Week Three

Introduction to the US HEalthcare System, 300.651.11

4 academic credits
June 20-23, 2011, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Bradley Herring, PhD

This course examines the organization, financing, and delivery of health care in the U.S. It contrasts the private and public sectors and examines the effects of market competition and government regulation. It examines the ways that medical providers are paid, and explores the major issues currently facing physicians, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry. Finally, it examines several potential small and large scale reforms to the U.S. health care system and evaluates their likely effects on health care spending, quality of care, and access to care. Students taking this course for graduate academic credit will be graded on an in-class exam and a written paper due within two weeks of the conclusion of the course.

*May be used toward the Certificate in Health Finance and Management
*May be used toward the Certificate in Public Health Preparedness
Healthcare management sequence; public health leadership sequences, public health practice sequence

SS/R: Effective Writing for Public Health Change, 308.845.11

3 academic credits
June 20-22, 2011. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Beth Resnick, MPH, CPH

Students will sharpen their persuasive writing skills for public health change. The course will focus on the key elements of successful writing, including detailed analyses of the decision-making audience and the political/policy environment; the development of the evidence base for a particular program or policy; and an understanding of effective argumentation structure using a variety of formats, such as electronic correspondence, opinion-editorials, white papers and policy briefs. Participants will review and analyze examples of written documents, participate in short in-class writing exercises, and workshop their own writing. Students taking this course for graduate academic credit will be evaluated based on class participation and a final writing assignment which will be due within one month of the conclusion of the course, on a date identified by the instructor. No assignments will be accepted after August 5, 2011.

Healthcare management sequence; public health leadership sequences, public health practice sequence

Making Effective Public Presentation, 301.772.11

2 academic credits
June 23-24, 2011, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Instructor: John Burke, JD

This course enhances skills to construct and deliver oral presentations with clarity and impact. Provides a template for “audience-centered” presentation construction with examples, tools and exercises. Provides individual assessment and feedback for each participant through videotaped exercises and a short formal presentation constructed during the course.. Students taking this course for graduate academic credit will be evaluated based on a class presentation and self-critique evaluation submitted at the conclusion of the course. No assignment will be accepted after August 5, 2011. This course is limited to 15 students.

Healthcare management sequence; public health leadership sequences, public health practice sequence

Public Health and the Law, 306.650.11

3 academic credits
June 20-22, 2011, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Instructors:  Stephen Teret, JD and Jon Vernick, JD 

This course introduces non-lawyers to the important role played by the law in determining the public's health. Students analyze judicial opinions, statutes and regulations in classroom discussions. The course covers substantive legal topics, including the balance between individual rights and public health initiatives, privacy, medical malpractice and informed consent. Students taking this course for graduate academic credit will be evaluated based on class participation and a final paper. The paper will be due within one month after the conclusion of the course on a date identified by the instructor. No assignment will be accepted after August 5, 2011.

Patient Safety in Developing Countries, 309.781.11

2 academic credits
June 23-24, 2011. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Albert Wu, MD, MPH

This course provides an introduction to the rapidly evolving field of patient safety in developing countries, with a focus on health systems improvement. It explains the role of global organizations, national governments, institutions, local communities, and individuals in improving patient safety in developing countries. The course reviews key global patient safety resources that can be utilized to enhance patient safety in developing country health systems. Students learn how to utilize a “problem solving paradigm” to patient safety, conduct a patient safety situational analysis, and develop an action plan for patient safety at the institutional level. The use of patient safety partnerships between hospitals is explored as a model for inter-continental collaboration. Students taking this course for graduate academic credit will be evaluated based on class participation and a short paper on patient safety action planning. This short paper will be due within a month of the conclusion of the course, on a date identified by the instructor. No assignments will be accepted after August 5, 2011.