Healthcare Marketplace from Coursera

In this course in the Healthcare Marketplace specialization you will identify, define, and describe potential business and public policy solutions to the challenges facing society’s growing demand for health services. Students will master a body of knowledge on the health care sectors major components through reading and reflection.

Healthcare has many different cultural components that will be discussed as historic trends as well as future demographic challenges. You will understand diverse philosophies and cultures within and across societies as they relate to healthcare. This outcome is particularly critical because of the tradeoffs needed to be assessed as medical technology advances faster than budgets and perhaps cultures are sometimes willing to tolerate.

At the end of the day, you will gain an appreciation for the role of creativity, innovation, discovery, and expression across disciplines in the development of new medical care solutions through and examination of the physician, medical technology and financing sub-sectors of the health economy.

What's inside

Syllabus

EVOLUTION OF THE HEALTHCARE MARKETPLACE

In this module you will learn about the economic history of one of the largest segments of the world’s economy. You will become acquainted with world trends in health and the stakeholders that comprise the healthcare marketplace ranging from physicians to hospitals to insurers and pharmaceutical firms. The take-away messages from this module are that there are many competing voices in the health economy. Furthermore, many of these voices have growing and evolving economic interests that spill over into all aspects of society. The skills gained from this module to enable a successful capstone is an appreciation of the role of government and regulation in the making and destruction of markets. One person’s new law may be a huge hindrance but also a giant opportunity for profit from another party. You will be better prepared to distinguish the difference and succeed.

PHYSICIAN AND HOSPITAL SERVICES MARKET

In this module you will learn about the provider market in the health economy. The provider market mainly consists of the physician and hospital sectors. Combined they are largest source of expenditure in the health economy. The take-away messages from this module are the provider market has demonstrated significant monopoly and the ability to set prices as well as price discriminate. The market is also one of the most technology advanced, regulated and human capital intensive markets on the planet – all of which contribute to significant barriers to entry that reinforce market power. The skills gained from this module are an understanding of the physician and hospital’s voice of customer for a market research plan. In addition, the learner will gain an understanding of the range of sites of care as well provider reimbursement mechanism that are so critical for revenue generation within the hospital setting.

INSURANCE MARKET

In this module you will learn about the health insurance market. Since the mid-20th century government and private health insurance has been the primary funding vehicle of health care in the industrialized world. The long story of US and other nations health reform will be examined as well. The take-away messages from this module are the health insurance market is a unique form of insurance. Furthermore, its design has been greatly impacted by government intervention over a 100-year arc.The skills gained from this module are an understanding risk and insurance as well as the technology platforms used by the insurance industry to measure cost and quality. Key knowledge for use in the capstone is an understanding health insurance reimbursement and the issues faced by insurers when they consider funding a new medical technology for patient use.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY MARKETS

In this module you will learn about the medical technology market. This will provide an excellent overview for the in depth look at this in Course 3 of this specialization. The focus is on the medical device and pharmaceutical market. The take-away messages from this module are medical technology prices are costly because high regulatory and development burden to get to market. In addition, the pathways to payment for medical devices are pharmaceuticals are distinct but share more in common than are dissimilar. The skills gained from this module are an understanding of the regulatory burden of securing intellectual property rights as well as getting the technology clear for use from a safety and effectiveness perspective. Learners will under the key ingredient of technology dossier required for sales and marketing of a product on a global scale.

GLOBAL MEDICAL INNOVATION

In this module you will learn about the global market trends. You will also learn the key components of medical technology valuation. The take-away messages from this module are that health economy continues to expand and there are many behavior challenges that are problems as well as opportunities. The module concludes showing a promising technology that is novel, needed, cost-effective and will deliver return – rare qualities when all are checked-off. The skills gained from this module are targeting global health market trends ripe for opportunity as well as knowledge of the checklist of key areas to be covered for the capstone project’s assessment of a promising new innovation.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Unequivocally, one of the strongest courses for healthcare professionals, industry insiders, and students

Teaches the wide spectrum of economic, political, and cultural forces impacting healthcare

Gives a strong foundation in healthcare technology and innovation that will enable learners to advance the industry

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 Healthcare Marketplace with these activities:

Refresh your knowledge of microeconomics

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Ensure a solid foundation in microeconomic principles, which are essential for understanding healthcare economics.

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Review textbooks or online resources on microeconomics
Practice solving basic microeconomic problems
Discuss key concepts with classmates or a tutor

Become a course mentor and support other students

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Reinforce your understanding of the course material while assisting and guiding your fellow learners.

