Introduction to Healthcare

This course is part of the AI in Healthcare Specialization

4.8
stars
300 ratings

Nigam Shah +2 more instructors

13,349 already enrolled

Offered By

AI in Healthcare SpecializationStanford University

About this Course

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Solving the problems and challenges within the U.S. healthcare system requires a deep understanding of how the system works. Successful solutions and strategies must take into account the realities of the current system. 
This course explores the fundamentals of the U.S. healthcare system. It will introduce the principal institutions and participants in healthcare systems, explain what they do, and discuss the interactions between them. The course will cover physician practices, hospitals, pharmaceuticals, and insurance and financing arrangements. 

We will also discuss the challenges of healthcare cost management, quality of care, and access to care. While the course focuses on the U.S. healthcare system, we will also refer to healthcare systems in other developed countries.

The Stanford University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  Visit the FAQs below for important information regarding 1) Date of original release and Termination or expiration date; 2) Accreditation and Credit Designation statements; 3) Disclosure of financial relationships for every person in control of activity content.

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started a new career after completing these courses

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got a tangible career benefit from this course

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Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Course 1 of 5 in the

AI in Healthcare Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 12 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

What you will learn

The major challenges of the U.S.healthcare system

Issues you may encounter in efforts to improve healthcare delivery and the healthcare system

Who the key stakeholders are in the U.S. healthcare system

Learner Career Outcomes

14%

started a new career after completing these courses

10%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 1 of 5 in the

AI in Healthcare Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 12 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.89/5 (140 Ratings)

Offered by

Stanford University

The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is an American private research university located in Stanford, California on an 8,180-acre (3,310 ha) campus near Palo Alto, California, United States.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(1,734 ratings)

Week

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Overview of Health Care Systems and Key Challenges They Face

2 hours to complete

12 videos (Total 55 min), 2 readings, 4 quizzes

12 videos

Introduction2m

A Simple Interaction Between Providers and Patients2m

The Problem of Risk4m

Solving the Problem of Risk: Risk Pooling6m

Insurance and Intermediaries for Risk Pooling7m

Beyond Patients, Providers, and Intermediaries: Other Players in the Health Care System2m

Overview of the Types and Roles of Intermediaries2m

Overview of the Types and Roles of Providers6m

Providers and Levels of Care4m

The Challenge of Rising Health Care Costs5m

The Challenges of Quality and Access4m

Lessons for AI and Data4m

2 readings

Video Image Credit

Study Guide Module 15m

4 practice exercises

Reflection Exercise10m

Reflection Execise10m

Knowledge Check30m

Week

Week 2

2 hours to complete

Physicians, Physician Practices, and Physician Payment

2 hours to complete

12 videos (Total 48 min), 1 reading, 3 quizzes

12 videos

Characteristics of Physician Practices4m

Physicians, Intermediaries, and Networks7m

Fee for Service Payment4m

Procedure Codes and Diagnosis Codes3m

The Medicare Fee Schedule4m

Capitation Payment Systems: Overview and Structure4m

Capitation Payment Systems: Scope of Capitation2m

Episode-Based Payment Systems and Salary Systems3m

Risk Shifting in Physician Payment and Multi-Layered Physician Payment Arrangements5m

Incentives Created by Physician Payments3m

Lessons for AI and Data3m

Wrap Up38s

1 reading

Study Guide Module 25m

3 practice exercises

Reflection Exercise10m

Knowledge Check30m

Week

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Hospitals, Other Provider Organizations, and Related Payment Systems

2 hours to complete

13 videos (Total 53 min), 2 readings, 4 quizzes

13 videos

Basic Operations and Characteristics of Hospitals4m

How Hospitals Relate to Physicians and Intermediaries3m

Hospital Payment Methods: Charge Masters/FFS and Per Diem3m

Hospital Payment Methods: DRGs6m

Hospital Payment Methods: Global Budgets2m

Hospital Payment Topics: Payments for Inpatient vs Outpatient Services, Hospital vs Physician Payments; Charges and Payments5m

