NURS 452: Introduction to US Health Care
Prerequisites: BIOL-105 or permission from instructor
Credit Hours: (2)
Online Course. This course explores current topics in health care, health care delivery models, ethical, legal, regulatory and compliance issues. This course will also cover the quality and outcome measures that are essential in the healthcare industry. The objectives and content of this course are derived from the School of Nursing's philosophy and conceptual framework, which facilitates achievement of the School's program objectives as well as the essentials of Baccalaureate Education (AACN).
Detailed Description of Course
1) Intro
a. Overview
b. Orientation to My Media
c. Create a My Media student introduction
2) Health Care system
a. Overview
b. Determinants of health
c. Goals and levels of health care
d. Components of health care system
3) Settigns for health care delivery
a. History of hospitals and category classifications
b. Long-term care
c. Ambulatory care, settings and functions
4) Health care professionals
a. Physicians, history and educational requirements
b. Nurses, history and educational requirements
c. Allied health professions
5) Governmental role in health care systems
a. History and constitutional basis
b. Federal oversite of healthcare
c. State oversite of health care
6) Health care system financing
a. Health care expenditure
b. Private and government contributions to cost
c. Government health care programs
d. Modes of payment/third-party payers
7) Health Care Debate
a. Population outcomes
b. Current health outcomes
c. Clinical outcomes, effectiveness, and patient safety
d. Health care quality organizations
e. Information technology role in assessing performance
8) Health Care Debate
a. History of the debate on health care
b. Pro-private versus pro-public positions for change
c. Developments of reform: providing access, improving quality and efficiency
d. National health insurance
e. Affordable Care Act
9) Ethical and Legal Issues
a. Ethics in Medicine & Nursing
b. Bioethics
c. Medical/Nursing Law and Liability
10) Health care informatics
a. HIPAA Compliance in Information Technology
b. Enterprise Resource Planning
c. Information Revolution
11) Interpersonal and Integrative Health care
a. Interprofessional Education
b. Integrative Health Practices
12) Current Trends in Health Care
a. Prevention and Mental Health
b. Nursing Shortage/IOM reports effects on Nursing/Medicine
c. New Health care roles
d. Role of private and public sectors
e. Use of technology and their impacts
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The following teaching strategies may be employed, but are not limited to: lecture, discussion, videos, guest lecturers, student presentations, case studies, and written projects. **This course is completely online. There will never be a course specific meeting time. All work is to be submitted through D2L and all communication will transpire via D2L or e-mail.
Student Goals and Objectives of the Course
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1) Define health, identify and explain the determinants of health along with the goals
of health care.
2) Describe the different types of health care delivery systems.
3) List the components of a health care system and describe how it is organized.
4) Describe the history of physicians and nurses along with allied health professions
and their educational requirements.
5) Discuss the differences between medical/nursing ethics, law, regulations, and compliance.
6) Identify three regulatory agencies designed to improve quality of care and outcomes.
7) Discuss three current trends in health care.
Assessment Measures
Course Evaluation: The course grade is determined by an evaluation of the degree to
which the student meets the stated course objectives in theory.
Student Evaluation Components:
Tests (4) - 10% Each 40%
Class Participation/Discussion 30%
Current IssuesPresentation 30%
Grading Scale
The Radford University School of Nursing grading scale will be used:
A = 93 - 100
B = 85 - 92.99
C = 80 - 84.99
D = 73 - 79.99
F = 72.99 and below
Other Course Information
Required Texts:
Goldsteen, R. L., Goldsteen K., & Goldsteen, B. Z. (2017). Jonas' Introduction
to the U.S. Health Care System (8th ed.). New York, NY: Springer.
Review and Approval
April 13, 2017