| Title: |
Health Economics and Health Financing |
| Keywords: |
Universal health coverage
Health economics
Financing
|
| Country: |
Switzerland
|
| Institution: |
Switzerland - Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute, Basel
|
| Course coordinator: |
Barbara Bürkin
|
| Date start: |
2021-02-08 |
| Date end: |
2021-05-21 |
| About duration and dates: |
Application deadline: 22 January 2021 Preparation phase (self-directed): 8 February - 19 March 2021 On-campus phase: 22 – 26 March 2021 Post campus phase (self-directed): 29 March - 21 May 2021 |
| Classification: |
advanced optional
|
| Mode of delivery: |
Blended-learning
|
Course location:
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, Socinstrasse 57, CH – 4002 Basel, Switzerland
tropEd students can write exam at their home institution or other suitable facility. |
|
| ECTS credit points: |
6 ECTS credits
|
SIT:
TOTAL SIT: 180 h
- Face-to-face hours: 40 h
- Self-study hours: 138 h
- Written final exam: 2 h
Students will spend 50 hrs working on assessed tasks and assignments to prepare for the face-to-face sessions, 40 hrs in the classroom sessions, 88 hours completing an assessed written assignment and preparing for a written exam, and 2 hours writing the exam. |
|
| Language: |
English
|
Description:
After successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
• Evaluate why economic considerations are important when addressing the health system
• Describe the main financing and payment mechanisms of health services
• Apply the principles of taxation, user fees and health insurance to evaluate health financing schemes.
• Analyse the rationale of performance-based funding
• Appraise the effects of different financing and payment mechanisms on equity, efficiency and the sustainability of the system
• Critically reflect on the policy implications of health financing for reaching “Universal Health Coverage” |
|
Assessment Procedures:
During the preparatory period, students will complete a graded assignment before the on-campus period of the module to introduce them to basic concepts and experiences. (Essay style; word limit 1500 words, excluding references; 25% of total mark).
In the post-campus phase, students analyze a country-level scenario and write an essay in the form of a summary of recommendations addressed to decision-makers (word limit: 1800 words, references excluded; 50% of total mark).
Final written exam: a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions (2 hours; 25% of the final mark).
A failing grade in one of the assessment components is allowed as long as the total mark is 60 out of 100 points or better. In the case of a failing grade in the preparatory assignment and/or post-campus assignment, students will get a new assignment, similar to the original one. A re-sit for the final written exam is also possible; dates and location will be discussed on an individual basis. |
|
Content:
The following topics will be covered:
• Public goods, externalities and supply and demand, as applied to the health sector
• Health financing and modalities of provider payment; effects of and on health systems
• Mechanisms of payment: user fees and tax financing, vouchers, health insurance Mechanisms of payment: equity aspects Health financing and payment reforms at local, national and global level Health insurance: indicators and organisational principles
• Including the poor in health financing
• Performance-based funding
• Universal health coverage (UHC)
• Development aid for health and evolution |
|
Methods:
During the two distance-based phases, students will engage in self-directed learning, to meet learning objectives, using materials and tools provided on the online learning management system (Moodle).
• Preparation phase: consists of 50 hrs of independent study (readings, assessed tasks and assignments) to prepare for face-to-face sessions.
• Post-campus phase: consists of 88 hours of independent study (further research, case study analysis and report writing; and preparing for the written exam).
During the two distance-based phases, students will also be asked to initiate and respond to discussion threads posted to the Moodle forum (at their convenience) and will have the opportunity to ask questions of the facilitators via the discussion tool.
The on-campus week (5 days) consists of face-to-face interactive lectures (approx. 30 hours), complemented by daily facilitator-supported group work exercises and feedback sessions (approx. 10 – 15 hours). Students will also engage in discussions around various key concepts and topics during this week. |
|
Prerequisites:
tropEd candidates must show an English language level TOEFL test 550 or 213 computer-based or 79/80 internet-based or IELTS band 6.0 or equivalent, and an intermediate.
Students need a reliable internet connection to follow the preparation phase and the post-campus (assignment) phase. No specific software licenses are needed. |
|
Attendance:
Maximum of 20 - 24 students per course; maximum number of tropEd students: 8 |
|
Selection:
For tropEd students: First come, first served principle |
|
Fees:
Students who are enrolled in a tropEd Master programme pay the reduced fee (including exam fee) of CHF 2’450; other students pay CHF 2’850 (CHF 410 per ECTS credit point). |
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tropEd accreditation:
Accredited in November 2017. This accreditation is valid until November 2022. |
|
Remarks:
This module is offered regularly as a core-module in Swiss TPH’s MBA in International Health Management programme, therefore the number of tropEd students we can admit is limited.
Throughout the module, an online learning management system (Moodle) will be used to support learning activities in the distance-based phases, during which students will be required to complete assignments, self-assessment quizzes, and upload learning products (short papers, statements, presentations, references and documents related to certain topics) linked to the objectives of this module. Through Moodle, students will also have the opportunity to interact with each other (and the facilitators) at their convenience to discuss these same learning products, using discussion forums and other tools. |
|
| Email Address: |
courses@swisstph.ch |
| Date Of Record Creation: |
2017-11-26 03:25:55 (W3C-DTF) |
| Date Of Record Release: |
2017-11-26 08:48:30 (W3C-DTF) |
| Date Record Checked: |
2017-11-26 (W3C-DTF) |
| Date Last Modified: |
2020-09-16 09:31:36 (W3C-DTF) |
