Revised by: Rector of Umeå School of Business and Economics, 2021-10-28
Contents
The course consists of five parts, of which one deals with health-related insurances and another is about the relationships between the use of healthcare and health, and problems with measuring these relationships. A third part of the course is about healthcare costs and how these can be limited, while a fourth part focuses on health economic issues relating to pharmaceuticals. On the fifth part, articles on health behaviors are analyzed.
During the course, students will work on assignments and participate in compulsory and graded seminars. Before the seminars, students will get scientific articles and possibly other texts within the subject to read and are then expected to actively discuss them during the seminars.
Expected learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student is expected to be able to:
Describe economic theories related to insurance.
Describe the difficulties in empirically measuring the relationships between the choice of insurance, utilization of health services, and health.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of various measures to limit the costs of healthcare and describe approaches to identify the effects of these measures.
Explain the different theories that can be used to explain people's health-related choices.
Orally and in writing be able to briefly and clearly account for the main content of the articles that are part of the course.
Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the articles that are part of the course and interpret the estimates presented in the articles.
Required Knowledge
90 credits of which 75 credits in economics including 15 credits bachelor courses (G2F). Additionally, Mathematical Economics I D7, Econometrics I D12 and Microeconomic Analysis and Applications, or the equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.
Form of instruction
The course is mainly conducted in the form of seminars.
Examination modes
The examination is in the form of seminars and assignments. Students who have not passed a given seminar will be offered a new examination occasion during, or shortly after the ending of the course for the part they have not passed. One additional examination occasion will be offered in proximity to the ending of the course.
The following grading system will be used: Pass with Distinction (Väl Godkänd) Pass (Godkänd) Fail (Underkänd). Students that get the grade Pass may not undergo a new examination for higher grades.
When a student has failed an examination on two occasions, he or she has a right to have another grading teacher. A written request for an alternative examiner should be handed to the Dean of the Business School no later than two weeks before the next examination opportunity.
Credit transfer Academic credit transfers are according to the University credit transfer regulations.
