Spring 2018 - 60970 - PA 393L – Advanced Policy Economics

Methods for the Economic Evaluation of Health Care Programs

 

Course Description

This course surveys the most common methods used in the economic evaluation of health care programs: cost analysis, cost-consequence analysis, cost-minimization analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, cost-utility analysis, and cost-benefit analysis.  These methods are used to inform medical decision making, the allocation of health care budgets, and the design of public policy. 

Learning Objectives

By the end of the semester, students should be able to…

articulate the strengths and limitations of each method of economic evaluation, both in theory (conceptual) and in practice (technical);
critique economic evaluations conducted by others; and
plan an economic evaluation of their own.

Pre-requisites

Successful completion of an introductory microeconomics course.
Familiarity with Excel.

Grading

Grades will be based on class participation, problem sets, a mid-term exam, and a final paper or project.