ECC9210

Health economics

Lecturer to be advised

6 points · One 3-hour session per week · First semester · Clayton

Objectives The course has three major aims: to introduce students to the aims, concepts and methods of economic analysis; to give an appreciation of how these methods can be applied to problems of resource allocation, evaluation and planning in the health system; to develop the ability of students to understand and analyse the economic aspects of health services and programs.

Synopsis The aim of this subject is to introduce students to the economic analysis of health care problems. Many aspects of the Australian health care system are economic in nature, and a thorough understanding of the functioning of the health care system requires an ability to analyse patterns in the delivery and use of services and programs using various tools of economic analysis. The subject does not assume any prior knowledge of economics at tertiary level. The overall emphasis is on the application of economic analysis to the Australian health care system.

Assessment Written (two 2000-word assignments): 50% · Class presentation: 10% · Examination (2 hours): 40%

Prescribed texts

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Australia's health AGPS, latest edn
Feldstein P J Health care economics Wiley, latest edn
Monash University Economics and health various years
National Health Strategy Review Issues, papers and background papers 1991-93
Palmer G R and Short S Health care and public policy: The Australian experience Macmillan, latest edn

Back to the 1999 Business and Economics Handbook