PHRM 5202

Health Care Systems and Socioeconomics

Course Syllabus
Spring 2015
Course Instructor/Coordinator
Name: Jack E. Fincham, Ph.D., R.Ph.
Title/Department: Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical & Administrative Sciences
Office: School of Pharmacy, Room 205
Phone: 864-938-3835
E-mail: jefincham@presby.edu
Office hours: by appointment, please just contact me via email.
Course Objective
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to effectively describe the flow of
pharmaceuticals and funds throughout the US health care system.
Course Description
This course is designed to help the student develop an understanding of the characteristics,
components, and structure of the US health care system. The social, cultural and economic
dynamics of the system and emerging issues in health care reform will also be discussed.
The methods of pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics and their roles in
healthcare decision-making will be introduced.
Class Meeting Times
MWF
9:00-9:50 AM

Room 271

Textbook
Pharmacy and the US Health Care System
o Pharmaceutical Press, 2013
o ISBN 978-0-85711-22-0
Required reading materials are listed by date in this document.
Course Learning Outcomes (ACPE Appendix B Outcomes)
Health Care Delivery Systems
Economics/Pharmacoeconomics
Pharmacoepidemiology
Social/Behavioral
PC Twelve Competencies met by this Course
Communication
Evidence-based Decisions in the Practice of Pharmacy
Problem Prevention and Solving
Providing Pharmaceutical Care to Patient Populations
Inter-professional Interaction and Teamwork
Management Skills
Advancement of Pharmacy and Health Care
Promotion of Health and Public Welfare

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Course Grades
Basis for Course Grade:
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Final Exam
Group Presentations
Projects
Grading Scale:

93 - 100%
90 - 92
87 89
83 86
80 82
77 79
70 76
60 69
59 or below

Weight
20%
20%
20%
20%
10%
10%

A
AB+
B
BC+
C
D
F

(Grading scale approved by faculty)

Students have 1 week to contest grades after they are posted; after 1 week the posted grade
is final.
The course coordinator reserves the right to make adjustments to the grading scale as
necessary in recording the final grade.
Honor code violations may result in failure of the course at the discretion of the course
coordinator.

Attendance and Participation

Students are expected to attend and actively participate in all class sessions; attendance will be
monitored regularly throughout the semester. Excused absences will be granted by the course
coordinator on an individual basis, and only if an appropriate excuse (such as student illness or
injury with doctors note, or death of immediate family member) is provided by the student within 1
week of the missed class, assignment, quiz, or exam. There will be no make-ups for any
unexcused absences resulting in a missed graded assignment and/or or exam. Excessive
unexcused absences may result in a 1 letter grade reduction to be imposed at the end of
the semester upon the students final earned grade in the course.
Classroom Etiquette
Students are expected to be ready to begin class at the scheduled time and remain in the
classroom until class is dismissed.
Reading assignments should be completed before class.
Avoid any and all behavior that does not allow others to hear and learn. Side conversations
should be kept to a minimum during lectures.
Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class. Electronic versions will NOT be
accepted.
All cell phones and other electronic devices/noise-making devices should be turned OFF
during class. Laptops may only be used to the extent that they supplement learning relevant
to this course. Texting, recreational use of the internet, etc. is NOT permitted during class.
On the first offense, the student will be asked to leave class and will not receive credit for
attendance for that particular class. A second offence may result in a 1 letter grade
reduction to be imposed at the end of the semester upon the final grade earned in the
course.

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Methods of Assessment
Short-answer exams
Multiple choice exams
Written assignments/homework
Group activities
Presentations
Active Learning Techniques
Group activities
Individual assignments
Presentations
Required Supplies
Calculator: Use of cell phones as calculators IS NOT permitted during exams. Programmable
graphing calculators may not be used on exams.
Special Accommodations
Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him/her from fully demonstrating
his/her abilities should contact the instructor personally as soon as possible to discuss
accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate his/her educational
opportunities
Honor Code
The School of Pharmacy supports and enforces the Honor Code. Pharmacy students are
expected to read, understand, and abide by the tenets of the Honor Code. Quizzes, tests,
examinations, projects, and papers to be graded should be accompanied by the pledge On my
honor, I pledge that I have neither given nor received any unacknowledged aid on
this assignment followed by the students signature. Unacknowledged aid includes aid that is
not allowed by the instructor. In some courses, students will be expected to work in small
groups to conduct experiments or other projects. When authorized by the instructor, these
activities are not Honor Code violations. However, the interpretation of data and the reporting of
results and conclusions are, unless stated otherwise by the instructor, individual responsibilities.

