Starting from the relationship between health and economic growth, the course aims to offer an analysis of the problems related to the provision of health services in a context like the Italian one, characterized by the presence of public and private providers. The decision-making process of individuals is examined in depth with regard to the investment in health and the use of care services. Attention is then focused on the organization of markets for health services and the dynamics of interaction between consumers and providers. Information asymmetry will be an important topic of discussion. We will then move from theory to practice by presenting the main features of the Italian health care system. This will be followed by an analysis of reforms in the main countries of the OECD.
teacher profile teaching materials
1. DEMAND
- What is health economics
- Course objectives
- Study of health economics
- Peculiarities of the healthcare services market
- Health demand (Chapter 1)
- Health: From need to demand
- Healthcare services demand
- Grossman model
- Healthcare services demand in a static context
- Agency relationship and demand (Chapter 2)
- Agency relationship between doctor and patient
- Induced demand; new theories
2. SUPPLY
- Supply and management of healthcare facilities (Chapter 3, only indicated parts):
- Supply and control tools
- The physician and services (part 1 and 2)
- The hospital as a business (part 3)
- Economic evaluation (Chapter 4, only indicated parts):
- Theoretical foundations of economic evaluation (part 1 & 2)
- Value of life (part 3, first part)
- Critical aspects of economic evaluation (part 4 & 9)
- Insurance markets (Chapter 5 (213-220, 228-237) and 6 (intro, pp.280-288)):
- Insurance for health risk
- Contracts between buyer and hospital
- Contracts between buyer and general practitioners
- Contracts for diagnostic services
- Information asymmetry and welfare
- Strategic supply management: organization and financing of healthcare (Chapter 9)
- Main methods of healthcare system financing
- Methods of supply organization
- Resource allocation criteria: possible alternatives
- Capitation formula
3. SOCIO-HEALTH INTEGRATION
- The National Health Service (NHS) in Italy and its evolution
- Recent national measures
- The difficult balance between integration and competition
- Comparison of healthcare systems (Chapter 10)
4. PHARMACEUTICAL ECONOMICS
- Pharmaceutical market
- Demand for innovative drugs
- Supply of innovative drugs
- Reimbursement and pricing mechanisms
- Drug value
- The European Union and the single market
Capitoli 1, 2, 3 [par 3.1, 3.2, 3.3], 4 [par. 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.9], 5 [pp.213-220, 228-237], 6 [introduzione, pp.
280-288], 9, 10)
Programme
Detailed Program:1. DEMAND
- What is health economics
- Course objectives
- Study of health economics
- Peculiarities of the healthcare services market
- Health demand (Chapter 1)
- Health: From need to demand
- Healthcare services demand
- Grossman model
- Healthcare services demand in a static context
- Agency relationship and demand (Chapter 2)
- Agency relationship between doctor and patient
- Induced demand; new theories
2. SUPPLY
- Supply and management of healthcare facilities (Chapter 3, only indicated parts):
- Supply and control tools
- The physician and services (part 1 and 2)
- The hospital as a business (part 3)
- Economic evaluation (Chapter 4, only indicated parts):
- Theoretical foundations of economic evaluation (part 1 & 2)
- Value of life (part 3, first part)
- Critical aspects of economic evaluation (part 4 & 9)
- Insurance markets (Chapter 5 (213-220, 228-237) and 6 (intro, pp.280-288)):
- Insurance for health risk
- Contracts between buyer and hospital
- Contracts between buyer and general practitioners
- Contracts for diagnostic services
- Information asymmetry and welfare
- Strategic supply management: organization and financing of healthcare (Chapter 9)
- Main methods of healthcare system financing
- Methods of supply organization
- Resource allocation criteria: possible alternatives
- Capitation formula
3. SOCIO-HEALTH INTEGRATION
- The National Health Service (NHS) in Italy and its evolution
- Recent national measures
- The difficult balance between integration and competition
- Comparison of healthcare systems (Chapter 10)
4. PHARMACEUTICAL ECONOMICS
- Pharmaceutical market
- Demand for innovative drugs
- Supply of innovative drugs
- Reimbursement and pricing mechanisms
- Drug value
- The European Union and the single market
Core Documentation
Libro di testo: Levaggi, R. Capri, S. (2008) Economia Sanitaria, Franco Angeli, 4a edizione:Capitoli 1, 2, 3 [par 3.1, 3.2, 3.3], 4 [par. 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.9], 5 [pp.213-220, 228-237], 6 [introduzione, pp.
280-288], 9, 10)
Attendance
Attendance in the course is highly recommended.Type of evaluation
Oral examination and development of an empirical project aimed at preparing the student for the process of elaborating a Master's thesis.