Health Care Organization and Policy Courses (HCO)

HCO 600. Introduction to Public Health Systems and Population –Based Health Programs.- This course presents selected information, concepts, and methods from the field of public health.  Topics concerning the structure, financing and current status of the US health care system, as well as the history, organization, financing, and services of the public health system are discussed.  All topics are presented from a population-based perspective. 3 hours

HCO 601/701. Health Economics.-Economics as systematic way of thinking about use of resources.  Tools of economics applied to issues of organization, delivery, financing, and outcome of health care.  Develops economic principles and describes system of health care financing and delivery in the United States, providing basis for analyzing health management and policy options. With didactic coursework provided in HCO 601, doctoral students prepare a major paper under instructor's direction.  Prerequisite:  BST 601 or equivalent. 3 hours (Sen, Becker, Mennemeyer)

HCO 602. Narrative Public Health.-The purpose of this course is to develop communication skills primarily through written exercises directly relevant to public health.  Each exercise will explore and teach students different formats and techniques for communicating complex public health information to different audiences, such as colleagues, the lay public, public officials, or potential future public health students. Prerequisite: Only available to School of Public Health degree seeking students. 3 hours (Michael/Rudd)

HCO 603/703. Public Health Policy.-Theoretical framework and concepts used to understand evolution of public health policies and processes of policy formulation, implementation, and change. Significance of health policy for public health practical foundation of knowledge and skills useful in analyzing and responding to policy environment. Doctoral students will have an emphasis on independent analysis of health policy issues.  Prerequisite:  HCO 601 or HCO 701 recommended. 3 hours (Becker)

HCO 604. Policy Politics in Public Health.- The purpose of the course is to explore the many dimensions of public health policy within the political, cultural, scientific, and social contexts of American policy formulation and implementation.  This course will explore traditional public health topics such as access to health care and environmental safety as well as current events in public health policy issues. Graded by letter. 3 hours (Michael)

HCO 607. Public Health Law.-Survey of legal principles governing selected public health problems as derived from court decisions, statutes, and regulations.  Topics include constitutional limitations on the public power, administrative law, government regulation of competition, and medical liability. 3 hours (DeBow/Nelson)

HCO 609/709. Organizational Concepts Applied to Health Care Programs.-A study of classical and modern theories of organization, management, and leadership with emphasis on applications to modern private for profit, private not-for-profit, and public health care organizations.  The course focuses on the origins of modern management theories, the essential aspects of their development, and how and where these theories have been employed in improving organizational performance in contemporary health care settings.  The course also focuses on the individuals who were instrumental in developing modern management theories and practices. 3 hours (Duncan)

HCO 612. Strategic Management in Health Programs.- Provides a framework for strategic management in health care and public health organizations and provides opportunities to develop strategic plans for health care organization.  Objectives are: to relate prior knowledge and experience to specific problem-solving situations; encourage strategic thinking in decision making in health care organizations; provide opportunities to engage in and manage a group decision-making process; gain experience in analyzing the public health environment and prepare a strategic plan for that environment; and develop implementation plans to accomplish strategic plans. 3 hours (Ginter)

HCO 615/715. Finance for Health Professionals.-Financial management of public health care organizations.  Emphasis on time value on money, capital raising methods, cost of capital, capital budgeting methods and working capital policy.  Problem-solving orientation with applications to public health issues. 3 hours (Burkhart)

HCO 618/718. Management Concepts in Public Health Programs.-Organization structure, management, finance and budgeting, human resources, contracts, negotiation, and operations research in public health settings. Presentation of general principles combined with study of actual cases from practice.  Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor 3 hours (Rucks)

HCO 640/740. Disaster and Emergency Management.-This course will provide a concerted look into the realm of disaster and emergency management.  Discussions in the course will concentrate on how disaster and emergency management has changed since 9/11 including new legislation and governmental structures.  The course will culminate with a look at the roles and responsibilities of the public health system in preparing for and responding to both natural and man-initiated disasters.  This course is intended for advanced MPH or doctoral students with an interest in preparedness policy, emergency management, or public health preparedness. Course graded as letter. 3 hours (McCormick)

