GeorgetownCollege

Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies

Health Care Administration

KHS 310, 3 credits

Spring 2011

Professor: Dr. Jean Kiernan

Office: Knight Hall Chapel, Room 303

Office Hours: Mon/Wends 1-3:00; Tues./Thurs. 2-3; and by appointment.

Email Address:

Phone: x8334

Course Text: Course Package in college bookstore.

The course package is a collection of research and discussion articles all from different authors. The individual who put together part of this package is Dr. Riegelman. The research articles address minorities in healthcare, policy development in healthcare, and the quality of healthcare for all people (minorities focused upon).

Course Description: 310. Health Care Administration. (3 hours) Introduces methods of policy analysis and concepts of economic theory as means to understand the basic issues and trends in the health care system and analyze the impact of changes on the ability of patients to access health services, the practice of health sciences professionals and the quality and process of care.

Course Objectives:

Healthcare Administration is an introductory course to healthcare policy, theory, and basic issues. This course investigates and studies the vulnerable groups in the American Healthcare system. Specific attention is placed on African Americans, Asian Americans, Latino Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Americans (defined as minorities in healthcare).

  • To present students with a broad overview of health policy and development in the United States.
  • To develop healthcare competency: having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and/or an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities.
  • To discuss the four most recognized racial and ethnic minority groups according to United States Federal classification: African American, American Indian/Alaska Natives, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, and White Americans. Hispanic American and their access to healthcare.
  • To present students with an understanding of the characteristics of health care policy.
  • To explore how minorities influence health care dollars.
  • To expose students to the minority healthcare gap, racial and ethnic disparities, in healthcare.
  • To explore the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Healthcare.
  • To discuss the access to healthcare for Americans in rural areas and how it remains a major burden.
  • To expose students to the various health care delivery systems (abroad and in the states).
  • To help students develop problem solving skills by analyzing policy shifts in the changing health market.
  • To use oral and written communication in an analysis and problem solving environment.
  • Explore the future trends in health care from a global perspective.
  • To expose students to key public health issues and challenges in the public health arena.
  • Explain how public health assesses the options for intervention to improve the health of a population.
  • Explain how public health can utilize social and behavioral interventions to improve the health all people. Identify the basic payment mechanisms for providing health services and the basic insurance mechanisms for paying for health services
  • Identify criteria for evaluating health systems including issues of access, quality, and cost.
  • Identify the roles of public health in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations and health disparities.

Course Requirements:

Quizzes

There will be several quizzes during the semester (announced and unannounced).

Final Exam

Final exam will be given during final week and will be a cumulative exam.

Group Discussions

Each presentation should be between 15-20 minutes. Since groups will present a specific topic related to the day's topic, each group is asked to work closely with the instructor. Specific areas of discussion include:

Each group will be given a topic on healthcare and be expected to discuss and stimulate class discussions.

Evaluation 20 points

  • Time allowance 2 points
  • Content 10 points
  • Oral delivery 2 points
  • Audio-Visual use 2 points
  • Ability to handle questions 4 points

Discussion Topics

“Topic of the Day”. Each student will be responsible for 2-3 presentations of relevant topics in the news.

Journal Assignment

Reflective Papers/Journaling:

In class and/or homework assignments will be given occasionally. You will be asked to analyze, evaluate and take a stand on an issue. This is not a research paper but rather an

opportunity for you to develop critical thinking skills and express an opinion. Students will be graded on whether or not the assignment is complete and handed in on the required date. Late projects will not be accepted.

Journal writing allows self-learning to occur. It allows us to examine patterns of thinking, our emotional responses and behaviors so that we can have a better understanding of the health choices we are making. Students need to have either a separate section in their notebook or a separate notebook to do journal writing in class. Journal writing and/or reflective papers will be assigned over the semester.

Outline of Grading:

Grades will be calculated according to the following formula.

