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Pharmacy and the United States Health Care System


Course Description

The social, economic, and political forces that shape the environment in which health care currently is being delivered in America and how this affects the United States health care system and the practice of pharmacy.


Athena Title

Pharm and US Health Care Syst


Prerequisite

Doctor of Pharmacy student or permission of major


Semester Course Offered

Offered spring


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

1. Describe and discuss the organization and financing of medical care services in the United States with an emphasis on the role of medications and pharmacy services. 2. Analyze the role of pharmacists in the United States medical care system. 3. Compare the United States health care system to other types of organizations. 4. Describe various health care plans. 5. Compare and contrast various health care plans (insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.).


Topical Outline

How is health care different from other commodities? Public health/Epidemiology, Healthy People 2020 Regulatory aspects of the United States health care system Pharmaceutical care Insurance and uninsured Health care financing Managed care/Health plans Medicare Medicaid Health care reform Pharmacy benefit managers Health literacy Long-term care Hospitals Health care workforce Pharmaceutical industry International comparisons


Syllabus