PA 512 –Comparative Health Care Systems

 Course Description:
This course focuses on the comparative analysis of selected health systems from
developed and developing countries, with special attention to the Saudi health care
system. The comparison will examine metrics used to evaluate health systems and the
various components of health systems, including financing mechanisms, payment
schemes, workforce, and the organization of health care organizations. Selected
approaches and experiences in the delivery of health care will be discussed.

Readings:
• Roemer, Milton I. “National Health Systems of the World” Fourth Edition,
Oxford University Press, New York, New York. 1991.
• Pol, Louis G., & Thomas, Richard K. “The Demography of Health and Health and
Health Care” Second Edition, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publisher, New York,
New York. 2001.
• Ministry of Health, KSA. “Health over a Century” Ministry of Health, Riyadh,
KSA. 1999.
• World Health Organization. The World Health Report 2000: Health Systems;
Improving Performance. Geneva, 2000. May be downloaded free of charge:
http://www.who.int/whr/2000/en/whr00_en.pdf

Tentative Class Schedule:
Introduction. 
Systems in General and Health Determinants (Roemer)
Health System Components and Their Relationships; Types of Health
Systems and Their Determinants (Roemer)
Health System and Their Determinants (Roemer)
Developed Country (Students)

Developed Country (Students)
1st Midterm
Developed Country (Students)
Developing Country (Students)
Developing Country (Students) 
Developing Country (Students)
Kingdome of Saudi Arabia's Health Care System
Kingdome of Saudi Arabia's Health Care System
Kingdome of Saudi Arabia's Health Care System Copmared
Kingdome of Saudi Arabia's Health Care System Copmared
Final exam

Conduct of the Course:
In addition to the mid-term and final exams, each student will be required to write and
present two papers about two health care systems: one about developed country’s
health care system and one about developing country’s health care system. A whole
lecture will be dedicated for each countries and the designated student will be
responsible for leading that class (other students should be ready to participate during
the class, and will be graded for participation).

Grading:
The final grade will be based on the following:
Class participation 10%
1st Country’s paper and presentation 15%
2nd Country’s paper and presentation 15%
Mid-term using LMS 20%
Final using LMS 40%