December 5, 2023 – February 5, 2024* (ONLINE)

Behavioral Economics and Decision Making (HCIN6020a and 6020b -001)

Kevin G. Volpp, MD, PhD

Behavioral economics offers a framework for understanding how people make decisions, and how people’s decisions are predictably irrational in ways that can help us improve their behaviors. In this course, learn how deliberate decisions about choice architecture and incentive design can help us improve workplace health incentives, physician practices, and patient health behaviors.

Penn faculty and staff members are invited to take this 6-week long, online graduate course. Each week follows a pattern of asynchronous learning through brief videos, readings, written discussions with classmates, and real-world projects and assignments, plus a 1-hour synchronous class. Penn employees may use tuition benefits towards this course. This course is part of the Master of Health Care Innovation (MHCI) curriculum. A 4-course Certificate for Penn faculty and staff is also available.

To register or for more information, contact Caitlin O'Neill at MEHPonline@pennmedicine.upenn.edu, or see improvinghealthcare.mehp.upenn.edu/certificates/academic.

*Note: This is a multi-term course that spans from the Fall term to the Spring term. Students must take BOTH parts of the course. Students will earn 0.5 cu in each term for a 1 cu total for the course. Student will earn 1 letter grade for the entire multi-term course.