EC2011 Health Economics

(15 credits)

Lecturers:

Office location: / Office hours / e-mail:
Mireia Jofre-Bonet / Room D307
Nancy Devlin / Room D310 / Tuesday 4-5 & Friday 3-5 /

Lectures and classes:

Lectures / 12 noon– 1.50pm, C339, Tait Building
Class / 2pm – 2.50pm, C339, Tait Building

Pre-requisite:

EC1001 Introduction to Economics (Micro and Macro); Data Analysis.

Module description:

This module demonstrates how theoretical and empirical microeconomics can be applied to health and health care and to provide useful insights for health policy.

Reading:

The textbook for this module is: Morris S., Devlin N., Parkin D. (2007) Economic Analysis in Health Care Wiley. [library shelfmark: 362.10681 MOR]

We will also recommend additional reading for each week’s topic from a range of books, reports and journal articles. You will be provided with a detailed reading guide for each week’s topic.

Assessment:

Coursework 20%. This will take the form of a multiple choice test to be held during class time. You will be advised of the date

Exam 80%.

Week-by-week guide to teaching and learning on this module:

The following table provides an overview of the topics, assessment and required readings for this module. You should attempt the required readings before coming to the sessions. In each lecture/class, you will be introduced to the relevant theory, and empirical research, and consider the implications for health and health care policy. Additional readings and resources for each topic will be provided each week via CitySpace. We expect you to spend at least as much time on personal study each week as in lectures and classes.

Date / Lecturer / Topic / Required reading
1. 22nd January / Nancy Devlin / Introduction to health economics / Chapter 1
2. 29th January / Mireia Jofre-Bonet / Demand for health and health care / Chapter 2
3. February 5th / Nancy Devlin / Supply of health care: production and cost functions / Chapter 3
4. February 12th / Mireia Jofre-Bonet / Markets for health care / Chapter 4
5. February 19th / Mireia Jofre-Bonet / Market failure and the role of government / Chapter 5
Multiple choice test – date/time to be confirmed
6. February 26th / Mireia Jofre-Bonet / Health insurance and health care systems / Chapter 6
7. March 4th / Mireia Jofre-Bonet / Pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement / To be advised.
8. March 11th / Nancy Devlin / Economic Evaluation: Introduction / Chapter 9
Note: there are no lectures or classes during the last two weeks of March.
9. April 1st / Nancy Devlin / Economic Evaluation: Monetary measures of health improvements / Chapter 10
10. April 8th / Nancy Devlin / Economic Evaluation: Valuing quality of life / Chapter 10
11. April 15th / Optional revision session