Students
ECON8016 – Health Economics and Policy
2023 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Kompal Sinha
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MActPrac or ECON632 or ECON6032 or ECON649 or ECON6049 or ECON991 or ECON8091
|
| 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, 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:
- ULO1: Evaluate the importance of health economics and its relevance to health systems.
- ULO2: Apply theoretical knowledge of applied microeconomics to health economics.
- ULO3: Evaluate health as a unique economic good, and the role of market players, market imperfections and the government.
- ULO4: Critically analyse the role of health economics in the design of health policy across the world.
- ULO5: Effectively communicate theories and knowledge of health economics in technical and non-technical language.
General Assessment Information
Presentation
Each student is assigned a task of preparing and presenting a literature review on the pre-assigned topic. The suggested topics will be posted on iLearn in Week 1. Each student is required to prepare and present a power point aided presentation in Week 8.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate the importance of health economics and its relevance to health systems.
- Apply theoretical knowledge of applied microeconomics to health economics.
- Critically analyse the role of health economics in the design of health policy across the world.
- Effectively communicate theories and knowledge of health economics in technical and non-technical language.
Research Report
Students are required to prepare a 4000-word research report on the assigned policy topic. Alternatively, students may formulate their own topic for the report, but this will need to be negotiated with the lecturer.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate the importance of health economics and its relevance to health systems.
- Apply theoretical knowledge of applied microeconomics to health economics.
- Evaluate health as a unique economic good, and the role of market players, market imperfections and the government.
- Critically analyse the role of health economics in the design of health policy across the world.
- Effectively communicate theories and knowledge of health economics in technical and non-technical language.
Health policy debate
Students will be assigned a health policy question in week 2. Each student will be required to work on this health policy topic throughout the session, and participate in the class debate in Week 13. A short 2-page summary of their case should be handed in at the beginning of the debate in Week 13.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate the importance of health economics and its relevance to health systems.
- Apply theoretical knowledge of applied microeconomics to health economics.
- Evaluate health as a unique economic good, and the role of market players, market imperfections and the government.
- Effectively communicate theories and knowledge of health economics in technical and non-technical language.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation | 25% | No | Week 8 (During scheduled lecture time) |
| Research Report | 50% | No | Week 11 (Monday 11:59pm) |
| Health policy debate | 25% | No | Week 13 (During scheduled lecture time) |
Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Week 8 (During scheduled lecture time)
Weighting: 25%
Each student is assigned a task of preparing and presenting a literature review on the pre-assigned topic. The suggested topics will be posted on iLearn in Week 1. Each student is required to prepare and present a power point aided presentation in Week 10.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate the importance of health economics and its relevance to health systems.
- Apply theoretical knowledge of applied microeconomics to health economics.
- Critically analyse the role of health economics in the design of health policy across the world.
- Effectively communicate theories and knowledge of health economics in technical and non-technical language.
Research Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 11 (Monday 11:59pm)
Weighting: 50%
Students are required to prepare a 4000-word research report on the assigned policy topic. Alternatively, students may formulate their own topic for the report, but this will need to be negotiated with the lecturer.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate the importance of health economics and its relevance to health systems.
- Apply theoretical knowledge of applied microeconomics to health economics.
- Evaluate health as a unique economic good, and the role of market players, market imperfections and the government.
- Critically analyse the role of health economics in the design of health policy across the world.
- Effectively communicate theories and knowledge of health economics in technical and non-technical language.
Health policy debate
Assessment Type 1: Debate
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Week 13 (During scheduled lecture time)
Weighting: 25%
Students will be assigned a health policy question in week 2. Each student will be required to work on this health policy topic throughout the session, and participate in the class debate in Week 13. A short 2 page summary of their case should be handed in at the beginning of the debate in Week 13.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate the importance of health economics and its relevance to health systems.
- Apply theoretical knowledge of applied microeconomics to health economics.
- Evaluate health as a unique economic good, and the role of market players, market imperfections and the government.
- Effectively communicate theories and knowledge of health economics in technical and non-technical language.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
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.
- Reading list for this unit (available on iLearn)
These 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 need a PC/Tablet.
- Students will use MS-Office for this unit.
- Students will need to be familiar with platforms for online communications such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
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.
Unit information based on version 2023.03 of the Handbook