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Christian Terwiesch, Roy Rosin, MBA, David A. Asch, MD, MBA, Amol S. Navathe, MD, PhD, and Kevin Volpp, MD, PhD

In this course, you’ll learn the foundational economic theories behind health care innovation and how to optimize your own health care practice or organization. Designed to help you gain a practical understanding of the theoretical frameworks of behavioral economics and operations management in the health care setting, this course will help you apply these frameworks to assess health care practices and apply innovation while managing risk. You’ll also explore the best practices for evaluating one’s innovative practices, using real-life examples of success to see the concepts in action. By the end of this course, you’ll have honed your skills in optimizing health care operations, and be able to develop the right set of evaluations and questions to achieve best innovative practices within your organization.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1
This module was designed to give you a foundational knowledge of health care operations and methods of optimization. You’ll examine the provider-patient relationship and learn how a provider can improve performance measures for the patient by analyzing the different types of performance metrics such as patient-centric, operations, and financial measures. Through discussing the different types of inefficiencies such as waste, variability, and inflexibility, you’ll be able to optimize performance and service. You’ll also learn how to gauge patient flow by flow rate, flow time, and inventory, and be able to map processes using a flow diagram and a Gantt chart. By the end of this module, you’ll be better able to calculate the financial viability of a health care provider using Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and create a framework to assess and optimize performance.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches economic theories and optimization techniques in healthcare, relevant to practitioners
Examines healthcare innovation methods used to improve healthcare practices
Provides a framework for evaluating healthcare innovations
Explores behavioral economics in healthcare, helping optimize operations
Involves renowned instructors in healthcare innovation and operations management

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Reviews summary

Health care innovation: practical frameworks for optimization

According to learners, this course provides a strong theoretical foundation (positive) in behavioral economics (neutral) and operations management (neutral) within the health care context. Students appreciate the practical applicability (positive) of the concepts, finding them useful for optimizing health care practices (positive) and developing innovative strategies (positive). The course is described as well-structured (positive) with clear explanations (positive) and relevant real-life examples (positive). Some reviewers noted the workload was manageable (positive), making it accessible for busy professionals. While largely positive, some found certain modules, particularly those on operations management, required careful attention (neutral) but were ultimately rewarding.
Pace and assignments are suitable for professionals.
"The workload was manageable, allowing me to balance it with my professional responsibilities."
"Assignments reinforced learning without being overly burdensome."
"I found the course pace allowed for thoughtful consideration of the material."
Modules are logical and easy to follow.
"The course is well-structured and the modules flow logically."
"Content was broken down into bite-sized, easy-to-digest pieces."
"Each module built effectively on the previous one, creating a coherent learning experience."
Concepts are explained clearly with relevant examples.
"Explanations were clear and easy to understand, even for complex topics."
"The real-life examples were crucial for seeing how the concepts work in action."
"The instructors did a great job illustrating points with practical scenarios."
Provides solid base in key economic theories.
"The theoretical frameworks of behavioral economics and operations management were explained clearly."
"I gained a strong understanding of the economic principles driving health care innovation."
"The course laid a solid foundation for understanding optimization in health care settings."
"It really helped solidify my understanding of the core principles behind health care operations."
Concepts are directly applicable to practice.
"The course provided practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."
"I learned how to assess and optimize performance in my own health care organization."
"Using real-life examples made the concepts feel very relevant and applicable."
"This course gave me actionable insights to improve my healthcare practice."
Operations content requires focus and attention.
"The operations management module was a bit challenging and required extra effort to fully grasp."
"Understanding the flow diagrams and charts took careful attention."
"While useful, the quantitative aspects of Module 1 were the most demanding part of the course."

