2135-Economics of Health and Health Care-2526_T3

2135 Economics of Health and Health Care

Course Synopsis

This course explores the particular economic features of healthcare markets, addressing demand, supply, insurance, equity, and efficiency. Several features require changes in the standard demand - supply model. Students analyze theoretical models and apply them to real-world challenges, such as market failures and health policy evaluation. The course addresses healthcare economics and policy decisions. Knowledge of undergraduate microeconomics is strongly recommended. 

Course aims

Students will become aware of the special features of the healthcare sector. At the end of the course, students will be able to discuss the main policy issues in the healthcare sector and conduct economic analyses to study specific questions.

This is a course about economic relations in the health sector. It will highlight when, and when not, the standard economic models apply (when, and when not, the simple demand and supply approach fail to provide a good analysis of health care markets economic relationships). You will see economic modelling of the health sector (equations describing behavior of agents and equilibrium choices of those agents).

Before enrolling in this course, please, check your knowledge on required micro-economic concepts by answering the following set of questions: verify your prior knowledge.

This is NOT a course on statistics about the health sector (even though some statistics and econometric analysis will be presented).

Any questions related to the course before enrolling are welcome (ppbarros@novasbe.pt)

(Important notice: this course should be seen as a part of a sequence on health economics that includes Economics of Health Systems. Other complementary topics of health economics will be addressed in that course)

Learning objectives

Recognize the unique features of the healthcare sector; understand how economic theory can be applied to specific situations of the healthcare sector; know how to evaluate economic policies in the healthcare sector. Learn how to read, interpret, and discuss economic research and analyses applied to the healthcare sector. Be able to contribute with informed answers to policy questions.