An Overview of the U.S. Healthcare System from Coursera

This is the first part of a two part course on the U.S Healthcare System. This course will offer you an opportunity to examine concepts and topics related to understanding how the healthcare ecosystem works in the United States.

During this course, you will have an opportunity to explore concepts and topics related to funding, payment, service delivery, and outcome structures of the American healthcare system. You will be given the opportunity to study the opportunities and challenges presented in improving the cost, quality, and accessibility of healthcare and expanding adequate coverage to all.

Throughout this course, you will be asked to look at healthcare through a global lens, comparing different healthcare models for countries world wide and to consider the complexities and challenges countries face when creating healthcare delivery models. You will demonstrate an understanding of the American healthcare system through completing a series of assignments that encourage you to reflect on course concepts, your personal experiences, current events, and discussions with your colleagues in this course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Healthcare Delivery: Financing & Spending

In this module, we explore the staggering amount of money that the U.S. spends on healthcare, currently over 4 trillion dollars annually, and how it has grown over the past 50 years. We will delve into where the money goes within the healthcare organization, and discuss the increasing importance of prescription medications in healthcare spending and debate the advantages and disadvantages of having a mixed structure of public and private funding. Over the last 50 years, healthcare spending in the U.S. has increased rapidly to almost $13,000 per person annually, with several factors driving this rise including demographics, advances in medical technology, and price inflation. Provider consolidation has been identified as a major source of concern contributing to higher prices, and there is much variation in prices across and within geographic regions of the country. We will explore the financing and spending in healthcare in greater detail throughout this module.

Traditional Models of Healthcare Delivery

The healthcare provider landscape in the U.S. is vast and diverse, consisting of various institutions and professionals. Hospitals are a cornerstone of the healthcare system and employ a large portion of healthcare workers, but other institutions such as nursing homes and home health agencies are also crucial. In recent years, new types of institutional providers such as urgent care centers and retail clinics have entered the landscape promising to offer accessible and convenient care. In this module, we will explore the role of healthcare professionals in patient care and the growing diversity in the healthcare workforce.

Consolidation Trends in Healthcare Delivery

The consolidation of hospitals in the U.S. healthcare system has been a steady trend for at least the last 30 years. This development has generated considerable debate as to its impact on healthcare delivery, particularly in terms of cost, accessibility, and quality of healthcare services. More recently, hospitals and physicians have been integrating, which constitutes another important development in the U.S. healthcare industry. We will also discuss the innovative delivery models that are used to enhance clinical care coordination among providers and examine trends in how healthcare providers and services are organized.

Emerging Models of Healthcare Delivery

The entry of retail companies into healthcare is a clear sign of a deficit in the U.S. healthcare system - the oversight of the patient or the consumer. Consumers face many challenges, such as long waiting times, limited office hours, confusing care delivery, and abysmal coordination of care among different providers. With the opportunity to capitalize on a movement for consumer-centered healthcare, retail companies may be able to offer affordable, accessible, convenient, and respectful healthcare services to meet the challenge. However, their success in healthcare will likely depend on execution and commitment to the long haul.In this module, we will explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of these new healthcare entrants and what the future may hold for traditional healthcare providers. We will discuss the expanding decision-making role of consumers in regard to their healthcare choices and assess the growing opportunities for consumers to engage in self-care for their own health needs.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on the U.S. Healthcare System, providing a deep dive into its complexities and challenges

Taught by Gary Young, an expert in healthcare financing and economics

Examines the global healthcare landscape, allowing for comparisons and insights into different models

Emphasizes the importance of understanding healthcare through a global lens

Requires active participation through assignments and discussions, fostering a deeper understanding of course concepts

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in An Overview of the U.S. Healthcare System with these activities:

Organize Course Notes and Resources

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Organize your course notes, assignments, quizzes, and other learning materials to facilitate effective review and retention of course concepts.

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Create a dedicated study space or folder for all course materials.
Review and summarize key concepts from each lecture or module.
Organize notes and resources by topic or theme.
Utilize color-coding, highlighting, or digital note-taking tools to enhance visual appeal and organization.

Review Health Policy and Regulation

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Refresh your knowledge of health policy and regulation to gain a deeper understanding of the legal and ethical frameworks governing the US healthcare system.

Browse courses on Health Policy

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Review course materials and textbooks on health policy and regulation.
Read recent articles and news reports on healthcare policy debates and developments.
Attend a webinar or online lecture on a specific aspect of health policy or regulation.

Calculate Healthcare Spending and Costs

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Practice calculating healthcare spending and costs to solidify your understanding of the complex funding and payment structures in the US healthcare system.

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Gather data on healthcare spending and costs from reputable sources.
Use formulas and methodologies to calculate per capita spending, healthcare utilization rates, and other key metrics.
Analyze the data to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement.
Write a short report summarizing your findings and insights.

