Why this programme?
Never has the need for innovation in healthcare been greater than today. Consumer demands and expectations are rising. Ageing and the advancement of new medical options have led to a growth in healthcare expenditures. Healthcare Policy, Innovation and Management offers a multidisciplinary approach and brings together both theory and practice in its focus on innovation. And it does so on all possible levels, from micro-to-macro-level, from individual organisations to (inter)national healthcare systems, from patient relations to the process of caretaking.
Influencing the future of healthcare: innovation
Across Europe, healthcare has become one of the biggest employment sectors. State involvement in healthcare features an unprecedented growth. These developments raise fundamental questions, such as:
- how to organise and implement patient-oriented healthcare,
- how to guarantee universal access to a fair package of health services,
- how to provide high-quality healthcare while containing costs,
- how to improve the performance of healthcare systems in general and healthcare providers in particular.
Key to all these issues is the need for innovation. The Healthcare Policy, Innovation and Management programme will therefore give you solid insight into all aspects of healthcare innovation at all levels and from different disciplines (including economics, financial and strategic management, policy sciences, innovation and quality management, process management). It will provide you with the competences needed to play a key role in initiating, governing, evaluating and managing healthcare innovations. And it will give you the ability to critically analyse health systems, to translate the results into innovative solutions and to influence the future of healthcare.
Improve your research skills
In addition to the theoretical knowledge you'll gain, you will also improve your practical research skills and employability skills. So you will not only learn about for example the economics of healthcare or process management, you will also learn how to conduct scientific investigations into these or other topics. You’ll practice all the stages of academic research, including designing the research, collecting data, data-analysis and reporting the findings.
Healthcare Policy, Innovation and Management master's student Nienke posts weekly about her experiences. She's also happy to answer your questions about the programme and about (student) life in Maastricht.
Key topics
The key topics of the programme are:
- health economics
- innovation management
- quality management
- governance
- process management
- managing change and implementation
- strategic and financial management in healthcare
Career event
In addition to your internship, you’ll also have other opportunities to get in touch with future employers. Each year, the Healthcare Policy Innovation and Management programme organises a one-day career event. This day consists of a plenary panel discussion, workshops and a network meeting. You’ll be able to talk to alumni and to representatives from different healthcare organisations. Who knows, you may even meet your future employer there.
For healthcare systems to become sustainable, innovative and enterprising professionals are needed who are well-informed about the contents, context, strategies and impact of innovations. This master trains students to become highly skilled professionals with multidisciplinary knowledge, innovative capacity and an entrepreneurial attitude, all essential for the future of healthcare.
Internships
At the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, we consider internships an indispensable experience. You will gain practical and professional experience and will rapidly develop from working on assignments in small groups to becoming an independent researcher. And internships not only enhance your studies by giving you practical experience, but they also give you an edge when looking for a job. For their thesis, past students have undertaken research intersnhips here at Maastricht University or at other universities, care providers, health insurers and consulting firms as far away as Asia and South America. Topics have ranged from the effects of tele-monitoring for patients with heart failure to the provision of integrated diabetes care in Krakow.
Master's thesis
During the second half of the programme, you will actively participate in research and complete a master’s thesis under the close supervision of the academic staff. Past topics have included:
- Effects of day surgery units on hospital efficiency in Austria (Gesundheit Österreich GmbH, Vienna)
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A cost of illness study of HIV/AIDS patients in Bogotá, Colombia (Universitad del Rosario)
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Integrated care in Europe: what is measured and how?
Identification of indicators and measures used in practice (WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen)
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The Impact of Healthcare Financing Methods on Hospital Discharge Processes (Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center, Bangalore)
Examples of placement topics
- causes of problematic cooperation between providers
- market competition in healthcare
- evaluation of stroke care pathways
- effects of changing organ donation legislation
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costs and effects of tele-monitoring for patients with heart failure
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strategic management of hospital care
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provision of integrated diabetes care
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health insurance in Hong Kong
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optimisation of patient flows in hospitals
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innovation and quality management for the elderly
Healthcare Policy, Innovation and Management research at Maastricht University
The staff involved with the master’s programme in Healthcare Policy, Innovation and Management conducts research that focuses on creating value-based healthcare, including, among others:
- Innovations in health services, particularly for long-term conditions. Purpose of this research is to supply policy, practice, and industry with evidence-based knowledge that helps enhance the quality, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of healthcare.
