Description: This course provides students with a deeper understanding of the fundamental quality problem in US health care: care fragmentation. Throughout the course, we explore: (1) the problem of low quality care delivery and its impact on patient health and outcomes; (2) how the organization and financing of US health care impact care delivery and quality; and (3) how stakeholders utilize health policy and regulations to address the fundamental quality problem. Through case study analyses, students will gain competencies in analyzing quality problems and making recommendations to address the problem.
Learning Objectives: (1) Understand fragmentation as the fundamental quality problem
(2) Explore how health insurance design and payment to providers produces the fundamental quality problem
(3) Explore health policy and regulations and their potential to address the fundamental quality problem
(4) Develop critical thinking and analytical skills through case studies and policy analysis