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Course Topics
`

Date
January 5, 2015 (M)
January 7, 2015
(W)
January 9, 2015 (F)
January 12, 2015 (M)
January 14, 2015
(W)
January 16, 2015
(W)
January 19, 2015
(M)
January 21, 2015
(W)
January 23, 2015
(F) January 26, 2015
(M) January 28, 2015
(W) January 30, 2015
(F) February 2, 2015
(M)
February 4, 2015
(W)
February 6, 2015 (F)
February 8, 2015 (M)
February 11. 2015
(W)
February
13, 2015 (F)
February 16, 2015
(M)
February
18, 2015
(W)
February
20, 2015 (F)
February 23, 2015 (M)
February 25, 2015 (W)
February 27, 2015
(F)
March 2-6. 2015
March 9, 2015 (M)
March 11, 2015 (W)
March 13, 2015 (F)
March 16, 2015 (M)
March 18, 2015 (W)
March 20, 2015 (F)

Course Section
Introduction
Structure
Structure
Structure
Structure
Structure
No Class Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday
Structure
Structure
Structure
Structure
Structure
Exam #1
Structure
Process
Process
Process
Process
Process
Process
Process
Outcomes
Exam #2
Outcomes
No Class Spring Break
Outcomes
Outcomes
Outcomes
Outcomes
Outcomes
Outcomes

30
31
32

March 23, 2015 (M)

March 25, 2015 (W)
March 27, 2015 (F)

Outcomes
Outcomes
Payments

Cost Utility Analysis (CUA)

Cost of Medications
Drug Shortages

33

March 30, 2015 (M)

Payments

Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBMs)

34

April 1 , 2015 (W)

Exam #3

200/1000 points

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Spring Break
24
25
26
27
28
29

Topic
Introduction to Course and Semester
US Health Care System
Changing Landscape of US Health Care
Channels of Drug Distribution
Government Involvement in Health Care - FDA
Govt Involvement - Medicare
Govt Involvement Medicaid
VA System
Health Insurance in US
Managed Care
Foreign Health Care Systems
200/1000 points
Pharmaceutical Industry
Pharmacists and Health Professionals
Ambulatory Care, Retail
Ambulatory Care, Chain, Mail Order
Medical Marijuana
Pharmacy Organizations
Hospital and Health Care Institutions
Long Term Care and Home Health Care
Unmet needs, upper South Carolina
200/1000 points
Health Disparities
Medication Compliance
Drug Use Problems ADRs & Med Errors
Health Outcomes and Importance
Cost Minimization Analysis (CMA)
Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA)
Cost Effectiveness Analysis (CEA)

Easter Break

April 3-5, 2015

No Class Easter Break

35

April 8, 2015 (W)

Future

Changes due to Health Care Reform

36

April 10, 2015 (F)

Future

Health Information Technology

37

April 13, 2015 (M)

Future

Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) &

Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs)

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38

April 15, 2015 (W)

Future

39

April 17, 2015 (F)

Class Presentations, Where You See Changes in

Pharmacy Services are Needed & Your Proposal
for Changing these Situations

2 groups of 8 presenting
200/1000 points per group

40

April 20, 2015 (M)

3 groups of 8 presenting
200/1000 points per group

41

April 22, 2015 (W)

42

April 24, 2015 (F)

Class Presentations, Where You See Changes in

Pharmacy Services are Needed & Your Proposal
for Changing these Situations
Class Presentations, Where You See Changes in
Pharmacy Services are Needed & Your Proposal
for Changing these Situations
Class Presentations, Where You See Changes in
Pharmacy Services are Needed & Your Proposal
for Changing these Situations

Final Exam Room 271, 9 am

200/1000 points

May 7, 2015 (Th)

US and Global Changes in Drug Use

2 groups of 8 presenting
200/1000 points per group
3 groups of 8 presenting
200/1000 points per group

Assigned Textbook Readings

Course Lecture
Please note, Lectures are
given by Dr. Fincham unless
stated otherwise.
1

Date

January 5, 2015 (M)

2
3

January 7, 2015 (W)

January 9, 2015 (F)

4
5

January 12, 2015 (M)

January 14, 2015 (W)

6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

January 16, 2015 (W)

January 21, 2015 (W)
January 23, 2015 (F)
January 26, 2015 (M)
January 28, 2015 (W)
January 30, 2015 (F)
February 2, 2015 (M)
February 4, 2015 (W)
February 6, 2015 (F)

15
16

February 8, 2015 (M)

February 11. 2015 (W)

17

February 13, 2015 (F)

18
19

February 16, 2015 (M)

February 18, 2015 (W)

20

February 20, 2015 (F)

21

February 23, 2015 (M)

22
23
24
25

February 25, 2015 (W)

February 27, 2015 (F)
March 9, 2015 (M)
March 11, 2015 (W)