- The evaluation of interventions (health technology assessment and health economics). This research supports decision makers who are deciding about healthcare innovations.
- Psychosocial, clinical and environmental determinants of healthcare problems, such as the need for care, social participation, independency and quality of life among older persons, innovative healthcare programmes and interventions for the elderly.
The knowledge gained from this research serves as input for the courses of Healthcare Policy, Innovation and Management.
Obtain TWO master's degrees!
Double degree programme with University of Cologne (Germany)
The two-year, English-taught Double Master’s Programme in Health Economics and Management focuses on innovation in the healthcare sector and on current and future healthcare challenges. You develop an interdisciplinary understanding of management, economics and innovation in the sector. On completion of this programme, you will be able to apply economic concepts to medical questions and actively address the challenges of today's complex and rapidly changing healthcare sector with innovative approaches.
The programme is integrated into the Master of Science in Health Economics at the University of Cologne and the Master of Science in Healthcare Policy, Innovation and Management at Maastricht University and incorporates courses from both. It is based on recognition of credit points and includes a master's thesis, which is written during the second year of your studies, combined with a placement.
Your first year is at the University of Cologne and your second year at Maastricht University.
After you’ve completed the requirements of both master’s programmes, you will be awarded a degree from each university: Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Health Economics from the University of Cologne and Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Healthcare Policy, Innovation and Management from Maastricht University.
Have a look at the website of the University of Cologne for more information in general and application information in specific.
Small groups = big advantages
As with many Maastricht University programmes, the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences programmes are taught using Problem-Based Learning (PBL). In small tutorial groups of 10 to 12 students, you seek solutions to ‘problems’ taken from real-world situations. Instructors act as facilitators, giving help as it’s needed. This allows you to build independence and develop problem-solving skills that you’ll need in the field. This active, dynamic and collaborative learning method has one of the highest knowledge retention rates of any instructional method.
Problem Based Learning - quote compilation
Video: UM students talk about their experiences with Problem-Based Learning
Our differences are our greatest strength
Maastricht University is focused on the development of its International Classroom, a place where our differences become our strengths. From day 1, you’ll be challenged with differing viewpoints and experiences as you interact with staff and students from all over Europe and the world. Your preconceptions and worldview will be enhanced by this interaction, bringing you closer to the programme’s goal of teaching students not only facts and concepts but also international accessibility and understanding. Roughly 30% of the students in this master’s programme come from outside the Netherlands. Such diversity creates an international atmosphere that is strengthened by the international orientation of the programme.
PREMIUM honours programme
Want to gain that extra edge by getting real-world experience during your studies? The PREMIUM honours programme will help you gain the experience and develop the skills employers are looking for. As part of a team of students and under the guidance of our academic staff, you’ll spend about three months working on a real-world assignment for a company, NGO or educational institution. You'll also work on a personal development plan, receive intensive individual coaching and attend master classes and workshops. All of this will take about 250 hours, but it will give you a lifetime of benefits.
Are you up for the PREMIUM challenge?
Programme highlights
- Unique focus on policy and management of healthcare innovation.
- Solid insight into all aspects of healthcare innovation at all levels.
- International classroom with students from different backgrounds and nationalities.
- International network for internships abroad.
- From a care purchaser to a senior policy adviser, manager, consultant or researcher: the career opportunities are diverse.
- Opportunity to participate in a double degree master's programme with University of Cologne (Germany) and obtain two master's degrees.
I want to improve quality of care programmes for developing countries
I really think healthcare should be managed on a higher level. Doctors can only function properly if all the rest is taken care of
My aim is to make healthcare more accessible and effective on a European level
Once I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t in first-world healthcare, I can tailor it to the specific needs of Zimbabwe
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