Health Care Economics and Issues

Course description

Economics is a social science that concerns itself with analyzing the production and distribution of goods and services. Health economics concerns itself with the health care economy and applies the tools of economics to the health care sector. This course is based on the assumption that in order to understand the field of health economics, students must develop a working knowledge of the analytical tools of economics. Topics covered include an analysis of the factors that affect supply and demand for health care services; how health care is financed; statistical tools used in health care economics; and the role of technology, pharmaceuticals and information asymmetry. An analysis of health care reforms is presented from the viewpoints of the private sector as well as federal and provincial/territorial. A review of other countries' initiatives of health care reform is provided. The primary objective of the course is to show that economics can help those involved in the employee benefits field better understand how decision makers throughout the health economy make choices.

Course details