Assessment of Health Care Administration Research Skills

MARY BALDWIN COLLEGE HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM HCA/POLS 245: Health Care Policy, Politics, and Law REQUIRED TEXTS • Health Policymaking in the United States, 6 Longest, Jr. ISBN: 978-1-56793-719-0 th edition, by Beaufort B. • The Politics of Health Legislation: An Economic Perspective, 3rd edition, by Paul J. Feldstein ISBN#: 13:978-1-56793-259-3-9 COURSE DESCRIPTION This class is designed for students interested in gaining a better understanding of the factors that shape health care policy in the United States. It will explore the concept of public policy and various types of health care policies. Several theoretical approaches will be reviewed, including historical, institutional, and pluralistic theories. Important actors involved in the political health care debate and their strategies to influence policy will be analyzed. The stages of the policy process will be applied as a framework to examine case studies reflecting significant health care policies. The importance of an economic perspective to address health policy will be explored. Major topics in health care law will also be analyzed. LEARNING OUTCOMES After this course the student will be able to do the following. 1. Understand how public policy works particularly as it relates to health care issues in the United States. 2. Explain the public-private nature of the U.S. health care system. 3. Identify how local, State and Federal government makes policy for health care. 3. Apply various theoretical approaches to the study of policymaking as it pertains to the health care sector. 4. Define the historical and ideological factors influencing health care policy in the U.S. 5. Understand the interests and motivations of diverse actors and institutions involved in shaping health care policy and the ways in which they exert influence. 6. Identify the stages in the policy making process. 7. Analyze in depth the politics of policymaking for several significant health care initiatives, including those pertaining to The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and other health care reform initiatives. 8. Describe the practical aspects of how a person might influence the policy process through the political process. 9. Understand important concepts in health care law such as: corporate compliance, fraud and abuse, physician/patient relationships, HIPAA, privacy and security and EMTALA. COURSE REQUIREMENTS The following indicates assignments (individual or team) and percentage of total grade. Points Course Requirement 100 150 50 100 200 100 100 200 1000 Points Class Participation Team Assignment Paper 1 (Topic Statement) Paper 2 (Outline) Paper 3 (Final Draft) Quiz 1 Quiz 2 Final Exam Total 2 GRADING SCALE (See: http://www.marybaldwin.edu/catalog/academic-policies/) A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F 93100 9092 8789 8386 8082 7779 7376 7072 6769 6366 6062 590 DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTS Class Participation (Due Date: Weekly) Students must participate in all learning discussions on Blackboard. Failure to do so will result in a zero (0) for that week’s post. It is important that you participate in each discussion forum topic during the week it is assigned and open. After the assigned week is over, that discussion forum section closes and you can no longer participate or get discussion grade points in that week. An initial post should be approximately 200 words and include two references. Your textbook may serve as one referenced. The references are in addition to the 200 words. Students are required to submit one response post per week to another student using approximately 100 words not including any list of source material. Assessment of Health Care Administration Research Skills

Students are expected to have done their reading prior to class and be prepared to have a discussion. Students may be asked to present information during class time. The method of teaching will be interactive and will not consist of lecture only. Team Assignment Teams will be assigned by the professor during the first week of class. The size of the teams will vary depending upon the number of students enrolled. The assignment will consist of a presentation (10 slides per team member) where teams will use power point, Prezi or any other tool that they so choose. There must be visual text and an audio component to the presentation. Teams must pick a law from their textbook to write about. The topic choice must be approved by the professor. Research Paper The research paper must be analytical and focus on both law and policy. This assignment will be done individually. The paper should not exceed 6 pages in length not including the title page, abstract and list of references. Double-spaced, times new roman, 12-point font, endnotes should be included. Use APA Style of Writing. The topic must be approved by the professor. The topic statement should be one page single spaced, times new roman, 12-point font, using APA Style Citations as needed. (See: Purdue Owl Guidance Below). The Outline should be no more than two pages in length single spaced, times new roman, 12-point font, using APA Style Citations as needed. (See: Purdue Owl Guidance Below). 3 Paper 1: Topic Statement See: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/owlprint/658/ Paper 2: Outline See: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/01/ Paper 3: Research Paper Final Draft Use Purdue Owl for Guidance: • Research paper: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/01/ • Genre Analytical: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/02/ • Choosing a writing topic: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/03/ • Identify your audience: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/04/ • Revising, proof reading and editing: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/05/ • Use the American Psychological Association (APA) Style of Writing: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ • How to research: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/552/1/ • Primary vs. secondary sources: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/559/01/ • A chart developed by the USC Libraries instruction team that can help you distinguish between a