AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to take up some of the basic concepts of economics to apply them to health systems, where decisions are particularly hard from an economic point of view. Economic analysis in the health field provides additional elements to politicians to choose followint  criteria of efficiency, equity and appropriateness.

At the end of the lessons the students will be able to:

• describe health systems and compare them with each other
• read and comment documents, studies and reports produced by the national and international princely institutions
• perform simple economic evaluations (indicators, production efficiency, allocation of resources) -use the acquired knowledge to independently evaluate specific case studies or situations
• choose reliable information sources
• communicate the concepts acquired clearly and in a proper language

TEACHING METHODS

An active frequency is required to take advantage of all participatory educational initiatives that will be implemented. In particular, laboratories will be held with the use of clickers and economic assessments will be carried out on concrete cases in the computer lab using simple applications on xls.

An alternative teaching method and program for non attending students is foreseen which provides online lessons accessible through aulaweb, the e-learning platform of the University

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1. Methods for the economic analysis of health care systems
2. Socio-economic conditions and deprivation
3. Allocative efficiency, cost-benefit analysis, Health Technology Assessment
4. Production efficiency, analysis of the production costs. Care pathways.
5. Individual and collective choices (demand vs need, public financing vs. public production
6. Comparative analysis of health systems

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Material will be distributed and suggested during the lessons

For non-attending students, it is mandatory to check aulaweb regularly in order to utilize all e-learning tools provided by the teacher: on line lessons, slides, papers to read, link to Department Library, discussion forum.