Health Systems Management (HSMG)

Director: Jeffrey A. Kramer
Center Office: Room 462, School of Business

For major requirements, see the School of Business section of this Catalog.

Health Systems Management courses are open to juniors and seniors only. The School of Business requires students at the Storrs campus to participate in the Mobile Computing Initiative before registering for the courses listed below. See the School of Business Catalog section for details about how this program operates. Students not participating in the initiative may be able to register for the following classes: HSMG 3240 and 4244.

3240. Introduction to Health Care Management

(280) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

This course introduces basic concepts, principles, and practices associated with the health care delivery system in the United States. The course will examine how this system is organized, and discuss the major issues related to the provision of health care, from both a business and social science perspective. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the components and features of the health care delivery system in the United States as it is developed and applied through a managed care organizational framework.

3243. Health Care Analysis

(281) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: HSMG 3240; open to juniors or higher.

This course deals with the application of economic theory, health services research, policy development and analysis, operations research, and management science techniques for analyzing and evaluating the performance of health care services and organizations.

4242. Health Care Information Technology

(282) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: HSMG 3243 and 4891; open to juniors or higher.

This course provides an introduction to information technology (IT) within the context of health care planning, managerial decision-making and strategic analysis. The course examines how health care organizations apply information technologies in decision-making and considers factors that influence investments in healthcare IT. Students will learn to define appropriate IT terms, fit IT into an appropriate marketing plan, describe the IT project lifecycle, and identify key IT issues within the major healthcare markets. Topics include business model development, branding of services, and decision support.

4244. Advanced Topics in Health Care Management

(283) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisites: HSMG 3240, 3243, and 4891 ; open to juniors or higher.

This course provides health care management students with opportunities to apply tools and concepts learned throughout the program. Through real world consulting projects and hands-on projects, students develop and refine their skills in project organization and management, analysis, reporting, and presentation. Project areas include applications that integrate all business disciplines.

4448. Clinical and Social Issues in Health Care

(285) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

This course covers clinical and social issues affecting health care provider organizations, such as the health needs of special population groups, public health concerns, epidemiological issues, and health care quality. Discussion will include how health care organizations address such issues through methods including clinical studies, disease management, partnership between private and public sectors, and legislative initiatives.

4891. Internship in Health Care Management

(290) Either or both semesters. Six credits. Hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: OPIM 3103 and 3104, senior standing, and consent of instructor.

Supervised field work in a health care organization where students work with health care professionals to expand their expertise in solving health systems problems and increase their awareness of the issues involved in the day to day operations of a health care institution. Student performance will be evaluated on the basis of an appraisal by the field supervisor and a detailed written report submitted by the student.

4891W. Internship in Health Care Management

(290W) Prerequisite: OPIM 3103 and 3104; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800; senior standing and instructor consent.

4895. Special Topics

(298) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: Announced separately for each offering; open to juniors or higher. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit.

Classroom course in special topics in health systems management as announced in advance for semester.

4899. Independent Study for Undergraduates

(299) Either or both semesters. Credits by arrangement; not to exceed six in any semester. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher. Open only with consent of instructor.

Individual study of special topics in health systems management as mutually arranged between a student and an instructor.