Health Economics

Subject ECON30023 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Two 1-hour lectures and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

The following:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Summer Term, Semester 1
12.50
AND one of:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Summer Term, Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: Please refer to Prerequisites and Corequisites.
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Prof Jenny Williams

Contact

jenny.williams@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

The focus of this unit is on the application of economic analysis to study the consumption and production of health. The main objectives of this subject are to develop an understanding of: (1) the underlying economic frameworks appropriate to study health and health care, and (2) the impact of market failures in the provision of health care and the role for government policy. Topics covered may include production of health, demand for health (including the demand for health “bads”), moral hazard and adverse selection in health insurance markets, health labour markets, including physician-patient interactions, the institutions of the Australian system of health care, health policy and evaluation techniques.
Objectives:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the basic economic concepts used in the study of health economics
  • Apply appropriate economic tools to analyse the behaviour of the various agents in the provision and consumption of health care.
  • Describe the major government programs and institutional features in the provision of health care in Australia and the debates currently surrounding these programs.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the main empirical tools used in the analysis of issues in health economics.
Assessment:

A 2-hour end-of-semester exam (60%) tutorial participation (10%) and assignments not exceeding 3000 words (30%).
Prescribed Texts:

The Economics of Health and Health Care by Folland, Goodman and Stano.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • High level of development: written communication; collaborative learning; problem solving; team work; application of theory to practice; interpretation and analysis; critical thinking; synthesis of data and other information.

  • Moderate level of development: oral communication; statistical reasoning; evaluation of data and other information; accessing data and other information from a range of sources; receptiveness to alternative ideas.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Economics Major

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