This course will introduce students to key topics in priority setting (resource allocation) from both theoretical and practical viewpoints. The goal is for students to develop a better understanding of priority setting (resource allocation) in health care institutions and health systems from an interdisciplinary perspective. We will explore the contributions and interaction of ethics, economics, political science, and management science approaches to priority setting. Case studies will be a constitutive component of each session.

Objectives: 1) To introduce priority setting (resource allocation) and different approaches and perspectives to priority setting, including traditional disciplinary perspectives. 2) To examine different ethical issues in priority setting and introduce 'accountability for reasonableness' as a priority setting framework for health care institutions. 3) To examine the most recent cutting-edge research and/or practice improvements. 4) To develop and present a case study of priority setting in learner's own context.