CriteriaPercentage of Grade

Quiz grade50%

Final Exam15%

Journal Assignments10%

Group Discussions15%

Written Assignment(5%)

Presentation(10%)

Participation/Outside Assignments5%

Topic of the Day5%

Attendance Policy: Students are permitted four absences. Thereafter, one point will be deducted from his/her final average. Class participation is expected of students.

Students are expected to be on-time to class. Being late three times to class will result in one absence (cumulative count). A tardy will be considered 5 or more minutes late to class.

Plagiarism and Academic Honesty: The unethical practice of plagiarism or cheating on any type of assignment or exam will result in an ‘F’ for the assignment/exam. In addition, it will be the instructor’s discretion whether or not the student receives an ‘F’ for the class.

Course Policies:

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Participants with special needs are strongly encouraged to talk to the instructors as soon as possible to gain maximum access to course information. All discussions will remain confidential.

Cell Phone Policy

Students are expected to turn all cell phones off during class time. The use of a cell phone during class time will result in points deducted from participation grade. If this becomes excessive (more than once) the instructor will deduct points from the student’s final average.

Grading Scale:

Grade Percentage GPA Points

A 100-93 4.0

A/B 92-89 3.5

B 88-81 3.0

B/C 80-77 2.5

C 76-69 2.0

D 68-61 1.0

F 60 and below 0

WEB BASED RESOURCES

Useful Web site for research and background materials

  • Cultural Diversity in Health Care:

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  • Health Disparities among minorities:
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) available at
  • World Health Organization (WHO) available at
  • Healthy People 2020 available at
  • National Library of Medicine available at
  • American Public Health Association available at

Bibliography

  • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2010 National Healthcare Quality & Disparities Report. .gov.
  • Altenstetter, C. (2003). Insights from Health Care in Germany. American Journal of Public Health, 93(1): 38-44.
  • Blakey, Rea. (2008). Report finds minorities get poorer health care.Health Care—CNN Reports.
  • Boccuto, C. & Moon, M. (2003). Comparing Medicare and Private Insurers: Growth Rates in Spending over Three Decades. Health Affairs, 22(2): 230-237.
  • Brown, L. (2003). Comparing Health Systems in Four Countries: Lessons for the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 93 (1): 52-56.
  • Deber, R. (2005). Health Care Reform Lessons from Canada. American Journal of Public Health, 93(1):20-24.
  • Fassinger, R.E. Workplace diversity and publicpolicy, American Psychologist, 2008, 63, 4: 252-268.
  • Guyer, Broaddus and Dude (2002).Millions of Mothers Lack Health Insurance Coverage in the United States. International Journal of Health Services, 32(1):89-106.
  • Hardy, Kyle (2009). Minorities cite health care disparities. Health Care IT News.
  • Hennessy & Goldman (2001). Full Parity: Steps Toward Treatment Equity for Mental and Addictive Disorders. Health Affairs, 20(4): 58-67.
  • Kaiser Commission on Medicaid & the Uninsured (2006). The Uninsured and Their Access to Health Care. Washington, DC: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
  • Kaiser Foundation. Medicare at a Glance (2003). Menlo Park, CA: The Kaiser Family Foundation.
  • Kitchener, M. (2003). Exploding the Merger Myth in U.S. Health Care. Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences: University of California, San Francisco.
  • Light, D. (2003). Universal Health Care: Lessons from the British Experience. American Journal of Public Health, 93(1):25-30.
  • McGinnis, J., Russo, P., Knickman, J. (2002). The Case For More Active Policy Attention to Health Promotion. Published in: Health Policy: Crisis and Reform in the U.S. Health Care Delivery System 3rd Edition, Harrington and Estes, 2006..
  • Riegelman, R. (2009). Public Health 101: Healthy People---Healthy Populations. Health Professionals and the Health Workforce. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA.
  • Riegelman, R. (2009). Public Health 101: Healthy People---Healthy Populations. Health Law, Policy, and Ethics. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA.
  • Riegelman, R. (2009). Public Health 101: Healthy People---Healthy Populations. Social and Behavioral Sciences and Public Health. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA.
  • Riegelman, R. (2009). Public Health 101: Healthy People---Healthy Populations. Health Professionals and the Health Workforce. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA.
  • Riegelman, R. (2009). Public Health 101: Healthy People---Healthy Populations. The Future of Population Health. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA.
  • Riegelman, R. (2009). Public Health 101: Healthy People---Healthy Populations. Healthcare Institutions. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA.
  • Riegelman, R. (2009). Public Health 101: Healthy People---Healthy Populations. Healthcare Systems. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA.
  • Schoen, C., Blendon, R., DesRochas, C., and Osborne, r. (2002). Comparison of Health Care System Views and Experiences in Five Nations. New York: The Commonwealth Fund.
  • Sochalski, J. (2002). Nursing Shortage Redux: Turning the Corner on an Enduring Problem. Health Affairs, 21(5): 157-163.
  • Wyn, R. & Beatriz Solis (2001). Women’s Health Issues across the Life Span Women’s Health Issues 11(3): 148-159.

