Course Description

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
Department of Community Health
Course Outline - Intersession 2013
CHLTH 494–Health Care Delivery in the United States and the United Kingdom - A Comparative Analysis

General Course Description

This course is designed to provide a comparative analysis of the health care delivery systems in the United States and the United Kingdom. Key areas which will be identified and contrasted with respect to health care services are organization, financing, quality, cost, accessibility, distribution of health facilities and personnel, public accountability and health promotion/disease prevention strategies. Visitations will include hospitals, clinics, governmental agencies, universities, health organizations and professional organizations. Class lecture-discussion, field trips, a class project and an examination of selected literature will enable the student to benefit from this comparative analysis.

Prerequisite

Experience or course work in the field of health care or public health.

Objectives of This Course

  • To identify and explain the basic components of any health care system
  • To identify and contrast the key elements of the health care delivery systems in the United States and the United Kingdom.
  • To critique the health care delivery system in each nation within its unique medical, economic, social, cultural, organizational and political context.

Assigned Readings

As many of the readings indicated as "Required Readings" on the reading list are to be read prior to our departure to the United Kingdom. As these readings serve as the content background for our review of the health care system within the United Kingdom, it is important that these reading assignments be completed in advance of our visits and discussions in England and Scotland.

A set of all required readings other than the textbook will be provided at no cost to all that are officially enrolled by April 15th. Others may purchase a copy for about $40. Required text is Bodenheimer, T. and Grumbach, K., Understanding Health Policy - A Clinical Approach, McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing Division, 5th edition, New York, 2008. Available at Illini Union Bookstore. Other bookstores also may have copies.

Course Evaluation

	• Class Participation/Evaluation.....................20%
	• Comparison of Brit-USA Life........................10%
	• Course Journal.....................................15%
	• End of Course Reports...............................5%
	• Final Examination..................................50%

The items involved in the course work evaluation include the following

Class participation - Each student is expected to:

Expectations

  1. attend all scheduled course lectures and visitations throughout the trip unless excused by the course instructor. You should not be late to any session.
  2. actively participate in the exchange of information with health personnel in the United Kingdom with whom meetings have been scheduled and
  3. to complete the site visitation information sheets which will be distributed to you before our trip site.

Comparison of British-American Life

You are to compare British and American views on one topic by speaking with British citizens, supplemented by reading newspapers and listening to the news, and analyzing their views compared to what would be a typical American view. You are to work in groups of 2-4 people choosing your partners carefully since this is a group project and graded that way. A separate sheet will be provided on the potential topics. Your assignment is due at the last class site visit. Late assignments will be reflected by a lower grade. A significant component of the evaluation will be the degree of your analysis and insight into British life.

Course Journal

Each student is expected to maintain a daily journal which records the activities and perceptions of each day's events. This journal will be particularly helpful in completing both your take-home examination and the course evaluation, which will be completed at the end of your trip. Your journal entries should consist of items which are both informational (what you did, who you saw...etc.) and analytical (how it made you feel, what were your impressions or how do you compare it to your expectations...etc.). The journal will be collected periodically. See Course Itinerary for when Journals are due.

End of Course Reports

Each student is to complete and return a self-evaluation and suggestions for future trip form.

Final examination

A final take-home examination will be distributed to the student at the completion of the course. The exam will incorporate conceptual and informational items from assigned readings, personal visitations, and lectures held during the course. The examination is to be submitted to the course instructor postmarked no later than two weeks after arriving back in the US. A grade a day will be reduced for late exams.