Scientific Director

Sotirios Karkalakos, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Piraeus

Target Audience

The Course is aimed mainly at heads of department and deputy heads of department, or executives with an equivalent position of responsibility and remit, in private and public health organisations; executives (and prospective executives) of healthcare businesses (Directors, Heads of Department); heads of human resource development departments; students of Health Sciences schools; and university graduates in general.

Admission Requirements

Participants must have:

• Basic computer skills
• Internet access
• A personal email account

Delivery Method

The training is delivered entirely by distance learning, using a dedicated e-learning platform. It is asynchronous distance learning with study notes, which makes participation particularly easy for working people. This type of learning is a flexible form of training, as there are no restrictions of time or place. It is based on the principles of open education and meets the needs of personalised learning.

Type of Certificate

Trainees who successfully complete the Course are awarded a Training Certificate by KEDIVIM of the University of Piraeus, together with a Supplementary Annex. If successful completion of the Course is not possible owing to discontinuation of studies or failure in the examinations, the trainee is awarded a Certificate of Attendance by KEDIVIM of the University.

See a sample of the certificate awarded here

Units

1. The role of economics in the health sector and in health policy
2. The basic tools used in economic analysis in general
3. Free market failures and their consequences for the health system
4. The basic tools of economic analysis in the health sector and the data required to carry out economic analysis
5. Health and the Economy: Interactions
6. The role of insurance and its impact on health care
7. The effect of limited resources on consumer decisions and the various forms of behaviour of medical staff
8. Alternative systems for financing and delivering health services
9. Medicines and medical technology equipment in health care
10. Social justice and equality in health and state intervention
11. Comparison of the structure, operation and efficiency of the National Health System (ESY) with other health systems
12. Completing the Assignment

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Course, participants are expected to: understand how economic principles and policies affect the delivery of services and the structure of healthcare organisations; know and make use of the theories, concepts and tools of economic analysis to systematically assess the specific characteristics of the health sector; recognise the presence of imperfections in the functioning of the free market and seek solutions and approaches to address them; understand the mutual interactions between health and the economy and their consequences for the health sector; make use of utilisation patterns, the various provision strategies and the alternative financing mechanisms of the health system in order to achieve the most efficient and effective allocation decisions; appreciate the role of state intervention in the financing and provision of health services and understand the importance of social justice and equity in the health sector

Assessment

Learning outcomes are assessed through a final integrative assignment of 700-1,000 words, which is made available on specific dates and submitted to the Secretariat's email for grading.

Discount Policy

The following discount categories apply:

1. GROUP A (-30%): persons with disabilities, unemployed persons, members of large families and families with three children, holders of a European Youth Card up to 30 years of age
2. GROUP B (-15%): Graduates and students of Greek or European institutions or schools (undergraduate and postgraduate), civil servants, military personnel and security forces
3. GROUP C (-10%): Re-enrolment of a trainee who has previously attended a different Course, or registration for at least 2 Courses of the same Cycle (with a common start date)

Please note that:

• Discounts are not cumulative.
• Each trainee may benefit from only one discount category.
• Participants entitled to a discount must submit the supporting documents that will be requested.

* For Group Registrations of more than ten (10) persons, a 10% discount per trainee applies.

Course Fee after discount

Payment of Fees

Fees are paid in full or in 2 equal instalments into an account of the Special Account for Research Funds (ELKE) of the University of Piraeus (1st instalment upon registration, 2nd instalment up to one month after the Course start date). Failure to pay any instalment results in the candidate's automatic exclusion from the remainder of the Course, the examinations and the award of a certificate.