NOTE: The red font is used to indicate viewpoints directly from a minority perspective.

Session Outline
Week 1 / Day/Date
Overview of Public Health and the Course

Video Clip of the condition of the American Health Care System.
Video Clip:
Award-winning filmmakers Maren Grainger-Monsen, M.D., and Julia Haslett explore these issues in a series of films called Worlds Apart, which document the experiences of minority Americans and patients from other countries in the U.S. health care system.
Homework: Write up a short description of your day and the public health implications.
Week 2 / Day/Date
Analyze of various Health Care Options.
Health Status of the population
and vulnerable groups.
Readings: Health Disparities among minorities:
Cultural Diversity in Health Care

Focus: Minorities in healthcare, provides relevant statistics, and justifies the need for a Population Approach (all people) to healthcare.
The Uninsured and Their Access to Health Care
Focus: Single mothers and healthcare access.
Video: The Uninsured in America—Perspective from uninsured individuals (including minorities).
Reading: Guyer, Broaddus and Dude (2002)Millions of Mothers Lack Health Insurance Coverage in the United States. International Journal of Health Services, 32(1):89-106.
Week 3 / Day/Date
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Reading: Riegelman, R. (2009). Public Health 101: Healthy People---Healthy Populations. Social and Behavioral Sciences and Public Health. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA.
Video Clip:
Mental illness and addiction have no boundaries and affect people from all walks of life. Mental health and addiction treatment services play an important role in supporting individuals.
Focus: Why are minorities more at risk for social and behavioral issues?
Journal: Discussion questions page 66.
Week 4 / Day/Date
Purchasing Health Insurance.
Class held in library: Computer assignment—Find health insurance that would meet your needs. Handout with specifics provided.
Socioeconomic
Inequalities in Women’s Health.
Wyn, R. & Beatriz Solis (2001). Women’s Health Issues Across the Life Span. Women’s Health Issues 11(3): 148-159.
Week 5 / Day/Date
The Importance of Mental Disorders
In Public Health Care.
Focus: Statistical view of populations with mental health disorders and the price upon healthcare. Specific implications related to education and mental health disparities.
Reading: Hennessy & Goldman (2001). Full Parity: Steps Toward Treatment Equity for Mental and Addictive Disorders. Health Affairs, 20(4): 58-67.
Group Discussions
Journal Assignment: Mental Health Parity Law
Week 6 / Day/Date
Health Policy Law and Ethics
Focus: Discrepancies in health law, policy, and ethics in terms of serving the most vulnerable populations (minorities—defined above).
Riegelman, R. (2009). Public Health 101: Healthy People---Healthy Populations. Health Law, Policy, and Ethics. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA.
Case Study: The Elderly Drive
Week 7 / Day/Date
Health Professions-
Readings: Sochalski, J. (2002). Nursing Shortage Redux: Turning the Corner on an Enduring Problem. Health Affairs, 21(5): 157-163.
Riegelman, R. (2009). Public Health 101: Healthy People---Healthy Populations. Health Professionals and the Health Workforce. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA.
Focus: Statistical overview of minorities and other groups in the healthcare professions.
Case Study: When Nursing Meets Medicine
Video Clip:
---Nursing as a profession. Perspective from minorities and non-minorities.
Week 8 / Day/Date
U.S. Health Care Institutions
