Program Overview

Economics of Mixed Health Systems

The Economics of Mixed Health Systems short course introduces participants to the economic principles underlying the interactions between public and private healthcare sectors, public and private financing, physician dual practice, hospital competition, and the implications of this public-private mix on health system outcomes.

At a Glance

• Fees: A$950

Overview

This course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the economics of mixed health systems. It covers the key economic issues facing healthcare systems, including the role and impact of public and private healthcare, the effects of different financing and payment models, and the economics of the healthcare workforce.

Who Should Attend

The course is suitable for:

• Public servants and health policy analysts working for government and non-government agencies
• Health service managers across the public and private health sectors
• Health professionals
• Consultants working in the health and human services sector

What You Will Learn

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand how economists think about key policy issues
• Analyze and predict the intended and unintended effects of policy interventions
• Use economic thinking to help improve policy and practice
• Familiarize themselves with the latest high-quality academic empirical evidence

Instructor

• Associate Professor Terence Cheng: Theme Lead (Health Financing & Market Organisation), Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School

Related Programs

• Economics of Primary Care: Introduces participants to evidence on the key economic issues facing primary care.
• Economics of the Health Workforce: Examines the role of pay and earnings and other job characteristics in achieving balance in healthcare labor markets.

Course Details

• Date: Will be offered again in 2026
• Time: 9:45 am – 4:30 pm
• Duration: One day face-to-face
• Location: Monash College

About the Instructor

Terence Cheng is an expert on the economics of public and private health systems. He has published extensively in leading international journals on topics covering public and private healthcare and insurance, medical labor markets, internet markets for healthcare, and health and well-being. He is currently on the editorial board of the international journal Health Systems and Reform. Terence has held academic and research appointments at universities in Australia, Singapore, and the United States. He returned to Australia in 2024 after a three-year stint as a Research Scientist of Health Systems Research and Policy at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He has consulted for the World Health Organisation, the World Bank, and various government departments in Australia.