Topic

Readings from Textbook

Introduction to Course and

Semester
US Health Care System
Changing Landscape of US
Health Care
Channels of Drug Distribution
Government Involvement in
Health Care - FDA
Govt Involvement - Medicare
Govt Involvement Medicaid
VA System
Health Insurance in US
Managed Care
First Examination
Foreign Health Care Systems
Pharmaceutical Industry
Pharmacists and Health
Professionals
Ambulatory Care, Retail
Ambulatory Care, Chain, Mail
Order
Ambulatory Care,
Supermarket
Pharmacy Organizations
Hospital and Health Care
Institutions
Long Term Care and Home
Health Care
Health Outcomes and
Importance
Health Disparities
Second Examination
Medication Compliance
Drug Use Problems ADRs &

None
Chapter 1
Chapter 19
Chapter 12
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
None from textbook
Chapter 11
Chapters 4 and 5
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 6
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 20
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 14 &15

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26

March 13, 2015 (F)

27

March 16, 2015 (M)

28
29

March 18, 2015 (W)

March 20, 2015 (F)

30
31
32
33

March 23, 2015 (M)

March 25, 2015 (W)
March 27, 2015 (F)
March 30, 2015 (M)

34
35

April 1 , 2015 (W)

April 8, 2015 (W)

36

April 10, 2015 (F)

37

April 13, 2015 (M)

38

April 15, 2015 (W)

Med Errors
Unmet needs, upper South
Carolina
Cost Minimization
Analysis (CMA)
Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA)
Cost Effectiveness Analysis
(CEA)
Cost Utility Analysis (CUA)
Cost of Medications
Drug Shortages
Pharmacy Benefit
Management (PBMs)
Third Examination
Changes due to Health
Care Reform
Health Information
Technology
Accountable Care
Organizations (ACOs) &
Patient Centered Medical
Homes (PCMHs)
US and Global Changes in
Drug Use

Chapter 16
None from the Textbook
None from the Textbook
None from the Textbook
None from the Textbook
Chapter 8
None from the Textbook
None from the Textbook

Chapter 7
Chapter 18
None from the Textbook

None from the Textbook

This schedule will be followed as closely as possible throughout the semester; however, the instructor(s) reserve the
right to adjust the course schedule as he/she deems necessary.

Class Presentations, Where You See Changes in Pharmacy Services are Needed &
Your Proposal for Changing these Situations
There are many differing course components to this course, this segment of your course is to allow you
and a group you will work with to craft needed changes to the US health care system, our profession, or
delivery components of health care impacted by pharmacists. Your written and oral presentations should
include the following major components:
1.Title of your proposal
2. Executive summary of your proposal
a. Should be a concise description of personal/professional philosophy regarding the proposal
and indication of how you suggest change
3. Description of the problem and its significance
a. Why is this change necessary?
b. Why is this problematic?
c. What is the significance?
4. General considerations
a. Please self-select among your classmates a group of 8 individuals
to work on your suggested change, this needs to be completed by 2/2/2015. The Moodle link is
as follows: http://moodle.presby.edu/mod/questionnaire/view.php?id=84538
b. Each member of the group needs to enter the name of your group (please reach a consensus
among members of your group of a name for the group) & forward to me via email by 2/2/2015.
Please have someone from the group forward to me the name of your proposed change
presentation topic by 4/10/2015 via the Moodle link as follows:
http://moodle.presby.edu/mod/questionnaire/view.php?id=84549 .
d. You will be assigned a day for your oral presentation and you need to submit your written
plan by the start of class April 17, 2015 via the Moodle section
.
e. You can use any and all classroom equipment that we have in Room 271 for your group oral
presentation.

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f. The presentations will be scheduled during class sessions on April 17; April 20, April 22, and
April 24.
5. The types of suggested changes are entirely up to your group.
6. Use of previously or concurrently prepared class assignments for this course, for organizations, and/or
for other courses is strictly prohibited.
7. During the presentation of business plans, all group members are to dress professionally.
8. Attendance is mandatory for each of the business plan presentations, this is regardless of whether your
group is presenting that day or not.
9. This component of the course is designed for you to think about our professions future, what needs to
be done, and how to implement changes. It is also a chance for you to show your leadership,
presentation, and practice knowledge skills. I simply wish for each of you to show your skills and
potential in a non-threatening, facilitative environment.
10. There are two grading segments to this section of the course, one is the written document you provide
and the other is the manner in which you present your suggested change. The breakdown of points for
each of the 2 segments (written and oral) is as follows:
A. Organization of material 25 points
B. Content 25 points
C. Grammar and/or presentation style 25 points
4. Professionalism 25 points
11. If you have any questions regarding any of this course segment, please contact me at your
convenience.

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