Caring well for an aging population is among the greatest challenges facing both the United States and the world. Significant gaps persist between the health and social systems that older adults need, and those to which they have access. This course uses a multidisciplinary approach--encompassing history, public health, ethics, the social sciences, and literature--to explore these gaps, their impact, and their meaning.

Explores the concepts and organizational factors impacting service delivery and quality management in healthcare; examines service excellence processes/resources to improve customer service and quality. Applies strategies to address challenges in quality and service management; focuses on the concepts, theories, and applications to improve decision making in quality and customer service. Prerequisite: Admission to HSM Grad Certificate Program.

A course for advanced short story writers. Student manuscripts are discussed in individual conference and in class. May be repeated with different instructor. For instructions on how to apply to this class, see www.engl.virginia.edu/courses. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

This seminar uses Hepatitis C to explore the promises and pitfalls of the U.S. healthcare system. Once the deadliest infectious disease in America, Hepatitis C now has a highly effective cure¿yet millions remain untreated. Why? Through science, policy, and ethics, we¿ll examine barriers such as drug pricing, insurance, stigma, and social determinants of health, and develop creative, interdisciplinary solutions. No science background required.

Provides foundational overview of the structure/function of US healthcare system including challenges and opportunities to develop competence in healthcare management, promotes critical discussion of history and current status of healthcare delivery systems. Examines challenges facing providers, patients and policy makers, and uses current events to explore healthcare controversies. Prerequisite: Bachelor's Degree

For more than 200 years, Americans and Europeans have exchanged ideas about prison reform. Today, few Europeans look to America for examples of prison reform. Why would they? This course explores the US prison system as well as why and when Norway adopted a different approach to crime and punishment than the U.S.

For more than 200 years, Americans and Europeans have exchanged ideas about prison reform. Today, few Europeans look to America for examples of prison reform. Why would they? This course explores the US prison system as well as why and when Norway adopted a different approach to crime and punishment than the U.S.

Provides students with experience in discerning & analyzing ethical issues pertaining to institutional policies & operations as they arise in healthcare settings. Each student spends several hours a week in an administrative sector of the UVA Health System (same setting throughout the semester) under the mentorship of an administrator engaged in that setting. Focuses on the students' observations and analyses of ethical issues that arise.

Provides basic overview of economic and financial management concepts in healthcare. Introduces important economic concepts and issues in healthcare, including market factors, production, costs, labor issues, and economic evaluation. Provides an overview of basic financial management principles, capital planning and financing, financial statements, and budgeting in healthcare organizations. Prerequisite: Admission to Grad Certificate Program.

Students spend time in medical settings as "participant-observers," in order to gain first-hand experience of subject matter that is the focus of the theory, teaching, & practice of bioethics. Direct exposure to patients, health care settings, & health professionals should allow students to see, what sorts of ethical issues are characteristic of the culture. Shows what role a bioethicist might play in clinical setting. Instructor permission.