Two other activities

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Discuss Role of Healthcare Professionals

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Engage in peer discussions to explore the evolving roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals, including their contributions to patient care and population health management.

Browse courses on Healthcare Professionals

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Research different healthcare professions and their functions.
Participate in online forums or group discussions with peers.
Share insights and perspectives on how healthcare professionals contribute to healthcare delivery.
Discuss challenges and opportunities in the healthcare workforce.

Explore Innovative Delivery Models

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Follow guided tutorials and case studies to delve deeper into innovative healthcare delivery models, examining their potential benefits, challenges, and implications for the future of healthcare.

Browse courses on Healthcare Innovation

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Identify reputable online resources or platforms offering guided tutorials on innovative healthcare delivery models.
Choose a specific delivery model to focus on, such as telemedicine, retail clinics, or value-based care.
Complete the guided tutorial, taking detailed notes and capturing key insights.
Write a short summary or reflection on what you learned and how it relates to the course concepts.

Career center

Learners who complete An Overview of the U.S. Healthcare System will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Healthcare Administrator

A Healthcare Administrator plans, organizes, and manages healthcare organizations. This course may be useful for this role as it provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare system, including its funding, payment, service delivery, and outcome structures. This knowledge can help Healthcare Administrators make informed decisions that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare Manager

A Healthcare Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of healthcare organizations. This course may be useful for this role as it provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare system, including its funding, payment, service delivery, and outcome structures. This knowledge can help Healthcare Managers make informed decisions that improve the quality of care for patients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Manager

Healthcare Executive

A Healthcare Executive provides leadership and strategic direction to healthcare organizations. This course may be useful for this role as it provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare system, including its funding, payment, service delivery, and outcome structures. This knowledge can help Healthcare Executives make informed decisions that improve the health of the population.

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Healthcare Consultant

A Healthcare Consultant analyzes and solves problems related to healthcare delivery, policy, and management. This course may be useful for this role as it provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare system, particularly its funding, payment, service delivery, and outcome structures. This knowledge can help Healthcare Consultants make informed recommendations that improve the cost, quality, and accessibility of healthcare.

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Physician

A Physician provides medical care to patients. This course may be useful for this role as it provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare system, including its funding, payment, service delivery, and outcome structures. This knowledge can help Physicians understand the context in which they practice medicine and make informed decisions that improve the health of their patients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physician

Public Health Administrator

A Public Health Administrator plans, implements, and evaluates public health programs. This course may be useful for this role as it provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare system, including its funding, payment, service delivery, and outcome structures. This knowledge can help Public Health Administrators make informed decisions that improve the health of the population.

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Healthcare Researcher

A Healthcare Researcher conducts research to improve the quality of healthcare. This course may be useful for this role as it provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare system, including its funding, payment, service delivery, and outcome structures. This knowledge can help Healthcare Researchers design and conduct studies that improve the health of the population.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Researcher

Healthcare Lobbyist

A Healthcare Lobbyist represents the interests of healthcare organizations before government agencies. This course may be useful for this role as it provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare system, including its funding, payment, service delivery, and outcome structures. This knowledge can help Healthcare Lobbyists make informed decisions that improve the health of the population.

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Healthcare Writer

A Healthcare Writer writes about healthcare topics for a variety of audiences. This course may be useful for this role as it provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare system, including its funding, payment, service delivery, and outcome structures. This knowledge can help Healthcare Writers produce accurate and informative content about healthcare.

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Healthcare Educator

A Healthcare Educator teaches students about healthcare. This course may be useful for this role as it provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare system, including its funding, payment, service delivery, and outcome structures. This knowledge can help Healthcare Educators prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry.

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Nurse

A Nurse provides care to patients under the supervision of a Physician. This course may be useful for this role as it provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare system, including its funding, payment, service delivery, and outcome structures. This knowledge can help Nurses understand the context in which they practice nursing and make informed decisions that improve the health of their patients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nurse

Health Insurance Agent

A Health Insurance Agent sells health insurance policies to individuals and businesses. This course may be useful for this role as it provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare system, including its funding, payment, service delivery, and outcome structures. This knowledge can help Health Insurance Agents provide informed advice to their clients.

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Pharmacist

A Pharmacist dispenses medications to patients and provides information about their use. This course may be useful for this role as it provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare system, including its funding, payment, service delivery, and outcome structures. This knowledge can help Pharmacists understand the context in which they practice pharmacy and make informed decisions that improve the health of their patients.

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Health Policy Analyst

A Health Policy Analyst researches, analyzes, and develops policies that affect healthcare. This course may be useful for this role as it provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare system and its challenges. This knowledge can help Health Policy Analysts make informed decisions that improve the health of the population.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst