COURSE SYLLABUS

LOCATION:  Upper Iowa University, Des Moines Center

Course:  HSA 205, Introduction to the American Health System, 3 credit hours

Term I, 2005, Monday and Wednesday evenings, 8:00-10:15 pm

                        August 29-October 19, 2005, Academic Year 2005-06

Instructor:      Kenneth N. Johnson, Ph.D.

                        515-707-9462     [email protected]

                        Website: http://hoopszone.net/kansas/jis/  

Biography:  Hold doctorate, masters and bachelors degrees in Business Administration.  Completed post-graduate studies in Healthcare Administration.  Previously taught Management, Services Marketing and Marketing Research courses at UIU.  Previously taught Overview of the U. S. Healthcare System and Health Insurance courses at Des Moines University. Have considerable management and marketing experience in healthcare, health insurance and internet industries.

Contact info:               Phone:  515.277.0662         

                                    Email: [email protected]

                                    Web Site: http://hoopszone.net/kansas/jis/

                                    Office hours: I’m available at UIU 30 minutes before class.

Text:  Introduction to Health Services, 6^th ed., 2002, Williams & Torrens

            Delmar, Thomson Learning

Course description: A macro-level examination of the origin, structure and operation of the American Health System, and its subsystems and components. Topics include the hospital system, public health system, long-term care system, financing system, health services delivery systems, health care providers and contemporary issues confronting the American Health System.

This is a comprehensive analysis of the health care delivery system in the United States. Components studied will include:

·        How our private and public health system evolved.

·        Why people need physical and mental health services.

·        How health services are financed and paid for.

·        Health services entities, including in-patient and out-patient facilities and health care professionals, acute and long-term care organizations.

·        Health care technology.

·        Health care issues, including cost, quality and access.

·        Health care policy.

·        The future of health care services and insurance.

Course Objectives:   

The course is designed with eight goals in mind:

1. To introduce the learner to the historical evolution, technology available to the American people, and to provide an overview of the American health system.
2. To familiarize the learner with the historical and current patterns of disease in the United States, and with access to health services.
3. To introduce the learner to methods of financing and structuring health services.
4. To familiarize the learner with the evolution of public health, and the provision of ambulatory services.
5. To introduce the learner to the hospital system and the long-term care system.
6. To familiarize the learner with the mental health system.
7. To familiarize the learner with non-financial resources for health care.
8. To examine assessing and regulating health services, and examine ethical issues in public health and provision of health services.

Assessment & Grading Criteria: You are responsible for lecture content, announcements, and assignments that are given during the class.  You will be graded on: test scores, your course portfolio (including reading notes, activities and assignments), class participation, and a scholarly research paper.

Exams:  Tests are scheduled for September 21 and October 19.  Tests will consist of the following types of questions: true/false, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, problems, and short-answer essay.  Tests will be required to be taken at scheduled times, unless prearranged with the instructor.  Any change in date and/or time of a test an individual takes will be at the discretion of the instructor.

Course Portfolio: Develop a Course Portfolio: Acquire and bring to each class a three-ring binder (at least 1”), with tabs for each of the ­­14 classes.  This binder will be used to collect and maintain all Reading Notes, Assignments, Handouts, and related class material, each week.  They will be graded and handed back at the beginning of the next week.  Put your name clearly on the binder and on each assignment. 

Develop ‘Reading Notes’ – Reading Notes will be required for all assigned chapters.  You should outline the important points in the chapter, emphasizing the key concepts.  Notes will be judged on completeness of key concepts and presentation.  Notes must be typed or clearly legible.  It is not necessary to rewrite definitions or quote lengthy portions of the text.  Charts, graphs and models should be reproduced when this helps the student internalize the material. 

Complete Assignments and Activities:  All assignments and activities should be completed and turned in at the requested time. To access complete information on Assignments for each class, go to Dr. Johnson’s web site at: http://hoopszone.net/kansas/jis/ , and click on Upper Iowa University at the bottom of the page. On the UIU page, then, click on HSA 205.

Class Participation:  Students are encouraged to attend class on a regular basis, particularly since class participation is a significant component of the student’s grade, and test questions are drawn from classroom lectures, assigned reading, handout material and discussion.

Research Paper:  Students will be challenged to exercise their skill in writing and critical thinking by producing a Research Paper.  UIU recommends that all papers be done in the APA style, as specified in the Manual of the American Psychological Association or the World’s Easiest Guide to Using APA. The Paper will be 6-10 pages in length.  It will need to be typed and double-spaced and will include a listing of all references used and footnotes for any material quoted directly.  The subject matter could cover a variety of health services topics, as assigned on September 19. Students will be required to submit a synopsis of the Paper on September 28, specifying the subject selected and a draft of the major topics to be covered. The Paper is due October 17.

Extra Assignment, in case of cancellation due to inclement weather:  Read and develop Reading Notes on Chapter 17: Ethical Issues in Public Health and Health Services.

Test Make Up:  Make up test times must be prearranged with the instructor.  Any change in date and/or time of a test an individual takes will be at the discretion of the instructor.

Late Assignments:  Late assignments will be accepted on the immediate subsequent class period, subject to a lower grade.  Assignments handed in later than the immediate subsequent class period may be accepted upon the discretion of the instructor.

General Education Learning Outcomes:

The course will address most of the UIU desired  general education learning outcomes.  In particular, it will enhance student’s ‘Communications’ abilities, through class participation and completion of a Research Paper.  It will enhance student’s ‘Critical Thinking’ and ‘Problem Solving’ abilities, through the Research Paper and class assignments.  It will enhance student’s ‘Quantitative/Qualitative Reasoning’ abilities through class participation, readings, and assignments. It will enhance student’s ‘Information Technology’ abilities through the utilization of internet resources and the knowledge of information technology in health services.  It will enhance student’s awareness of ‘Social Responsibility’ through learning of how health services impact the human environment.  It will enhance students ‘Understanding of Humanities’ through understanding of the ethical issues faced by health services professionals.

Skills:

The ability to analyze the research base and applications in health services by applying knowledge of the health care system will be developed through the successful completion of this course.