Class Descriptions

Health Care Policies and Services

SW634

Credits:	3
Prerequisites:	SW 530
Faculty Approval Date:	09/03/2014

Course Description

This course will examine the strengths and limitations of the U.S. health care system, including health indicators and the state of health care delivery in the United States, with selective international comparisons. The role of the public and private sectors in health care and health policy will be presented, with special attention to the financing of health care and the role of the government in health care. The course will focus on the organization of services (i.e., public health, prevention/ promotion services, primary care, acute care, chronic care, and long-term care). Alternative and complementary medicine and services will also be examined. The pharmaceutical and medical devices industries will be examined, as will the health care workforce. Access to care, utilization, and quality of care will be covered. A major focus of the course will be on disparities in health care and on health care for the underserved, including racial/ethnic minorities, women, sexual minorities, and the poor. The role of social workers in health care will be addressed throughout.

Objectives

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Describe the evolution, organization, and distribution of health services in the U.S., including gaps and excesses, and inequities in access and quality of care. (Practice Behaviors 8.IP, 8.SPE, 8.CO, 8.MHS)
2. Identify the strengths and limitations of the U.S. health care system compared with health care systems in other countries and directions for needed change. (Practice Behaviors 8.IP, 8.SPE, 8.CO, 8.MHS)
3. Describe financing mechanisms for health care and their impact on equity and access. (Practice Behaviors 5.IP, 5.SPE, 5.CO, 5.MHS, 8.IP, 8.SPE, 8.CO, 8.MHS)
4. Discuss the contributions and limitations of alternative and complementary medicine and health services. (Practice Behaviors 8.IP, 8.SPE, 8.CO, 8.MHS)
5. Discuss current health work force issues, including maldistribution, hyperspecialization, skill mix, and race and gender hierarchies. (Practice Behaviors 4.IP, 4.SPE, 4.CO, 4.MHS, 8.IP, 8.SPE, 8.CO, 8.MHS)
6. Describe the role of the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries in health care, including drug and technology development, patents and generics, and cost and reimbursement. (Practice Behaviors 8.IP, 8.SPE, 8.CO, 8.MHS)
7. Describe disparities in health care in the U.S., their sources, and systemic strategies for intervention. (Practice Behaviors 5.IP, 5.SPE, 5.CO, 5.MHS, 8.IP, 8.SPE, 8.CO, 8.MHS)
8. Discuss cultural competence in health care delivery and systemic strategies for assuring culturally competent care. (Practice Behaviors 4.IP, 4.SPE, 4.CO, 4.MHS, 8.IP, 8.SPE, 8.CO, 8.MHS)
9. Discuss current ethical issues and controversies and apply ethical principles and decision-making in health care. (Practice Behaviors 2.IP, 2.SPE, 2.CO, 2.MHS, 8.IP, 8.SPE, 8.CO, 8.MHS)
10. Describe the history, roles, functions, and future of social work in health care. (Practice Behaviors 8.IP, 8.SPE, 8.CO, 8.MHS)

Design

This course will include lectures, discussion, audiovisual presentations, guest speakers, and written assignments and examinations.

Intensive Focus on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice (PODS)

This course integrates PODS content and skills with a special emphasis on the identification of theories, practice and/or policies that promote social justice, illuminates injustices and are consistent with scientific and professional knowledge. Through the use of a variety of instructional methods, this course will support students developing a vision of social justice, learn to recognize and reduce mechanisms that support oppression and injustice, work toward social justice processes, apply intersectionality and intercultural frameworks and strengthen critical consciousness, self knowledge and self awareness to facilitate PODS learning.