SOC 4053.

01S: Health Care Systems in the US

Summer 2016, Monday through Friday, 4:15-5:45 pm, Room MH 3.01.18

Instructor: Natalie Maples, DrPH (c)

Office: MH 4.03.02
Phone: 210-562-5250
E-mail: maplesn@uthscsa.edu
Office Hours: Monday through Thursday after class or by appointment.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course introduces students to the historical development, structure, operation, current and
future directions of the major components of the American health care delivery system. It examines
the ways in which health care services are organized and delivered, the influences that impact
private and public health care delivery and health policy decisions, and factors that determine the
allocation of resources in the public and private systems.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Describe the private, governmental, professional and economic contributions to the
development and operation of the health care system.
2. Describe the types and interrelationships of health care facilities, services, and personnel.
3. Understand important challenges of public sector health policy making.
4. Understand the major ethical, economic, professional and legal issues confronting providers,
insurers, and consumers.
5. Describe the special problems of high-risk populations and health system responses.
6. Identify and describe the quality control activities of the current health care system and relate
service provider behaviors to legal, ethical, and financial considerations.
7. Describe the values and assumptions that underlie the changing priorities in health planning
resource allocation.

Required Text
The Basics of the U.S. Health Care System, 3rd Edition Nancy J. Niles, Jones & Bartlett
Learning, ISBN-13: 978-1284102888; ISBN-10: 1284102882

Grade Breakdown
Exams (3 @100 points each) 300 points
Class attendance 30 points
Class discussion 25 points
Blackboard discussions 45 points
Group presentation 100 points
Total 500 points

A = 450 or more points

B = 400 to 449 points
C = 350 to 399 points
D = 300 to 349 points
F = 299 or fewer points

Class Format
Students are expected to complete assigned readings before coming to class. The class is structured
in a discussion format rather than in a lecture format. In order to maintain an active discussion,
students must complete their assigned readings before each class. The quality of in-class
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discussions will depend on your critical thinking and making cohesive and structured arguments.
Remember, attendance and class discussions are over 10% of your final grade.

Exams
There will be three exams via Blackboard in this class. Each exam is worth 100 points. These exams
will be in multiple choice and brief essay format. You will have the entire class period to complete
the exam. Topics covering each exam will include the chapters discussed during the period and in-
class discussions. Tentative dates for the exams are given in this syllabus. No make-up on
exams unless arranged prior to the exam or with a note presented for a verified
medical or family emergency.

Group Presentations
Students will pair with two to three other classmates and prepare a 15 minute oral presentation on
a topic of your choice. Topics should relate to the chapter we are discussing on the date of your
presentation. Students will present on a recent published article(s) within the appropriate topic
area. Articles should not be more than 5 years old (i.e. published in 2012 or later). A power point
slide presentation is expected to accompany this assignment and must be submitted via Blackboard
by 4:15 pm (class time) on the day of your presentation. Appropriate references should be used.
This assignment is worth 20% of your final grade in the class. Sign up for presentations will be on
June 6th and presentations will begin on June 13th.

Blackboard Participation
On three separate occasions we will hold Blackboard discussions in lieu of attending class. The
topic area of each discussion is on the syllabus and I will initiate the topic question for that day.
You are expected to generate at least 3 comments/questions/answers that are thoughtful and
relevant to each Bb discussion. The topic will be posted by 9 am the day of and will close at 11:59
pm. An ideal post (maximum 15 points) will address three perspectives: Your own, the books,
and other students within the class. Each perspective is worth 5 points. You may make as many
posts as you need or want for each topic.

Attendance
Class attendance and active participation in classroom activities are very important to complete
this course successfully. Excessive absences will adversely affect your final grade. I will be taking
attendance regularly.

Grade Rebuttals
I will accept typed grade rebuttals for up to two (2) class periods following the return of your scored
assignment or exam. The rebuttal must include a summary of the question or assignment, your
response, and why you believe that your answer warrants more credit than you were given. Attach
the original exam or assignment to the back of the grade rebuttal statement.

