HCA 540: Healthcare Organization and Management Course Syllabus Fall Semester 2012 Graduate Program in Health Care

Administration College of Health and Human Services Western Kentucky University

I. Instructor Information Dr. Frank Wensheng Fan Office Location: AC126 Office Hour: Monday 2:00pm-5:00pm /Tuesday 2:00pm-5:30pm, or by appointment Phone: (270)745-3075 Email Address: frank.wensheng@wku.edu II. Class Schedule Day & Time: Tuesday 5:30 pm - 8:15 pm Location: AC 217

III. Course Description This three-credit graduate level course provides a comprehensive introduction to the multiple systems that define and describe the health care organization and management in the United States. The course provides opportunities to examine the historic, social, political, philosophical, and economic factors that shape the U.S. healthcare system. Topics include the components of the healthcare system such as access, quality, financing, payment, insurance, provision, and international comparisons. The role of healthcare administration will be stressed. The ongoing Obama healthcare reform and policy debate issues are included.

IV. Course Objectives Students are expected to be able to describe: The historical development of the health care system and the role of government in the delivery of health care services. The dynamics of the health care system and the interaction of providers, patients, and sources of health care financing. The political, social, philosophical, and economic factors that have affected and continue to affect the healthcare delivery system. Current health policy and management issues and options related to the delivery, financing, quality, and access of health care services. How the US health care system compares to systems in other countries.
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V. Course Pre-requisites Graduate student status. Formal admission into the MHA program or the consent of the program coordinator.

VI. Methodology A combination of instructional teaching and learning modes will be used including lecture, interactive participation, online discussion and projects, student presentations and papers.

VII. Course Expectations and Attendance Student attendance in class is necessary in order to participate in discussions. Students will be randomly selected during each class period to contribute to the class discussion. If extenuating circumstances arise that prevent students from taking a class, students must contact the instructor in writing in advance. Students should review the required reading materials prior to class, and be prepared to summarize the readings, as well as to contribute original analyses of the topics of discussion. In compliance with university policy, students with disabilities who require accommodations for this course (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) must contact the: Office for Student Disability in Downing University Center A-200. The phone number is 745-5004; TTY is 745-3030. Per university policy, please DO NOT request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a letter of accommodation from the OFSDS.

VIII. Course Requirements In addition to attendance and participation, each students progress and grasp of the course objectives will be measured by the following. A. Examinations. Examinations will be administered during the designated class meeting. There will be two mid-term exams and a final exam. Each exam is equally weighted. Students must have a mastery of prior material because the different concepts and components in healthcare build upon each other. The final examination is comprehensive. B. Chapter Presentation. Each student will study a book chapter in advance and provide a 15 minute presentation in class. The goals are to allow each student to explore a health system topic that is of interest to them, and for each student to begin to develop a critical mass of knowledge concerning health management issues. Each presentation must be professional in manner and reflect thorough preparation.
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C. Homework. Online homework may include answering questions after reading text chapters, papers, or watching videos. Answers in the homework should demonstrate that the student has read carefully and critically in the relevant field. Answers should be thoroughly supported by evidence, examples and observations. Answers should be clear, coherent, error free. Homework should be completed in MS Word and submitted via the Assignments tool in Blackboard. All submitted file should be 12-pt font double-spaced, and 1 inch margins all around. D. Discussion Board. The course will create three 2-week-long forums during the semester. Participation in discussions is required and graded. The purpose of the discussions is to stimulate study and discussion of the reading assignments. Students are expected to offer comments, questions, and replies to the discussion questions that have been posed as well as to classmate postings. Please participate fully in discussions. Full participation means that students participate in the discussions in at least two distinct days of a week in the forums and make substantial contributions. Different thoughts, opinions, advice are welcome in the discussions. As each student will find, building rapport and effective relationships are key to becoming an effective health care manager. The faculty role is as an observer and facilitator. Postings will be evaluated on the quality of the postings and the degree that the postings promote discussion with classmates. Posting fully addresses the forum questions and stimulates substantial follow-up postings will get higher score. E. Research paper. Students will be asked write a polished original research paper that highlights a specific aspect or issue in the U.S. healthcare delivery. The paper will adhere to the American Psychological Association style manual. Each paper will focus on a specific and narrowly defined topic and describe the event or condition and how its development has influenced healthcare delivery. Students will be asked to present this paper in class. Each presentation must be professional in manner and reflect thorough preparation. Presentations that lack professionalism, that is reflecting poor preparation, practice and/or delivery will be marked down accordingly. All topics must be approved by the instructor. Students may consult individually with the instructor as they formulate their research topics, collect sources, draft their papers, and revise their work for final submission. Student work may be checked using plagiarism detection software. Violations of the student code of conduct (plagiarism, cheating) will result in an F being assigned for this course. The due date for the paper is November 26.

IX. Basis for Evaluation First Midterm Examination 20% Second Midterm Examination 20% Final Examination 20% Homework and Discussion Board 15% Research Paper and Presentation 15% Class Participation and Chapter Presentation 10% Total 100%
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Final Grade Scale A 90-100% B 80-89% C 70-79% D 60-69% F 0-59% The instructor reserves the right to alter the grading scale based on class performance.

X. Required Text: Delivering Health Care in America: A Systems Approach, 5th Edition (2011) by Leiyu Shi & Douglas Singh. Publisher: Jones and Bartlett Other readings will be assigned from the Internet for several class sessions. Specific site information and assignments will be provided in advance of class. To support the students, PowerPoint presentations in the class will be posted on the Blackboard. Students should not assume that all material presented in class will be included in the PowerPoint slides. Therefore, students should be prepared to read assigned materials and to take necessary notes in class.

XI. Class Schedule

August 28 September 04 September 11 September 18 September 25 October 02 October 09 October 16 October 23 October 30 November 06 November 13 November 20 November 27 December 04 December 11 Class Overview, A Distinctive System of Health Care Delivery Beliefs, Values, and Health, The Evolution of Health Services in the U.S Online Projects I Health Services Professionals, Medical Technology Midterm Exam I Health Services Financing Outpatient and Primary Care Services Online Projects II Inpatient Services, Managed Care Midterm Exam II Presidential Election Day Long-Term Care Health Services for Special Populations Online Projects III Cost, Access, Quality Health Policy and The Future of Health Services Delivery Final Exam