HC - 501 Foundations of Healthcare Systems

Credits: 3

This course is designed to serve as a foundation course for the health systems management program. It is organized to provide a comprehensive overview of the U.S. healthcare system. The first section of the course presents a descriptive analysis of the continuum of healthcare services: from primary care to long-term care. Emphasis will be given to the organization of health services and the delivery of services within these systems. The second concentrates on the changes in the health services system and associated issues in the management of healthcare systems. Topics of discussion include changes in the organization and structure of health services and concomitant strategies for managing a changing healthcare system. Topics include standards and guidelines for the accreditation of healthcare organizations, as well as specific quality assessment, management and performance indicators.