Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to describe the US healthcare system and who pays the bills, including the "Blues," commercial insurers, managed care organizations, government programs, employers, and individual consumers. Students will become acquainted with numerous professions on the healthcare team and the roles they fulfill. They will be able to describe the changing roles of hospitals and various alternative healthcare settings. Finally, they will be able to discuss the strategies pharmaceutical companies are using in response to the needs of the current healthcare community and the role of representatives as important members of the team.
Who Should Take This Course
Sales representatives, managers, and others who interact with a wide variety of healthcare professionals (including physicians, physician assistants, pharmacists, and nurses) and are interested in learning how the US healthcare community has changed and how it continues to evolve.
Career Applications/Benefits
The US healthcare community has been profoundly affected by the cost-containment revolution and the influence of managed care. Traditional relationships between independent physicians, employer-funded insurance plans, and the Medicare/Medicaid safety net have given way to managed care organizations and various delivery systems in which there is greater emphasis on evidence-based medicine and cost-effective care. Pharmaceutical companies continue to develop and market products and services that meet the changing needs of today’s healthcare community. By orienting individuals to the pressure and constraints of today’s healthcare environment, this course helps representatives work more effectively within their territory. The information provided familiarizes them with many provider professions, their educational background, daily responsibilities, and practice environment. By learning about who pays the bills and where healthcare dollars are being spent, representatives gain a better understanding of the pressures that physicians and other clinicians face and how to present products and services to best meet the unique needs of each provider.
Chapter Content
Chapter One: Overview of the United States Healthcare System
- Health Insurance Plans and Healthcare Financing
- Employers and Individual Consumers in the Healthcare System
- Current Trends in Healthcare
Chapter Two: Healthcare Providers and Their Roles
- Physician Requirements and Their Role in Healthcare Delivery
- Physician Assistant Requirements and Their Role in Healthcare Delivery
- Nurse Requirements and Their Role in Healthcare Delivery
- Pharmacist Requirements and Their Practicing Environment
- Other Members of the Healthcare Team in Healthcare Delivery
Chapter Three: The Healthcare Continuum
- Patient-Centered Care
- Changing Roles of Hospitals
- Alternate Healthcare Settings
Chapter Four: The Pharmaceutical Industry and the Healthcare Community
- Strategies to Meet the Customers' Needs
- The Role of Medical Representatives