Teacher

Paolo Pertile

Referent

Paolo Pertile

Credits

4

Language

English

Class attendance

Free Choice

Location

VERONA

Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

This course provides an introduction to health economics, the application of economic theory and empirical analysis to problems in the public health and healthcare sector. We will examine how the tools of economics can be used to analyse issues such as health-related behaviours, the efficiency of health care provision and the role of asymmetric information.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
understand fundamental economic concepts of supply, demand, and markets as they apply to healthcare; evaluate health policies through modern tools for the economic analysis.
This course focuses on real-world application of health economics. Students will develop the core skills needed to critically examine problems and contribute evidence to improve population health outcomes, system performance, and economic efficiency.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Microeconomics
Econometrics

Program

- The demand for health and health care over the life cycle and the dynamics of health expenditure
- Risky behaviours and the impact of policies promoting healthy lifestyles
- Health inequality and its determinants over the life cycle
- Agents involved in the provision of healthcare: objectives and interactions
- The purchaser-provider relationship and asymmetries of information
- Second-best contracts for the provision of healthcare
- The role of competition among providers: theory and applications
- Measuring (in)efficiency in the provision of healthcare: theory and applications

Bibliography

Didactic methods

In-class lectures, with presentations to share illustrative slides and key content with students.
In-class discussions facilitated by the instructor on relevant themes, complex concepts and practical applications to promote active participation, critical thinking and exchange of perspectives among students.
Practical exercises for groups of students during lessons to collaboratively apply theoretical teachings through case studies, problem-solving activities, and analysis of real scenarios.

Learning assessment procedures

The assessment will be based on three assignments. Presentations of some of the work undertaken for the assignments will form part of the assessment.
First assignment: Students will be provided with a manuscript draft and will have to write an 800 word referee report, including a 100 word original summary of the paper, and at least 5 major and 5 minor suggestions for the paper.
Second assignment: Students will have to choose a paper within a sample of papers that have had their abstract, and introduction removed. The assignment consists in writing a 1200 word introduction and a 150 word abstract.
Third assignment: Students will provided with AI generated answers to some specific research questions. They will have to comment on the answer correctness and possible limitations.
Written assignments: Students will complete short essays or response papers during the course to analyze cases, answer questions that assess learning, or summarize research. These allow the instructor to evaluate writing abilities.

Assessment

Assessment will take into account the student's ability to understand the issues addressed and methods presented and to use these skills to address relevant research questions.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

75% assignment
25% presentation

Scheduled Lessons