Students

ECON716 – Health Economics and Policy

2019 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Kompal Sinha
kompal.sinha@mq.edu.au
4ER Room 442
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit is aimed at students interested in pursuing careers in the field of health economics, health policy or health technology assessment, or students interested in understanding the economics of health and health policy. The unit will introduce students to economic tools and their application relevant to the understanding of the economics of health and health care. Adopting a microeconomic approach, the unit will cover economic and statistical concepts and techniques relevant to the understanding of health economics.
Topics covered will include supply and demand for health, information and insurance markets, key players in the health care sector, social insurance, the economics of health innovation (pharmaceuticals, technology and health technology assessment), health policy, health systems around the world, the economics and policy of bads (smoking, alcohol), public health economics, behavioural health economics, health and economic development and the case of Aboriginal health.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of advanced health economics concepts
  • Apply research skills to address typical challenges faced by economists
  • Demonstrate communication skills relevant to an appropriate professional environment
  • Frame international and contemporary challenges facing society, business and government
  • Critically reflect on the research developments in health economics and its application to contemporary issues relating to health policy

General Assessment Information

 

 

 

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Tutorial Presentation 15% No Week 7
Write and publish an Op-ed 15% No Week 7
Research report 30% No Week 12
Final Exam 40% No Examination period

Tutorial Presentation

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 15%

Each student is assigned a task of presenting a preassigned paper and discussing another paper during workshop sessions. The suggested papers will be posted on iLearn in Week 1 of this unit guide. Each student is required to read their assigned paper and prepare a power point aided presentation. This presentation will be shared with the class via iLearn after the presentation. Each student also acts as a discussant for another paper and has to lead the discussion of this paper. Each student is required to submit a 500 word summary of the discussion at the beginning of lecture in Week 7. 

All students are expected to attend and participate in the presentation and discussion sessions. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate communication skills relevant to an appropriate professional environment
  • Frame international and contemporary challenges facing society, business and government

Write and publish an Op-ed

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 15%

An opinion piece (Op-ed) on the suggested topic will be submitted to the class in  Week 7 during lecture time.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of advanced health economics concepts
  • Demonstrate communication skills relevant to an appropriate professional environment
  • Frame international and contemporary challenges facing society, business and government
  • Critically reflect on the research developments in health economics and its application to contemporary issues relating to health policy

Research report

Due: Week 12
Weighting: 30%

Students are required to prepare a research report on the topic assigned by unit convenor. This assessment comprises of two parts: a report on current policy topic and summary of student social media engagement (details will be provided via iLearn).

Submission requirements: The essay length is a maximum of 5,000 words and is due in week 12. The submitted essay MUST clearly indicate SID, name and topic. It MUST begin with a 400 word abstract (not included in the word limit) that sets out the issues and main conclusions of the essay. The submitted essay MUST be in WORD format in 12pt font with page margins of at least 3 cms to allow space for feedback on the submitted paper. Any footnotes and appendices are not included in the word limit. Referencing style must conform to that required by the Journal of Health Economics, which students are expected to consult in the library or online. Submission is by turnitin to iLearn by the due date and time. Feedback on student performance will be provided in the final tutorial of the semester (.i.e by 11:59pm on the Friday of Week 12). Feedback will take the form of written comments on the essay and the completion of the attached marking scheme.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of advanced health economics concepts
  • Apply research skills to address typical challenges faced by economists
  • Demonstrate communication skills relevant to an appropriate professional environment
  • Frame international and contemporary challenges facing society, business and government
  • Critically reflect on the research developments in health economics and its application to contemporary issues relating to health policy

Final Exam

Due: Examination period
Weighting: 40%

A final exam will be held during the University exam period. The exam will cover all materials and topics covered during the unit. The exam format will be discussed in-class during Week 13.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of advanced health economics concepts
  • Apply research skills to address typical challenges faced by economists

Delivery and Resources

Required and recommended text:

Bhattacharya, J., Hyde, T., & Tu, P. (2013). Health economics. Macmillan International Higher Education. Folland, S., A. Goodman and M. Stano, The Economics of Health and Health Care, (8th Ed), Pearson.

The textbooks are available for purchase at Co-op Bookshop. A small number are available on reserve in the library. Earlier editions are similar but page references may change.

Teaching and learning resources

  • Course material is available on the iLearn unit page
  • Students will be required to read journal articles every week. The list of these articles will be posted on iLearn unit page.
  • Students will use MS-Office for this unit.

Unit Schedule

Unit Schedule
Week Lecture Topic Workshop
1 Introduction and Demand for Health and Health Care   Workshop 1
2 Population health and socioeconomic disparities in health Workshop 2
3 Supply of health care I Workshop 3
4 Supply of health care II Workshop 4
5 Market for insurance I Workshop 5
6 Market for insurance II Workshop 6
7 Student led presentations and discussion Mid-session test
8 Economics of health innovation Workshop  8
9 Health policy I Workshop 9
10 Health policy II Workshop 10
11 Health policy III Workshop 11
12 Economics of health externalities Workshop 12
13 Revision Workshop 13

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

Lectures

The unit will be taught in relatively informal interactive lectures and workshops. There will be group presentation and discussion of tutorial readings. Students are expected to have refamiliarise themselves with microeconomics topics if necessary. Reading lecture topics in advance for the week, paying special attend to discussion of health policy in daily press would be beneficial.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Assessment tasks

  • Write and publish an Op-ed
  • Research report

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Demonstrate knowledge of advanced health economics concepts

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial Presentation
  • Write and publish an Op-ed
  • Research report
  • Final Exam

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge of advanced health economics concepts
  • Apply research skills to address typical challenges faced by economists
  • Demonstrate communication skills relevant to an appropriate professional environment
  • Frame international and contemporary challenges facing society, business and government
  • Critically reflect on the research developments in health economics and its application to contemporary issues relating to health policy

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial Presentation
  • Write and publish an Op-ed
  • Research report
  • Final Exam

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Apply research skills to address typical challenges faced by economists
  • Demonstrate communication skills relevant to an appropriate professional environment
  • Frame international and contemporary challenges facing society, business and government
  • Critically reflect on the research developments in health economics and its application to contemporary issues relating to health policy

Assessment tasks

  • Research report
  • Final Exam

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate communication skills relevant to an appropriate professional environment
  • Critically reflect on the research developments in health economics and its application to contemporary issues relating to health policy

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial Presentation
  • Write and publish an Op-ed