Professional Development > Course Descriptions
Course Descriptions
Gain new insights and practice applying them in professional development courses in health policy, behavioral economics, operations management, and health care innovation. Courses are taught by internationally recognized leaders at the University of Pennsylvania, including the Perelman School of Medicine, the Wharton School,the Leonard Davis Institute for Health Economics, and the Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Innovation.
Courses run throughout the year, so you can match your studies to your schedule and interests in improving health care. Courses are online and 4 or 6 weeks long, with specific start and end dates. A combination of self-directed and interactive learning activities allows for both flexibility and the opportunity to engage with fellow innovative health professionals.
Please note that the course schedule is subject to change.
Connected Health Care
August 6–September 3, 2019 and February 11-March 9, 2020 | Taught by Christian Terwiesch, PhD and Nicolaj Siggelkow, PhD
This course explores strategies for using technology to build connected customer relationships, with cases from various industries that demonstrate impact and provide models for health care. Prepare to advocate for change in order to improve patient care.
This course examines the health care industry from an economic perspective. Be an informed contributor to conversations and decisions about the factors that drive cost in health care today.
The American Health Care System
October 1-November 11, 2019 | Taught by Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD
This course helps professionals better understand how the American health care system has evolved into its current structure and policies, and where it may go next. Apply your new knowledge to help patients, clients, and organizations navigate the changing, challenging health care landscape.
Health Care Leadership in an Era of Patient Empowerment
October 29-November 25, 2019 and May 5-June 1, 2020 | Taught by Mike Useem, PhD
The Wharton School’s Mike Useem brings business insight to health care as he introduces a leadership checklist during brief lecture and interview videos. Synthesize lessons from cases as you develop your own leadership tools to lead health care organizations.
Foundations of Behavioral Economics
January 14-February 3, 2020 and June 2-June 29, 2020 | Taught by Kevin G. Volpp, MD, PhD with Rachele Hendricks-Sturrup, DSc
Explore how behavioral economics concepts can help you nudge patients, providers, colleagues, and others in an effort to increase adherence, reduce costs, and shape wellness behaviors. You do not need a background in economics to take this project-oriented course.
Translating Ideas Into Outcomes
February 4-March 16, 2020 | Taught by David Asch, MD, MBA and Roy Rosin, MBA
Acquire tools and strategies to sharpen innovative thinking in order to improve the way health care is delivered. Class exercises serve as a springboard for developing an innovation project at work.
Evaluating Health Policy and Programs
March 10-April 6, 2020 | Taught by Amol S. Navathe, MD, PhD
Examine the building blocks of research design and evaluation, and apply them to studies in health insurance, food policy, and hospital operations. This course will give you the foundation and practice to measure the impact of proposed programs and policy changes.
This course provides health care professionals with strategies and tools for improving the way health care is delivered. Sharpen your skills in analyzing existing processes, calculating potential changes, and measuring results.
Leading Change in Health Care
Next Dates TBD | Taught by Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD, with Jennifer S. Myers, MD, FHM, and FACP, and additional experts
This course is designed for clinicians, administrators, and other health care professionals who are interested in removing barriers to instituting best practices around process improvement and care delivery. In this course, you will study leading industry examples of how transformative practices have been instituted.
What will I learn and do?
Health Care Innovation courses are designed to help you address questions such as:
- How do we advocate for increasing access, improving quality, and lowering cost?
- What tools do I use to analyze and improve operations in a medical setting?
- How do I manage and advise on the evaluation of real-world health policies and programs?
- What are the key financial and organizational challenges that health care delivery is currently facing?
- How can I improve outcomes for my clients using behavioral economics concepts?
- How can we rethink health care operations and patient outcomes to improve how we deliver care?
- What existing technologies provide connected patient experiences and relationships?
If you want to dive deeper into studying and applying these areas, with more networking and faculty interaction, consider the online Master of Health Care Innovation degree.
Contact
If you have additional questions, please contact Caitlin O'Neill, Program Manager for Online Educational Initiatives, at 215-746-3971 or caoneill@upenn.edu.