Healthcare Systems

Required Text
Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2017). Essentials of the U.S. Health Care System (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett
Learning.

ISBN: 9781284100556

Course Description
Students examine healthcare systems and their effects on the health of populations. The purpose of this course is to
bring the student up-to-date on significant developments that have occurred in the American healthcare system.
Students explore the widespread penetration of managed care with its service management and cost control strategies.
Topics include systems/theory thinking, case management, health policy, the inter-relatedness of elements within
healthcare systems, and strategies to influence systems.

Course Objectives
Upon completing this course you will be able to:

Analyze the structure of todays healthcare delivery system, both public and private
Extrapolate the major imperatives of the healthcare system today
Summarize the general financial models which underpin the payment systems
Synthesize the impact of demographic trends on the burden of diseases within the United States
Evaluate the trend of patient-centered medical practice
1.
Tentative Schedule
Read chapters 1 and 2 from textbook
View lecture
Participate in discussion: The Major Players in
Week 1: The Healthcare Delivery System
the U.S. Health Services System
Complete assignment: Social and Medical
Determinants
Read chapters 3 and 4 from textbook
View lecture
Week 2: The Evolution of U.S. Healthcare
Participate in discussion: Medicare and
and Current Trends
Medicaid, Primary Care and Specialty Care
Complete assignment: Interviews

Week 3: Medical Technology and Financial
Needs
Week 4: Healthcare Delivery and Hospitals
Week 5: Managed Care Organizations and
Long-Term Care
Week 6: Healthcare Challenges and High
Costs
Week 7: Health Policy Issues
Week 8: Challenges and Future Models
Work must be submitted by 11:59 PM C.S.T. on the due date
Read chapter 5 and 6 from textbook
View lecture
Participate in discussion: Information
Technology Applications and the Payment
System
Complete assignment: Case Studies
Read chapters 7 and 8 from textbook
View lecture
Participate in discussion: Outpatient Care and
Hospitals
Complete assignment: Mobile Health Care
Services
Complete midterm exam
Read chapters 9 and 10 from textbook
View lecture
Participate in discussion: PPOs, HMOs, and
Nursing Care Facilities
Complete assignment: The Integration of
Organizations into Health Networks
Read chapters 11 and 12 from textbook
View lecture
Participate in discussion: The High Costs of
Health Care
Complete assignment: Process Improvement-
Draft
Read chapter 13 from textbook
View lecture
Participate in discussion: Health Care Interest
Groups and Health Policy
Complete assignment: Process Improvement-
Final
Complete proctored exam
Read chapters 14 from textbook
View lecture
Participate in discussion: Challenges and
Future Models
Complete assignment: PowerPoint
Presentation
Complete final exam
Grading Policy
Assignment Percentage
Discussions 37%
Assignments 40%
Proctored Exam 3%
Midterm 10%
Final 10%

Expected Student Workload

The following table outlines the academic effort required for you to be successful in this course. While the times in the
table are approximate, it is presented to help with your time management. If you have any questions or concerns, please
direct them to your instructor or student advisor.

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 1.2

Online Discussions 3.5

Assignments 0.5

1 Readings 2.2

Discussions 1.0
Preparation
Assignments 3.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 1.2

Online Discussions 3.5

2 Assignments 0.5

Readings 2.2
Preparation
Discussions 1.0
 Assignments 9.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 1.2

Online Discussions 3.5

Assignments 2.5

3 Readings 2.2

Discussions 1.0
Preparation
Assignments 6.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 1.2

Online Discussions 3.5

Assignments 2.5

4 Readings 2.2

Discussions 1.0
Preparation
Assignments 6.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 1.2

Online Discussions 3.5

Assignments 0.6
5
Readings 2.2

Preparation Discussions 1.0

Assignments 3.0
 Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 1.2

Online Discussions 3.5

Assignments 0.5

6 Readings 2.2

Discussions 1.0
Preparation
Assignments 15.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 1.2

Online Discussions 3.5

Assignments 2.5

7 Readings 2.2

Discussions 1.0
Preparation
Assignments 18.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 1.2

Online Discussions 3.5

Assignments 2.6

8 Readings 2.2

Discussions 1.0
Preparation
Assignments 5.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

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