April 12 – 23, 2010
24/7 access

The U.S. healthcare delivery system is vast and multifaceted, accounting for 16 percent—two trillion dollars—of the U.S. gross domestic product. Understanding its size, scope, and complexity can help improve the performance of anyone who works in healthcare.

This two-week online course focuses on the roles of four key groups in the healthcare system:

• Patients
• Hospitals
• Physicians
• Insurers / managed care organizations

In addition to describing each of these groups, their key characteristics, and their major challenges and issues, this course will illuminate their interrelationships and relationships with other elements of the healthcare system.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the major structural elements of the American healthcare system
• Determine the key drivers of the healthcare system
• Identify the healthcare system’s major groups and their key characteristics
• Understand the relationship among the key players in the healthcare system
• Understand some economic fundamentals of the healthcare system
  

SHSMD U Online Courses are designed to meet the educational needs of adult learners. The 24/7 online learning environment allows you to log in and learn when it’s most convenient for you. SHSMD recommends setting aside approximately two hours per week for reading course materials and contributing to discussion plus three hours for the weekly scheduled conference calls.