should be used to solve problems when applicable. This course is a survey of ethnic and cultural issues, focusing on the insight and skills necessary to effectively deliver health care services to individuals in minority ethnic groups and cultures. Attention will be directed at individual communication and assessment skills necessary to positively effect the practitioner-patient interaction and enhance patient compliance.
Students participate in group discussions and complete a written project on a selected topic.
Legal and ethical issues related to topics including animal and human research, genetic engineering, cloning, alternative medicine, life support, organ donation, and telemedicine are analyzed. Students will participate in group discussions, conduct interviews of local legal authorities, and complete written assignments on highly controversial health care practices. The course build on statistical techniques presented in PHT 6100. The focus of this course is to introduce students to qualitative research methods of inquiry. Phenomenological inquiry, grounded theory, ethnography, and other approaches to qualitative research will be examined.