HCO 642. Preparedness and Agriculture.- This course presents the potential effects of an animal disease outbreak, whether natural, accidental or deliberate, on the affected communities.  Topics covering the prevention and diagnosis of and the response to an animal disease outbreak will be presented.  Examples of the interaction of public health with other disciplines will be provided.  This course is designed for MPH students with an interest in preparedness policy, emergency management, or public health preparedness.  Note:  It is preferred that this course is completed during the final year of enrollment; however, any MPH candidate who has completed the entire core curriculum is eligible to enroll in the course.  Course graded by letter. 3 hours (Hall)

HCO 643. Communication Issues in Disaster Preparedness.-This course will provide participants with an understanding of the psychological processes that occur during crises, how those processes impact human functioning, and how communication plays a critical role in the psychological outcome of crisis situations.  Course graded by letter. 3 hours (Klapow)

HCO 644. Needs Assessment, Program Planning, and Evaluation:  The Public Health Planning Process.-(also MCH 609).-To introduce the needs assessment, program planning, and evaluation processes specifically related to public health and provide practical educational experiences to develop skills in the range of activities needed to conduct needs assessments and use the information gathered to plan, direct, evaluate public health programs, and impact public health policies. Course graded by letter. 3 hours (Wingate/Mulvihill)

HCO 670. Social and Ethical Issues in Public Health.- This class examines situations where public health programs or policies create or become embroiled in social controversies.  Topics examined include:  the underlying social conflicts involved in these controversies, the nature of the types of groups involved, and the ethical dilemmas that face decision makers in these situations. 3 hours (Bronstein)

HCO 673/773. Applied Global Child Health Policy.-The focus of the course will be on four current and complex policy issues (2 domestic; 2 international): refugee health; immunization activities and the link to autism; obesity in children and physical inactivity; and child labor. Pertinent background information related to international, federal, state and local policies and systems will be studied. Students should gain both technical capacity for analysis and an understanding of the health policy process. This course is intended for advanced MPH or doctoral students with an interest in health policy, international health, or maternal and child health. Graded by letter. 3 hours (Wingate)

HCO 675. Improving Health Care Quality Outcomes.-Examination of current issues in quality of care and outcomes management.  The course includes a review of past and current efforts, tools, and theories of quality assessment, assurance, utilization management, and measuring and improving outcomes. 3 hours. (Van Matre)

HCO 677. Patient-Based Outcomes Measurement.-Detailed examination of patient-based outcomes measurement in the context of health care delivery systems and health care policy.  Topics include: Theories and development of outcome evaluation instruments; disease-specific and generic measures of outcome; utility estimation; mediators and moderators of health outcomes; issues in instrument selection and administration; methods for evaluating outcomes data; and uses of outcomes data.  Prerequisites: BST 601, BST 602 or Permission of Instructor 3 hours (Klapow)

HCO 680. Aging Policy.-Providing for the physical and economic well-being of the aging population is a continual challenge facing society.  The objectives of this course are to develop an understanding of the influence of demographic changes, economic factors, and public policy on the health status and health care of the aging population; investigate the work, retirement, savings, and health insurance decisions facing the elderly; describe the system of health care financing and delivery arrangements for the elderly in the United states and other developing countries.  Prerequisites: Basic biostatistics or equivalent. 3 hours (Locher)

HCO 686/786. Integrative Health Policy Analysis.- The aim of this interdisciplinary course is to engage students in critical thinking about  the goals, paradigms, effectiveness and implementation of health care policy in the United States.  The course will incorporate several concepts from public policy analysis, public policymaking, health politics, public opinion research, media research, and technical-writing communication. Note: There are no prerequisite course requirements; however, students are expected to be familiar with the basics of the U.S. health care system and prior experience in health policy will be useful.  Course graded by letter. 3 hours (Gary)

HCO 687/787. Empirical Methods for Health Research.- The objectives of the course are to provide thorough treatment of simple and multivariate regression models, simple binary dependent variable models, instrumental variables estimators, sample selection and two-part models, and simple panel data models.  Course provides students with an opportunity to acquire hands-on software.  This course is designed for students who have had limited experience with regression analysis but a working knowledge of simple statistics, probability distributions, and basic calculus. Prerequisite:  Upper level undergraduate or graduate course in statistics and probability; basic calculus. 3 hours.(Sen)