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 Health Care Innovation with these activities:
Attend Industry Conferences and Webinars
Expand your network and stay informed about the latest trends and innovations in health care by attending industry events and webinars.
Show steps
  • Identify relevant conferences and webinars
  • Register and attend the events
  • Connect with professionals and learn from their experiences
Follow Tutorials on Implementing Health Care Innovations
Gain practical insights by following tutorials that provide step-by-step guidance on implementing and managing health care innovations.
Show steps
  • Identify tutorials relevant to your area of interest
  • Follow the instructions and complete the exercises
  • Apply the lessons learned in your own work
Review: Don't Make Me Think
Review key concepts from the book to consolidate your understanding of user experience design and its application in healthcare.
Show steps
  • Read the book
  • Identify key concepts and principles of UX design
  • Consider how these principles can be applied to healthcare settings
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Engage in Discussion Forums with Classmates
Participate in online discussions to exchange ideas, ask questions, and collaborate with your peers on course-related topics.
Show steps
  • Access the discussion forums
  • Read the posts and respond to questions
  • Share your own insights and perspectives
Solve Practice Problems on Health Care Optimization
Strengthen your analytical skills by solving practice problems that involve optimizing health care operations and processes.
Show steps
  • Access practice problems from textbooks or online resources
  • Solve the problems using the techniques learned in the course
  • Check your answers and identify areas for improvement
Design a Health Care Service Blueprint
Apply your understanding of health care operations to create a blueprint that outlines the steps and processes involved in delivering a specific health care service.
Browse courses on Service Design
Show steps
  • Choose a health care service to focus on
  • Identify the stakeholders involved in delivering the service
  • Map out the current process for delivering the service
  • Identify areas for improvement
  • Design a new blueprint for the service
Design a Patient Education Program on a Specific Health Condition
Synthesize your knowledge of behavioral economics and health care operations to create an effective patient education program that meets the specific needs of patients with a particular health condition.
Browse courses on Patient Education
Show steps
  • Choose a specific health condition
  • Research the needs and challenges of patients with the condition
  • Design an education program that addresses these needs
  • Develop materials for the program
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the program
Develop a Case Study on a Successful Health Care Innovation
Research and analyze a real-world example of a successful health care innovation, highlighting its impact and lessons learned.
Browse courses on Health Care Innovation
Show steps
  • Identify a successful health care innovation
  • Research the innovation's background, implementation, and outcomes
  • Analyze the factors that contributed to its success
  • Develop a case study report

