This course provides a framework for understanding and evaluating health care systems. It covers the follow topics:

Health care systems in a comparative perspective: objectives, the different models of finance and provision, the division of public and private responsibility in health care, an assessment of health care reforms and its implications, challenges for the future, the role of cross-national comparisons.

Health policies, the EU and globalisation: EU health policy objectives, the role of the European Union, globalisation and health care, and the implications for health policies in Europe.

The course emphasises an interdisciplinary and international approach. After attending this course, students will be able to:

- understand the broader socio-economic context of health systems and its implications for health system development

- know approaches in comparative health policy analysis and to appraise their potential

- develop an appreciation of the structure, financing and major provider components of health care systems

- contrast different methods of financing, providing and governing health care in a comparative perspective

- articulate and evaluate alternative approaches to improving a country’s health care system

- evaluate the role of the European Union and of globalisation for health system development

Individual essay: 20%

Group paper: 45%

Oral presentation: 20%

Active participation: 15%

Elective (social policy)

English program

e-mail: august.oesterle@wu.ac.at

meetings by appointment