2016 Spring Courses
Courses offered by Stanford Health Policy faculty
HEALTH RESEARCH AND POLICY
Outcomes Analysis (HRP 252, BIOMEDIN 251, MED 252)
Eran Bendavid, Jay Bhattacharya
Methods of conducting empirical studies which use large existing medical, survey, and other databases to ask both clinical and policy questions. Econometric and statistical models used to conduct medical outcomes research. How research is conducted on medical and health economics questions when a randomized trial is impossible. Problem sets emphasize hands-on data analysis and application of methods, including re-analyses of well-known studies. Prerequisites: one or more courses in probability, and statistics or biostatistics.
Heath Services Research Core Seminar (HRP 283)
Corinna Haberland
Presentation of research in progress and tutorials in the field of health services research.
HUMAN BIOLOGY
Environmental and Health Policy Analysis (HUMBIO 4B)
Laurence Baker, Joe Nation
Connections among the life sciences, social sciences, public health, and public policy. The economic, social, and institutional factors that underlie environmental degradation, the incidence of disease, and inequalities in health status and access to health care. Public policies to address these problems. Topics include pollution regulation, climate change policy, biodiversity protection, health care reform, health disparities, and women's health policy. HUMBIO 4A and 4B must be taken concurrently.
ECONOMICS
Economics of Health Improvement in Developing Countries (ECON 127, MED 262)
Marcella Alsan
Application of economic paradigms and empirical methods to health improvement in developing countries. Emphasis is on unifying analytic frameworks and evaluation of empirical evidence. How economic views differ from public health, medicine, and epidemiology; analytic paradigms for health and population change; the demand for health; the role of health in international development. Prerequisites: ECON 50 and ECON 102B.
MEDICINE
Theories of Change in Global Health (SOMGEN 207)
Stephen Luby
Open to graduate students studying in any discipline whose research work or interest engages global health. Upper-class undergraduates who have completed at least one of the prerequisite courses and who are willing to commit the preparatory time for a graduate level seminar class are welcome. The course undertakes a critical assessment of how different academic disciplines frame global health problems and recommend pathways toward improvements. Focuses on evaluating examples of both success and failure of different theories of change in specific global health implementations. Prerequisites: ECON 118, CEE 265D, HUMBIO 129S or HUMBIO 124C.
LAW
When Research Goes Bad (LAW 681W)
David Studdert, George Triantis
Research is the application of systematic methods for purposes of producing generalizable knowledge. In some cases, individuals research on their own; at other times, they work within a range of organizations, such as business entities, universities or other nonprofits. The products of research have powerful effects: they alter human understanding-how we see ourselves and the world; they influence government, policies, and markets; they also shape lifestyles, diets, education, and medical care. In addition, research findings may bring adulation and wealth to the researchers who produce them. Unethical research processes and false research findings ("bad research") can be extremely damaging. They may set science, medicine, business, and social policy in the wrong direction; they invariably waste money; and, directly or indirectly, they are likely to harm the very people they promise to benefit. Bad research is sometimes the result of intentional wrongdoing, but it may also stem from carelessness, "honest" mistakes, and unconscious biases. Through a selection of intriguing case studies and other accounts, this discussion group will explore instances in which research has taken a wrong turn, or is perceived to have done so. What are the consequences for society? What are the consequences for the researchers and their subjects? What ethical, legal and policy questions arise? And what institutional structures can best address these challenges? Begin in Winter Quarter and run through Spring Quarter. Class meeting dates: The class will meet in the evening. Exact meeting time and dates to be determined by instructor. DISCUSSIONS IN ETHICAL & PROFESSIONAL VALUES COURSES RANKING FORM: To apply for this course, 2L, 3L and Advanced Degree students must complete and submit a Ranking Form available on the SLS Registrar's Office website (see Registration). See Ranking Form for instructions and submission deadline. Elements used in grading: Class attendance at all sessions and class participation.