Academic Dishonesty
Cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated at any time. Any person suspected of academic
dishonesty will be handled in accordance with the policies and procedures set forth by The
University of Texas at San Antonio. Refer to your student handbook for complete provisions of the
code or available on-line at http://www.utsa.edu/osja/section203.cfm.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Appropriate adjustments and auxiliary aids are available for persons with disabilities. The office is
located in MS 2.03.18, 210-458-4157 (voice), 210-458-4981 (TTY), or UTSA-Downtown, BV 1.302,
210-458-2945.

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Religion
If you must miss class for religious reasons, notify me in writing by July 12, 2016.

Classroom Behavioral Expectations

Students are expected to assist in maintaining a classroom environment that is conducive to
learning. To assure all students have the opportunity to gain from time spent in class, students are
prohibited from engaging in any form of distractions.

The University of Texas at San Antonio Academic Honor Code

A. Preamble
The University of Texas at San Antonio community of past, present and future students, faculty,
staff, and administrators share a commitment to integrity and the ethical pursuit of knowledge.
We honor the traditions of our university by conducting ourselves with a steadfast duty to honor,
courage, and virtue in all matters both public and private. By choosing integrity and responsibility,
we promote personal growth, success, and lifelong learning for the advancement of ourselves, our
university, and our community.

B. Honor Pledge
In support of the ideals of integrity, the students of the University of Texas at San Antonio pledge:
As a UTSA Roadrunner I live with honor and integrity.

C. Shared responsibility
The University of Texas at San Antonio community shares the responsibility and commitment to
integrity and the ethical pursuit of knowledge and adheres to the UTSA Honor Code

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SCHEDULE
The following is the tentative schedule for the semester. The schedule is subject to change and
changes will be announced in class. You are expected to have read the required readings
prior to start of class.

May 30 Introduction to Class; Syllabus Distributed; History of the U.S. Healthcare System;
Reading: Chapter 1
May 31 Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Healthcare Services: Chapter 2

June 1 Current Operations of the Healthcare System; Reading: Chapter 3

June 2 No class; Blackboard Discussion Chapter 3

June 5 Governments Role in U.S. Health Care; Reading: Chapter 4

June 6 Governments Role in U.S. Health Care; Reading: Chapter 4 (Sign-up for
presentations)

June 7 Public Healths Role in Health Care; Reading: Chapter 5

June 8 Public Healths Role in Health Care; Reading: Chapter 5

June 9 Exam #1 (Chapters 1-5) Will post on Blackboard during class time

June 12 Inpatient and Outpatient Services; Reading: Chapter 6

June 13 Inpatient and Outpatient Services; Reading: Chapter 6(Group Presentations)

June 14 U.S. Healthcare Workforce; Reading: Chapter 7

June 15 U.S. Healthcare Workforce; Reading: Chapter 7 (Group Presentations)

June 16 Healthcare Financing; Reading: Chapter 8

June 19 Healthcare Financing; Reading: Chapter 8 (Group Presentations)

June 20 Managed Care Impact on Healthcare Delivery; Reading: Chapter 9

June 21 Managed Care Impact on Healthcare Delivery; Reading: Chapter 9 (Group

Presentations)

June 22 Exam #2 (Chapters 6, 7, 8 & 9) Will post on Blackboard during class time

June 23 No class; Blackboard Discussion Chapter 10

June 26 Information Technology Impact on Health Care; Reading: Chapter 10

June 27 Information Technology Impact on Health Care; Reading: Chapter 10 (Group

Presentations)

June 28 Mental Health Issues; Reading: Chapter 13

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June 29 Mental Health Issues; Reading: Chapter 13 (Group Presentations)

June 30 Analysis of the U.S. Healthcare System; Reading: Chapter 14

July 3 No class; Blackboard Discussion Chapter 14

July 5 Exam #3 (Chapters 10, 13 & 14) Will post on Blackboard from 2:30-
4:00pm