Health Economics and Financing

Overview

This course addresses the economic and financing aspects of the production, distribution, and organisation of health care services and delivery. This includes the structure of health care delivery and insurance markets, demand for and supply of health services, pricing of services, cost of care, financing mechanisms, and their impact on the relevant markets.

A special emphasis will be given to market failures and the role of government in the market for health services. Through textbook readings and discussions of seminal articles and more recent empirical applications in health economics, participants will learn the economic way of thinking. They will be given the opportunity to showcase these skills through a series of research papers written throughout the course that will culminate with a final manuscript that provides an in-depth analysis of a critical health issue.

Course Objectives

Upon course completion, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss the approaches and viewpoints that economists bring to the heath field, and with the published literature of health economics
2. Use some of the analytical methods and tools employed by economists in the health sector
3. Discuss some of the most important economic issues and problems faces by the health sector, and of the extent to which economic analysis can assist in their solution

Who Should Attend?

Professionals in the health industry who are interested in health economics and financing.

Assessment & Certification

This is a SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) approved course. As part of SSG funding requirements, participants have to achieve at least 75% attendance and pass all assessment(s)/examination(s).

An electronic certificate will be issued to all participants who complete the course:

• Certificate of Competence – Attain a ‘C’ grade or above and meet a minimum of 75% attendance
• Certificate of Participation – Attain a grade lower than ‘C’ and meet a minimum of 75% attendance