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Identify areas where you excel
Offer help to classmates in discussion forums or study sessions
Provide constructive feedback and encouragement

Create a comprehensive study guide

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Organize and synthesize course materials to create a valuable resource for review and preparation.

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Gather all relevant course materials
Review and extract key concepts and ideas
Create a structured and logical study guide

Five other activities

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Explore online resources on healthcare trends and emerging technologies

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Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and innovations shaping the healthcare sector.

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Identify reputable websites and organizations providing healthcare information
Search for articles and videos on healthcare trends and technologies
Summarize and share key insights with classmates

Review 'Health Economics' by Cutler

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Gain insights into the economic analysis of healthcare systems and policies.

View Survival of the City: The Future of Urban Life... on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly
Take notes and highlight key concepts
Discuss the book with classmates or a study group

Practice healthcare case studies

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Analyze real-world healthcare scenarios to reinforce your understanding of healthcare economics and decision-making.

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Identify a case study that aligns with the course topics
Analyze the case study and identify the key issues
Formulate a solution and justify your reasoning

Participate in healthcare simulation games

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Work together with peers to develop and implement solutions to healthcare challenges in a simulated environment.

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Join a team and identify the healthcare challenge to focus on
Research and gather data to inform your solution
Develop and implement your solution
Reflect on the outcomes and lessons learned

Develop a business plan for a new healthcare service or product

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Apply your knowledge of healthcare economics and business principles to create a viable and innovative healthcare solution.

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Identify an unmet need in the healthcare market
Research and analyze the market
Develop a detailed business plan
Present your plan to potential investors

Career center

Learners who complete Healthcare Marketplace will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Healthcare Consultant

Healthcare Consultants help healthcare organizations improve their efficiency and quality of care. They may work on projects such as improving patient flow, reducing costs, or implementing new technologies. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Healthcare Consultant, such as an understanding of the healthcare industry, financial analysis, and project management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Consultant

Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies that affect the healthcare system. They may work for government agencies, insurance companies, or non-profit organizations. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Health Policy Analyst, such as an understanding of the healthcare industry, policy analysis, and research methods.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Medical Writer

Medical Writers create written materials about medical topics, such as patient education materials, marketing materials, and scientific journal articles. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Medical Writer, such as an understanding of the healthcare industry, science writing, and medical terminology.

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Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare Administrators manage the day-to-day operations of healthcare organizations, such as hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Healthcare Administrator, such as an understanding of the healthcare industry, financial management, and human resources.

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Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives sell pharmaceutical products to doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, such as an understanding of the healthcare industry, sales techniques, and medical terminology.

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Health Insurance Underwriter

Health Insurance Underwriters assess the risk of insuring individuals and groups for health insurance. They determine the premiums that policyholders will pay. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Health Insurance Underwriter, such as an understanding of the healthcare industry, insurance principles, and risk assessment.

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Healthcare Informaticist

Healthcare Informaticists use technology to improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare. They may work on projects such as developing electronic health records, implementing telemedicine systems, or analyzing data to improve patient care. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Healthcare Informaticist, such as an understanding of the healthcare industry, information technology, and data analysis.

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Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants are licensed healthcare professionals who provide medical care under the supervision of a physician. They may perform tasks such as taking patient histories, performing physical exams, and prescribing medication. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Physician Assistant, such as an understanding of the healthcare industry, medical terminology, and patient care.

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Registered Nurse

Registered Nurses provide direct patient care in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. They may perform tasks such as administering medication, monitoring vital signs, and providing wound care. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Registered Nurse, such as an understanding of the healthcare industry, medical terminology, and patient care.

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Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapists help people with disabilities or injuries regain or improve their ability to perform everyday tasks. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Occupational Therapist, such as an understanding of the healthcare industry, human anatomy, and rehabilitation techniques.

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Physical Therapist

Physical Therapists help people with disabilities or injuries regain or improve their physical function. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Physical Therapist, such as an understanding of the healthcare industry, human anatomy, and rehabilitation techniques.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologists help people with speech, language, or swallowing disorders. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Speech-Language Pathologist, such as an understanding of the healthcare industry, human communication, and rehabilitation techniques.

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Dietitian

Dietitians help people make healthy food choices. They may work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, schools, and community health centers. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Dietitian, such as an understanding of the healthcare industry, nutrition, and counseling.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medication and provide information about its use. They may also provide other services, such as medication counseling and immunizations. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Pharmacist, such as an understanding of the healthcare industry, pharmacology, and patient care.

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Medical Laboratory Scientist

Medical Laboratory Scientists perform tests on blood, tissue, and other body fluids to diagnose and treat diseases. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Medical Laboratory Scientist, such as an understanding of the healthcare industry, laboratory techniques, and medical terminology.

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