Economic Analysis for Management Policy (distance learning)

Course organiser: Dr Catherine Goodman

The module explores how economic theory can be used in the health sector, to both explain behaviour and provide policy recommendations. It begins by considering the theoretical basis for health economics, and the role of economic evaluation (the latter is covered in much more depth in the Economic Evaluation Module (PH204)). We move on to investigate the behaviour of individuals as consumers of health care (demand), and the behaviour of health care providers (supply). Then we bring the two sides of the market together to explore competition and market failure. Building on our understanding of market failures, we explore the appropriate role of government, the nature of contracts in health care, and agency relationships. Finally we turn to the concept of equity, covering both the its ethical foundations, and the ways it can be operationalised in health care.

We apply these concepts to real world health sector situations in both developed and developing countries. A key theme running through the course is the ways in which health care markets differ from markets for other goods, and therefore how standard economic models require critique and extension to serve this sector.

More information is available in the Economic Analysis for Management and Policy Module Outline [PDF]

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