PH 647A Spring 2011
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
Graduate School of Public Health
PH 647A − Health Services Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis
Spring 2011 (# 27570)
Instructor: Jong-Deuk Baek Ph.D.
Contact Info:
Phone: 619-594-3540
E-mail: jbaek@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours:
Tuesday 3-4pm. by appointment.
Lecture and Discussion:
Computer Laboratory:
Tuesday 4:00 – 6:40 PM
Tuesday 7:00 ~ 8:30 PM
Location: HT 189
Location: HT 189
I. Course Description
This course involves health services applications of quantitative methods for management
decision making. Data analysis uses popular software applications, including MS Excel
(spreadsheets), SPSS for Windows (statistical analysis), and the Internet/WWW. Different
topics that are relevant to the efficient management of hospitals, clinics and other health service
organizations are included such as survey methods, statistical analysis, decision analysis,
forecasting, project management, supply chain management and queuing and capacity
management.
II. Leaning Objectives and Outcomes: Each learning objectives is linked to HMP competency.
Details of the HMP competency can be found on GSPH homepage
(http://publichealth.sdsu.edu/miscfiles/hmp-cahme-competencies.pdf).
1. Develop analytical skills in decision making and problem solving by using quantitative
and non-quantitative analytical tools and rational models. (HMP Competency: C1, C4,
C10)
2. Develop statistical analysis knowledge, and apply them to healthcare management. (HMP
Competency: C1, C4, C6, C10)
a. Evaluate statistical methods in order to critically appraise both internal
organizational research and external findings in a research. (HMP Competency:
C1, C4)
b. Develop data handling skills for secondary data handling, variable selection, and
data cleaning and preparation for statistical analysis. (HMP Competency: C1, C4,
C10)
c. Apply descriptive and inferential statistical methods in analyzing various types of
health care and health management data. (HMP Competency: C1, C4)
d. Apply critical thinking to univariate and multivariate statistical methods and their
interpretation for managerial implications. (HMP Competency: C1, C4, C6)
3. Understand survey methodology and apply it to plan and conduct primary data collection
in health care operations. (HMP Competency: C4)
4. Identify the concept of decision making from operational to strategic levels in various
health organizations, and develop proficiency in selecting and applying various
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PH 647A Spring 2011
quantitative techniques such as forecasting, resource allocation, linear programming,
productivity, quality control, project management, queuing models and capacity
planning. (HMP Competency: B6, C1, C4, C6, C10)
5. Develop and practice computer skills; (HMP Competency: C10)
a. Design data-based presentations using graphical displays (e.g., Excel)
b. Test statistical hypotheses using SPSS or other appropriate software.
6. Present/report all solutions to management problems in a professional manner. (HMP
Competency: B6)
III. Course Structure and Formats
Course format:
 Lecture: To cover topics for each week (see course schedule for weekly topic). Lecture
outline will be posted on BB before lecture.
 Demonstration and practice: computer skills and statistical software skills will be
covered. Various types of health management data will be introduced and used.
 Computer lab: The laboratory is an integrated complement to this course, and will be
used for Q&A, further demonstrate, and practice on software. Proficiency using software
is essential to completing class assignments. Students will need to enroll in 1 unit of PH
798. (meeting weeks: 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 14).
IV. Textbooks
This course use selected chapters from the books below;
- Quantitative Methods in Health Care Management: Techniques and Applications. 2nd eds.
Yasar A. Ozcan, Jossy-Bass, San Francisco (required)
- Designing and Conducting Survey 3Eds, Wiley & Sons Inc (selected chapters)
VI. Assignments
Data analysis assignment: Problems sets will be distributed to practice
computer/software/analytic skills. The additional computer lab classes provide significant helps
for the application assignments. Three analysis assignments will be expected:
1) Excel with OSHPD data
2) Hospital Market Analysis
3) Statistical Analysis.
Presentation of the hospital market analysis may be scheduled for selected groups.
VII. Grading
The final grade for this course is based on the following assignments and criteria.
Assignment
Mid Term Exam
% of
Grade
30
Comments
Written and practical
Final Exam
30
Written and practical, Comprehensive
Data Analysis Assignment
30
Due: see weekly schedule.
Attendance and Class Participation
10
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PH 647A Spring 2011
VII. Computer Laboratories, Reading Materials, and Other Resources
Hardy Tower Biostat Laboratory, HT 222
Software available on laboratory computers includes web browsers, Microsoft Office (including
Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint), SPSS, and SAS. The Biostat Lab hours are 8:00 AM to
4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Arts & Letters Computer Lab The A&L computer lab is located in PSFA 140; the PSFA
(Professional Studies and Fine Arts) building is directly west of Hardy Tower. Software on the
computers in the A&L lab includes Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, Access, and
PowerPoint) and SPSS. A&L lab hours are 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, and
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Friday.
Love Library’s computer labs also have Microsoft Office and SPSS software loaded on the
computers.
Blackboard, Other Reading Materials, and Manuals
Most class handouts, assignments, and homework materials will be posted on Blackboard. There
are numerous system manuals and systems documents available online, in hard copy, or via the
Internet. There are many guides for Excel and Access available; you may want to purchase one
that matches your learning style.
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PH 647A Spring 2011
VII. Weekly Schedule (subject to change)
Wk Dates
1~2
3
4~5
6~7
1/25
2/1
Note
Topic
Excel tutorial
Class introduction, health data overview
Topics:
- Course introduction.
- Health data overview.
- Data, information, and knowledge.
- Data preparation and problem solving using Excel, including
examples.
- Health performance data (Excel)
- Analysis of hospital performance data – example
Data Analysis Assignment 1 (week 2)
2/8 Statistical Analysis.
Topics:
- Statistics review.
- Statistical test: descriptive statistics, chi Square, correlation
analysis
- SPSS Introduction.
Statistical
Analysis and Survey Methods.
2/15
2/22 Topics:
- Survey methodology: overview of survey process, survey
questionnaire
- Statistical analysis: t-test, anova
3/1 Statistical Analysis
3/8 Topic:
- Survey methodology: data collection
- Linear regression analysis
- Logistic regression introduction
Rea and Parker chs 1,
2, & 3
Assignment 1 due
(week 6)
Rea and Parker chs 3
&9
Data Analysis Assignment 2 (week 6)
8
9
10
3/15
3/22
4/5
Mid Term Exam
Exam Debrief
Quantitative Decision Making
Topic:
- Introduction to operations research
Spring Recess (3/28~4/1)
Quantitative Decision Making Methods
Topic:
- Decision making approaches
Ozcan
ch 1
Assignment 2 due
chs 2 & 3
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PH 647A Spring 2011
11
12
13
14
15
16
4/12
4/19
4/26
5/3
5/10
5/17
- Forecasting
- Operational indicators
Quantitative Decision Making Methods
Topic:
- Productivity
Data Analysis Assignment 3
Quantitative Decision Making Methods
Topic:
- Resource Allocation: linear programming
Quantitative Decision Making Methods
Topic:
- Supply channel and inventory management
Quantitative Decision Making Methods
Topic:
- Queuing and Capacity Planning: Patient flow
Final Exam
Debrief
Student Presentation
ch 9
ch 10
ch 11
ch 14
Assignment 3 due
5