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Spring 2001
JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
Department of Health Sciences
Course: HTH 354, U. S. Health Care System
21017, MWF, 9:05am-9:55am, Location: CISAT A-2/HSB, Auditorium 1302
Instructor:
Dr. Tom Syre
Associate Professor, Health Sciences
Department of Health Sciences
Office: HSB, Room 3138
Phone: (540) 568-3642
Office Hours:
Mondays and Wednesdays: 10:00am- 12 noon
Tuesdays: 2:00pm- 3:00pm:
Also by Appointment
Communications with Instructor:
1. Faculty Office: HSB, Room 3138 with bulletin board and message bucket
2. Office Telephone: (540) 568-3642
3. Email for emergencies: syretr
Required Text:
Text: Williams, Stephen J., Essentials of Health Services. Delmar/Thomson
Learning, Second Edition, 2001. Available at JMU Bookstore and University Outpost
Bookstore.
Course Expectations:
1. Read and understand the fifteen chapters of the textbook. As a minimum, be able
to answer all of the questions at the end of each chapter.
2. Understand the concepts associated with all figures and tables presented in the
textbook.
3. Understand the materials presented in class including all discussion, all handouts
and all MS Powerpoint presentation materials.
Rationale for Taking a U.S. Health Care Systems Course:
The United States health care delivery system consumes 14% of the nation’s Gross
National Product. Health care access, cost and quality impact every American today. This
course examines the functions and components of the health care delivery system in the
United States with an emphasis on funding, organization at the national/state/ local levels,
and the health professions. The rapidly changing health care environment and multiple
ways in which separate parts of the system are integrated will be examined.
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Course Objectives:
By completion of this course, students will be able:
1. To explain the structure and organization of the health care delivery
system in the United States.
2. To cite the causes and characteristics of health services utilization in the United
States.
3. To describe the various institutional providers and human resource providers of
medical, health, and social services.
4. To describe the financing of health services through government, commercial
insurance, and other funding mechanisms.
5. To describe the planning and regulation process in the health care industry.
6. To discuss the current health care system and health insurance reform proposals in the
United States.
7. To appreciate the political and social issues of health care reform.
Attendance:
Class attendance is important to learning and students are strongly encouraged to attend
all classes. However, students will not be graded on their attendance and are **not**
required to attend class.
Course Requirements:
1. Term Paper, due March 19th at beginning of class, covering an area of the US
health care delivery system. In this paper, you will identify a current problem with
our health care delivery system and present suggestions for solving the problem
identified. Your solutions must be based on literature- the web, professional
journal articles, and recently-published books. APA style,10 references/sources no
earlier than 1998. 5 double-spaced typewritten pages of narrative. Late papers can
receive no more than 30 out of possible 50 points. Further expectations of this
paper will be discussed in class.
2. Exam #1, February 26th, covering content from first third of coursework, 100
points
3. Exam #2, April 2nd, covering content from second third of coursework, 100 points
4. Comprehensive Final Exam covering all course materials, 150 points
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Total Points Possible:
400 points
A 92% is required for a grade of “A” in this class.
A = 92-100%
B = 80-91%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = Less than 60%
The plus(+) and minus(-) system is not used in the issuance of grades in this course.
Examination Format:
The three examinations will be varied in format and may include multiple choice,
true/false and/or matching. Questions for examinations will be derived from the textbook,
lectures, audio-visuals, class discussions, and handouts.
All information and materials covered in class are “testable” materials.
Make-Up Exams:
Regardless of the reason for missing Exam 1 or 2, make-up exams for will be
administered *only* during the Final Examination Week on Monday from 5pm-6am in
HSB 1302. There are no exceptions to this policy. In fairness to the students who take
the exams as scheduled, “revised” exams are administered covering the same content but
in different exam formats.
JMU Honor Code:
The JMU Honor Code is in effect for all classroom activities and exams.
Instructional Methods:
The instructor will be lecturing with the technical support of MS© Powerpoint
presentations. Individual comments to the class and discussion are encouraged during
lecturing. Constructive comments and personal opinions by students are invited.
Bring your Williams textbook to class on a regular basis for ready reference to the tables
and charts.
Schedule for the Spring Semester (Subject to revision during the semester)
Week
Course Orientation, Chapter 1, The Big Picture
Chapter 2, The Underlying Basis for Health Services Utilization
Chapter 3, Access to Health Care Services
Chapter 4, Ambulatory Health Services: Backbone of the System
Chapter 5, Public Health Services
Chapter 6, Hospital and Health Systems
Chapter 7, Mental and Behavioral Health Services
Chapter 8, Long-term Care Services
Chapter 9, The People Who Provide Health Care Services
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Chapter 10, The Pharmaceutical Industry
Chapter 11, Paying for Health Care
Chapter 12, Managed Care and the Reorganization of Health Services
Chapter 13, Regulating and Planning for the System
Chapter 14, Quality of Care
Chapter 15, National Health Policy
Guiding Rules
1. Please realize that you have chosen to enroll in this class. If you can not give this
class your serious attention; do not like the time of the class; do not like the topics
covered in the class; or you do not like the requirements in the class, please drop
the course. Please consider taking the course at another time. This HTH 354
course is taught year-round.
2. Scantron forms will be used in testing. Bring two #2 pencils to each exam. If the
scantron is illegible, poorly marked or requires hand grading by the instructor, 5
percentage points will be deducted from the exam grade.
3. Leaving the classroom at any time during an exam will result in forfeiture of that
exam score.
4. Class handouts are distributed only once. If you happen to be absent on a day
when materials are distributed, pre-arrange to have a colleague pick up a copy of
the handout for you.
5. Graded exams and graded extra credit assignments will be handed out only once.
Students may come during office hours within one week of distribution to pick up
the exam or extra credit assignment.
6. American with Disabilities Act (ADA): The Director of Disability Services, Mr.
Lou Hendrick, (X6705, Wilson Hall, Room 107) is JMU’s designated ADA
compliance officer. Any student with a disabling condition may request and
receive special arrangements to meet the course requirements. For this to occur,
students should contact Mr. Hendrick as soon as possible. In order for a student to
receive any special ADA accommodations, there must be verifiable
documentation on file at the JMU Office of Disability Services.
7. Only the JMU Office of Records and Registration issues final grades.
8. Final Grade disputes can occur during the first 2 weeks of the Summer 2001
semester.
9. Final exam will be given only during the university- scheduled days and times.
Students wishing an alternative day and/or time for the final exam must meet with
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the instructor for a formal rescheduling. This rescheduling must be completed by
March 1, 2001.
10. Be professional. Go the “extra mile.” Pursue excellence in your work with this
important foundations class.
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