Risk and Incentives in Hospital Payment5m

Independent Facilities - Structure and Payment3m

Health Care Systems and Larger Provider Organizations6m

Pay for Performance4m

EMRs, EHRs, and PHRs3m

Providers, Provider Incentives, Data, and Tools3m

Wrap Up1m

2 readings

Video Image Credit

Study Guide Module 35m

4 practice exercises

Reflection Exercise10m

Knowledge Check30m

Week

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Intermediaries, Health Insurance Plans, and Health Care Financing

2 hours to complete

15 videos (Total 57 min), 1 reading, 3 quizzes

15 videos

Intermediaries and their Goals4m

Intermediaries and the Broad Challenges Facing Health Care Systems3m

Networks and Selective Contracting4m

Provider Payment Methods and Levels2m

Patient Cost Sharing6m

Utilization Review, Gatekeepes, and Other Methods of Directly Influencing Care4m

Coverage Decisions2m

Combinations and Tradeoffs3m

Three Stereotypical Plan Designs: "Traditional," HMO, and PPO5m

Some More Recent Trends in Plan Design1m

Public and Private Plans (and Employer-Provided Private Insurance in the U.S.)5m

The U.S. Medicare Program6m

The U.S. Medicaid Program2m

Intermediaries: Lessons for Innovators2m

Wrap Up55s

1 reading

Study Guide Module 45m

3 practice exercises

Reflection Exericse10m

Reflection Exercise10m

Knowledge Check30m

Reviews

4.8

77 reviews

5 stars
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4 stars
13.81%
3 stars
1.31%
2 stars
0.32%
1 star
0.65%

TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO HEALTHCARE

by MMMay 10, 2021

I found this course so useful for me. If you're someone new to the industry or already working and want to make an impact with your business or technical skills this course will be the first step.

by JJSep 1, 2020

Very informative, detailed and clear. I learn some new things about billing and the hospital system. A good refresher course to tell where we are with AI and where we need to go for our patients.

by KSAug 23, 2020

An excellent course for getting a comprehensive knowledge about vital components of US (and global) healthcare system, challenges and opportunities through AI and HC data. Many thanks!

by PLOct 12, 2020

Good course to get the terminology under your belt. You will understand how the money flows, and how outcomes are measured. I got a ton of value from the class and recommend it highly.

View all reviews

About the AI in Healthcare Specialization

Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed industries around the world, and has the potential to radically alter the field of healthcare. Imagine being able to analyze data on patient visits to the clinic, medications prescribed, lab tests, and procedures performed, as well as data outside the health system -- such as social media, purchases made using credit cards, census records, Internet search activity logs that contain valuable health information, and you’ll get a sense of how AI could transform patient care and diagnoses.

In this specialization, we'll discuss the current and future applications of AI in healthcare with the goal of learning to bring AI technologies into the clinic safely and ethically. This specialization is designed for both healthcare providers and computer science professionals, offering insights to facilitate collaboration between the disciplines. CME Accreditation The Stanford University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. View the full CME accreditation information on the individual course FAQ page.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.
Is this activity accredited for Continuing Medical Education (CME)?
Dates and Duration
Original Release Date: 08/10/2020
Expiration Date: 08/10/2023
Estimated Time to Complete: 12 hours
CME Credits Offered: 12.00
Accreditation
The Stanford University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Stanford University School of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 12.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclosures
The Stanford University School of Medicine adheres to ACCME Criteria, Standards and Policies regarding industry support of continuing medical education. There are no relevant financial relationships with ACCME-defined commercial interests for anyone who was in control of the content of this activity.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Introduction to Healthcare

About this Course

Learner Career Outcomes

14%

10%

What you will learn

Learner Career Outcomes

14%

10%

Instructors

Nigam Shah

Mildred Cho

Laurence Baker

Offered by

Stanford University

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week 1

Overview of Health Care Systems and Key Challenges They Face

Week 2

Physicians, Physician Practices, and Physician Payment

Week 3

Hospitals, Other Provider Organizations, and Related Payment Systems

Week 4

Intermediaries, Health Insurance Plans, and Health Care Financing

Week 5

Health Care Products and Prescription Drugs, and Quality Measurement and Improvement

Week 6

Ethics

Week 7

Course Wrap Up

Reviews

TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO HEALTHCARE

About the AI in Healthcare Specialization

Frequently Asked Questions

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