WELCOME TO HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEMS!

The following information will give you an overview of the course and course technology requirements. 

ALHE 2050  introduces students to the historical development, structure, operation, current and future directions of the major components of the American healthcare delivery system.  It examines the ways in which the healthcare services are organized and delivered, the influences that impact healthcare public policy decisions and the factors that determine the allocation of healthcare resources.

Getting Started:  Go online to Darton College's website and select WebCT.  Log on following the instructions that are posted. Follow the screen prompts.  If you have previously used WebCT, your prior password remains in effect.  If you encounter problems, call the Web Help Desk at 430-6923.

Technical Support
Darton College provides free technical support for online learners. If you experience technical difficulties with any WebCT course component contact the WebHelp Desk at Darton College for technical assistance. Submit a tech support request online at: http://online.darton.edu/forms/webhelp.htm 

Or contact the WebHelp Desk by phone at 317-6923 (local), or 1-800-861-8318 for students outside the Albany, GA calling area.

A word of caution:  if you are using AOL as your internet browser, you will need to select another browser before you go online.  AOL does not work well with WebCT.  It treats the screen changes as pop-ups and will block you from entering or cut you off.  This is very important to know because as will be explained later, when you are taking a test, you will be allowed only one attempt.  Once you have started a test you can not stop and leave it.  If AOL interrupts you while you are taking a test, WebCT will not allow you to re-enter a test after you are "kicked-off" by AOL. 

Browser Tune Up:  Before you begin your online course, take a few minutes to take the Browser Tune Up.  You will find this under Browser Settings on the WebCT Home Page in the column to the left marked WebCT Quick Help.  Doing this will save you a lot of headaches and worries later.

WebCT Features:  On the course homepage you will find icons that link you to each of the features of this WebCt course: 

Syllabus: The syllabus is your guide for this course.  It lists pre-requisite and co-requisite courses, contact information for your instructor, textbook information, course objectives, evaluation methods, grading scale, and class policies on late assignments and exams, honesty and compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Content Module:  The content module contains course content as summarized from the text.  It is not a substitution for reading the textbook, however.

Discussion Forum:  This icon links you to the discussion area where you will exchange information and ideas with your classmates and your instructor.  This is public.  When you click on this icon, the screen will change and you will see a list of topics (by chapter), a “compose message” button and a column that shows you which messages you have not read.  When you click on “compose message” , you will have a blank area to type your message, just like writing an email.  When you click send, the screen will change and you will see your message listed among the threads of the other messages there.  You can either compose a new question or comment or reply to a message that you are reading.   Remember, since this is a public forum, do not say anything that you do not want everyone to see.

E-mail:  Email is private correspondence.  When you click on this icon you will see a screen that lists “inbox, outbox and draft” and  “compose message”.  This function works like your home email.  This is the section where you can privately correspond with your instructor or a classmate and only the person you have designated will receive the message, unlike Discussion that is public.   When you click “compose message” here you will get a screen that has a browse button.  When you click on the browse button, everyone in the class will appear on the menu.  You choose who you want to send a message to, either one person or the whole class by highlighting that name.  There is also an attachment mechanism.

Online Quizzes:  This link takes you to the chapter quizzes.  You will have only one attempt to take the quiz. REMINDER:  HIT students are studying for a professional career where high ethical values are important.  You are on your honor to do the work yourself and not to use your book or notes when taking the quizzes. 

My Grades: Each student has a link that will reveal the grades that are accumulating.  You can check your progress toward the maximum possible points at this icon.

Web Help:  This icon refers you to the help desk and other useful information about taking an online courses.

OBJECTIVES: At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able:

1)      Describe how healthcare is delivered in the United States

2)      Discuss why US healthcare has evolved the way it has

3)      Outline current trends within the US healthcare system today

4)      Explore the effects of medical technology

5)      Explain financing and the various insurance programs and reimbursement methods

6)      Describe the role of outpatient services and primary care in today’s healthcare delivery system

7)      Define managed care and discuss its growth

8)      Discuss how cost, access and quality contribute to the rapidly growing US healthcare expenditures

9)      Explain what is meant by a “continuum of care”

 METHOD OF EVALUATION:

Discussion:                   40 points (5 points each/8 weeks)

Chapter Quizzes:        40 points (5 points each/8 weeks)

Healthcare Paper        40 points

Total Points:              120 points

COURSE PARTICIPATION:   consists of Discussion, Chapter Quizzes and a brief Paper.

Discussion:   Students are required to logon and participate in Discussion at least once a week in order to receive points.  Questions related to the chapter reading for each week will be posted by the instructor.  Students are encouraged to make this an active site to exchange ideas.   Discussion is intended to provide a forum for students to express their ideas and thoughts and share them with the instructor and their classmates thus taking the place of classroom interaction.  It is hoped that a thoughtful dialogue will be occur each week.  Postings must occur during the week (Monday-Sunday) that the chapter is assigned in order to receive credit.  No credit will be given for late postings.

Chapter Quizzes:  Each week 1-2 chapters in the textbook will be covered.  Students may log onto the quiz site any time during the week (Monday – Sunday) to take the quiz.  Each quiz will consist of 5 questions from the assigned reading.  Each question is worth 1 point.  Students may see their results of each quiz upon completing the quiz.  Because the quizzes are available to students for 7 days (Monday 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. Sunday) for the student’s convenience, no make-up quizzes will be allowed.