Scholarly Concentration: Health Services & Policy Research

Directors

Laurence Baker, PhD
Corinna Haberland, MD, MS
Kathryn McDonald, MM/MBA

Objectives and Goals

Health Services and Policy Research (HSPR) is one of the seven Scholarly Concentration (SC) foundations. Required course work is designed to explore the ways that health care systems, governments, doctors, and patients interact to deliver health care. From regulatory policy and market forces to financial incentives and the costs and benefits of new technologies, students study ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health care systems at delivering high quality care in the U.S. and abroad.

Requirements

Students pursuing the HSPR Foundation area along with an Application area are required to complete at least 6 units in HSPR. These requirements include:

HRP 207: Introduction to Concepts & Methods in Health Services & Policy Research – I (2 units)

And

HRP 208: Introduction to Concepts & Methods in Health Services & Policy Research – II (2 units)

And

One of the following methods / skills focused courses:

HRP 206:  Meta-Research: Appraising Research Findings, Bias, and Meta-analysis (3 units)

HRP 223:  Data Management and Statistical Programming (2-3 units)

HRP 252:  Outcomes Analysis (3 units)

HRP 259:  Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Epidemiology (3-4 units)

HRP 261:  Intermediate Biostatistics: Analysis of Discrete Data (3 units)

HRP 262:  Intermediate Biostatistics: Regression, Prediction, Survival Analysis (3 units)

HRP 263:  Advanced Decision Science Methods and Modeling in Health (3 units)

HRP 392:  Analysis of Costs, Risks, and Benefits in Health Care (4 units)

Students pursuing the HSPR Foundation area without an Application area are required to complete at least 12 units in HSPR. The requirements in this situation are as follows:

HRP 207: Introduction to Concepts & Methods in Health Services & Policy Research - I (2 units)

And

HRP 208: Introduction to Concepts & Methods in Health Services & Policy Research – II (2 units)

And

One of the following methods / skills focused courses:

HRP 206:  Meta-Research: Appraising Research Findings, Bias, and Meta-analysis (3 units)

HRP 223:  Data Management and Statistical Programming (2-3 units)

HRP 252:  Outcomes Analysis (3 units)

HRP 259:  Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Epidemiology (3-4 units)

HRP 261:  Intermediate Biostatistics: Analysis of Discrete Data (3 units)

HRP 262:  Intermediate Biostatistics: Regression, Prediction, Survival Analysis (3 units)

HRP 263:  Advanced Decision Science Methods and Modeling in Health (3 units)

HRP 392:  Analysis of Costs, Risks, and Benefits in Health Care (4 units)

And 

One or more course(s) covering the structure and functioning of health care systems, or important concepts or methodologies used in health services and policy research.  Total number of courses will be dictated by the 12 unit requirement.  Some suggested classes:

HRP 206: Meta-Research: Appraising Research Findings, Bias, and Meta-analysis (3 units)

HRP 223:  Data Management and Statistical Programming (2-3 units)

HRP 252:  Outcomes Analysis (3 units)

HRP 256:  Economics of Health and Medical Care (5 units)

HRP 258:  Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Clinical Research (3 units)

HRP 259:  Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Epidemiology (4-5 units)

HRP 261:  Intermediate biostatistics: Analysis of Discrete Data (3 units)

HRP 262:  Intermediate biostatistics: Regression, prediction, and survival analysis (3 units)

HRP 263:  Advanced Decision Science Methods and Modeling in Health (3 units)

HRP 283:  Health Services Research Core Seminar (1 unit)

HRP 391:  Health Care Regulation, Finance, and Policy (4 units)

HRP 392:  Analysis of Costs, Risks, and Benefits in Health Care (4 units)

LAW 313:Health Law & Policy (3 units)

LAW 727:Regulating the Quality and Safety of Health Care (3 units)

MED 233:  Global Health: Beyond Diseases and International Organizations (3 units)

MED 262:  Economics of Health Improvement in Developing Countries (5 units)

E 252:  Decision Analysis I (3-4 units)

E 292:  Health Policy Modeling (3 units)

EASTASN 217: Health and Healthcare Systems in East Asia (3-5 units)

ECON 249: Topics in Health Economics (2-5 units)

NOTE: Some of the above courses have specific pre-requirements.  Students are encouraged to talk with the concentration co-directors and staff for guidance on appropriate coursework, as well as to discuss exceptions or substitutions (e.g. if previous coursework and/or experience allow for enrolling in alternate courses).  Additionally, there are many one or two unit seminar style courses that are relevant to HSPR. Students should discuss potential options with the co-directors.