Readings: The Kaiser Foundation. Medicare at a Glance (2003). Menlo Park, CA: The Kaiser Family Foundation.
Boccuto, C. & Moon, M. (2003). Comparing Medicare and Private Insurers: Growth Rates in Spending over Three Dacades. Health Affairs, 22(2): 230-237.
Homework: Case Studies: Jack and Continuity of Care plus Donna’s Doctor: To Error is Human
Presentations
Week 9
Spring Break / Day/Date
Week 10
Health care Institutions (continued)
Readings: Riegelman, R. (2009). Public Health 101: Healthy People---Healthy Populations. Healthcare Institutions. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA.
Riegelman, R. (2009). Public Health 101: Healthy People---Healthy Populations. Healthcare Systems. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA. / Day/Date
Healthcare Systems
Reading: Kitchener, M. (2003). Exploding the Merger Myth in U.S. Health Care. Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences: University of California, San Francisco.
Case Studies: Susan and the System plus Health Care in America For Better or Worse
Focus: The demographics of our healthcare system.
Presentations
Week 11 / Day/Date
Access to Care
The Uninsured and their Health.
Insurance Coverage After
Welfare.
Reading: Kaiser Commission on Medicaid & the Uninsured (2003). The Uninsured and Their Access to Health Care. Washington, DC: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
Focus: Who are the uninsured? Racial, economic, age, sex, and other factors related to the uninsured in America.
Homework: Research Article
Week 12 / Day/Date
Older Women’s Health and Access Pages 201-230
to care.
Focus: Low socioeconomic women and their use of healthcare.
Investor owned vs. Not for Profit
Quality of Care Nursing Facilities in the US
Video Clip: ---Long Term care for Americans. What do other nations provide for their citizens?
America’s Quality of Care. Group
Presentations
Week 13 / Day/Date
Presentations
Week 14
The Future of Population Health
Riegelman, R. (2009). Public Health 101: Healthy People---Healthy Populations. The Future of Population Health. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA.
Video Clip:
---Obama Care; how the government intends to cover everyone with the new health care plan.
Video Clip:
Minorities covered under Obama’s health care plan.
Case Study: Hurricane Karl and the Public Health Success in Old Orleans
Focus: Should we focus on vulnerable groups with our future healthcare system? Presentations
Journals / Day/Date
Week 15
International Health Care Systems
Trends in Industrialized Nations
Analyzing America’s Health Care Articles
Readings: Deber, R. (2003). Health Care Reform Lessons from Canada. American Journal of Public Health, 93(1):20-24.
Light, D. (2006). Universal Health Care: Lessons from the British Experience. American Journal of Public Health, 93(1):25-30.
Altenstetter, C. (2203). Insights from Health Care in Germany. American Journal of Public Health, 93 (1):38-44.
Group Discussions.
Journals: Are their minorities groups in other industrialized nations (related to healthcare)? Is the ratio similar or different than in the USA? Explain.
Week 16
Toward Finding a Solution to
American Health Care.
Video Clip:
----Obama’s plan for health care.
The price of good health.
National Health Insurance or
Medicare for all.
Readings: Brown, L. (2003). Comparing Health Systems in Four Countries: Lessons for the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 93(1): 52-56.
Schoen, C., Blendon, R., DesRochas, C., and Osborne, R. (2002). Comparison of Health Care System Views and Experiences in Five Nations. New York: The Commonwealth Fund.