BMZ ACADEMY
BMZ ACADEMY
@061 262 1185/068 053 8213
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213
, BMZ ACADEMY
Table of Contents
Question 1: Some argue that healthcare delivery issues are purely technical, managerial or
clinical. There is, therefore, no need for economists to be involved. Discuss. (10) ................... 3
Question 2: Describe five distinct medical care attributes that set it apart from the
conventional goods considered in economic theory. (10).............................................................. 7
Question 3: Identify ten determinants of healthcare and justify your choice with references to
empirical literature. (20)..................................................................................................................... 11
Question 4: In Africa, public health facilities struggle to deliver efficient healthcare mainly
because they lack adequate resources and are primarily concentrated in urban areas.
Discuss. (10) ....................................................................................................................................... 14
References ............................................................................................................................................ 17
IMPORTANT NOTES TO CONSIDER ........................................................................................................ 19
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Question 1: Some argue that healthcare delivery issues are purely technical,
managerial or clinical. There is, therefore, no need for economists to be involved.
Discuss. (10)
The debate surrounding the involvement of economists in healthcare delivery often
hinges on whether healthcare issues are fundamentally technical, managerial, or
clinical. Some argue that healthcare is primarily a field for medical professionals and
managers, and that economists have little to contribute. However, this perspective
overlooks the significant role that economic principles and analyses play in shaping
effective healthcare systems. This essay will explore why economists should be
involved in healthcare delivery by examining the limitations of purely technical,
managerial, or clinical approaches and illustrating how economic insights can address
systemic challenges.
Technical and Managerial Aspects of Healthcare
According to McPake, Normand, Smith and Nolan (2020) technical and managerial
aspects of healthcare primarily focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of service
delivery. Technical issues pertain to the accuracy and precision of medical procedures
and treatments, while managerial issues deal with the organization and administration
of healthcare services. For instance, optimizing surgical techniques or managing
hospital resources are technical and managerial challenges respectively (Kronick &
Kahn, 2018).
However, these issues are often interlinked with economic factors. For example, the
allocation of limited resources in healthcare facilities, such as the availability of
specialized equipment or the distribution of medical staff, is not just a managerial
challenge but an economic one. Efficient resource allocation requires understanding
opportunity costs and trade-offs, concepts central to economics (Baker & Al-Mandhari,
2021). Thus, while technical and managerial skills are crucial, integrating economic
perspectives can enhance the decision-making process.
Economists are also important in the management of healthcare information systems.
Healthcare information systems are critical for transforming the provision of
healthcare. The healthcare landscape is dynamic, with constant changes in
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