Health Outcomes and Policy Research

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Typical Curriculum in Health Outcomes and Policy Research

Pharmacoeconomics
Health Policy: Master's and Ph.D.
Health Systems Pharmacy Management

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Typical Curriculum in Health Outcomes and Policy Research with a concentration in Pharmacoeconomics (Ph.D. degree)

The Ph.D. program in Health Outcomes and Policy Research, with a concentration in pharmacoeconomics, is designed to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for evaluating the economic, clinical, and humanistic outcomes of medical treatment. Topics addressed include the use of pharmaceuticals, appropriateness and quality of care, patient outcomes, patient satisfaction with care, costs of both appropriate and inappropriate medication use, public policies related to health care, and pharmacoepidemiological considerations. The course of study examines the respective roles and behaviors of healthcare professional (e.g., physicians, pharmacists, nurses, allied health workers) involved in patient care and the influence of healthcare-related organizations (e.g., managed care, health maintenance organizations, public and private insurance, and pharmaceutical manufacturers) on therapy. Very important to the medication use process is the role of the patient, particularly in relation to adherence to therapy.

*Semester credit hours for course.

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Typical Curriculum in Health Outcomes and Policy Research with a concentration in Health Policy (Master's degree)

This concentration of the Health Outcomes and Policy Research Ph.D. program is designed to provide a basic foundation for students pursuing careers in research, teaching, and health administration. The formal curriculum provides a fundamental understanding of health policy development, implementation and analysis, and required courses in biostatistics, epidemiology, health economics, and research methods, as well as health care systems and pubic policy.  The curriculum is designed to provide maximum flexibility for students with a variety of interests and backgrounds.

The faculty comes from several colleges of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Areas of interest include general health policy, health economics, health systems organization and function, organizational and professional behavior, and health services research. The M.S. option is savilable for applicants with health professional degrees and experience.

*Semester credit hours for course.

In addition to courses listed in the Typical Course of Study, some students may be required to take prerequisite/remedial courses based on educational background and scores on screening examinations. Other courses may be identified by the students/committee.

Studens entering the program with a master's or other graduate degree may have required/elective courses waived by the graduate faculty based on their curriculum.

In the final two semesters, students must take a minimum of 9 hours (any combination of credit hours from seminar, thesis, or electives that equals 9 or more is acceptable).

Studens must enroll in 919 HSA (Seminar) each semester in which they are enrolled in the HSA program.

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Typical Curriculum in Health Outcomes and Policy Research with a concentration in Health Policy (Ph.D. degree)

This concentration of the Health Outcomes and Policy Research Ph.D. program is designed to provide an intense, academic foundation for students pursuing academic careers in research, teaching, and health administration. The formal curriculum provides a comprehensive understanding of health policy development, implementation and analysis, and required courses in biostatistics, epidemiology, health economics, and research methods, as well as health care systems and pubic policy. The curriculum is designed to provide maximum flexibility for students with a variety of interests and backgrounds.

The faculty comes from several colleges of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Areas of interest include general health policy, health economics, health systems organization and function, organizational and professional behavior, and health services research.

*Semester credit hours for course.

In addition to courses listed in the Typical Course of Study, some students may be required to take prerequisite/remedial courses based on educational background and scores on screening examinations. Other courses may be identified by the students/committee.

Studens entering the program with a master's or other graduate degree may have required/elective courses waived by the graduate faculty based on their curriculum.

Electives may be chosen from courses offered at the University of Memphis and by other graduate programs at UTHSC with the approval of the student's advisor or committee chair. One elective must be on health services research methods and one must be in economics.

In the final two semesters, students must take a minimum of 9 hours (any combination of credit hours from seminar, thesis, or electives that equals 9 or more is acceptable).

Studens must enroll in 919 HSA (Seminar) each semester in which they are enrolled in the HSA program.

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Typical Curriculum in Health Outcomes and Policy Research with a concentration in Health Systems Pharmacy Management

The M.S. program in Health Outcomes and Policy Research with a concentration in health systems pharmacy management is combined with a 2-year residency and is designed to develop the knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities necessary to provide and evaluate a comprehensive pharmacy benefit and service for patients of organized health care settings. The concentration emphasizes health systems pharmacy management. It also includes the following practice management areas: medication systems management, human resources management, fiscal management, and technology assessment. Medication systems management focuses on the study of drug resources, safe/effective drug use systems, drug information and therapy management, and pharmacy data management. An additional focus is the medication use process in the health care system and in society to reflect interactions and services among providers of care, payers of care, and recipients of care.

In addition to required and elective didactic coursework, completion of a Master’s thesis describing a research investigation is required. The residency in pharmacy practice management is a concurrent 2-year residency offered by a university-affiliated health care facility or organization.

*Semester credit hours for course.

In addition to the courses listed, students may be required to take prerequisite/remedial courses based on educational background and scores on screening examinations.

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Revised 14 June 2007