NUR 621: Financial Management in Healthcare Systems
Topic 2 Assignment: Economic Theories and Models in
Health Care
Assignment Instructions & Rubric
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Objective
Demonstrate your understanding of key economic theories and models by applying
them to real-world nursing leadership challenges. Your analysis should move beyond
description to critical evaluation and synthesis, demonstrating graduate-level
competency in health economics and nursing administration.
Scenario
As a nurse leader, you must make decisions that are clinically sound, ethically
responsible, and economically viable. This assignment asks you to analyze healthcare
challenges through an economic lens, recognizing that financial imperatives must be
balanced with patient-centered care values and professional nursing ethics.
Your Tasks
1. Theoretical Foundation (20% of content)
Briefly define and explain two of the following economic models/theories, focusing on
their relevance to healthcare finance and nursing leadership:
● Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) vs. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA)
● The Triple Aim Framework (IHI)
● Principal-Agent Theory
● Pay-for-Performance (Value-Based Purchasing)
, ● Moral Hazard in Healthcare
● Economies of Scale in Service Delivery
Your explanation must address:
● Core principles and mathematical/logical foundations
● Key assumptions underlying the model
● Specific applications to healthcare delivery and nursing practice
● Inherent limitations when applied to human health contexts
2. Comparative Case Analysis (40% of content)
Using the two case studies provided below:
● Analyze Case A through the lens of your first chosen economic model
● Analyze Case B through the lens of your second chosen economic model
● Synthesis: Compare and contrast the insights gained from applying the two
different models to their respective cases. Discuss:
○ How each model frames the "problem" differently
○ What each model reveals and what it obscures
○ The limitations of each model in these specific contexts
○ How a purely economic analysis might conflict with nursing ethics, health
equity principles, or patient-centered care goals
3. Leadership Recommendation (25% of content)
For one of the cases, draft a brief, evidence-based recommendation to the executive
team (500-600 words). Your recommendation must:
● Be informed by your economic analysis
● Address financial implications (short-term and long-term)
● Address quality and safety implications
● Address ethical considerations and stakeholder concerns
● Include an implementation timeline with measurable outcomes
● Acknowledge potential risks and mitigation strategies
4. Critical Reflection (15% of content)
Topic 2 Assignment: Economic Theories and Models in
Health Care
Assignment Instructions & Rubric
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Objective
Demonstrate your understanding of key economic theories and models by applying
them to real-world nursing leadership challenges. Your analysis should move beyond
description to critical evaluation and synthesis, demonstrating graduate-level
competency in health economics and nursing administration.
Scenario
As a nurse leader, you must make decisions that are clinically sound, ethically
responsible, and economically viable. This assignment asks you to analyze healthcare
challenges through an economic lens, recognizing that financial imperatives must be
balanced with patient-centered care values and professional nursing ethics.
Your Tasks
1. Theoretical Foundation (20% of content)
Briefly define and explain two of the following economic models/theories, focusing on
their relevance to healthcare finance and nursing leadership:
● Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) vs. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA)
● The Triple Aim Framework (IHI)
● Principal-Agent Theory
● Pay-for-Performance (Value-Based Purchasing)
, ● Moral Hazard in Healthcare
● Economies of Scale in Service Delivery
Your explanation must address:
● Core principles and mathematical/logical foundations
● Key assumptions underlying the model
● Specific applications to healthcare delivery and nursing practice
● Inherent limitations when applied to human health contexts
2. Comparative Case Analysis (40% of content)
Using the two case studies provided below:
● Analyze Case A through the lens of your first chosen economic model
● Analyze Case B through the lens of your second chosen economic model
● Synthesis: Compare and contrast the insights gained from applying the two
different models to their respective cases. Discuss:
○ How each model frames the "problem" differently
○ What each model reveals and what it obscures
○ The limitations of each model in these specific contexts
○ How a purely economic analysis might conflict with nursing ethics, health
equity principles, or patient-centered care goals
3. Leadership Recommendation (25% of content)
For one of the cases, draft a brief, evidence-based recommendation to the executive
team (500-600 words). Your recommendation must:
● Be informed by your economic analysis
● Address financial implications (short-term and long-term)
● Address quality and safety implications
● Address ethical considerations and stakeholder concerns
● Include an implementation timeline with measurable outcomes
● Acknowledge potential risks and mitigation strategies
4. Critical Reflection (15% of content)