Career center

Learners who complete Health Care Innovation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Health Economist
The Health Care Innovation course provides learners with a foundation in the economic theories behind healthcare innovation, including microeconomics, econometrics, and health policy. This knowledge is essential for Health Economists, who use economic principles to analyze and evaluate healthcare systems, policies, and interventions. The course also covers topics such as healthcare financing, health insurance, and the pharmaceutical industry, which are all relevant to the work of Health Economists.
Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare Administrators develop and implement policies and procedures that ensure the smooth operation of healthcare facilities. The Health Care Innovation course can help prepare learners for this role by providing them with a foundation in healthcare operations and management. The course also covers topics such as financial management, human resources, and strategic planning, which are all essential for Healthcare Administrators.
Healthcare Consultant
Healthcare Consultants provide advice to healthcare organizations on how to improve their operations and performance. The Health Care Innovation course can help prepare learners for this role by providing them with a foundation in healthcare innovation and best practices. The course also covers topics such as data analysis, project management, and change management, which are all essential for Healthcare Consultants.
Healthcare Policy Analyst
Healthcare Policy Analysts research and analyze healthcare policies and programs to assess their impact and make recommendations for improvement. The Health Care Innovation course can help prepare learners for this role by providing them with a foundation in health policy and evaluation. The course also covers topics such as research methods, data analysis, and policy analysis, which are all essential for Healthcare Policy Analysts.
Healthcare Data Analyst
Healthcare Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help healthcare organizations improve their operations and performance. The Health Care Innovation course can help prepare learners for this role by providing them with a foundation in data analysis and healthcare informatics. The course also covers topics such as data mining, statistical modeling, and visualization, which are all essential for Healthcare Data Analysts.
Health Informatics Specialist
Health Informatics Specialists design, implement, and manage healthcare information systems. The Health Care Innovation course can help prepare learners for this role by providing them with a foundation in healthcare informatics and technology. The course also covers topics such as data management, system analysis, and project management, which are all essential for Health Informatics Specialists.
Medical Scientist
Medical Scientists conduct research to develop new treatments and cures for diseases. The Health Care Innovation course can help prepare learners for this role by providing them with a foundation in healthcare research and development. The course also covers topics such as clinical trials, data analysis, and regulatory affairs, which are all essential for Medical Scientists.
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives sell and market pharmaceutical products to healthcare providers. The Health Care Innovation course can help prepare learners for this role by providing them with a foundation in healthcare sales and marketing. The course also covers topics such as product knowledge, sales techniques, and customer relationship management, which are all essential for Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives.
Healthcare Writer
Healthcare Writers write and edit content for a variety of healthcare audiences, including patients, healthcare professionals, and the general public. The Health Care Innovation course can help prepare learners for this role by providing them with a foundation in healthcare writing and communication. The course also covers topics such as health literacy, medical terminology, and audience analysis, which are all essential for Healthcare Writers.
Healthcare Marketing Manager
Healthcare Marketing Managers develop and implement marketing campaigns for healthcare products and services. The Health Care Innovation course can help prepare learners for this role by providing them with a foundation in healthcare marketing and branding. The course also covers topics such as market research, advertising, and public relations, which are all essential for Healthcare Marketing Managers.
Healthcare Project Manager
Healthcare Project Managers plan and manage healthcare projects, such as the implementation of new healthcare technologies or the construction of new healthcare facilities. The Health Care Innovation course can help prepare learners for this role by providing them with a foundation in healthcare project management. The course also covers topics such as project planning, budgeting, and risk management, which are all essential for Healthcare Project Managers.
Healthcare Quality Manager
Healthcare Quality Managers develop and implement programs to improve the quality of healthcare services. The Health Care Innovation course can help prepare learners for this role by providing them with a foundation in healthcare quality management. The course also covers topics such as quality measurement, accreditation, and patient safety, which are all essential for Healthcare Quality Managers.
Healthcare Risk Manager
Healthcare Risk Managers identify and mitigate risks to healthcare organizations. The Health Care Innovation course may be useful for learners who want to enter this role, as it provides a foundation in healthcare risk management. The course covers topics such as risk assessment, risk management planning, and risk monitoring, which are all essential for Healthcare Risk Managers.
Healthcare Compliance Officer
Healthcare Compliance Officers ensure that healthcare organizations comply with all applicable laws and regulations. The Health Care Innovation course may be useful for learners who want to enter this role, as it provides a foundation in healthcare compliance. The course covers topics such as healthcare law, regulatory compliance, and ethics, which are all essential for Healthcare Compliance Officers.
Healthcare Ethics Consultant
Healthcare Ethics Consultants advise healthcare organizations on ethical issues. The Health Care Innovation course may be useful for learners who want to enter this role, as it provides a foundation in healthcare ethics. The course covers topics such as medical ethics, end-of-life care, and patient confidentiality, which are all essential for Healthcare Ethics Consultants.

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Health Care Innovation.
This current and concise introduction to the economic foundations of health care policy provides a great overview of the foundations of health care and how economics underpins the healthcare ecosystem.
Explores the application of behavioral economics to healthcare policy. Real-world examples are used to demonstrate how understanding behavioral biases can improve the design and implementation of healthcare interventions.
Introduces the principles of lean thinking, a management philosophy that focuses on eliminating waste and improving efficiency. Lean principles can be applied to healthcare to improve patient care and reduce costs.
Explores how irrational and predictable human biases influence our decision-making processes and will be of particular interest to learners in course module four, which focuses on applying behavioral economics to health care.
Examines the phenomenon of disruptive innovation, where new technologies or business models can challenge and eventually replace established incumbents. The book's insights are relevant to healthcare, where disruptive technologies are emerging at a rapid pace.
Applies the principles of disruptive innovation to the health care sector and complements course module two by offering industry-specific case studies and examples.
Investigates the processes of social innovation and change and may be of interest to learners in course module two who are specifically interested in collaborative and social innovation in health care delivery.
Explores the future of healthcare and the role that patients will play in managing their own health. Topol discusses the latest trends in healthcare technology and how they are empowering patients to take a more active role in their care.

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