HCO 692. Advanced Topics in Health Disparities Research.-The primary aim of this course is to engage students in critical thinking about the current paradigms for health care disparities research in the U.S.  As a part of this process, students will be challenged to think about the social, political, and economic determinants of health disparities for diverse health care consumers, to identify substantive trends and gaps in the health disparities literature, and to develop an innovative research or policy-oriented strategy for reducing health disparities. A secondary aim of this course is to provide students with a broad overview of health and health care disparities according to race/ethnicity, gender, and health status.  The three specific racial/ethnic groups are: African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, and Asian/Pacific Islanders. The gender classifications include men and women.  The health status groupings include persons with chronic health problems (such as diabetes or a mental health condition, e.g., schizophrenia). Course graded by letter. 3 hours (Gary)

HCO 693. Policy Analysis: Modeling and Simulation.- Training in basic skills necessary to design, test, implement, manage, present, and critique policy analysis in health care sector.  Fundamentals of policy research design, and linkage between theory and operation.  Various research techniques examined case studies and analyses of secondary data.  Emphasis on choosing appropriate analytical strategies for particular policy issues.  Data analysis using computers and critical evaluation of technical policy literature.  Special topics in econometrics also addressed.  Original policy analytic paper required at end of sequence.  Prerequisites: HCO 601 or equivalent, BST 601, BST 602; BST 603 recommended. 3 hours (Mennemeyer)

HCO 694. Special Problems in Policy Analysis.- (Continuation of HCO 693) Prerequisite: HCO 693. 3 hours (Mennemeyer)

HCO 695. Seminar in Health Care Organization.-Factors currently influencing finance and administration of public and private health programs; availability, accessibility, and utilization by selected population groups. Prerequisites: MPH core or permission of instructor.

HCO 696. Selected Topics in Public Health Finance.-Financing of public health programs; sources of revenue (grants and contracts, tax revenues, and service fees), capital financing, and management of cash flows  Techniques of maximizing revenues in public health programs.  Prerequisite: HCO 601 3 hours.

HCO 697. Internship.- Field experience under joint direction of faculty member and qualified specialist working in selected aspects of public health. Written report specifying activities, products, and outcomes of experience required upon completing the internship. Pass/No Pass.3,6,9 hours

HCO 698. Master's Directed Research, Health Care Organization and Policy.-Independent study with guidance of appropriate faculty. Pass/No Pass.1 - 9 hours.

HCO 699. Master's Project Research, Health Care Organization and Policy.-Research for project under direction of research project committee. Pass/No Pass.1- 9 hours.

HCO 701/601. Health Economics.-Economics as systematic way of thinking about use of resources.  Tools of economics applied to issues of organization, delivery, financing, and outcome of health care.  Develops economic principles and describes system of health care financing and delivery in the United States, providing basis for analyzing health management and policy options. With didactic coursework provided in HCO 601, doctoral students prepare a major paper under instructor's direction.  Prerequisite:  BST 601 or equivalent. 3 hours (Sen, Becker, Mennemeyer)

HCO 703/603. Public Health Policy.-Theoretical framework and concepts used to understand evolution of public health policies and processes of policy formulation, implementation, and change. Significance of health policy for public health practical foundation of knowledge and skills useful in analyzing and responding to policy environment. Doctoral students will have an emphasis on independent analysis of health policy issues.  Prerequisite:  HCO 601 or HCO 701 recommended. 3 hours (Becker)

HCO 704. Advanced Health Economics.-Advanced analysis of economic concepts important to public health problems; government financing of health services, public health deliver, utilization of health, and public health services; and perspectives and policy issues in public health.  Prerequisites: HCO 601 or HCO 701. 3 hours (Sen)

HCO 609/709. Organizational Concepts Applied to Health Care Programs.-A study of classical and modern theories of organization, management, and leadership with emphasis on applications to modern private for profit, private not-for-profit, and public health care organizations.  The course focuses on the origins of modern management theories, the essential aspects of their development, and how and where these theories have been employed in improving organizational performance in contemporary health care settings.  The course also focuses on the individuals who were instrumental in developing modern management theories and practices. 3 hours (Duncan)

HCO 713. Advanced Health Policy.-Expands on content of introductory course in health policy. Insights into system's attributes; characteristics dictating its structure and function.  Prerequisites: HCO 603 and HCO 607 or Permission of instructor. 3 hours (Bronstein)

HCO 715/615. Finance for Health Professionals.-Financial management of public health care organizations.  Emphasis on time value on money, capital raising methods, cost of capital, capital budgeting methods and working capital policy.  Problem-solving orientation with applications to public health issues. 3 hours (Burkhart)

