This short course looks at the role of economic principles in understanding behaviour of users and providers of healthcare, in setting priorities and in financing access to care. Key issues to be examined include: the ways in which individuals respond to incentives; how we can best set healthcare priorities by evaluating the costs and effectiveness of healthcare interventions; and what are the advantages and disadvantages of different ways of financing health services. By the end of the course, participants should:

• Understand principles of demand and elasticity as applied to health and healthcare, and the implications for policies on charging for services and health promotion.
• Appreciate options for financing health services, and how different methods affect access to care and performance of providers of care.
• Describe the methods used in economic evaluation of health.

This short course is comprised of five three-hour sessions and usually runs in the Michaelmas term (September to December).

Fee

€1,000 (excluding application fee)

Admission criteria

Applications will be considered from applicants with health service management experience. In addition, applicants should hold a good honors degree in a professional discipline or hold other qualifications deemed appropriate by the course committee.

How to apply

Interested applicants please contact Ms Stephanie Culson, email: Stephanie.culson@tcd.ie, phone: 01 896 2665 for an application pack.

Duration

All sessions take place between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. Precise dates and times for each session will be provided.