scholarly [a.k.a., peer-reviewed or academic] journal article and a popular, general interest publication: http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/scholarly Quizzes Quizzes are comprised of identifications, short answer, and essay questions. Synthesizing and analyzing material will be stressed via focus on definitions, explanations, and examples. The final exam will be similar in format to the quizzes, but content may be cumulative. Final Exam The final exam is cumulative and open book/notes. All assignments are to be submitted by uploading them into the classroom in the appropriate folder by 11:59 p.m. ET on the due date. The final exam is done in one sitting, not taken over several days. Mary Baldwin University HCA 320L Syllabus HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION / ECONOMICS 320 Economics and Finance of Health Care Systems 3 Credit Hours COURSE PREREQUISITES 1. ECON 101 2. BUAD 208 REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS 1. Judith J. Baker & R. W. Baker. Health Care Finance. 5th ed. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett, 2014. ISBN 978-1-284-11821-6 rd 2. Robert H. Lee. Economics for Healthcare Managers. 3 ed. Chicago, IL: Health Administration Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-1-56793-676-6 COURSE DESCRIPTION This course explores the interests of various stakeholders and studies how they impact how health care is delivered to Americans. Health care economics and finance are impacted directly by Federal regulations. Those laws rule how providers are paid and they change rapidly creating a huge challenge for providers. These laws are influenced by stakeholders, such as the insurance industry, through the political system. States vary in interpreting such regulations and add some of their own. Hospitals have taken on a business-like appearance and have learned that technology is expensive. Consumers want and deserve the best health care available. Yet, due to the complexity of the health care system and changing landscape of politics quality of care remains an issue. Health care reform on a State and Federal level remains in flux and will be for years to come. This course offers the student an in-depth study of how politics, both negatively and positively, influence the delivery of health care in America. Theory will mesh with practice when we consider the current initiatives, public and private, that impinge on health care costs and health care finance. A practical approach to health care economics from macro and micro level perspectives is used to learn the material. Aspects of the approach include a look at the social, political, and economic choices that face consumers. 1 LEARNING OUTCOMES Mary Baldwin University HCA 320L Syllabus Upon completion of this course, students will be able to do the following relative to the health care sector. 1. Describe the structures and functions of the U.S. health care system as with a focus on supply and demand. 2. Analyze the roles of ethics and morals in the development of economic and financial policies. 3. Describe the role cost plays in the delivery of health care services, particularly as it relates to the concept of value for managed care. 4. Analyze the impact of stakeholders such as providers (physicians, hospitals, nurses, insurance companies, the government, consumers etc.) to financial transactions and economic relationships. 5. Develop the ability to use basic economic and financial management tools of analysis as they relate to health care systems, including reimbursement policies and practices. 6. Explain the role of budgeting in health care facilities/organizations from an operational standpoint. 7. Understand the nature and operation of the insurance industry. 8. Understand the importance of health care as a public policy issue relative to the past, present and future. Assessment of Health Care Administration Research Skills

TEACHING METHODS Each student is responsible for following the syllabus, completing all assignments on time, participating in discussions, initiating and responding to emails in an appropriate manner, and engaging in learning the material. Assignments are submitted to Blackboard. In addition, to the required reading for the course, students will be asked to read a daily national newspaper, weekly HCA journal, or visit a HCA related web site on a regular basis to stay informed on health care finance issues. All readings listed in the syllabus are required. Understanding and synthesizing the reading materials is an important component of this course. While some students may be able to read, understand, and memorize large amounts of material in short periods of time, keeping up with assignments as they are given is the optimal way to perform well in this course. Your participation adds to the quality of the class experience. A rubric outlining how participation will be evaluated is available in Blackboard. It is the responsibility of every student to contribute to an atmosphere in which discussion can freely take place. A vigorous exchange of ideas is encouraged. While it is important to learn the information and facts taught in this class, there is room for varying opinions on topics we cover in this course. Amicable disagreement does not negatively impact grades. Everyone should treat one another with respect and courtesy. Completing work in a timely manner, receiving feedback, and incorporating that feedback into future work is the best way to succeed in this course. You are expected to take part in discussion threads in a timely fashion. To do so, you need to remain current with the reading. Extensions of time will only be given at the professor’s 2 Mary Baldwin University HCA 320L Syllabus discretion; and, only if you submit your request in advance of the assignment due date. Each course week begins on Monday at 12:01 a.m. ET; and, ends seven days later on Sunday 11:59 p.m. ET. INDIVIDUAL VERSUS GROUP ASSIGNMENTS Exercises 1, 2 and 3 are team projects. Teams will be assigned by the professor during the first week of class. The number of students in a team will vary depending upon the number of students enrolled in the class. The other assignments such as quizzes, exams, discussion board posts, and exercises are to be done individually. COMMUNICATION The student and instructor will primarily use MBU email addresses to communicate. Phone appointments can easily be arranged. You may call or text the professor if you have an urgent matter. In person meetings at MBU can be arranged during the professor’s office hours or by appointment. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Mary Baldwin College is sensitive to the needs of students with disabilities academically qualified and is committed to providing appropriate support. The college makes every effort to accommodate students with documented disabilities. Students must inform the school about their disability if they wish to request academic adjustment. Please contact the MBU Learning Skills Center for information on this procedure. See: http://www.marybaldwin.edu/learning-skills/swd/ EXERCISE LIST PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS Mary Baldwin University HCA 320L Syllabus EXERCISES / PROJECTS / TESTS / FINAL EXAM/PARTICIPATION Exercises will be found in the textbooks and are listed below. Exercises are to be done by teams and will be presented to class the first class after they are due. Quizzes and Tests will be multiple choice. Definitions, explanations, examples, computations and the like will be included. All assignments including exams are open book/notes. Calculators may be needed to complete these assignments. All assignments are to be submitted to the appropriate folder in Blackboard by11:59 pm ET on the due date designated in the schedule below. Students are expected to read prior to class and be prepared to discuss the assignment reading. Student will be asked to present information during class (in person class). The classroom is meant to foster dialogue and lecture will not be the only mode of learning. Resources for Projects • Research paper: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/01/ • Genre Analytical: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/02/ • Choosing a writing topic: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/03/ • Identify your audience: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/04/ • Revising, proof reading and editing: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/05/ Mary Baldwin University HCA 320L Syllabus • Use the American Psychological Association (APA) Style of Writing: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_ style_guide/ge neral_format.html • How to research: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/552/1/ • Primary vs. secondary sources: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/559/01/ • A chart developed by the USC Libraries instruction team that can help you distinguish between a scholarly [a.k.a., peer-reviewed or academic] journal article and a popular, general interest publication: http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/scholarly • To format your outline use examples found here: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/01/ TOOLS OF ANALYSIS Tools of Analysis Budgetary (type, building, monitoring, evaluation) Mapping (economic and financial management) Economics (demand and supply) Political / Policy Variance Organizational / Administrative Ratio Statistical Benchmarking Cost effectiveness Trend Payback method Mix (payer, patient, service) Environmental – Legal/ Regulatory Cost benefit Productivity Cost Break even Integration Outcomes assessment Managed Care Pricing Product line Technology assessment Strategic and tactical Time value of money Reimbursement FTE analysis Return on investment Ethical GRAFTON LIBRARY Mary Baldwin University HCA 320L Syllabus The Grafton Library website contains listings of books and journals related to health care administration. Assessment of Health Care Administration Research Skills

The library’s website also acts as a portal to many databases which can be used for research assignments. Please see the following URL for complete up to date information on these resources: http://libguides.mbc.edu/library-instruction http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/rewriting http://libguides.mbc.edu/content.php?pid=173362&sid=1463263 Professional library staff assists students in locating appropriate resources for research projects. They can explain how to do searches for professional/scholarly information. They are readily available by phone or email. POLICY ON LATE ASSIGNMENTS Late assignments of all categories (case studies, papers, tests, quizzes, discussion posts) will not be accepted and will be scored a zero (0) unless the student obtains permission from the professor for an extension of time. If an extension date is not adhered to, a zero will be given for the assignment. Do not send any medical records or doctor’s notes to the professor when you request an extension of time. HONOR CODE The official and published policy of Mary Baldwin University (MBU) concerning cheating and plagiarism will be strictly followed in this class. A student’s name affixed (signed) on an assignment constitutes understanding and compliance with the Honor Code. See: http://www.marybaldwin.edu/student/sga/honorcode/ POLICY ON EMAIL The student and instructor will primarily use MBU email addresses to communicate. Emails will be answered during normal business hours except in cases of unusual circumstances. Please plan on a response time of 24- 48 hours when contacting the professor by email. If you have not received a reply to an urgent email message within 48 hours, please text or call the professor. The professor expects that all emails reflect a professional communication style. They should contain a subject line, a greeting, and a signature. The tone of the email should be neutral and the content needs to be concise. Remember that proper punctuation, capitalization, and spelling all make written communication easier and more effective. (Students may always call or text the professor if they have an immediate need that is impacting their ability to complete their assigned work). The professor reserves the right to edit this syllabus for the benefit of student learning throughout the semester. If edits are made, students will be notified via blackboard. Note: Please familiarize yourself with the student handbook: https://mymbu.marybaldwin.edu/ICS/icsfs/1617_Student_Handbook_Final.pdf?target=279b5a03-263f-42ce-a6f9-b02caa1474f4 ~ End of Syllabus ~ …