HCO 718/618. Management Concepts in Public Health Programs.-Organization structure, management, finance and budgeting, human resources, contracts, negotiation, and operations research in public health settings. Presentation of general principles combined with study of actual cases from practice.  Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor 3 hours (Rucks)

HCO 720. Health Insurance and Managed Care.-Insurance as mechanism for dealing with consequences of an uncertain world.  health insurance and its consequences as significant reasons health care markets differ from others.  Workings of insur4ance markets and current policy issues.  Demand for health insurance, underwriting, rate making, moral hazard and adverse selection, HMOs and PPOs, employer health benefits and self insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, long term care insurance and catastrophic coverage. Prerequisite: HCO 602 or equivalent. 3 hours (Morrisey)

HCO 721. Clinical Decision Making and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.-The objectives of this course are to acquaint public health and other professionals with techniques of decision making under conditions of uncertainty and the basics of cost-effectiveness analysis.  Topics include decision analysis, Markov processes, Monte Carlo simulation, valuing diagnostic tests, and measuring the costs and outcomes of health service programs.  Students who successfully complete the course will be able to understand the strengths and limitations of these types of analysis and determine the relevance of research findings to their on areas of expertise. Prerequisite: BST 611, BST 612, or Permission of instructor. 3 hours. (Kilgore)

HCO 722. Cost-Effectiveness Research Methods.-The objective of this course is to familiarize students with the design and implementation of cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis.  Specific topics include cost estimation, effectiveness measurement, time preference, uncertainty, ethical issues, valuing health outcomes, and ethical issues in cost-effectiveness research.  At the end of the course students will develop and present analysis plans related to their particular fields of practice. Prerequisite: HCO 721 or Permission of instructor. 3 hours. (Kilgore)

HCO 723. Management of Complex Health Organizations.-Complexity as related to management of health organizations.  Academic health centers as models of complex organization.   Incentive systems, organizational politics, and ownership and control within context of high complex health organizations. 3 hours

HCO 740/640. Disaster and Emergency Management.-This course will provide a concerted look into the realm of disaster and emergency management.  Discussions in the course will concentrate on how disaster and emergency management has changed since 9/11 including new legislation and governmental structures.  The course will culminate with a look at the roles and responsibilities of the public health system in preparing for and responding to both natural and man-initiated disasters.  This course is intended for advanced MPH or doctoral students with an interest in preparedness policy, emergency management, or public health preparedness. Course graded as letter. 3 hours (McCormick)

HCO 773/673. Applied Global Child Health Policy.-The focus of the course will be on four current and complex policy issues (2 domestic; 2 international): refugee health; immunization activities and the link to autism; obesity in children and physical inactivity; and child labor. Pertinent background information related to international, federal, state and local policies and systems will be studied. Students should gain both technical capacity for analysis and an understanding of the health policy process. This course is intended for advanced MPH or doctoral students with an interest in health policy, international health, or maternal and child health. Graded by letter. 3 hours (Wingate)

HCO 786/686. Integrative Health Policy Analysis.- The aim of this interdisciplinary course is to engage students in critical thinking about  the goals, paradigms, effectiveness and implementation of health care policy in the United States.  The course will incorporate several concepts from public policy analysis, public policymaking, health politics, public opinion research, media research, and technical-writing communication. Note: There are no prerequisite course requirements; however, students are expected to be familiar with the basics of the U.S. health care system and prior experience in health policy will be useful.  Course graded by letter. 3 hours (Gary)

HCO 787/687. Empirical Methods for Health Research.-The objectives of the course are to provide thorough treatment of simple and multivariate regression models, simple binary dependent variable models, instrumental variables estimators, sample selection and two-part models, and simple panel data models.  Course provides students with an opportunity to acquire hands-on software.  This course is designed for students who have had limited experience with regression analysis but a working knowledge of simple statistics, probability distributions, and basic calculus. Prerequisite:  Upper level undergraduate or graduate course in statistics and probability; basic calculus. 3 hours. (Sen)

HCO 797. Doctoral Level Seminar.- Through participation in this course, students will be introduced to advanced topics in public health and management research.  Students are required to register for the seminar course each fall and spring semester they are enrolled. 1 hour

HCO 798. Doctoral Directed Research, Health Care Organization and Policy.-Independent study with guidance of appropriate faculty. Pass/No Pass.1 - 9 hours.

HCO 799. Dissertation Research, Health Care Organization and Policy.-Research for dissertation under direction of dissertation committee. Pass/No Pass.1 - 9 hours.